Hear Ye!

May, 2004
No. 444

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
by Russ O'Brien

Wisdom from the Internet:
Ground effect diminishes with altitude.

March Show-N-Tell

Mention of the Show-N-Tell at the March meeting was inadvertently omitted in
the last Hear Ye! My apologies to the two participants, Irv Smith and Bob
Flick. Irv showed his giant scale Sopwith Pup painted in authentic WW I
squadron colors and insignias, complete with a Vickers machine gun. Thanks
for showing us such a beautiful model, which obviously is the result of
untold hours of careful workmanship. Bob Flick showed his amphibious model
with an O.S. 20 four-stroke engine. The model was made from scratch, based
on a magazine article with only pictures and miniature plans as a guide.
With no kit of parts to assemble, Bob selected materials and made all the
pieces for the scale he chose. The result is an unusual and lightweight
model which is matched to the engine weight and power. Thanks, Bob, for
demonstrating that a model that you like can be made, even when no kit is
available.

April Show-N-Tell

Rob Caso showed a model of the Fairey Swordfish biplane carrying an under
slung torpedo almost the full length of the plane. Rob made the parts using
his own computer-controlled, laser cutting facilities. The plane
demonstrates how outclassed the British equipment was at the outset of WW
II. However, one of these little planes struggled slowly through the air
and "delivered the ordnance" which disabled the rudder of the great
battleship Bismarck, leaving it only able to turn in circles and receive a
pounding from the big guns of surface ships.

Member Andrew Berg's friend Paul showed an aerobatic model of his own design
powered by an O.S. 10, two-stroke engine. The wing is white foam with the
chord almost equal to the wingspan. The fuel tank is placed as near to the
balance point as possible to minimize the effect of fuel weight on balance.
With no ailerons, the parasol-wing craft is controlled through maneuvers by
throttle management, rudder and elevator.

Russ O'Brien reviewed the problem of adverse yaw, which troubled the Wright
Brothers during their glider flights in 1901 at Kitty Hawk. It was not
known at the time that the aileron (or wing warp) moving down produces more
drag than the aileron moving up, so a left bank results in the plane turning
to the right. Six aileron designs were reviewed, all of which produce
adverse yaw and must be dealt with through differential aileron deflection
and/or rudder. The Frieze aileron design, invented in 1929, was shown as
used in the FW190, the Ercoupe, and many stunt planes. This design
automatically introduces additional drag at the upward deflected aileron,
thus compensating for the unwanted drag of the opposite aileron. The net
effect is a reduced pilot workload and a better handling airplane, in models
as well as full-scale.

Early Club History

Joe Krush, the third VFSS President, submitted a six-page, hand-written
history of the Valley Forge Signal Seekers. This will be typed and copies
made available at meetings.
In the early days, there were no throttles or buddy-boxes, and pilots had to
tap out a sort of Morse Code signal on different switches to control the
model. Mr. Krush was there through the years and is our primary source of
information on chronological events. We appreciate all his efforts.

Missed Credits

One of the hazards of thanking people for their volunteer work is that
someone may be left out. Well, it happened again. John Matt and his wife
Elaine contributed many hours cooking and serving food at fun fly events
while most others were free to hide from the heat. John and Elaine, the
members certainly appreciate all your efforts in keeping those food lines
quickly moving along.

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WRITE TO MAKE IT RIGHT

Submitted by Carl Sutton

Joe Pasquini composed a letter to State Representative Curt Schroder
concerning the desire of the Valley Forge Signal Seekers to continue their
activities in Valley Forge Park.

On the right is the positive response that he received. The letter,
addressed to Arthur Stewart, Superintendent of Valley Forge National Park,
urges allowing VFSS to continue use the park as they have done in the past.

Members, please consider writing to your own congressmen and others in order
to publicize our plight and request their help in resolving this issue
favorably for VFSS.

Thanks.

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April 8, 2004

Arthur L. Steward, Superintendent
Valley Forge National Park
Valley Forge, PA 19482

Dear Mr. Stewart:

It has come to my attention through members of the Valley Forge Signal
Seekers, that changes to Valley Forge Park's master plan might prevent the
club from continuing to fly model aircraft in the park.

There is a long history of model aircraft enthusiasts flying their plans at
Valley Forge. I can remember as a child watching the remote controlled
planes in fascination after touring the park and having a picnic lunch. The
Signal Seekers have been good stewards of the park over the years. There
are fewer and fewer places in southeast Pennsylvania where such recreational
activity can occur because of the pace of rapid development.

It is my sincere hope that the Valley Forge National Park and the National
Park Service will see fit to allow model aviation hobbyists to use park
grounds as they have done fro many years. Pleas reconsider any thoughts
about eliminating this activity.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,
Curt Schroder, Member
135th Legislative District

cc: Joseph Pasquini

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EMERGENCY SAFETY ALERT

AMA SAFETY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT
APRIL 23, 2004
LITHIUM BATTERY HAZARD

Lithium Battery Fires

Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and
power systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy
density (amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to NiCads or other batteries. With high
energy comes increased risk in their use. The principal risk is fire which
can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries.
All vendors of these batteries warn their customers of this danger and
recommend extreme caution in their use.

In spite of this, many fires have occurred as a result of the use of Lithium
Polymer batteries, resulting in loss of models, automobiles, and other
property. Homes and garages and workshops have also burned. A lithium
battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent
initiator for ancillary (resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact
between Lithium and oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of
ignition, or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively.
These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The
following is recommended:

1. Store, and charge, in a fireproof container; never in your model.

2. Charge in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch
over the charging process. Never leave the charging process unattended.

3. In the event of damage from crashes, etc., carefully remove to a safe
place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could
erupt into flame, and, after sufficient time to ensure safety, should be
discarded in accordance with the instructions which came with the batteries.
Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage, regardless of how
slight.

4. Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having
a fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur in using
selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set. Never attempt to charge
Lithium cells with a charger which is not specifically designed for charging
Lithium cells. Never use chargers designed for Nickel Cadmium batteries.

5. Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each
cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits
overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the batteries show any sign of
swelling, discontinue charging, and remove them to a safe place outside as
they could erupt into flames.

6. Most important: never plug in a battery and leave it to charge unattended
overnight. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.

7. Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.

These batteries cannot be handled and charged casually such as has been the
practice for years with other types of batteries. The consequence of this
practice can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/ or
personal harm.

Safety Committee
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5161 E Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VFSS BOG MEETING
Submitted by Steve Kolet, Secretary

April 6, 2004
Meeting was opened at 7:00 PM by Vice-president Bob Sudermann.

OLD BUSINESS:

Item 1: The club charter is here. The club insurance certificate is to
follow.

Item 2: The AMA Leader Club paperwork has been submitted.

Item 3: The porta-potty has been delivered. It is not the unit promised
and is to be replaced with the agreed-upon unit with water, sink, etc.,
ASAP.

Item 4: The field was rolled today, April 6.

NEW BUSINESS:

Item 1: The June and September fun fly dates, etc., were discussed. We
settled upon June 12/13 and September 11/12 as primary and rain dates. The
permit for each will be prepared and submitted. Mike Estock agreed to
coordinate the two fun flys. Walt Pierzchala will look into getting Alpha
Squadron, etc., to perform a noon show. Steve Kolet will obtain the cold
beverages for the two dates. Walt will get 50 hoagies for each fun fly.

Item 2: Nathan Marks has been working on defining the duties of the Club
Field Marshal. This also includes the sound checking of models. We hope to
have a Saturday set in the next few weeks to synchronize/calibrate club and
private sound meters and sound-check as many planes as possible.

Item 3: Steve Kolet is trying to update an inventory of club equipment,
etc. He and Joe Pasquini have custody of club trainer aircraft. Steve will
try to see if there are other club aircraft. Walt thinks he has an old
listing and will pass it if he locates the list. A motion was made to not
purchase another club trainer and seconded by Joe Pasquini. Motion passed
unanimously. Bob Sudermann has two club "walkie-talkies" which are used at
fun flys.

Item 4: There will be a meeting with the Park Superintendent, etc., on
April 16. If weather permits, we will try to fly some of the park staff in
attendance on a buddy box.

Item 5: Mel Jones brought up the point that the club needs to address the
high turnover in able and willing club officers and other functionaries.
Bob recommended that we all think about it and write up some recommendations
to be briefed and collected at the next BOG meeting. A bylaws committee may
be appointed to begin updating the bylaws. The Field Marshal description
may be included.

All business was concluded. Walt Pierzchala made a motion to adjourn,
seconded by Joe Yalove. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting was
adjourned at 8:15 PM.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLUB CALENDAR

Sunday, May 2nd -
Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum bus trip. Dulles Airport.

Tuesday, May 4th -
BOG Meeting at the church meeting room, 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, May 11th -
General Membership Meeting at the church, 8:00 PM.

Saturday & Sunday, May 29th & 30th -
5th Annual Jumbo Jamboree. Warren Kruse Field, Imlaystown, NJ. IMAA
Members. Info: (609) 585-0358.

Saturday, June 12th -
Fun Fly. Rain date, Sunday, June 13th.

Sunday, June 13th -
New Garden Air Show, Toughkenamon, PA.

Saturday & Sunday, June 19th & 20th -
IMAA Giant Scale Warbirds, Quakertown, PA

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