Renew Your Membership!

Our club roster is filling out nicely again this year, but there are several "conspicuous absences" in the list...a few long-time MMAC members that have not yet renewed. We want remind them...and everyone...that we have converted to a downloadable application form instead of sending one via traditional mail.
... Several emails have gone out to encourage guys to navigate to the club's member renewal page. This email included a direct link to the page where you can download a PDF of the 2009 MMAC application.
... Once downloaded, you can then print and complete the usual information and then send the form and your check to club secretary, Roger Gilman.
... 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

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

CD Balance $2,043.97... Checking Balance $3,324.25
Income $120.00... ... ... ..Expense $265.95

A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made and seconded. The motion passed.
... The field condition was reported to be in good shape.It needs to be rolled and there are a few spots that need to be reseeded.The road leading in to the field is dry.
... The first half of the two way fly-in with the Quinapoxet Model Flying Club (www.qmfc.org) is scheduled for Sunday, May 17 and will be held at their field. Their address is 315 River Street, Holden, MA. The fun starts at 8:30 AM.
... The club forum is up and running. Jim McCoy reported that 16 members have signed up and that activity is sporadic but increasing.
... The field cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. Bring a rake and shovel; and if you have one, a weed whacker or wheel barrow.
... Brad provided an update on the pilot’s choice raffle. Two lots of tickets have been sold out. Jim McCoy will make more. The drawing will be held at the next club meeting on April 28.
... Club safety officer, Bill Lloyd, reminded members to extend their transmitter antenna before taking off. He also stressed the importance of performing a range check.

Upcoming Events
April 18      Bill Martin Airfield Cleanup Day
April 28      Club Meeting / Winter Projects Night
May 17       Fly-in with QMFC
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.

Member Forum Update

The MMAC Online Member Forum is a
new feature of the club website that was launched last month.
It 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 the hobby. 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 Log-In page by clicking on 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.
... With the recent additions of John Holcomb and Peter Dube, we now have 18 forum members and the discussions are starting to take shape.
... MMAC member Don Schipani donated his time and talents to both develop this new club feature as well as maintain 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.

2009 Gate Keys Still Available

Current members in good standing must return their 2008 key in order to receive a new one and get access to the field. 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!

Tanks for
the Advice

With the sudden warm weather that is now taunting me from my office window, I wanted to remind everyone to be sure to thoroughly pre-flight their models before simply charging the batteries and heading over to Bill Martin Airfield. Check linkages, bolts and screws for tightness, inspect electrical connections, review overall battery health and range-check your radio.
... One item that's often glossed over is the model's fuel tank. In the off-season, planes stored in a basement or unheated garage experience pretty extreme temperature changes. This can cause parts to expand and contract a great deal...causing them to loosen or become brittle.
... In addition to the general review of your plane's condition, be sure to remove the fuel tank and perform a pressure check...keeping a watchful eye on the cap and seal area as well as the seams. Check your fuel tubing for pinholes that may have developed, especially at connection points and where it may come in contact with the airframe (like through the firewall). Look for any debris in the tank and be sure you fuel pick-up moves freely.
... What you are hoping to avoid is filling up your fuselage instead of the fuel tank!

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.

Video of the Month

Known as "the pilot's pilot," retired Air Force pilot, aviation icon and air show performer Bob Hoover demonstrates his famous "engines off" air show routine in a twin engine Shrike Commander. This YouTube video makes me wonder if something like this could be included in an upcoming fun-fly or perhaps at the Milford Demonstration Day event.

To link to the video...click here!

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

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