Hear Ye!

The official newsletter of the :
Valley Forge Signal Seekers
Radio Controlled Model Airplane Club
September, 2000
No. 400

PLAN TO ATTEND

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 ( rain date September 24, 2000)
VALLEY FORGE ANNUAL FALL FUNFLY
Joe Weizer & Mike Estock co-chairmen

The CANDY DROP EXPRESS will be flying every hour on the hour beginning at
10 o'clock, piloted by Rom Boutin.

At the last three funflys there were nearly 100 aircraft displayed & flown.

From the PREZ
Prez Sez, by Walter Pierzchala

This month we recognize our flight instructors. When you fly your
airplane, think of the time spent by your flight instructor. Think of the
harrowing time he had to save your plane when you were learning to fly. So
- when flying your plane, thank the instructor who taught you to fly. I
would like to thank our chief instructor and the other instructors for
their time and energy spent teaching all of us. I'd like to mention their
names but would not want to omit anyone, therefore, you know most of the
instructors, past and present. Give them a pat on the back for a job well
done.
Walt Pierzchala

The September meeting
on September 12 will be held at the church at 8 PM

RAFFLE
Joe Yalove
With the September meeting being held in the church, the meeting raffle
event will be resumed.

The following items will be prizes at the September raffle.

1. Slot machine
2. Top Flite monocote trim tool
3. Engine mount locator
4. Transmitter case
5. Aircraft C.G. balancer
6. Glue caddy/glue assortment caddy
7. Bench topper prebuilt (holds misc. tools,etc.)
8. Globee intelligence digital tach.

NEW CLUB DIRECTORY
Year 2000 club membership directories are now available. Pick up a copy at
the next meeting or look for one in the barrel at the field. Included with
the directory is a copy of the club rules which you have agreed to when you
accepted your year 2000 membership. These rules are also posted on the
bulletin board at the field. Please read and comply with them.

BUILDER'S CORNER
Gerry Keenan

Just soloed and thinking about you next plane? A lot of us start flying
these days on arfs and don't have a clue as to how to build. Perhaps you
feel like your all thumbs. Then builder's corner is for you. Each month I
am going to bring up different subjects about basic building for the
beginning builder.

One of the most rewarding things about building is when you finish a plane
and it looks good. Covering a plane can be as easy as anything if you
understand the basics. First let's talk about what covering you are going
to use. Monocoat, Ultacoat, Towercoat, Trenchcoat, Raincoat and a million
other coats. They all have one thing in common. They are made out of
polyester. The only difference is in the amount of heat and the amount they
shrink. Choose one and use only that brand till you get good at it. The
only exception is fabric (Coverite). As far as tools go you will need a
heating iron, trim iron, heat gun, and knife with #11 blades. I've tried a
lot of cutters that are intended to cut straight lines and none of them
work well. The best way is to lay a metal ruler on say the wing and slice
the covering even with the ruler. So keep your tools basic to start.
When first covering, start basic and build up. Try using the picture on the
kit box as a model. On your second or third plane maybe use a picture out
of a magazine. Remember the seven steps to covering You swear at the
covering. You swear at the iron. You swear at yourself. You talk to the
covering and the iron. You talk to yourself. You begin to answer yourself.
Some kind of magic takes over and the next thing you know people are
admiring your work at the field. When covering keep in mind that if you use
the iron, then the grain of the wood is going to show. For example when
covering a wing many who use an iron try tacking around the edges first
with a iron and then working from the middle out use a heat gun. I find you
get a better finish. As far as sticking the covering to the wood the heat
gun will do find. The corners come out better too. The only difference
between a good looking plane and a rat is the good looking one has the
mistakes hidden better. Many planes look good because of the decals. In my
quest for decals I came across a website that's has just about everything.
Check out WWW.djhobby.com.
Next month: Good kits to start with.

MINUTES of MEETING AUG 8th
Ernie McGauley
At the meeting on the field last month Club President Walt Pierzchala
asked for nominations for the new BOG term. Those nominated were:
Rick Bruce John Matt
Al Campanpa Dee Messina
Jim Campana Russ O'Brien
Mario Chiarolanza Alex Patson
Bob Dolan Joe Pasquini
Mike Estock Ed Snead

We had a request for members to display their models at the
Pottstown/Limerick Airport Flying.

New Member Directories were distributed with a copy of the club rules. Read
the club rules because they reflect the AMA rules and if you are flying
outside of those rules,
YOUR AMA INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER YOU.

AMA leader club pins were handed out.

There was much flying activity before & after the meeting.
Two Reindeer attended the meeting at the end of the parking lot.

A trip to the AIR & SPACE MUSEUM in Washington DC was proposed for October
.. Respond to Joe Weizer ONLY if you will commit. Cost will be @$35. Snacks
& hoagies will be provided.

ARTICLES APPEARING IN HEARYE
Ernie McGauley

It is the policy of Hearye to print all correspondence submitted as
long as there is no personal criticism of any person be they a member or
non member of the VFSS. Every effort will be made to print articles
unedited except for spelling and grammar corrections. There could be an
occasional space constraint requiring some changes to the text.

All correspondence to the Hearye editor should be with email if possible.
All documents should be composed using "WORDPAD" or "NOTEPAD" if you have a
PC and are using Windows.Those programs are a part of Windows Accessories.
After composing with one of the above programs the article can be sent as a
simple attatchment to an e-mail. If anyone needs instructions on how to do
that, please call me.

The e-mail address is:
emcgaul@yahoo.com

Breakfast Fly-In
Al Campana

On Sunday, September 10, the Pottstown Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn.
will host its annual Fall Breakfast Fly-In at the Pottstown-Limerick
Airport. This event draws pilots and their aircraft from a wide area.
This is your chance to see a large array of different private aircraft
including homebuilts,older classics, bi-planes, and contemporary aircraft.
These airplanes are parked according to their landing gear configuration:
tail draggers in one field and trikes in another. The Fly-In Breakfast
begins at 8 AM and ends at 1 PM and hopefully will attract over 75
aircraft. The Fly-In is very informal and you can stand right by the
taxi-way while the planes are landing.

Attendance and parking at the Fly-In are free. The breakfast, prepared
fresh by the members of the Pottstown Club, is $5.00 and consists of
scrambled eggs, ham, pancakes, juice and coffee. For children under 12 it
is $3.00.

Our Club, VFSS, has been invited to display our scale aircraft near the
breakfast area. This should give us high visibility to the visiting
pilots. This is a great opportunity for modelers and pilots to mingle and
talk shop. Bring your camera and be prepared to enjoy this unique event.
If you have any questions, please call
Al Campana.

Directions to Airport

Take Rt. 422 to Linfield-Limerick exit. Turn right on Lewis Rd. Continue
on Lewis Rd. to Ridge Pike (1.5 mi.). Turn left on Ridge Pk. and continue
on to Airport Rd. (opposite Pottstown Honda) (1.4mi.). Turn left on
Airport Rd. to Peters Lane
(0.7 mi.). This street will end in a cul-de-sac. Turn right on to a
narrow gravel road to parking area. If you have a scale model to display,
continue on gravel road to Clubhouse at end of road.

NEED COMPUTER HELP?
Ernie McGauley
In talking to many of our members about how to do things with computers, I
have found that many of us have minimum computer skills. I tried to get a
space near the field to hold a class on COMPUTER BASICS. The effort failed
because of security concerns. I will be glad to help anyone over the phone
if you call me at (215) 637-1311

ON LINE SHOPPING
Jim Eble of Creek Hobbies has announced that the hobby shop website is now
open for e-business. You can shop and place an order online at:
www.creekhobbies.com.

Airplane Modelers' Field Tools
Jim Myers

As a novice R/C flyer, you might be just learning what kind of airplane,
engine, and radio equipment you need to get yourself started in this hobby.
You will also need the following essential equipment to bring along to the
field for your first of many flights (we hope).

Fuel. Probably 10% nitromethane, 18-20% oil (including castor oil)
Fuel pump. Manual or electric
Glow igniter. This may be a small 1.2-volt rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCad)
Combination wrench. To fit glow plug and various sizes of propeller nuts
"Chicken stick". To protect your hands and fingers while starting the engine
Rubber bands or nylon screws. To attach the wing to the fuselage
Sunglasses

The above items may be just enough for one or two flights. Pretty soon,
you will wish you had also brought the following standard items:

Extra propellers. In addition to at least one extra "nominal" size prop for your engine, bring along some with slightly larger
pitch. For example, a .40 two-stroke engine usually uses a
10"(diameter)X6"(pitch) prop. Bring along an extra 10X6, plus a
10X7 and maybe a 10X8 prop for good measure. Higher pitch will
slow down the engine a bit, and help reduce noise, with negligible
thrust reduction.
Extra glow plugs. These happen to burn out when you least expect
it.
Needle-nose pliers and wire cutter
Screw drivers. Straight blade and Phillips head; various sizes to
fit all screws in/on your plane.
Hex wrenches. Sometimes called Allen wrenches; these are essential
for tightening wheel collars; also for engine mounting bolts, etc.
Get a set that will fit all of the bolts of your engine, including
needle valve extensions. Depending on your engine, you may need
metric and English sizes. Get a set with ball ends, if you can;
these can reach bolts at an angle, adding to your convenience.
Tie down. To safely restrain your plane when you're starting the
engine. Simplest is a length of nylon rope anchored in the ground
by a screwdriver and looped over the tail.
Fuel tubing. Serves a variety of purposes.
Spray cleanser. (e.g., Fantastic) and paper towels to clean your
plane.

As you progress, you will also find the next group of items will add
convenience to your operations:

Field box. Wood or plastic, to store all of the above goodies and
more
12-volt storage battery. Typically sized for a motorcycle, to fit
in field box
Electric starter. More likely to start your engine under any
conditions
Glow plug lead. In case you forgot to recharge that NiCad glow
igniter.
Power panel. Provides convenient outlets for starter, electric
fuel pump, and reduced voltage for the glow plug.
Extra fasteners. Including screws, nuts, rubber bands, wheel
collars?try to duplicate all types that hold your plane together.

Optional: cap or hat with brim, sunscreen, insect repellant, a stopwatch,
folding chair, kneeling pad, etc. Ask your instructor to explain any items
you do not understand.

SECURING CLUB EQUIPMENT
The last person to leave the field is responsible for putting equipment
into the barrel and locking it. When you lock the barrel you MUST SPIN THE
NUMBERS or else the lock is not secured.If you are last to leave, then you
will be held responsible for any loss to the club by neglecting to lock up.

ENGINE NOISE
All internal combustion engines will be held to the noise requirements set
forth by the club rules. This is 95decibles at 3 meters (9.84 feet). These
measurements are a correction to the previously stated club rules.

PINCH TEST

If you pinch your fuel line and your engine speeds up a lot:
you are running too rich

If you pinch your fuel line and your engine speeds up a little:
you are running just right

If you pinch your fuel line and your engine slows down:
you are running too lean

If you pinch your fuel line and your engine doesn't speed up at all:
you are running on the edge of too lean

This information and other good tips can be found at

http://www.rcplanet.com/bamac/engine_tips.htm on the internet

BOG MINUTES
Dee Messina
Aug 15,2000 meeting opened at 7:05 at the field
12 members present

1. Club budget is solvent and we are ahead of this years
proposal.
2. A motion was made to consider a club field roller. We are
checking out the prices.
3. The second funfly of the summer will take place on
September 23. Mike Estock and Joe Weizer will be
co-chairmen for this event.
4. The club auction will take place at the Valley Forge
MiddleSchool. This is the same location as last year Date
should be November 4.
5. Tom Greet has been elected by the BOG as Chief Glider
Instructor.
6. The following names have been nominated for BOG
members for years 2001 & 2002.

Rick Bruce John Matt
Al Campana Dee Messina
Jim Campana Russ O'Brien
Mario Chiarolanza Joseph Pasquini
Bob Dolan Alex Patson
Mike Estock Ed Snead

BOG ELECTIONS

BOG elections will be held at the October meeting on October 10th.

New Pilots

Herb Fry Jason Fedon
Rick Bruce Dave Merker
Dan Dewes Dave Lewicki

New Members

Scott Donnelly, Phoenixville,
PA.
Michael Losardo, Audubon, PA.
Charles McManus, Chester Springs, PA.
Larry Scaggs, St. Davids,
PA.
Edward Schryver, King of Prussia, PA.
Timothy Schryver King of Prussia, PA.
Walter Schryver, King of Prussia, PA.
Peter Stine, Wynnewood, PA.
Patrick Taggart, Wayne,
PA.
Matt Trabosh, Norristown,
PA.
Gregory Zaimes, Malvern, PA.
Paul Zaimes, Malvern,
PA.
WELCOME ABOARD EVERYONE!


Feedback or comments to: Ernie McGauley , HearYe editor
Michael Myers, Webmaster


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