Secretary's Report | Field News | Model Shop

Blast from the Past | Events | Club Website

MMAC Wins Silver
& Goes for Gold!

Club Membership Tops 50


I know that it may seem a long way off at this point in the season, but it's important that we start thinking about this fall's Demonstration Day at Plains Park in Milford. The date has been set for Sunday, October 8 this year.
... The general consensus is that last year's event was pretty successful...certainly the weather was picture-perfect. There were a fair number of pilots and plenty of opportunity to fly. Bill Lloyd and John Holcomb were kept busy during the noontime instructed flight time, giving several guests a chance to try their hands at the sticks. All the flight demos were fun...from warbirds to swing dancers...a nice variety. With the warm sun and early autumn china blue sky, the serene Piper Cub formation flying was especially appealing.
... Personally, I'd like to see more folks in the audience this year. I will make more of an effort - earlier - to get a press release to the local media to stir up some pre-event publicity. Getting into the "Calendar" section of Community Newspapers (Milford Daily News, MetroWest News and County Gazette in Franklin) is an absolute must. I'll also see if I can wrangle a free ad in the Milford paper at least.
... What I'd like from you guys is to start talking it up with friends, family and co-workers over the summer. I also want you to really consider the event itself and offer suggestions as to how to make it better this year. And lastly, mark your date book and bring a plane to fly!
... We'll have some time to talk more on this subject, but I just wanted to get you guys thinking.

Keep up your airspeed!
Jim McCoy

P.S. Don't forget that I have AMA Silver Leader Club pins for each active member. Many were passed out at the May 30 general meeting. If you want yours, give me a call or drop me an email and we'll work something out. Of course the best way to get one is to come to the June 27 meeting at the airfield!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our 21st Annual Club Banquet has been confirmed for Sunday, October 29. Ray Smith will once again entertain us with live music on keyboard and vocals.

Club president Jim McCoy brought the meeting to order at 7:35PM. A motion to accept the April secretary's report as stated in the May 2006 Yankee Flyer was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The treasurer's report was read by Dave Seale. A motion to accept the treasurer's report was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously. As of May 30th the 2006 membership count stands at 52 members.
... Bill O'Donnell has sold 67 of the 100 tickets for the Saito engine raffle. He predicts he will sell the balance of the tickets by the next club meeting in June. Contact Bill at 508-473-4441 if you want to purchase a ticket. A chance will cost you $5.00.
... A motion was made and seconded to donate the proceeds from the night's raffle to a cause in Tom Howland's name. Bill O'Donnell will coordinate the gift. The motion passed unanimously.
... A motion was made and seconded to give Joe Candela of Creative Hobbies an honorary membership. The motion passed unanimously. Creative Hobbies is located in Mendon, MA at 71 Northbridge Road. Their website address is www.creativehobbies.net. The phone number is 508-473-8259.
... The executive committee would like to remind all members that the gate to Bill Martin Field must be kept closed at all times except during events such as a fun fly. If you don't have a current key please contact Bill O'Donnell or any other executive committee member.
... The topics of a new frequency control board and spread spectrum radios were raised and discussed. The current frequency board is showing its age and there are no accommodations for flyers using spread spectrum radios. The executive committee will work with CRRC to come up with a new frequency board that includes four slots for spread spectrum radios.
... Commentary: Some users of the new spread spectrum radios don't feel they need to use a frequency pin when flying at the field. They contend that there are no frequency conflicts associated with this new RC radio technology and therefore a frequency pin is not necessary. While it is true that there are no frequency conflicts associated with the use of these new radios, there is still a four flyer in the air limit and, on busy days, a queue forms for those waiting their turn to fly. The pin serves to mark the order of flyers, much like taking a number at the deli, and serves to indicate who is, or will be, flying, thus eliminating any conflicts or questions.
... Bill Costello reviewed the upcoming Fun Fly on June 10 at the Bill Martin Flying Field. The Fun Fly starts at 10:00 AM and there are two events planned, a limbo and bomb drop. There is a $10 entry fee. Refreshments and food will be available. Contact Bill at 508-653-9214 if you have any questions. Dave Eaton will be CD for a Fun Fly on July 22. Stay tuned for details from Dave.
... Jim McCoy handed out silver Leader Club pins to the club members present at the meeting (photo shows the AMA Silver Leader Club certificate). Gold Leader Club requirements were discussed. To obtain the gold level, the club needs to perform a charitable event and have a noise control or monitoring program. Jim will ask for additional information about the charity requirement from AMA headquarters. The executive committee will discuss a noise control or monitoring program and present a proposal to the club members at the next general meeting in June.
... The next club meeting will be held, weather permitting, at the Bill Martin Field in Medfield. The gate at the field will be open if the meeting is being held there. Otherwise, the meeting will be held at the American Legion in Millis.
... The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 and was followed by the raffle.

Regards,
Roger Gilman
MMAC Secretary

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Welcome Aboard !

Peter Dube and Al Sutton are new members, both from Framingham. Gerry Lyman joins us from from Watertown.

This Month's Fuel Winner

Oh, no! Not again? We had the same old guy win the fuel at May's raffle drawing... Dave Seale! Commenting on the unprecedented winning for the third time this year, Dave said, "this is downright embarrassing." The peanut gallery assured him that, "He would get over it."

"Never trade luck for skill"

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Sure enough, that's 3-fingered "Capt. Tom" Howland waving to us on Memorial Day weekend. His brother Rob drove him down on May 27 from his home in Framingham to watch the flying and enjoy the camaraderie on a perfect, sunny, no-wind day. As to the missing finger? We may never really know. There have been a number of different "war stories" about the loss. Tom, a decorated WWII veteran, is our eldest member.
... Scott Annis also showed up on that beautiful Saturday with his "store-bought," giant-sized Chipmunk. As we examined the plane and admired the high-quality construction he said, "Yeah, but there isn't the same satisfaction as building and then flying a model." This was also born out in Mike Keville's "Old-timers" column in this month's issue of Model Aviation.
... Of course the month of May's big story was all the rain we had here in Eastern MA. Down at the field the river rose to cover most of the access road after we enjoyed it, and the swamp, being dry all spring. The runway grass has never been so thick, thanks to last month's work and to the rain. Most of the scars from the plowing last winter are beginning to disappear. And as we wait for the sunny summertime, let's consider the following:

Sun Safety
by Howie Kelem of the Gold Coast Radio Controllers Club, Boca Raton, FL

Many of us are not young kids anymore, but whether you're young or old, it really doesn't matter. There are so many problems going on all around us that I think its time to slow down and get familiar with yourself. Being here on our little piece of heaven (Florida) is wonderful, but it comes along with an unforgiving sidekick. I'm referring to that great big beautiful sun that brings us all of those wonderful days. However, it also brings along with it many nasty problems.
... Statistics show that there are 700,000 Americans who develop some sort of skin cancer every year. Naturally, the best way to avoid this is to stay out of the sun, but we can't do that; we have to fly! That means you should find ways to protect yourself. I suggest getting rid of those baseball caps. They may look great with fancy slogans and designs, but they only have one good feature, especially for guys like me. It covers the part of the head where the hair is thinning out a little, but it leaves your face, ears, and neck uncovered and that's just asking for trouble. Wear a hat with a wide brim, or one that has a flap in the back to cover your neck-anything that will shade the skin.
... Where other exposed parts of the body are concerned, use a sun screen with at least a 15 SPF rating. If it's the dollar that is making the difference, think of it as another tank of fuel. It's a good investment. There are so many different types of cancer. Should you ever develop some sort of abnormal looking spot, don't be a Mr. Macho. It could be nothing or something minor, but check it out ASAP before it turns into something major.

Terms and Definitions

Melanin: The substance found in skin that gives it its color. The darker a person, the more melanin they have. It acts as a natural guard against harmful UV rays.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common type of skin cancer; usually found on the face and neck. Those who work outside or spend long hours of leisure time in the sun are more prone to this type of cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer; usually found on larger parts of the body: arms, leg, and trunk. It appears as a dark patch on the skin. When caught early, melanoma is almost 100% curable.

Metastasize: The spread of cancer throughout the body.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Non-melanoma Skin Cancer): The second most common form of skin cancer caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. It is found mostly on body parts exposed to the sun: head, ears, shoulders, and arms.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF): The amount of protection the sunscreen provides. Usually expressed in numbers; the higher the number the more protection. For the best protection, apply sunscreen liberally and often (especially if you come in contact with water).

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The Model Shop: Rainy Day Building

With all the rain we've had in May, I started building HANNIBAL, a FLAIR kit from the UK shown in last month's newsletter. The formers, wing ribs, etc. are all perfectly cut. The landing gear struts are pre-bent and the lumber and hardware package are of the highest quality. Unlike ARFs, wheels and fuel tank are not included. Nor are the motor mounts which are left to the builder to provide depending upon engine selection. However, a 10" diameter plywood firewall is in the kit together with a 10 inch diameter by 4-1/2 inch deep-drawn polished aluminum cowl. This is large enough to cover most engine selections from a .60 size 2-cycle and up. I've mounted a Saito 150 4-cycle, inverted on aluminum Dubro vibration mounts. The mounts had to be recessed into the firewall because of the length of the engine.

The building board is 72" long	Recessed vibration mounts
	.032 thick ply gussets at all stick joints multiplies strength with virtually no weight penalty

Also included in the kit are the necessary parts and cable for "pull-pull" rudder and elevator controls. This is new to me and I'm looking forward to rigging up this system. However, push-rod tubes are being installed while the airframe is still open, just in case. Another backup is an onboard glow system to insure engine reliability at low rpm's and idle.

Don't forget folks..."2 minutes a day!"

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Blast From the Past

I came across a copy of the club's newsletter dated February 1991. It made for some interesting reading and gave flavor of the club's ambiance 15 years ago. Ron Floser was President; Bill Lloyd was VP and Peter Glezellis, Treasurer. Jack Squier was the club secretary and wrote the colorful and humorous minutes starting off thus:

"Ron Floser, our leader, called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM promptly (time from 7:30 to 8:00 was officially dedicated for "Flight Stories" - ed.). A motion was made to accept the FANTASTIC Secretary's report as written in the last newsletter and was approved with a standing ovation. Peter presented the Treasurer's report...a motion was made, seconded, and approved by those in attendance with another standing ovation for his outstanding performance in his new position of power."

The narration goes on to talk about Gold Stickered transmitters, club incorporation and admonishment of the membership "as being LAZY this winter on their construction [efforts] for Winter Projects Night." Other subjects covered were the evening's show and tells, battery drain due to servo stalling and half a dozen other topics. The newsletter concluded with a picture of "Ron's Dream Machine," The Sawduster .90.

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Web Sites to Check Out

www.carcmc.org Humorous home-spun airborne videos from the Cape Ann RC Club

www.bassfiles.net/parachute.swf Don't miss this skydiver game! (sound & pix)

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf Smack the penguin game

www.ssrcc.org/home.htm Haute-Voltige videos on the home page

www.twoplaneguys.com/gavids1.htm 8 Unusual Aviation Videos

www.flightzone.co.za/media/harvards.wmv Water-Skiing AT-6s