THE MASTHEAD PLANE

 

               Here’s a jet transport that should have made it, but didn’t.  The Boeing YC-14 was designed to fill a 1972 request for proposals from the Air Force for a replacement for the C-130.  They wanted STOL capability.

 

               Boeing’s design used an extremely small wing, with high-mounted turbojets to blow across the upper surface.  When coupled with  flaps capable of 85 degree deflections, as well as double-slotted flaps and blown leading edge slats on the outboard portions of the wings, the plane’s STOL performance was outstanding.  The YC-14 could land on a 2000 foot runway at less than 85 knots.  The high-wing, high engine mount also meant that the turbines were out of the way for rapid ground loading or unloading of the plane.

 

               For reasons I have been unable to discover, the Air Force rejected the plane.  What a pity.  For the modeler, you finally have a plane with an adequate tail section.  Look at that fin and rudder!  Of course, you’ve got a small wing  with virtually no stationary surfaces to up the degree of difficulty.  While EDF units would be relatively simple as a motive source, dissipating heat from true turbines would be hairy!

PROPWASH

 

VOL XXXI, No. 1             January, 2008

 

Arden McConnell                  president                       313-274-3185

Mike Cuba                               vice-president               734-522-7638

Tim Kirsten                             secretary                        313-565-6093

Terry Kozlowski                     treasurer                        734-354-1928

Dennis Gazdecki                     safety                             734-442-3402

Bobby Harmon                       field                                313-541-4204

Al Zerber                                 membership                   734-427-4872

Kathy Kendzior                      at-large                           313-274-1402

Ray Piper                                 at-large                           313-532-7286

Mike Cuba                               editor                              734-522-7638

Charlie Thomas                      swap shop                     313-565-2973

Bob Mayhew                        archivist                         313-291-6855

Stephanie Thomas              webmaster                   313-565-2973

 

website      http://detroitaeromodelers.org

 

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the editor.

 

DOOR PRIZE AND RAFFLE

 

               Tom McNulty won the January door prize, a $15 gift certificate from Nankin Hardware & Hobby.  Jim Lucas won the raffle, a $50 gift certificate also from Nankin.  Congratulations, gentlemen, and thanks, Nankin!

 

ELECTIONS

 

               This year’s Most Valuable Member is ace mole-killer and Field Marshall Bobby Harmon.  Our Most Improved Pilot is Mitch Golem.  Congratulations, gentlemen!

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

               Al Zerber reports that our membership now stands at 47.  Now is the time to renew for 2008!

 

 

FIELD SAFETY

 

               There was a discussion of the field rule requiring pilots to ground their planes (or helicopters) when a full-sized helicopter is overhead.  Several years ago, we had an incident involving a full-sized helicopter, and came close to losing the field.  Helicopters fly pretty much where they want to, at low altitudes that fixed-wing aircraft are prohibited from using.  It only makes sense to get out of their way!

 

               I doubt that getting our field labeled a “no-fly zone” will stop a police or a news helicopter, in any case.  Let’s share the air!

 

 

2.4 GHZ DISCUSSION

 

               There was some discussion at the January meeting about the need for a frequency control board for pilots using the new spread spectrum systems on the 2.4 gHz band.  The AMA has recommended that frequency control boards be used until such time, if any, that ALL pilots are on the new system.  Their thinking is that if you have both radio systems, you should stay in the habit of checking the frequency board before you fly.  In addition, it makes sense for us to keep using our system, as it allows us to see at a glance who is flying, and whether or not they have a DAM or AMA card.

 

 

AMA PARK FLYERS

 

               The AMA has come up with a program for park flyers that involves a reduced amount of insurance coverage, and reduced annual dues.   This was discussed at the January meeting, with the general sentiment being that we want all pilots at the field to be full members of AMA, and members of DAM.  Whether you fly a six ounce foamie or a forty pound P-51, you are still using the same field, which needs the same maintenance, and the same liability insurance.  Our agreement with the city does not differentiate among the types of aircraft being flown, so we should not, either.

 

 

AMA INTRODUCTORY PILOTS PROGRAM

 

               Ken Goodlesky has volunteered to continue the AMA training program we started last year.  Thank you, Ken!

 

 

 

FIELD BOX

 

               I hesitate to put this in the PropWash, since by my count, the story hasn’t changed in eight years, but here goes!  The new metal storage box will be installed at the field by Bobby Harmon and Dennis Gazinski.  There’s a term for unreleased computer software… vaporware.  Let’s hope this new box is not vapor-locked!

 

 

INDOOR FLYING

 

               Indoor electric, CO2, and rubber band flying at Jefferson Elementary every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. will resume on January 11th.    Stan Spiewak presented a proposal that Nankin Hardware & Hobby would like to get involved with this activity, but no particulars were presented, and the club sentiment was that no sponsorship was needed.

 

 

AUGUST FUN FLY

 

               Bandy Pesonen reported that his group, which organized our August fun fly last year, will not be available this year.  In talking with Dave Schiavolin, our CD from last year, it was brought out that for a fun fly to be a success, it should be an annual event, not hit-or-miss.

 

               There are two primary road-blocks to doing another fun-fly this August.  The first is getting an AMA-approved CD, assuming we want an AMA sanction.  By the way, the only thing a sanction does is to prevent another club nearby from holding an event on the same day, and that hasn’t slowed RCCD down from conflicting with our previous air shows!

               Any one can become an AMA contest director by taking an untimed, open-book test.  The purpose of the test is to force you to read the contest rules cover to cover, not a bad thing, in my opinion.

 

               The second roadblock is the problem of food handling.  In the past, we have jumped through the various official hoops to provide food for the pilots, workers, and public.  It is the last that is the sticking point.  We could charge a nominal landing fee for the pilots to cover the cost of free lunches for them (and make them DAM members for the weekend) and the workers are all DAM members.  As a club we can prepare food for our members without worrying about the various rules. 

 

               This leaves only the public.  Frankly, the turnout or non-flyers at our shows has been low enough that it would be perfectly feasible to advertise the show as a “bring your own picnic lunch” show.  I suspect that selling water or pop would not be subject to the rigorous food handling rules we have had to follow in the past.

 

               In sum, I think there are no insurmountable obstacles to holding an annual fun fly, other than our own inertia.

 

HEALTH OPPORTUNITY

 

               St. Mary Mercy Hospital is offering their one-day program of prostate screening and men’s health on Saturday, March 1, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men over fifty, but with early detection, the survival rate is high.  Register by calling 734-655-8963.

 

 

 

 

Club meeting at the Redford Community Center

 

1/18       indoor flying                     5 p.m.

1/22       annual DAM banquet       6 p.m.

1/25       indoor flying                     5 p.m.

1/27       RCCD swap                       9 a.m.

2/1         indoor flying                     5 p.m.

2/8         indoor flying                     5 p.m.

2/12       business meeting                             7 p.m.

2/15       indoor flying                     5 p.m.

2/22       indoor flying                     5 p.m.   

2/29       indoor flying                     5 p.m.                                                

 

 

 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL

HOBBY SHOPS!

 

NANKIN HARDWARE & HOBBY

35101 Ford Rd.   734-722-5700

 

RIDER'S HOBBY SHOP OF LIVONIA

30991 Five Mile Rd.          734-425-9720

 

RIDER’S HOBBY SHOP OF TAYLOR

22789 Northline                734-287-7405

 

ELECTRODYNAMICS

31091 Schoolcraft             734-422-5420

 

PROP SHOP

23326 Van Dyke 810-757-7160

 

JOE'S HOBBY CENTER

Grand River & Drake Rd   248-477-6266

PROPWASH

31425 Myrna, Livonia, Mi. 48154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL BANQUET

 

               Tim Kirsten has organized our annual banquet.  It will be January 22th at the Fortune Buffet on Middlebelt at Five Mile at 6 p.m.  Unless we get a group discount, it will cost about $12 each.  Tim asks that you pay as you come in.  We will be in the semi-private meeting room at the rear of the restaurant.



PROPWASH ON THE WEB

 

               Due to circumstances entirely beyond the webmistress’ control, we haven’t had the past few months PropWash posted on our website.  In point of fact, I forgot to email them to her!  I apologize, and suggest that you direcgt any flak about it to me, not her!

 

                                             Michael Joseph Cuba

 

 

SUMMER FUN FLYS

 

               It has been brought to my attention that Charlie Thomas, our CD for the past few summers, will not be able to continue running our monthly fun flys.  If we want them to continue, we will need a CD to step forward.  Any volunteers?