Prez Sez
by Al Campana
The highlight of our meeting last month was the speaker, Brad McManus. It's not often you get to talk to a fighter pilot from WW Il. And it's even rarer when he survived a crash landing in -30 deg. weather and lives to tell about it. What makes it even more fascinating is the recovery and restoration of one ofthe P-38 Lightnings involved in this doomed flight. According to Mr. McManus, the restored P-38 may fly again later this year. If it does, it will be 56 years after it crash-landed on Greenland. Interest in these WW II airplanes seems greater now than it ever was. There are people hunting for crashed or abandoned wartime aircraft all over the
world. In the April/May issue of Air & Space, an article mentions that 29 aircraft have been pulled out of Lake Michigan. All of the airplanes had been assigned to Naval Air Station Glenview, a training facility. The latest, a Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless Dive Bomber, is presenty undergoing restoration at Pensacola, FL. But the rarest ofthe rare is still the P-38 Lightning and according to Brad, there are only 6 examples of this airplane left in the world. After the recovered P-38 has been completely rebuilt and flown, the plan is to fly it along the exact same route it was following when it went down in Greenland. This time it hopefully will arrive in England safely. A little late but safe.
Ray Zimmerman one of our members, recently passed away due to a sudden sickness. Ray, along with his brother Lou, was a summer morning regular at the field. Although he never learned to fly R/C he enjoyed his flying lessons at the field. He will be missed.
Noise checks of powered aircraft seem to be proceeding OK. I checked 13 aircraft and all but one passed and after a prop change even that one was within our limits. My VK Cherokee, powered by an OS .70 Surpass, checked out at 83 dbA. Probably because of a 3-bladed prop and a fiberglassed and painted fuselage.
NOTICE
A check of the Club roster indicates several members have not renewed their membership for 1998. Anyone who has not renewed by the time of our next meeting on May 12th, will no longer receive the Newsletter.
Field Notes
Ever wonder who cuts the grass and helps to keep the field neat? Warren Barrack has been cutting the grass early in the morning so as not to interfere with flying. And he does a really fine job, not only on the field, but the pit area and access lanes. In addition, Russ O'Bnen brought out his gas powered vacuum and cleaned the pit area of cigarette butts and debris. Walt Pierzchala also used his weed wacker to trim around the barrels and bulletin board. Thank you Warren, Russ, and Walt for your efforts toward keeping our field in tip-top shape.
Sunday fliers are reminded that the Glider Guiders and the Electric Airplane fliers have an extra hour to fly during summer. Their time period is 9AM to 2PM, until the end of Daylight Saving Time in the Fall.
Saturdays and Sundays are busy times in the Park during summer. Please remember to put up the rope barrier to help keep the spectators back ofthe pit area. After the flying session, don't forget to put the Pin Board back and lock the barrels.
The Board of Governors is concerned that some of those people actively flying are not putting their 1998 Membership Card in the Frequency Board channel slot when getting their Frequency Pin. Many members use their AMA Card or last year's Club Card. Please remember this important Club Rule: You must have a current VFSS Club Card or a Park Day Pass to fly your airplane.
It may surprise you to know that our field is used several times a year by the Delaware Valley Astronomers Club. Their next meeting is May 30th at dusk and they will allow you to look through their telescopes. I've watched them set up their equipment and some of these telescopes are beautifully hand-crafted with precision hand-ground mirrors that are very powerful.
Tech Tip
By Russ O'Brien
Factors Causing Left-Turn Tendency During Takeoff by Tail Draggers:
1) Swirling Air from the Propeller - As viewed from the cockpit, the prop turns clockwise in most of our models. Swirling air from the prop hits the left side ofthe fuselage and rudder, thus tending to turn the plane to the left.
2) Propeller Factor (P-Factor) - A plane sitting on a tailwheel has it's nose pitched upward. Every degree of nose up attitude adds extra "bite" to the prop blade as it rotates from top to bottom on the right side (as viewed from the pilot's seat). On the left side, the opposite happens, the prop blade has less "bite" as it rotates from bottom to top. You can see this by looking at your plane from both sides with the propeller stopped horizontal. The effect of this is to make the plane turn left due to the stronger pull from the right side as the plane is on its takeoff ground roll. The effect disappears when the tail lifts and the fuselage is level. Be aware of this effect and compensate by adding right rudder.
3) Gyro Effect - The spinning engine mass acts as a small gyroscope which causes the plane to turn left as the tail lifts on the takeoff roll.This effect is only momentary. You can check it by using a bicycle wheel in your hands. Hold the wheel by its axle ends, one in each hand. Spin the wheel with your fingers, using the spokes. The axle represents the airplane fuselage and the spinning wheel act as the spinning engine mass. By raising the "fuselage" tail the whole assembly will turn left.
Items 2) and 3) do not happen with tricycle gear airplanes because they sit level on the ground.
John Williamson reminds us that it is an AMA rule that you must bave your name, address, phone number and AMA number placed inside your airplane. He suggests using sticky-back mailing labels that most of us have. They are small and will fit inside any aircraft. Or, you can design your own label if you have a computer and printer. Remember, this is an AMA requirement and this information should be in every airplane that you own. Thanks, John.
Pilot Profile
George Dukes
New Members
Michael P. Awcin - Conshohocken
Glen Bailey - Phoenixville
Carl Bushnell - Malvern
Greta Bushnell - Malvern
Owen Conlon - Philadelphia
Tom Fuhs - Paoli
Tom Nurse - Lansdale
Dan Remillard - Paoli
Devin K. Troy - Ambler
Peter Villas - Drexel Hill
Bryce Buchanan - Coatsville
Frank Conti - Lansdale
Jason Fedon - Stafford
Bob Hutchinson - Blue Bell
Kevin Magiire, Sr. - Blue Bell
Kevin Maguire, lr. - Blue Bell
Bud McGovern - Downingtown
Tom Mingot - Wayne
Tom O'Brien - Havertown
Joseph Rose II - Norristown
William Troutman - Collegeville
Jerry Werner - Lansdale
To all of you, Good Luck! May all your days be calm and sunny and all your landings smooooth!!
Fuel Facts
By Don Nix
(Mr. Nix is President of GBG Industries,
manufacturers of Powermaster Fuel)
Contrary to many things you may have heard, just about the only thing that adversely affects model fuel is the absorption of moisture from the air. Keep the air away from it, and your fuel will likely be potent longer than you are. Methanol - the major ingredient in model fuel - is hygroscopic. This means it's virtually 100% soluble in water, and absorbs moisture from the air like a vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt.
Most modelers have no idea how rapidly this can - and does - happen, and tend to be rather skeptical about the idea. Let me paint a picture for you: Almost everyone has spilled a little fuel on the top of their fuel can in their flight box. If so, you've no doubt noticed that the shallow film of raw fuel takes on a cloudy, milly look. What you are seeing is the methanol sucking moisture right out of the air. Since the quantity of fuel is thin with a lot of surface area, the absorption is radid, the water won't mix with the oil and the fuel turns cloudy.
Just remember how quickly this happens... almost immediately... and it might give you an idea of just how quickly your fuel can be ruined if you leave the
cap off, allow a vent tube to remain open, etc. The wide surface area relative to the quantity of the fuel is disproportionate, of course, to leaving the cap off the fuel jug, but you get the idea. ln a humid condition, it doesn't take very long at all to adversely affect your fuel. And it doesn't take a large opening .... a cross-threaded cap, a small vent line, etc., is all that's needed to do the damage.
The solution is simple, of course... just keep it tightly sealed. And yet, sometimes that's not enough. Most of us have seen small droplets condensed inside our fuel jugs after it's become partially empty. This is the result of condensation of moisture as the air trapped inside the jug cools. While it's true that the UV in sunlight (or in fluorescent lights, for that matter) will cause pure nitro-methane to deteriorate over time, it's our experience that once the nitro is in solution and substantially diluted, the deteriorative effect is minor.
Stewart Middle School Project
Jim Myers advises that this Program will take place on May 18th to 21st from 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM in the School Cafeteria. Funded by Lockheed and conducted by volunteers of our VFSS Club, this helps to introduce students to math and science experiences. In addition to introducing the students to basic aeronautics and theory of flight, they will build and fly small model airplanes including Delta Darts, Flip Gliders, and the Shoebox R.O.G. This class will involve 30 students in the 6th Grade. If any Club member is interested helping Jim with this Program, please call him.
Raffle News
By Jim Myers, Raffle Chairman.
The April Raffle was a great success. Thanks to all who purchase~d tickets. Here's a list of prizes for the May Raffle:
Spirit 100 Sailplane by Great Planes. 100 inch Wingspan, can be built w/flaps or spoilers.
Big Stik 40 Airplane by Great Planes. 59 inch W/S
Dremel Multipro 2 Speed Cordless Power Tool Kit, includes 25 accessories/bits
Flight Training Tape: "One Week to Solo", 2 Hour Video
$40, $30, $20, Gift Certficates! Come on guys, come to the meeting and buy a couple of tickets for the Raffle.
For SALE
Altec Musketeer - 96" W/S Ready to Fly, with U.S. Engines 41, (8) S-148 Servos, RAM landing Lights, Du-Bro Fuel Filler Valve, Tru-Turn Alum. Spinner. Over $1000 invested, asking $650.
Glenn Bailey
Phoenixville, Pa. E-mail: gandj30@erols.com
B.O.G. Review
By Dee Messina, Secretary
The Board of Governors met on April 21, 1998
Meeting called to order at 7:10 PM.
Thirteen members present.
Treasurers Report of Income and Expenses discussed
by Al Primas, Treasurer.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Jim Myers will conduct a scan ofthe R/C frequency band using the Club's Communications Receiver to look for possible RF interference.
2) Two PA speakers have been purchased to upgrade our amplifier system for outdoor (field) use.
3) The field has been rolled and the grass cut short for a smooth surface.
4) Sam Andreas working on an Emergency Medical route from the field to emergency medical treatment.
5) Jim Campana working on a handout for use at the field for spectators questions.
NEW BUSINESS
1) The B.O.G. voted to hold the May Club Meeting at the Church.
2) The Special Use Permit issued by Y.F. Historical Park for our flying field will expire at the end of this year. A new Permit has been submitted to the Park Administration for five additional years and we are awaiting their approval.
3) Ongoing program of noise meter checks of engine powered aircraft was discussed.
4) A report indicating several members have failed to renew their membership was discussed.
5) This years' auction site has not been firmed up yet. MEETING ADJOURNED 7:45 PM.
Club Notes
May 12th - Regular Club Meeting at the CHURCH 8:00 PM.
June 9th - Regular Club Meeting at the FIELD 6:30 PM.
June 13th - Fun Fly, Saturday - 9:00 AM.
Feedback or comments to:
Al Campana, HearYe editor
Michael Myers, Webmaster
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