The Airborne Reader Issue # 11

Michael Brown

Ok down to business, I had a fellow email me and say he wanted his address removed from my mailing list. He said it was because my publications was too much about California clubs. That it did not include enough about clubs in other states, meaning in District X. I think it was an excuse and that’s ok, I only want readers who like and want to read this publication reading it, so I was fine with removing his name and email address from my files.

But it is true there is more material from California, so...why is this? First unlike other publications, I publish what I am sent. If mainly California clubs and members send material, mainly California clubs will get represented. This is why every once in a while I email every club from Arizona, Nevada and Utah, state by state, club by club, asking for articles from those clubs and there members.

I do this because I want this publications to promote every club, every type of modeler, every type of flying there is in this hobby. Lets face it, I have always gotten plenty of material to fill this publications, but it will become mainly a California sport flyers publications if those of you who live elsewhere and fly these other types of flying don’t get your planes and events in here.

The majority of clubs in the Western United States are in California so I understand more California articles (although I would like a better, more even mix), but I honestly don’t understand why I’m not getting ANY 3D or IMAC type articles, very little slope or glider material. All of these (I will use the term SIG or Special Interest Groups) SIG’s promote themselves and their planes to the max...at least in some places...so why not here?

Maybe they just don’t care? But I offer a free place to adver se their way of enjoying this hobby., so I don’t understand. I allow you all to…….. Continued…….

Continued…….

I allow you all….. to write whatever you want, send the pictures you want. I don’t change a thing. This is totally different than a normal magazine. There you are told yes or no on what, when and in some cases how you can write. The pictures have to be perfect and sent an exact size. Some have templates for specification where you put engine size, servo, radio etc… (I am not saying this way of publishing a magazine is wrong), it makes for beautiful pictures and just the right things get said about a manufacturers ARF’s or whatever is being written about). It’s just not what this publication is about.

I will publish anything you want to write about. All I ask is: One, it’s about the hobby and Two, it’s positive. I also will publish articles from anywhere. This is NOT an official or unofficial AMA or District X publication. It leans towards that as I am from District X and I support it and the AMA all I can. I just welcome articles from anybody, anywhere. Oregon, Colorado, Texas, I don’t care. Actually wouldn’t you like to hear what a club in Texas is doing? I know I would. Let them write, I will publish it.

This is my publication. I produce it to share this great hobby with anyone who wants to read about it. ALWAYS have, ALWAYS will.

Ok enough of that…….

Right at the start of sending the 10th newsletter I had 18 bad email addresses. If you change your email, I must have your new address.

You will notice this issue is small. I have been very busy these past couple months with non aviation related things, so have not gone to as many events as I usually do, but……..this isn’t supposed to be a magazine filled with things I did. This magazine is for ALL OF US to talk about the things WE did in this hobby.

Since the last issue there has been a LOT of events. If you do not send articles or ask others to do so …. they will not get in here. Furthermore this FREE publication you all say you like so much will go away.

In every issue I ask for material, even though I have always had enough for 1/2 of the next issue before the current one is done. For the first me that is not the case. If you want me to continue this you MUST support it, its that simple.

Oh yeah. I did not have me to work on the advertising, I will soon.

Mike

It is with the sadness of heart I must say yet another modeling friend of mine has passed away. His name, Jim Sharp. He was from Crescent City California, the small coastal town I was raised in. Because this publication covers such a large area most of you won’t recognize his name, or his picture, but I assure you, if you had met Jim, even just once, whether it was last week or 10 years ago, you would remember him fondly. He would have made you feel welcome, liked and respected. He would have treated you like family. He also would not have cared what type of plane you flew or how you flew it. He just wanted you to have a good me and enjoy whatever you were doing. Oh yeah and likely feed you while he was at it. If ever there was a modeler who liked to cook it was Jim, he even flew in his apron!

Although seen below with a by-plane I would say Jim’s favorite plane was a Sig Cadet with a Saito 4-stroke on the front. Like all of us he had many others large and small.

Here are a few pictures of my very good, very dear friend.

Model Estate Planning

I thought I would take the time to talk about, model estate planning. What do I mean? I will ex-plain.

You own all kinds of model airplanes, kits, ARF’s, motors, radios, servos etc… right.

Your wife or immediate family likely doesn’t know a thing about any of it. What happens if you pass away? They are stuck trying to figure out what to do with it, what it is worth, or worse yet, other family members or friends start arguing about all of it. I want that or that was supposed to be mine or Dad said I could have that!

END it ALL before it happens.

Do some model estate planning now and your wife won’t have to deal with it. I used to recommend this when I was the newsletter editor of one of the clubs I belong to and a few club members I know took advantage of the advice.

Think about the club members you know. Who do you trust to have your wife or family’s best interest at heart. I bet you already know the answer, don’t you. If your wife doesn’t know the person or even if they do, you need to get them together. Tell them both in the case of your passing (I will use the name “Bill”) Bill is to take care of all this stuff. Now Bill has to agree, but make an agreeable arrangement with him and all will be fine. You might give him his pick of your planes or possibly you already know the one he likes best and he gets that one for doing it, but either way, make an agreement ALL 3 of you know about.

Some guys are fortunate enough to only have 2 or 3 planes and not much extra gear, but for most modelers, especially if you’ve been doing this any number of years, you have accumulated a huge pile of the stuff!!! I know I have. I have a 24’ square shop packed full of stuff, along with a 10x15 storage shed and several kits in the house!

The average age of the AMA member (if my memory is correct) is right at 59 years old, so this conversation is due now for many. But anybody can go at any time, so this is something ALL of us should do.

I remember a wife who’s husband passed away and the vultures came a flocking. It bothers her to this day.

It would be nice if some newsletter editors might pass this info on. If it helps one wife or family from going through a horrible experience….. then its worth it.

Mike

My First Attempt with Carbon Fiber Veil

By Brian Massey

As well as my first experience using carbon fiber veil, this is a tale of woe. I just completed my new Trophy Trainer; barely in me to get it trimmed, and get a li le flight me before the Northwest Control Line Regional Championships in Eugene, OR over Memorial Day weekend.

With just a few weeks to go, I was jamming (mistake) to get it done. By hurrying as much as possible, I was able to make the maiden flight a few weeks before the big event. I short tanked the first flight just to make sure it flew . . . it was fine. I hurriedly refueled (again, mistake) and was into my second flight; a few loops, inverted flight . . . ah yes, with a little trimming, all will be fine. Soon the engine was telling me that the fuel was almost gone, so straight and level flying was in order . . . almost empty, maybe one more lap? And then it happened! The engine let go of the plane and sailed about 40 feet before gravity took over. The plane??? It fluttered gently down to earth landing on the tail.

At first glance I thought that embarrassment was going to be my worst injury, but alas, the fuselage broke at the trailing edge of the wing, the plane was in two pieces (well 3 if you count the engine).

What happened?? It seems that in all my hurrying I secured two of the engine bolts properly, but not the other two; those screws evidently backed out during flight, and the other two sheared off.

Meanwhile, back at the shop (as they say in the old movies) with only two weeks before the contest, I had a dilemma; along with a broken plane! How best to keep the fuse straight and true, and make the repair as strong as possible. Fellow PC Flyer club member Norm Gayer suggested carbon fiber veil. He gave me a few scraps le over from some of his work. I’ve never used it before, but have heard a lot about the strength it has. So here we go . . .

I had read in the forums about clamping stuff in a Workmate table to keep it straight, so let’s try. I slipped the fuse pieces in, and gently closed the clamps . . . it was fine! Now let’s do it; I lined the clamping surface of the workmate with wax paper so I wouldn’t glue the plane to the bench and mixed up a batch of 30 minute epoxy. I was lucky that the break was fairly clean, and the two halves slipped back together evenly. I put the epoxy on the joint and gently squeezed the two halves together, and placed the fuse down between the open jaws of the workmate. Holding carefully, I tightened the bench down on the plane. I “eyeballed” from every direction I could, and after feeling comfortable that the fuse was straight, left it alone for the glue to set.

The next step was all new for me; placing the carbon fiber on the plane. Following the instructions that Norm gave me, I started. I cut the pieces to fit over the break, then using clear dope cut by 90% thinner, I began. Norm said to start brushing from the middle of the piece out-ward, and that process would remove any wrinkles. That worked!

I finished the repair with only a day to go before leaving for the regional; now with a plane that is untried and untrimmed. Oh well, I’m committed. As it turns out, with a quick basic trim job it got me to second place in intermediate; OK, I’m happy with that. But back home, and with a chance to get the trim closer, it is flying much better! I am now a fan of carbon fiber, and will be using more to add strength; hopefully before a crash!

How strong is it?? Well now I can take the fuse and try to flex it; that joint is now the strongest part of the fuse!                  Tight lines all!

Fast On and OFF Smoke System

This smoke system turns on and off faster than others, because the valve is right at the muffler. This valve is also easy to make yourself, and possibly, easy to service. Mine has been in service for more than three years with no problems at all, so you may never have to service it!

The valve is simply a piece of fishing leader cable, wrapped around the muffler and a short piece of silicone fuel tubing. When the cable is pulled tight, it pinches off the flow into the muffler. The cable is pulled tight with a bell-crank mounted on the muffler with a tapped hole and small screw. A servo pulls the bell-crank, applying leverage to pull both ends of the cable, making it snug around the muffler and silicone tubing. Because of the leverage, nearly any standard servo will easily do this, and you could adjust the arm to go “over center” at the shutoff point to eliminate any holding current required to maintain the tight cable.

Metal tubing can be wrapped around the head or the muffler to pre-heat the oil, but is not always necessary. Be sure to fasten the tubing tightly with wire or Hi-Temp (Red) RTV to keep radio noise from metal-to-metal contact to a minimum.

The pressure for the system is developed from crankcase pressure through a Perry-Varsane check valve, which I prefer to thread into the motor mount for the best thread engagement. Be sure to clean the crankcase of aluminum shavings after this modification. Tower shows an aluminum check valve from Perry at http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDG62&P=ML for $8. The valve must be able to operate reliably because if it fails, the engine quits. Be sure to clamp all tubing on the nipples with a small piece of copper wire or plastic e-wrap, as failure here will be very messy. Make sure fuel tubing that is slipped over metal tubing is a very snug fit, and clamped securely. The oil tends to make the silicone tubing swell, and the non-barbed ends of metal tubing can allow the tubing to slip off. Using brass tubing allows you to solder a small ring of copper wire around the end to form a “barb” that will prevent this, but be sure to smooth all sharp edges, as the silicone tubing could get cut otherwise.

The optional 4-way filler makes filling the system easy, and allows you to bleed off the tank pressure after a flight, without wasting oil into the muffler. This unit is the Robart 205 Ultra filler shown at Tower for $11 at http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVPROFIL=&FVSEARCH=%3Cb%3Erobart%3C%2Fb%3E+205+ultra+%3Cb%3Efuel%3C%2Fb%3Eer

Standard kerosene seems to work well for smoke oil, and of course the Super-Dri smoke oil works well but at $24 a gallon it begs us to experiment http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAN64&P=7

Concrete form release oil works well, which is typically a petroleum product such as diesel oil, heating oil or lubricating oil, but it is $10 a gallon, in 55 gallon drums! Pinch the metal tubing that “sprays” the oil in the muffler for best smoke. If the smoke seems to die out after it is turned on, pinch it off more, as you are cooling the muffler and wasting oil. You can fine tune the smoke in-flight with servo travel adjustments, and get the best results with 1.5 oz of flow per minute.

Shut off smoke on final approach for best engine performance at low speed. Turn the Robart filler to “fill” to bleed off the tank pressure at the end of the flying session. If you have any questions please contact David Bacon @ dbacon@flynwolverines.com  he is from Shelby, MI

Below is part of an email I recently received. I get emails like this from time to time. I thought you might like to hear more about the work I do with the public and the kids.  The benefit from what I do goes far beyond the day I do my events. The same happens when any of us does something for or with kids and the public.

At minimum its excellent public relations. A relationship that may some day save a club from losing a flying site, or help in getting a new one…..you never know….

Hi Mr. Brown

I met you on Father's day at the Redding Airport when I saw you with those wonderful, simple foam airplanes made from a foam plate.

(She means the FPG-9)

I finished my vacation and am now back at school in southern California. You gave me a pattern for the planes, but you offered me more information if I would email you. I would love to share your airplane pattern with my co-workers and would appreciate any help you can give us. Our children range in age from infants to five-year-olds.

My husband and I owned a hobby shop for 17 years in the LA area. He and our children did a lot with radio controlled cars, airplanes and helicopters. I would love to give the children here a chance to figure out how to make those foam planes fly as they want them to fly, i. e. to work with where to place the penny and how to "trim" them!

I sent this nice lady a pattern, the instruction and activity sheets for the FPG-9 and she has been using them ever since.

Last week I sent a club member who is now starting an education program in his area a set of Aero Lab CD’s. The Aero Lab CD’s, (I have mentioned them before) are a great program, and best of all one of the CD’s teach people how to do the various things with the kids. So if your not doing it because you don’t know how get them!

If you, or your club is seriously interested in starting an Aero lab program or your own type of education program and would use the CD’s, please contact me and I will send you a set.

Please be serious in starting a program if you ask for the CD’s is all I ask...and send us an article and some pictures of the fun to share with others.

Email me @ cabrowns@citlink.net 

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