Monroe County R/C Club Newsletter June 2003

Back to the Archive

June 2003 Edition

First Things First

Before we get started this month, let me straighten out a few things that I screwed up in last month’s newsletter. It’s rough trying to keep everything straight for this newsletter, get it out on time, & still have a reasonable amount of time left to play with model aircraft!

The first two things I need to fix concern the first aid kit that was mentioned last month. I spelled the man’s name wrong who donated the kit. He’s Rich Bayliff & he’s a fire fighter, as well as a model airplane guy. He’s going to give us some first aid tips at a future club meeting when his work schedule permits. Thanks again Rich.

The second thing I screwed up on concerning the first aid kit was that I suggested that everybody should have a small first aid kit in their own vehicle. The problem was that I hadn’t looked at our sponsor page before I off-handedly suggested getting one while you were in a well known discount chain store. That was a mistake because everybody knows you can pick up a first aid kit or just about anything else you might need at Kleindorfer’s Hardware & Variety Store in Bloomington. Sorry for the mix up & I’ll try not to let it happen again!

The next item on my mistake list concern’s Damon Ferguson’s future building plans. I wrote that he had plans to build a C-141. It should have read C-130. Damon reports that he’s not quite ready for turbine power yet.

There were probably other mistakes that I didn’t hear about but those were the ones that I got in trouble for. You may be happy to know that I’ve been demoted to newsletter editor for my screw-ups...May Meeting Notes…

The May meeting of the Monroe County R/C Club was called to order at 7:12 pm, with thirty-one people in attendance.

The first item of business was induction of new members from visitors present. Brian Corbin & Allan Runyan, both from Bloomington, were voted into the club. Michael Anderson was voted in back in April after our meeting date. I believe he’s from the Indy area. Tom Hart is also a new member from the Martinsville area. Please make these folks feel welcome when you see them at the field. Brian & Michael are already R/C pilots & Tom has been doing some training at Nebo & Wylie. He is just about ready to start shooting some landings. I’m not sure about Allan’s flying status but will keep you informed.

John Naylor, of Naylor Trucking, & our landlord, has delivered & spread the gravel on the drive at the club field. It’s very nice now & you don’t have to lock in your front hubs to get in & out of the parking area.

The new out house has been delivered & is now in use. It smells much better that our old one & will be serviced during the months of May—October. Please make sure it is locked when you leave the field. There is a lot of traffic on Wylie Road & the vandals are never far away.

The fuel order is in. Most of it was distributed after the meeting. If you ordered fuel & didn’t pick it up or pay for it, contact Dave Poland or Mark Sexton. The price was very reasonable again this year. Thanks to Dave for making the arrangements with Dan Winsh- -(oops) , I mean his secret contacct, & to Mark for letting us have it delivered to the vault company.

Matt Fornefeld is working on plans for this year’s annual air show. If you can volunteer at the show (August 10) or would like to work on the committee, please e-mail Matt at eyes@kiva.net or corner him at the club meeting.

The club logo apparel study continues. Look for some samples at the June meeting. Several are wanting hats, shirts, & jackets, sporting the Monroe County R/C Club logo.

Notice was given that there will be a vote on the club by-laws / constitution at the June meeting. This concerns some wording and true meaning of the word seniors. There was some confusion about seniors being high school seniors or old airplane guys.

We are trying to secure a date for Mika Woodward to conduct his traveling aerobatics class at Wylie Field. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

The club voted to move our Summer meetings (June—September) from the comfort of the Eye Center, to the sweltering , bug infested (just kidding) grass at our club flying site on Wylie Road. Most everybody is willing to endure the hardships of the great out-of-doors because they just love to play with model aircraft & we have one of the finest flying sites in Indiana.

The official meeting was closed at 8:03 pm.

Interesting Bits…

Richard Anderson has an old airplane van for sale. It’s a 1977 Dodge & needs a rear tranny seal, a wheel, & a tire. He’s asking $350.00. You can e-mail Rick at gyronut@rnetinc.net or give him a call at 765-537-2940.

Dave Townsend reports that his boss has a wing for a Sig Cadet. It needs a little work but is in good shape. Contact dave at davet@insightbb.com.

Here’s a very nice boat for sale. It’s a 1988 Sea-Ray 175. It’s white with blue trim. Open bow, 130 HP, I/O, power trim, power steering, depth gauge, & more. Asking $10,500.00. Call 812-824-6738 or 812-277-5852 or e-mail dbw@aracities.org.

Nick Carder has been busy at the building board. He’s working on projects for Bobby Cottingham & Tim Mellott. There could be more that I’ve not heard about yet.

Young Damon Ferguson has soloed with his Thunder Tiger trainer. Quite an accomplishment for an eleven year old! Congratulations Damon & keep up the good work!

Has anyone else noticed the flying improvement of some pilots at the field? I’d say the practice is beginning to pay off for several of them.

Jeff McGlocklin made it out to the field last weekend with son Austin. Glad you’re feeling better Jeff. Keep an eye on Austin. He’s been up training with Jay Strosnider.

Keep an eye on Damon’s sister Haylie. She’s got a new Hobbytown ARF Trainer.

Joe Rogers had a close encounter last Thursday at Nebo Memorial Field in Martinsville. He flew about as close to Charlie’s plane as one could get with out crashing them both. He clipped the top of his rudder on the bottom of Charlie’s gear & both landed safely. Joey landed first & before he had taxied to a stop, hollered at his wife Tina, “Get your things in the truck quick, we gotta get outa here!”. Seems he was hoping to escape before old Charlie could land!

Is anybody interested in having a designated training night? One night during the week devoted just for training. A chance to get instructors & potential pilots together just to work on skills. If you’re interested, bring it up at the June meeting or call Robert G. (Bobby) Shireman at 765-342-0480. He’ll be glad I volunteered him to take care of this…

If you don’t have your name & AMA number in your aircraft, get it there!!!

A Goldburg Chipmunk will actually fly properly when the center of gravity is in the right place. An Ohio R/C Chipmunk will fly nicely but won’t handle worth a hoot on the ground if the landing gear wire is soft & easily bent.

If you didn’t come out to Pam’s Place Airport on June first, you missed a good time. We had good weather, short grass, great food, & everybody but me had a hot air balloon ride. I prefer the view from the ground…

There will be another big event at Pam’s Place Airport on July 4,5, & 6. There will be R/C flying, camping, fireworks, & food. There will not be an “official” full scale fly-in this year but you never know what might stop by.

On June 1, a small Kitfox came in while Mika Woodward, Mike Karnes, & Bill Black watched. The pilot turned out to be none other than Dave Patrick. Not just any Dave Patrick but the Dave Patrick of model airplane design fame! You have to be in the right place at the right time…

Young Dev Mellott (Tim’s son) is beginning to learn the trade. He’s been on the simulator & is now on the buddy box honing his flying skills.

Why would a mole with acres & acres of fine, soft, digging area leave this paradise to dig up a hard, packed, rolled & mowed, model aircraft runway. It must enjoy the challenge.

Your proof readers this month were Randy & Judy Byers and Mark & Tina Sexton. Three of the four of them needed glasses to read the small print & the other may have been wearing contacts.

No pictures were submitted this month. Come on you camera buffs…

Event Calendar

June 11 Monthly Club Meeting (At the field)

June 14 Elkart Giant Scale

June 21 South Bend Giant Scale

June 22 Annual Club Fun-Fly (Club Field)

July 4-6 Pam’s Place Fly-in

July 5-6 Kokomo Giant Scale

July 11-13 Terre Haute Air Fair

July 17-20 Dayton Air Fair (Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Snow Birds, French show team)

July 26-27 Grissom Air Show

July 26-27 Clinton, IN IMAC