There was frost on the 'ol pumpkin when we arrived at Plains Park at 8AM on October 11, but we were kept warm by moving barrels and bleachers, setting up tents and signage and generally getting things ready for the event to start. Although a little breezy, the day developed into quite a beauty, and spectators started gathering by mid-morning. We took a poll and estimated that we saw 800 to 1000 people throughout the event...not a bad draw for a bunch of guys flying model aircraft!

	A little damp and chilly to start, the day turned out to be pretty darn great...mild temperatures with an occasional tough breeze... but, otherwise a beautiful New England autumn day. The audience began arriving at 9:30 and we had a steady stream of faces throughout the event. As in years past, the biggest crowd was during the noontime buddy-box instruction.
	After the National Anthem, Buzz Austin (our un-official club mascot) made yet another successful jump from an aircraft piloted by Scott Annis. Brad Kaye helped to guide him back to terra firma to the applause of the audience. Kudos to Buzz for a great start to a great day!
	Planes of all shapes and sizes were on hand to show off what we can do with our models. Here is Dave O'Hanian's neat little electric-powered Liberty Sport biplane. He won "Best of Show" with this model at our Winter Project Night in 2007. Hey Dave, where's the pilot?
	Soon-to-be club secretary Steve Rivet had a lot of stick time during the day... especially with his very graceful electric sailplane. Steve also helped with event banners and signage again this year.
	At one point in the afternoon, former MMAC president, Mike Mauricio, Scott Annis, Brad Kaye and Kevin Gregory flew their electric delta-winged foamies in formation to the crowd's amazement. It looked like a flock of bats doing ballet! Lots of fun for all involved and everyone landed in one piece!
	Always a favorite with the audience, the "Flying Lawnmower" made it's yearly appearance. No matter how many times you see this thing in the air, it's still a real kick to watch it actually get off the ground. Thanks to Brad Kaye, his daughter Jade and Scott Annis for orchestrating this foolishness.
	The big attraction for the day is always the buddy-box training at noontime. Even though we were a little short-handed this year, everyone pitched-in to offer an introductory lesson to just about anyone who wanted to give it a shot. Above: Mickey Callahan and myself staged a pre-flight area to show trainees how their stick movements affected the control surfaces of an aircraft. It also allowed us to control the flow of students. Left: On the flightline, instructors and their assistants (Scott Annis in this case) helped guide each student through a turn or two around the patch.
	Bill Lloyd donated both his time and one of his favorite models to the buddy-box training.   Left: What goes up...
	...must come down.
	One of Bill's young students was a bit heavy-handed with the control sticks...yanking on the elevator too hard stressed the wing on Bill's model to the breaking point. The result was a tangled mass of balsa, covering and radio gear. Undaunted, Bill was pretty good-natured about the mishap, "After all these years." he said, "that bird owed me nothing."
	MMAC member Gary Legee received a great deal of attention with his beautiful electric scale helicopter.
	And, speaking of hovering... guest pilot Don Brown from the South Shore Radio Control Club in Bridgewater put on quite a 3D show with two different aircraft during the day.
	Between flying his models when possible, and helping to organize the various activities and demonstrations throughout the event, MMAC member Scott Annis rarely had a chance to sit down all day. Here we see him performing emcee duty for one of the many flight demonstrations. His hobby knowledge and casual manner on the microphone was very appreciated by both audience and club members. Thanks, Scott!
	Looking very intent, event co-organizer Brad Kaye is about to give his electric foamy a toss into the air. Brad worked hard for many weeks prior to the event to make sure that all was ready when the day actually arrived. His whole family got involved...from helping with the PA system and transmitter impound, to getting lots of photos for our archives. Thanks to the entire Kaye family for their many contributions.
	Just a real pretty fly-by.
	Steve Rivet gets into the air with his Goldberg Tiger 60 piloted by non-other than Tigger himself.
	Photos like this don't happen very often...Steve Rivet's sailplane makes a close encounter of the lunar kind!

Mike Mauricio supplied the photo of the day...longtime MMAC member and club flight instructor John Holcomb taking his first flight since being stricken with Gillian Barre Syndrome after a routine kidney stone procedure in May. The illness had him totally paralyzed and without many answers about his ability to recover. John and his family have had a very difficult time this summer, but seeing him on the flightline once again was truly an inspiration. Welcome back, John...and best wishes for a continued return to good health and time at the field.

So all-in-all, the sixth-annual MMAC Milford Demonstration Day was a successful event. The club owes a big thank you to everyone involved to include club members and friends, the Milford Parks Department, Upton First Light organization (for supplying concessions once again), WMRC 1490AM for their promotional help prior to and during the day, and the community at-large who came out to see our aircraft.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Amateur photographer and Steve Rivet's brother-in-law, Fred Giombetti, attended our event and took hundreds of really excellent photos. Go to his website (PHOTO GALLERY LINK) and select the Model Aircraft Event in his featured gallery...there you'll be able to view and even download high resolution photos.

This month’s report was recorded by Steve Rivet
and edited by Roger Gilman. Thanks Steve.

Everyone was pleasantly surprised to see John Holcomb at the meeting. John is getting around slowly but he is making progress. He is hoping to attend the Milford Demo Day event; while he won't be flying he will be critiquing the pilots.
... The meeting was brought to order by club president Bill O’Donnell. A motion to accept the August secretary’s report as stated in the September 2009 Yankee Flyer was made and seconded. The motion passed. The treasurer’s report was given by Dave Seale. For the month of September:

CD $2,050.42... Checking $4,744.22
Income $31.76... Expense $63.52

A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made and seconded. The motion passed.
... Dave Seale brought up the question of putting some of the club money into another CD or keeping it in the checking account. After some discussion a motion was made and passed to discuss it at a later date.
... The condition of the access road was brought up. The ruts are getting worse. Apparently it was worked on by CRRC 2 years ago and will need more work, possibly next spring.
... There has been no news from the state on permission to dig footings for the shade shed.
... Scott and Franklin represented us at Rhinebeck and proudly displayed our MMAC Banner. Scott said they are talking about going to only 2.4 GHz transmitters next year.
... Flying off of Hopedale pond during their Oktoberfest celebration Oct. 3rd was discussed. Bill Lloyd reminded everyone to be aware of the safety issues.
... Milford Demo Day is coming up October 11th and all members are asked to participate as this is our biggest event of the year. Setup time is 8:00.
... It is club officer nomination and election time. Please contact Bill O’Donnell if you are interested in any of the club officer positions. Officers will be announced at the Family Banquet on October 25.

Upcoming Events
October 25 - MMAC Family Banquet

Regards,
Roger Gilman
MMAC Secretary

AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Mickey Callahan's E-Power Clinic

There's no denying that electric power for our models is a technology that's here to stay. Many of us have taken the plunge in one form or another, but there are lot of club members (myself included) that are intimidated by the learning curve we face when considering an e-powered model.
... Starting at the November 24 club meeting, MMAC member Mickey Callahan will present the first of what we hope will be a series of informational clinics to de-mystify the selection of motors, props, controllers, batteries, chargers and all the other widgets that seem strange to us castor-oil junkies. Mickey will start with a general overview and there will be Q&A time throughout.

First Annual Floatplane Demonstration

When Brad Kaye received a phone call inviting our club to participate in the Hopedale "Octoberfest" event the first weekend of October, he wasn't sure how we could do anything other than set up a booth to distribute literature. When the idea of actually flying off Hopedale Pond was discussed... well...let's just say that it was a challenge that he couldn't resist. ... With support of Brad Kaye, Bill O'Donnell, Steve Rivet, myself and John Eppling from the Charles River Club...we were able to demonstrate our models to a very interested crowd and have fun in the process. ... Steve worked feverishly to convert his trainer to floats and test-fly it beforehand. Brad brought a couple of planes including a delta-winged foamy that he converted to a floatplane by adding pink foam under the wings. ... The highlight for youngsters was the buddy-box that John Eppling had the forethought to bring along for the day. John worked hard to keep a plane on charge at all times and was very quick to get kids on the sticks. ... All-in-all a successful venture, and we've already been invited back next year!

Club Logo Stickers & Hats

Don't forget that MMAC offers high quality logo stickers that are perfect to place on your car, flight box, aircraft or spouse. Available in two sizes, the small size (3" x 1.875") is $1 and the large size (4.75" x 3") is $1.50. They can be purchased at club meetings or shipped to you by mail by contacting Jim McCoy at 508-478-6617 or email at mccoygroup@comcast.net.
... We also have a small supply of club hats available once again. Fully-adjustable, they come in a very stylish royal blue with the club logo embroidered on the front. Contact Bill O'Donnell at 508-473-4441 or bill@odonnellelectric.com while supplies last.

Video of the Month

In much the same way our buddy Buzz Austin sacrifices body parts for the greater good of our club, this modeler with some time on his hands outfitted an electric F-16 to carry an on-board camera that moves to give the viewer a true "pilot's-eye" experience that's unlike other on-board camera system I've seen. Please note that the test flight was off a strip of vacant highway somewhere...something we wouldn't do...right?

Thanks to MMAC member Scott Annis for this techno-gem. We'll see the "Red Sparrows" next month!

Click here to link to the video!

Remember that MMAC members may submit their video or photo nominations to mccoygroup@comcast.net.

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