New Renewal System for MMAC Members

In the past, existing MMAC members would receive an application via regular mail in early December to renew their membership for the coming season. This year, we're trying something new...a downloadable application form.
... Several emails have gone out to the membership to encourage guys to navigate to the club's member renewal page. This email included a direct link to the page. Once on the web page, you can easily click on a link that automatically downloads a PDF of the 2009 MMAC application.
... Once downloaded, the member then fills out the usual information and sends the completed form and his check to club secretary, Roger Gilman.
... The response so far seems to be positive. Members can still receive an application in the mail by contacting myself or Roger (links below) and requesting one. You can also pick up one at club meetings. Members without email were sent an application in the usual manner.

LINK TO APPLICATION WEB PAGE

To report problems or request an application via regular mail:

EMAIL ROGER GILMAN... ... ... EMAIL JIM MCCOY

You haven't seen our Bill Martin Airfield News column for a while simply due to the fact that we haven't had much to report. Until recently, the entrance road has been impassable due to deep snow and then Mr. Charles River encroaching from the swamp side. Some members have ventured in anyway using their 4x4 trucks or choosing to drive down the railroad access. But, for the most part, Bill Martin Airfield has been pretty quiet so far this year.
... With the mild days we've had lately...combined with moderate amounts of rainfall... our entrance road is slowly drying out and firming up. The photos included here are from Saturday, March 14 when several members from both clubs decided that it was time to make a go of it. Although it was still pretty chilly (judging by the parkas and heavy gloves) the guys enjoyed blowing the cobwebs off of several planes that day.

All reports indicate that the field itself is in pretty good shape. The runway is firm and fairly dry and only minor storm damage to the fences. With Spring Clean-Up Day just around the corner on Saturday, April 18, we should have things ship-shape in no time!

The meeting was brought to order by club president Bill O’Donnell. A motion to accept the January secretary’s report
as stated in the February 2009 Yankee Flyer was made and seconded. The motion passed. The treasurer’s for February report was given by Dave Seale.

CD Balance $2,038.94... ... Checking $3,470.20
Income $1,845.00... ... ... ...Expenses $310.90

February’s income is from membership fees and donations. A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made and seconded. The motion passed.
... Bill O’Donnell announced the reappointment of Bill Lloyd as club safety officer.
The mult-club fly-in will not be held at the Wingbusters MAC club field. Bill is looking for an alternative site and club to host the event.
... Don Schipani spent several minutes explaining and answering questions about the online member forum website he is setting up for the club.The site will only be open to current MMAC members and there is no monetary cost to the club.It is expected to go live in a couple of weeks.An email will be sent out inviting members to join. A motion was passed to have the club move forward with the online forum.
... Former club member Colin Towers attended the meeting. He was there to extend an invitation to the MMAC for a two way fly-in with the Quinapoxet Model Flying Club (www.qmfc.org) located in Holden, MA.The idea is to have each club visit the other’s field for a no competition fly-in.The club accepted Colin’s invitation. Sunday is the preferred day of the week for the fly-in at the Quinapoxet Model Flying Club. Stay tuned for the dates and details.
... The club members present at the meeting voted to hold the May, June and July club meetings at the flying field. The August meeting will return us to the American Legion.
... A prop swap will be held at the next club meeting in March. Bring the props you don’t need and haven’t used, and swap them for those that you do need.
... The annual flying field gate lock key exchange occurred at tonight’s meeting. If you did not attend and are a current member, please send your old key to Brad Kaye to exchange it for a new key. The lock at the field was changed the day after the meeting.

Upcoming Events
March 31   Club Meeting
April 18      Bill Martin Airfield Cleanup Day
April 28      Club Meeting / Winter Projects Night
May 30       CRRC Family Day at Medfield, MMAC members & family are invited
June 27     Club Fun-Fly - Bill Costello / CD
August 1    Club Fun-Fly - Bill O’Donnell / CD

Regards,
Roger Gilman
MMAC Secretary

2009 Pilot's Choice Raffle!

MMAC is kicking off the 2009 flying season with another great raffle to raise funds for field improvement. The "Pilot's Choice Raffle '09" allows the winner to select from one of the following three great prizes:

FunKey CAP 232 120 ARF
Donated by Creative Hobbies in Mendon

Top Flight Gold Edition
P-50B/C Kit in 1/7th Scale
Donated by Scott Annis

Hangar 9 Showtime 4D 90 ARF
Donated by Hobby USA in Ashland

This raffle is open to anyone and the winner will be drawn at random during our April 28 Winter Project Night. You need not be present to win and the lucky winner will be contacted by telephone if he/she is not at the meeting.
... Tickets are $3 each or two for $5 and can be purchased at club meetings or by contacting Brad Kaye via email or by phone at 508-962-1230.

MMAC Online Member Forum is Launched

The MMAC Online Member Forum is a new feature of the club website that allows current club members to discuss topics pertaining to MMAC, our field, events, models, engines, radio systems...just about anything that has to do with this hobby we all love. Members can also post photos or videos of their latest project!

You get to the Online Member Forum by going to the club website and navigating to the "Members Only" page either by clicking on the Yankee Flyer link on the home page or the "Members Only" link in the main menu. The first time there, you will need to register by creating a user name and password. Only current members can participate, so it may take a little while for us to confirm your member status in order to activate your password. You will be notified by email when your registration is activated.
... This project is the brainchild of MMAC member Don Schipani, who is working on a more extensive forum project for the hobby at large. He donated his time and talents to both develop this new club feature as well as maintaining it on an on-going basis. We are looking for a few individuals who would like to monitor one or more of the discussions. Interested members should contact either Don Schipani or myself for the details.

Be Sure to Exchange
Your Old Gate Key!

As per our charter with the state, we are required to switch the lock on the entrance gate each season. This means that anyone still holding a 2008 season key will not be able to get access to the field.
... Current members in good standing must return their 2008 key in order to receive a new one. This can be done at club meetings or by contacting our club Key Master, Brad Kaye via email or at 508-962-1230 to arrange an exchange.
... Be sure to get your new key well in advance of your first trip to the field so you don't get locked out!

Your Flight-Box Needs
Some Lovin' Too!

We've all seen articles in hobby magazines and heard sage advice from experienced modelers about preparing your plane for the new flying season. Tasks like checking linkages, bolts and screws for tightness, making sure your fuel system flows smoothly and is free of leaks and checking all electrical connections, battery health and your radio are just a few of the necessary things to do before heading to the field for the first time each season.
... One item we often overlook is the health of the gear we keep in our flight tote...and I'm speaking from experience here! After several years of "surprises" on that special first spring day, I have assembled a check-list to help make that initial outing a bit more pleasant.

• Charge your 12V flight kit battery or replace if necessary.
• Charge your remote glow plug clip (did you know that you can cycle these to breathe new life into the NiCad cell?). If you use a hard-wired glow clip, check the wire for frays or shorts...eyeball those banana plugs or alligator clips as well.
• Make sure your electric starter still has it's mojo...check/charge the battery if you use a remote unit or inspect the wires if you power it off the flight box. Clean the rubber cone with some rubbing alcohol or treat yourself to a new one.
• Closely inspect your fuel storage system for leaks, kinks and debris. Clean or replace any fuel filters you have in the system. If you have a permanent fuel can attached to your box, drain the old fuel and clean out any debris or sludge that's left on the bottom.
• Whether you crank, hand pump or flip a switch...make sure your fuel pump actually pumps fuel.
• Get a fresh gallon of fuel. This one item alone will save tons of frustration.
• Glow plugs...at least one spare for each engine type you typically fly.
• Put a fresh battery into your tachometer and flight timer.
• Rubber bands get brittle with age and exposure to cold or sunshine. If you use them to attach your wings, be sure to spring for a fresh box.
• Review you inventory of propellers. Purchase a couple of replacements if you don't have back-ups. Don't forget to balance!
• Look over your tools to be sure you still have everything you thought was there.
• Cleaning spray, fresh paper towels or rags, sunscreen and bug spray.

I took things a step further this spring by sorting though my collection of spare hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, wheel collars, fuel tubing, etc.). I found that I've been carrying around stuff that I haven't touched since my first trip to Millis ten years ago. Some of these do-dads I kept "just-in-case," but a lot was either pitched or stored in my workshop. This eliminated a lot of the clutter in that little drawer.
... Now, I know this sounds really anal...but I also wiped down my collection of wrenches and other tools to clean off last year's castor oil. I also cleaned the box itself...you'd be surprised at how much dirt and tufts of grass I found in my box...really!
... Feel free to email me if you find that I've missed anything or if you have another suggestion. And, above all, once you're successfully in the air...keep up your airspeed!

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.

Photo of the Month

Thrill to the modeling of yesteryear as we're transported back to the "Model Airplane Championship" of 1936! This charmingly goofy newsreel-style film from the bygone days of the hobby impresses me with just how much hasn't really changed in 70 years. Thanks to everyone that sent me their nominations for this month's Photo of the Month, but I decided to stick with my gut and present this nugget from YouTube.

To link to the video...click here!

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

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