Prez Sez
by Al Campana
Our August meeting featured 3 of our member-builders with their latest creations. Rudy Forst brought his newly completed (and flown) 1/3rd scale Super Cub. Very nice job complete with working lights. Plenty of power from a Zenoah G-62 and Rudy says it f lies very well. Joe Weizer brought his new Beech Bonanza V-Tail. Beautifully done with nice cockpit detail, working lights and electric-powered retractable landing gear. Very realistic scale model that should be a nice flyer. Jim Campana brought his Ex tra 260 "in the bones". This model will be powered by a Moki 1.8 engine and will have a smoke system.
Thank you gentlemen, for bringing these excellent models to our meeting. It's great to see some of our members still turning out beautiful airplane models.
On Sunday, August 9th, a member was flying a 1/3 scale Laser with smoke and he really put the airplane through it's paces, doing 4-point rolls, spins, torque rolls, etc., all with heavy smoke. He finished his routine, landed, and joined the other pilots in conversation. Then they noticed several police cars and fire engines passing by on Rt. 252. A few minutes later they came back on 252 and turned in to the road to our field. After talking to the police they informed us that a passing motorist had call ed in and reported seeing an airplane trailing smoke and going down. The local police surmised it was a model but had to check out the report. Just when you think you've heard everything, along comes this.
September is a busy month for us. We have a static display of scale models scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Pottstown-Limerick Airport to help the Pottstown AOPA celebrate their 50th Anniversary. This Breakfast Fly-In is a really enjoyable event. If you ha ve children I think they would have a great time seeing all the private airplanes flying in. The nice thing about this event is you have the freedom to walk around examining the airplanes or standing by the runway watching them land. Should be a great time for all.
Our 2nd Fun-Fly of this season is scheduled for Sept. 26
The Spring Fun-Fly was held on Sunday (rain date) because of the weather and we still had a pretty good turnout. Hopefully we'll have good weather on the 26th Come on out and have some fun! We'll even feed ya with subs and sodas!! If that doesn't get you out..........
Field Maintenance
I received an e-mail message from one of our regular flyers and thought I would pass it on because he has a good point:
"I was at the field today and I gotta tell you it's criminal the way guys leave the pit area. I know we've talked about it before but it really got to me today, you can't sit down on the ground without having to clear an area of cigarette butts. Have these guys given any consideration as to what the Park would say about this?
What moved me to write you was this. I had to pick up cellophane wrappers and a water bottle out of the pit area and throw them away myself. I'm sure there are other guys that have to do the same thing. I'm the last guy in the world that wants to start any kind of trouble in the club, but can't something be done?"
(Name withheld by Editor)
We have 2 butt cans fastened onto steel stakes which are stored in a barrel. It would take about 20 seconds to set them up in the pit area. Or the smoker can "police" his area when leaving. It's just carelessness but those filter tips just keep building up. So, come on guys, help keep our area clean.....pick up your trash and butts!
Field maintenance includes keeping the grass cut short on a timely basis and with a minimum of "field down time". The majority of the grass cutting chores for this season were handeled by Warren Barrick, Walt Pierzchala and Al Campana. Jim Holder also vol un-teered and cut the grass recently. Russ Crawford has also volunteered his services.
Thanks fellas, for your help in keeping the field mowed.
E-Mail Directory
Rom Boutin has been keeping the club e-mail directory current. If you wish to be included in this directory, please contact Rom at: rboutin@erols.com
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER 8 (Tuesday) - Club Meeting at the
Church 8:00 PM. Raffle to be
conducted by Jim Myers.
SEPTEMBER 13 (Sunday) - Breakfast Fly-In at
Pottstown-Limerick Airport.
7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Static Display
of Scale Models by VFSS.
(Rain Date - Sept 20)
SEPTEMBER 26 (Saturday) - Club Fun-Fly. Bring
anything that flys!! Subs and Sodas
for Club Members. Rain Date 9/27
OCTOBER 3 & 4 (Saturday and Sunday) - Air Show
at Chester County Carlson Airport,
located off Rt 30, west of Coatesville
Featuring: A-10 Demo, Ed Chipley
in a P-51, Flying Farmer, etc.
Club Elections
It's that time of the year again! According to our Club Bylaws, nominations for the Year 1999 - 2000 Board of Governors should be made at our September General Meeting. There will be 8 members going out at the end of 1998 and they will have to be replace d. The Bylaws state that we can elect up to 11 members for the term. I urge all members to please consider this vital service for the Club. This Board is the heart of the Club and provides direction for the VFSS organization.
As they say in the recruiting ads for the US Marines "We're looking for a few good men!"
Elections for those nominated for the Board of Governors will take place at the October General Meeting.
For Sale
Dave Platt 1/4 Scale Jungmeister Bi-Plane. Framed but not covered. Complete with alum. cowl w/blisters, plans and instruction manual. W/S 66 in. Engine .90 - 1.20
All for $100. Call John at: (215) 879-7342.
Training Update
By Jim Campana
On July 15, Peter Villas successfully tested out of the training program. Peter has been working exclusively with Bob Sudermann this year since joining the club in April. Peter would like to thank his wife for allowing him to come to the field while she was at home with their new baby. Good job Bob, with your first soloed student.
The next week, Rom Boutin checked out Darryl Jones, who is now the latest pilot in the club. Darryl started flying with me late last year, and was only available once a week this year. He completed the training program with about 20 flying sessions and 2 aircraft. He had been flying without the buddy box for the last 3 weeks but we couldn't get the favorable winds to practice landing from
the left.
Congratulations to both Peter and Darryl!
One last thing. I have a few interested students who I can't seem to match schedules with any instructors. If any instructors can take another student on evenings or week-ends, even if it is once a week, please contact me.
Sept. Raffle Items
By Jim Myers, Raffle Chmn.
Since our Meetings will again be held at the Church we will resume our monthly Raffle. We have some great prizes this month so come to the meeting and buy a couple of tickets. For September we have:
Great Planes Super Decathlon 40 Airplane Kit
Super Tigre .45 ABC ball bearing Engine
Top Flight Magnetic Balancer
Quick Field Charger(for charging batteries at the field)
Assorted smaller prizes
Breakfast Fly-In
On Sunday, September 13, the Pottstown chapter of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will host its Annual Breakfast Fly-In at Pottstown-Limerick Airport. This year they will also celebrate their 50th Anniversary with airplane and helicopter rides. Th is event will draw 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. Officially, the Fly-In begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 1:00 PM. Attendance and parking at the Fly-In are free. The breakfast is $5 and consists of scrambled eggs, ham, pancakes and coffee. For children under 12 it is $3.
The Valley Forge Signal Seekers have been invited to display our Scale Aircraft near the Chapters Clubhouse. This should give us high visibility to the visiting pilots. Bring your camera and Scale Aircraft and be prepared to enjoy this unique event. Rain Date - Sept. 20.
See Map for directions to the Airport.
VFSS Fun-Fly
Saturday, September 26 will be the last Fun-Fly of the season. Let's make it the biggest! Why not bring the family and have a picnic? Portable gas grills are allowed (not charcoal).
The Candy Bomber, piloted by Rom Boutin, with Bombardier Mike Estock assisting, will attempt to put its "bomb" load on the field. If you have a plane that flies, bring it and join in the FUN! Flying will commence at 9:00 AM and will continue until you're out of fuel, you fell asleep, or "crashed and burned".
Hoagies and sodas will be available for Club Members. This event will be run by Mike Estock and Joe Weizer. Let's hope for great Fall weather!!
B.O.G. Review
By Dee Messina, Secretary
The Board of Governors met on August 19.1998
Meeting called to order by President at 7:01 PM.
OLD BUSINESS
None reported
NEW BUSINESS
1) Nominations for the next group of B.O.G. members discussed. According to Club Bylaws, nominations should be made at the September General Meeting.
We need at least 8 members to be nominated.
2) Breakfast Fly-In at Pottstown-Limerick Airport discussed. VFSS to support P.A.O.P. with a Scale Model Static Display as per last year.
3) VFSS Fun-Fly discussed. To be held on Saturday, Sept. 26. Rain Date: Sunday, Sept. 27.
This event will be run by Joe Weizer and Mike Estock.
Walt Pierzchala will order the hoagies and Al Primas will take care of the soda and ice.
An 8 foot, folding leg table will be purchased by the club and stored in the Park barn. Joe Weizer and Walt Pierzchala to purchase from Staples. Table will be used at the Fun-Fly.
4) A proposal to obtain a telephone number for a club info hotline was discussed. Rudy Forst to obtain info and prices and report back with findings.
5) VFSS Club Auction discussed. Will be held at Lockheed Martin Facility off Rt. 23 in K of P. A map is being prepared by Ron Gallo.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
New Members
Jeffrey Bitzer...............................Wayne, PA.
Anthony Langzettel......................Wynnewood, PA.
Robert Langzettel........................Wynnewood, PA.
Parvin Smith..............................Parkesburg, PA.
Vianis Zouras............................Newtown Sq., PA.
Welcome aboard and Good Luck!!
Feedback or comments to:
Al Campana , HearYe editor
Michael Myers, Webmaster
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