Latest Tailwinds. VOLUME 37, NUMBER 02 February Derek Abramson, Editor. Jim Whitacre and Jack Bugaren at the Cal City Flyers Fun Fly

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1 VOLUME 37, NUMBER 02 February 2012 Latest Tailwinds Derek Abramson, Editor We are well into the New Year. I hope everybody has been getting some flying or building in. Spring is quickly approaching as our true flying season. March 3rd, we are having a Fun-Fly, Swap Meet and BBQ. I hope to see some good deals, flying and as always good eating at the air park. All are welcomed to enjoy the festivities. All is needed is an AMA membership. Check the calendar and website for other events and if anybody has some ideas, please let us know. Jim Whitacre and Jack Bugaren at the Cal City Flyers Fun Fly There were a couple of events that we had out here in the antelope valley. The helicopter get together was blown out and has been rescheduled for March 24th. California City Flyers had a fun-fly on January 12th with good success. Some of our own members attended and won some events. I have added some more photos on o r website including the some Cal City events. To be added soon, a tech section; Mack Moffat has written a great article on EPP which will be the first feature section. Also, I will be getting the members page up. I am planning on taking photos of our members starting in the spring. Jack Bugaren with his winning trainer at the Cal City Flyers Fun Fly Please review our updated / revised field regulations that were voted on at the February Meeting. Also, there will be a couple of cartoons that were submitted by Lou Munoz. I hope to see some more cartoons in the future from Lou. I hope to see everybody at the field. Until then, good flying and good landings. Page 1

2 A Day at the airpark by Lou Munoz AVTI SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS March :00 pm 3 9:00 am 24 9:00 am AVTI General Meeting WJF AVTI Fun Fly BBQ & Swap Meet Helicopter Fun Fly & BBQ April :00 pm 21 9:00 pm AVTI General Meeting WJF AVTI Sailplane Jamboree What does this do? Bob Childress May :00 pm 5 9:00 am June :00 pm 9 9:00 am AVTI General Meeting WJF Fun Fly Event TBD AVTI General Meeting WJF Fun Fly Event TBD AVTI HISTORY Bob Sumoski will be updating the AVTI History page located on the club's website Any pictures, newspaper or magazine articles, event fliers that you may have would be welcome. Oral history (stories) would also be welcome. Materials would be returned if requested. Bob Sumoski, , robertfsumoski@gmail.com By-Laws Committee Members can contact any committee member with suggestions, corrections or additions to the Constitution and By-Laws (as amended 11/14/09). Committee members, Roger Counts, Bob Sumoski and Mike Greear. Page 2

3 President s Message Hi Everyone It s hard to believe, but we are off and running in 2012 and halfway through February. I ve heard quite a few good things about the club recently and I believe we are headed in the right direction. The board has been working hard on creating a foundation for the future so everyone can have fun flying while being safe at the same time. Please pay close attention to the newsletter as we have scheduled several fun events over the next couple of months starting with a fun fly and barbeque on March 3 rd. I m off to the races next week, but I will be back in time to do some cooking at the fun fly. Dust off your planes, mark your calendar and let s have some fun this year Good Flying Doug Killebrew VP s Message Hello AVTI members! Well, as nice as the weather was last month it has turned bad! I m sitting here watching it rain and the wind has been nonstop for several days. The wind did catch up to our Helicopter Event on February 11 th and it got blown out. There was a bit of flying but it was too cold and windy to stay out. So we have rescheduled that event for March 24 th. We have also put on the schedule a Club Event on March 3 rd. This will be a Swap Shop/Barbecue Fun Fly. There won t be any real events, just open flying and camaraderie. Bring a full wallet or a full car of stuff to sell! We are also going to have a Sailplane Event on April 21 st. We ll use the same rules for Powered Sailplanes as we have used before. We will get these rules in the newsletter and up on the website soon. Hope to see you at the field! Tony Frackowiak Frackowiak@sbcglobal.net Treasurer s Report of 02/02/12 Compiled by Tony Frackowiak Checking Account Balance $ 7, AVTI Flying Field Reserve $ 14, Financial Assets $ 22, Income for January -$ Expenses for January - $84.00 Total dues collected for 2011/2012, as of 8/30/11 - $4, Current Membership Total -87 Members New Members for 2011/ Members Members not Renewed for 2011/ Members Eleven members have yet to renew with the AMA. The current list is at the field on the bulletin board. If you see those members, a gentle reminder would be appropriate! Those who have not renewed, if you would drop me an to let me know you have renewed I would appreciate it! Thanks! Tony Frackowiak Page 3

4 General Meeting Minutes 02_February_2012 Compiled by Derek Abramson -Large out house was flooded -Year has been pre-paid, considering a different vendor 1905 Meeting brought to order by Tony Frackowiak 14 Members Present Old Business -Minutes published in the Newsletter voted and passed -Treasurers Report was presented by Tony Frackowiak (Please see attached) -Voted and passed -AMA expo report by Tony Frackowiak -California City Flyers Fun-Fly update presented by Mike Whitacre -Photos will be in newsletter and website -11 February 2012 Helicopter Fun-fly New Business -Club bylaw update -Waiting on Bob Sumoski to complete bylaws -26 February 2012 Rocket Launch for the Cub Scouts -Will be at helicopter area -03 March 2012 Club Fun Fly -More info coming -Field Regulations -Updated regulations were voted and passed -Will be posted on website and Newsletter -BOD meeting will be on 13 February 2012 at AV Ford at Out House complaints 1945 Meeting adjourned MOM -Richard Vincent; Great Planes Trainer -Steve Swick; DW foamy -Tony Accurso; S-Bach, and DH-100 Vampire -Evelyn Accurso; Cox Cessna 182 -Pete Carbin; Revell Helicopter Drawings -Attendance; Bob Childress -Donated prize to the club -50/50; Mike Whitacre; (17.00) -Donated prize to the club -MOM; Evelyn Accurso Tony Frackowiak taking Mark Johnson up for another training sortie Page 4

5 Barkley s Safety Tip Hey guys! My Buddy and I have been stuck inside too much this month. The wind has been blowing a lot lately. I don t mind the wind, but it seems to keep us at home and inside too much! With all the inside time I saw the Boss went over the Fail-Safe settings on all his models. Most of today s radios have this feature and it is very important that this is set up correctly, particularly with electric models. If your radio has a Fail-Safe feature, you can check what is set very easily. With an electric model you can remove the prop. With a glow or gas model make sure it is restrained well. Then power everything up including the radio and it it s a glow or gas model start the engine. Once everything is running bring the throttle up some and once the power does come up, turn off the transmitter. If the Fail-Safe is set correctly, the motor should go to idle or off. If it doesn t, please check your radio s manual for the instructions on how to set it correctly. Getting this set right can really keep a model from running away on the ground if something should happen. Also, if you do lose control in the air, it will bring the throttle down, giving you a little more time to regain control or at least to hit with low power. Hope this weather gets better soon so we can see you at the field! Page 5

6 Antelope Valley Tailwinds Inc. AMA Charter #114 P.O. Box 302, Lancaster, CA A.V.T.I. Roster of Current Officers (2011/2012) President: Douglas Killebrew; ; Vice-President: Tony Frackowiak; ; Treasurer: Tony Frackowiak; ; Secretary: Derek Abramson Board Members: Robert Sumoski: Bob Childress: Preston Knepper; ; * Membership Meeting * AVTI General Membership meeting March 1, :00 PM (Note Time Change) * Board of Directors Meeting * TBD Please See AVTI.ORG for Meeting time and location A.V.T.I. Airpark Challenger Way (10 th Street East) between Avenues F and G Lancaster, CA Visit our website for more photos and up to the date information Field Marshal: Preston Knepper; ; tecknepp@aol.com Safety Officer: Tony Frackowiak; ; frackowiak@sbcglobal.net Webmaster: Derek Abramson; ; abramson.derek@gmail.com Newsletter Editor: Derek Abramson; ; abramson.derek@gmail.com Flight Instructors: Derek Abramson, Tony Frackowiak Peter Carbin; Daniel Garrabrant; Tailwinds Tails is a monthly newsletter of the Antelope Valley Tailwinds Inc., R/C Model Aircraft Club. Visit our web page at Send submissions for the Tailwinds Tails by the 10 th of each month to the Newsletter Editor, c/o A.V.Tailwinds Inc., P.O. Box 302, Lancaster, CA or by to abramson.derek@gmail.com Page 6

7 Model of the Month Richard Vincent s Trainer Tony Accurso s Fleet Steve Swick s DW Foamy Pete Carbin s Revell Helicopter Evelynn Accurso with her Cox Cessna 182 Page 7

8 ANTELOPE VALLEY TAILWINDS, INC. FIELD REGULATIONS Updated February 2, 2012 INTRODUCTION: AVTI is an organization committed to creating a positive opportunity to enjoy radio controlled modeling in the safest manner possible. The Board of Directors for the organization recognizes this obligation to preserve this club's integrity. You are a vital link in the chain of accountability for safety at the Airpark. All of us must participate to ensure we maintain the highest standards. In this way we can reduce hazardous exposure to others during normal flying operations. The "Field Regulations" provide you with a summary of the standards and responsibilities that govern our activities as modelers. Whenever you have any questions about what you should or should not do that can't be answered adequately by fellow members, a board member will provide the answer. Please join in and give your full support in creating and maintaining the safest, fun-filled environment possible for everyone. ARTICLE I - AIRPARK USAGE 1. Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) rules and regulations shall be complied with at all times. Model rocketry operations must follow the National Association of Rocketry Model Rocket Safety Code. 2. The Facility is primarily for model aircraft. Use of the facility for other purposes will be approved by the membership. 3. Flying is restricted to club members and guests. Guests must have in possession a current AMA membership card when flying. A current AVTI member must sponsor guests. When guests are using the Airpark facilities, the AVTI sponsoring member is responsible for their guest s activities, abilities and conduct. 4. If asked by another member or a club official, members must produce their current AVTI and AMA membership card. If unable to show these cards they must produce a picture ID and then their name can be checked on the Club Roster posted at the field. If they are not shown as a current member on the Roster they will not be allowed to fly. The Field Marshall will maintain the Club Roster. 5. The facility has a locked gate using a combination lock. Members are given this combination. The first member arriving will open the gate. The last member leaving is responsible for closing and locking the gate. The combination will be periodically changed and all current members will be updated with the new code. 6. The AVTI Airpark has three flying areas. The North Area includes the paved runway north of the parking lot. The South Area currently includes the smoothed area south of the parking lot. The Helicopter Area is the area to the east, which includes the two concrete landing pads and the shade structure. 7. The club generator is available for use during flight operations. Each member of the Board of Directors has a key to the container and if needed they will open the container and operate the generator. ARTICLE II SPECTATORS and GUESTS 1. Spectators are welcome but must remain south of the pit area unless accompanied by an AVTI club member. 2. Parental control of small children must be exercised at all times. All youngsters must remain south of the pit area. Page 8

9 ARTICLE III - FREQUENCY CONTROL 1. Frequency control of radios other then 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum equipment consists of the frequency paddle stand located near the center of the pit area. Prior to turning on such a transmitter, the owner must rotate up the paddle that corresponds to the frequency of their transmitter. The owner will then use a clothespin or other such device to pin the paddle in the up position. They will also place their AVTI membership card or a facsimile of such on the paddle. They are then clear to turn on the transmitter. 2. Flyers using the South Area will use the same frequency paddle stand if not using 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum equipment. 3. Fliers using the Helicopter area will only use 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum equipment. 4. Pilots using 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radios are not required to use a frequency control system. 5. When using the frequency paddle stand, if another pilot is using the frequency paddle, those waiting for the frequency will indicate that by placing their pin on the side of the paddle. If others are waiting for the frequency, possession of the channel shall be limited to fifteen (15) minutes. NOTE: No one shall remove ANOTHER'S pin from the frequency control paddle and REPLACE it with any other pin. 6. The use of an impound area during events will be up to the discretion of the organizers or CD of that event ARTICLE IV - FACILITIES 1. Consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Airpark is forbidden at all times. 2. Anything brought to the flying field shall be removed when you depart. Broken props, models, soda cans, rubber bands, rags, paper towels, empty fuel containers, etc. shall be placed in trashcans provided. Please dispose of larger items in the Waste Management container to the south of the pit area. Cigarette butts must be disposed of in a trash receptacle, not on the ground! 3. Port-a-Potties are provided for your convenience. Please knock on the door before entering and latch the door while inside. 4. Owners are responsible for their pets behavior at all times. ARTICLE V - PIT AREA 1. The Pit area is defined as the area south of the Safety Fence up to the south edge of the blacktop. 2. Only club members, their guests and escorted spectators are allowed in the pit area. 3. Extended running of engines at high throttle/rpm for tuning or break in purposes in the pit area is not allowed. Use the paved area at the East End of pits or, if not in use, the Helicopter Area, for this purpose. If the transmitter is required, 15 minutes maximum usage if others are on your frequency. 4. Tail of aircraft must be positioned toward runway during start and run up. Do not aim prop wash at other modelers or their models. 5. Use of the starting tables is encouraged. They are for starting and adjusting a model prior to flight. Please keep the tables clear for the next pilot. 6. Taxiing a model into the pit area is prohibited. After landing, taxi off the runway using the taxiway. Stop the model and shut off the engine at the white line on taxiway. If the model is electric, follow all appropriate shutdown procedures to insure the motor system is off. Turn off the receiver, transmitter, pit the model and remove your pin from the Frequency Control Paddle. 7. Models shall be constrained by the pilot, a helper, the starting table or other means during the engine start and until positioned for taxi from the pit area. At this point taxiing is permitted to the pilot line at which time model is stopped and intentions are announced to other fliers. 8. Electric models should not be left unrestrained if the motor power system has been armed. ARTICLE VI - PARKING AREAS Page 9

10 1. Parking next to pit area is designated for pilots with model aircraft only. There are designated handicapped parking areas at the center of the pit area. 2. Spectators are requested to park their vehicles on the south side of parking lot. Note: Port-a-Potties are on the south edge of the parking lot. ARTICLE VII - SAFETY 1. Members are responsible for the integrity of their model. Range Checks, control operation, battery condition, structural integrity, etc., should all be checked by the owner or pilot prior to flight. 2. Any model that has been crashed regardless of how minor the event may have seemed shall be checked prior to any further flights. 3. All two stroke engines over.10 cubic inch displacement shall be equipped with an effective muffling device of the following type: expansion chamber, flow-through silencer, or muffled tuned pipe. NO exhaust header stack type mufflers are allowed. 4. Safety prop nuts or spinners are recommended. 5. The owner must monitor charging of electric battery packs. Only suitable chargers designed for the type of battery chemistry being used must be used. 6. The blue container in the center of the pit area contains a First-Aid kit, water to douse a brush fire and a fire extinguisher. It is locked with a combination lock that has the same combination as the gate. The first member arriving at the field should unlock this container. The last member leaving is responsible for closing and locking this container. 7. Per LA County Fire Code, the following Regulations are in affect concerning the use of the Burn Barrel, A. There must be sufficient water available at the field to thoroughly douse the fire when concluded. B. The fire must be attended at all times. ARTICLE VIII - FLIGHT RULES Air traffic control at our Airpark should be mostly a combination of common sense and courtesy, with a bit of the 'Golden Rule' applied. However, in order to make sure everyone is thinking the same, a few rules need to be established. Listed below are those rules. 1. There are three flying areas established at the Airpark. The Runway Area includes the paved runway. The South Area is the smoothed area south of the parking lot and is intended for helicopters, parkflyers, foamies, gliders, model rockets and controline models. The Helicopter Area is the facility to the east and it includes the two concrete landing pads and the shade structure. 2. When using the Runway Area the flying should be north of an imaginary line running east-west of the fence line and extending in both directions (to be known as the SAFETY LINE). A maximum number of six models are permitted in the air at the Runway Area north of the safety fence at one time. Additional Micros, Parkflyers, etc. may be flying at the east end. 3. Sailplanes working thermals are allowed to fly south of the safety line but are not to fly over the pit area or the parking lot. Ultralight models such as flat foamies and parkflyers can fly south of the line but only at the East End of the Runway Area and not over the pit area or parked vehicles. 4. When flying helicopters at the Runway Area, if there are others flying airplanes, the helicopter pilot should limit hovering over the runway to a minimum. If a member is at the Runway Area to fly both airplanes and helicopters, it is encouraged to use the South Area for helicopters when there is significant airplane activity on the Runway Area. 5. The Model Rocket launch site at the Runway Area will be the Run-up pad to the east. The South Area can be used for launching model rockets. If not in use, the Helicopter Area can also be used for launching. Prior to launching a model rocket at the Runway Area call out the launch to other pilots similar to a take-off or landing. Wind drift should be considered when launching to avoid the rocket landing in the Pit Area. 6. When using the South Area all flying will be south of the parking lot and will not overfly the Porta-Potties or the Container. All flyers must follow the frequency control as stated in Article III, paragraphs 1, 2 and 4. Page 10

11 7. When flying at the Helicopter Area only 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radios are to be used. Models must not be flown over the parking area, the entrance road or the shade structure. Only two models airborne at a time are permitted. 8. Take-off and landing shall normally be into the wind, but is always at the discretion of the pilot. When preparing to take-off or land, the pilot should always notify other pilots flying by shouting out his intended actions. Only taxi on to the runway after verifying the runway is clear of departing or arriving aircraft. 9. If, at any time, a pilot needs to deviate from these general rules, he will shout out loud and clear his intentions to deviate from the norm, particularly if there are other aircraft in the air. In addition, the intended takeoff or landing will only be accomplished when the pilot is sure that he is not interfering with another aircraft that may be taking off or landing in the normal direction. In other words, check the airspace around the runway prior to proceeding. 10. Following take-off, the pilot must always make his initial turn away from the pit area. 11. While there are other pilots flying, high speed, low altitude 'burn runs' over the runway are not allowed. If yours is the only aircraft in the air, and no others are preparing to take- off, burn runs are permitted; but make sure that it is safe. 12. The pilot should always announce his intentions to land to the other pilots. This will also hold true for practicing touch and go landings. When preparing to land, an approach pattern should usually be established with a downwind leg, base turn and a final turn. This pattern must be flown on the north side of the runway (no part of it may ever be south of the safety line until final turn and approach). The altitude at the beginning of the approach should be low enough (preferably less than 100 feet) so as not to interfere with other aircraft in the air. A pilot must let his intentions be known if he is going to deviate from the normal procedures. 13. An aircraft that is landing always has the right of way over an aircraft that is preparing to take-off, but not yet on the runway. If an aircraft is on the runway when another pilot announces his intentions to land, the pilot preparing to take-off should clear the runway by immediately taking off (if ready to depart) or taxiing off of the runway (if not ready to depart). 14. An aircraft that has gone 'dead stick' has the right of way over any aircraft that has power (including an aircraft whose pilot has announced his intentions to land but is still in the approach pattern). The dead stick pilot must alert the other pilots of his situation by shouting out "dead stick". Aircraft preparing to depart must clear the runway immediately and in-flight aircraft must give way. 15. If a model must be carried out onto the runway for take off, this intention must be previously announced to any other pilots. Pilots pursuing this practice must promptly clear the runway when the model is released. 16. When more then one pilot is flying, extended 3D flying of airplanes (hovering, torque rolls, etc.) over the runway should be kept to a minimum. Communication between the pilots of their intentions is important. 17. When there is more then one pilot flying, pilots must be located at the marked "pilot stations" located on the pilot line when flying. Only pilots, instructors, spotters and escorted guests are permitted to occupy the "pilot stations". 18. When there is more then one aircraft flying, no pilot shall be located north of the pilot line. 19. Hand launching of larger models in the Runway Area is permitted only north of the pilot line. No larger models may be hand launched from south of the pilot line. Micro and Parkflyer type models may be hand launched south of the pilot line only when they are being flown at the east end of the Runway Area. Hand launching of any model is permitted in the South Area. 20. In case of a model malfunction in the air (radio or mechanical), promptly announce the problem to the other fliers in a loud voice several times. 21. Any person wishing to retrieve a model from the runway or needing to cross the runway must remain behind the pilot line until the model has come to a complete stop. Intentions are then announced to all other fliers. Only if the conditions allow will they then proceed on to the runway or to cross the runway. 22. Engine restarts on the runway shall be performed with discretion. Example, no other models are airborne or taxiing from pit area. Make your intentions known prior to attempting restart. 23. At times a pilot may desire to be able to fly without other models flying. Example would be for a very highperformance model or the first flight of a new or repaired model. Pilots desiring these Special Flights will notify the Page 11

12 other members at the Area when they are ready to fly. Once the area is cleared of other flying models the special flight can begin. Once completed the area will return to normal operations. 24. Turbine powered aircraft must be operated in accordance with all AMA Turbine Operating procedures. AMA Turbine waivers are required for all turbine operations, either during ground runs or flight. Turbine waivers must be in possession and available for inspection during all operations. Turbine engine startup area is defined as north of the engine shutdown lines on either the east or west taxiways. CONCLUSION It is important to realize that these rules are only a guideline for safe operations. All members and guests are responsible for conducting their operations in a safe and reasonable manner. Courtesy and Mutual Respect will help foster an enjoyable atmosphere. It is important to realize that the hobby is very dynamic. Changes can and will occur. Let us all use our common sense to keep our activities safe and enjoyable! Antelope Valley Tailwinds, Inc. PO Box 302 Lancaster CA Updated December 07, 2011 John Shelbreck s PT-19 at touchdown Page 12

13 ~~~~ Special Thanks ~~~~ Our Thanks to the following businesses that made generous donations to A.V.T.I. Please support them when you can. A Very Special Thanks Waste Management Company 600 East Avenue F Lancaster, CA Smith Brothers Hobbies 1223 West Avenue I Lancaster, CA Phone: Support Your Local Hobby Shops Dr. J s Helicopters and JR Radios Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: , ext. 205 Ask for Doug. Distributor for Horizon Hobbies Bob Childress s Foamy on the rampage REMINDER A current AMA membership is a requirement for membership in A.V.T.I. Please make sure your AMA membership is current. A.V.Tailwinds, Inc. P.O. Box 302 Lancaster, CA Good Friends, Good Times at the air-park Page 13