Bullsheet - April 2002

Vol. 02 No. 04 - April 2002

President's Message

I managed to come back just in time for the bad weather, I left Nevada in 80 degree temperatures and came home to snow, snow and more snow. The weather was ideal in Nevada, except for the wind which kept me away from the flying field. You can all relax, the club treasury is safe, I stayed away from the casinos and found a new vice, Krispy Kreme donuts. Now if we could get those for the meetings, I am sure we’d always have a great turnout.

Speaking of turnouts, how’s that for a segue?

We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the next meeting because we need your input and ideas on the construction of a new runway at the field and to discuss the appropriation funds for the project. We’re looking at a new runway that will be 100 feet deep and 500 feet long. Flying will take place facing the entrance gate which will put the sun at your back in the afternoon, you’ll have complete visibility of anyone approaching and any activity that may be going on in the town’s transfer station. The safety issue will be greatly improved. The new runway will give us more distance between the housing development and keeping the noise factor, which has been an issue, several hundred feet from the nearest neighbors.

The existing runway can still be used for electric , glider and sail planes and, if construction of a the new runway is approved by the membership, the existing runway can still be used by all flyers until construction is completed.

Troublesome trees have been removed from the side of the field, however there are a few left that we will keep as a memorial to those flyers whose planes met an early demise when they challenged the trees. Name plates anyone? Or should we keep those memorable events alive by constant retelling?

We do have town approval for the construction of a new runway, which is important. If you recall, last fall we were granted permission to move vent pipes, but permission was withdrawn by the town because they don’t want any changes to their engineered pipe system. They will no longer allow any reconfiguration of the pipe system. Our concern should be that as long as we have work permission for a runway we should take advantage of it as soon as possible in the event of any future change issues that might arise from the town. So far they have been very cooperative and pleased with what we have accomplished. We have a nice recreation pit area, we will have more runways for a variety of flyers, we will have well cared for greens. Important too is the issue of a secure sight, other clubs have been faced with vandalism, we have virtually eliminated this except for what some of us do to our planes. It’s a park that will be only further enhanced by the new runway.

John Hayes and my number one son, Wade and I went out to the field to do some test sights to determine how much material could be removed to fill low areas and according to our resident excavating expert, Harry Peters, his technical evaluation came back, “Looks good!”. Kidding, Harry, we all rely on your expertise and you are to be lauded for the time and effort that you have put into the club and for the money saved because of your know how.

Yes, my vote is for construction of a new runway and to act post haste and preserve the field for future use while we have the town’s green light. Now we only need the membership to give us the go ahead. If you need more information, call me at 882-8598 anytime, except Monday’s when Everybody loves Raymond is on, during breakfast, lunch and dinner, not before 10AM not after 5 PM, not during my coffee breaks, etc .

Actually, I’m available anytime and would be glad to discuss it with you, give me a call.

-- Darrell Wagner

Field Layout Proposal
At the April meeting changing the layout of the Hudson field will be addressed.

Below is a photo of the site with the proposed runways sketched in courtesy of John Hayes.

The proposal contains a new runway 100x 500 feet and angled northwest to southeast. The flight line would be on the west side.

This places the new flight line at the top of the hill and parking would be on the existing gravel area. Entry to the parking area would be up the hill and around the north end of the runway as we are doing now. The shelter would remain where it is for the time being and moved at a later date if desired.

The old runway would be maintained for use by gliders and electrics with their flight pattern being to the west as we had it originally.

There would be one frequency board located between the two flight lines.

According to Darrell Wagner, town has approved this concept, and will allow the club to grade and fill the new runway site under their supervision. At the meeting the proposal will be put forward by the officers, discussed and the membership will be requested to authorize the required funding, which is not to exceed $5000. Work would begin immediately which should make the facility usable by end of summer if the weather cooperates.

This is your field, come out and make your wishes known.

-- Bob Johnson

NO EXCUSES ANYMORE
If you have not been up at the field this winter, you will notice a change on your next trip. The folks that maintain the landfill have been busy clearing the fence line, removing oversized flora. All of the pines at the North end of the field have been removed!

This means that if you are one of those folks with conifer magnets in your creations, you can now make a long approach without danger of "pranging" the top of the forest.

Unfortunately they did leave a large oak, so those folks with squirrelly planes will have to be careful, but it sure got better.

-- Bob Johnson

Static Display Night
This coming meeting is the annual “Show and Tell” night for the SNHRCC. So button up those projects, get the last coat of paint on and bring that winter beauty in for all your cohorts to see and take a gander at the stuff we will see at the field this year.

All present will vote for “The Best of Show”, “Best Scale”, “Best Sport”, “Best ARF”, “Best Sailplane”, “Best Electric” and “Best Work in Progress”.

The results will be announced at the May meeting which launches the flying season. All winners will accrue wealth and fame commensurate with the scale of the event (all the donuts you can eat) and shall maintain bragging rights for the remainder of the year.

-- John Hayes

Weightlifting Challenge Update
The committee has completed it’s deliberations; the date is set and the rules have been placed on several tablets and delivered from the flying site mound.

Entry information along with the rules for the event have been sent out to the District I clubs inviting them to participate

By clicking on the two links below you will find the details and an entry form for your plane or your team’s plane. You still have time to design and build.

Just remember soft landings only.

-- Maurice Theriault

Annealing Aluminum
I recently wanted to bend 5/16” aluminum tubing into some gentle curves for a project I was working on. To do this I needed to anneal or soften the aluminum.

Normally this is accomplished by heating the material to around 750 degrees and then letting it air cool slowly. The problem is that the melting temperature is not that far above the annealing temperature and with just shop tools it is easy to get carried away and wind up with a puddle of aluminum foil. Here is a technique suggested by a friend that works real well.

First smoke the part with a candle flame until it is completely covered with black soot. Then using a propane or MAPP torch, heat the part by moving the flame over the surface until all of the soot is burned off and all you see is aluminum finish. Now allow it to air cool.

The aluminum will be dead soft and very “workable” and can be formed around shapes quite easily.

When making parts remember that the aluminum work hardens as you bend it a few times. It is easy to fix, just re-anneal the part.

I have also used this technique on small fairings and coaming around windshields that are fabricated from thin aluminum sheet, like lithograph plates. Works great on thin flat stock.

Happy bending.

-- Bob Johnson

Touch & Go!
Need Input on the following issues.
  • What programs or demos would you like to see at the meetings?

Need input for the Bullsheet.

  • Articles, jokes, good natured ribbing, pictures of the latest project, hints etc.

Provide feed back to the Bob Johnson at bobj@rodchuck.com or 673-7368.

A mini-auction will be held at the NEXT SNHRCC Meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at the Litchfield Middle School. There will be a selection of electric models and related materials, as well as a few gliders. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.

-- Maurice Theriault