April 2013 issue 127 Official Newsletter of the Melbourne Radio Control Helicopter Club Inc. Inc. no. A0014397D 2012/2013 Committee President Vice President/ Contest Director Treasurer/ Registrar Secretary Editor Public Relations Safety Officers VMAA Rep. Events Officer Jeff Sussman Ben Boldeman Paul Turton Peter Dalglish Jason Griffin Roger Chapman Jason Rowe Carl Bizon Rob Hopkins Coming Events April 07 Fun Fly #2 MRCHC St Leonards. BBQ Lunch April 08 General Meeting In the new club house MRCHC St Leonards. BBQ Dinner June 02 Fun Fly #3 MRCHC St Leonards. BBQ Lunch
Rotor Torque - April 2013 Overall view of most of our site. A bit of backwards flying from a full size Schweizer 300. Jeff s Hughes 500 never fails to impress. A Bell 47G kit look alike Experimental for good reason Michael, Ben and Daryl pondering our impressive display of Helis. Page 3
Rotor Torque - April 2013 PRESIDENTS REPORT March 2013 Another two months have passed and while we wait for autumn to arrive, the heatwave has not stopped us flying although at times it s been a little uncomfortable. Luckily was have not had many fire ban days and the recent rains will hopefully get the grass growing again Our members have participated in a couple of promotional activities in recent months. Firstly thanks to Roger s hard work in managing the display at the Airshow, some of our members assisted at a stand to promote the hobby to the general public. We also set up a stand at the School Carnival but weather conditions prevented much flying and we had very few visitors. To stop our tent flying away, we had to tie it to a tree! Thanks to Ben for sacrificing his T-Rex 700 to try to attract some attention it is not easy flying in strong wind especially when your tail rotor disappears. A special thanks to those members who always put their hands up to support the club. We also supported a Scale Gathering at the State Field there were over 40 models displayed, showing that this part of the hobby is healthy. Next year we hope to host this event at our field in March The electrification of our club house has moved up a notch within the next month we hope to have power and water connected. This is a great facility and we plan to update the floor covering in the near future. We have locked in the Vic State Championships for the 23/24 November back at our field hopefully this will encourage participation and if the 3D guys want to be involved they are welcome to develop a set of manoeuvres and we will run a 3D class We are also moving into the 21st century with a FaceBook page and while the Committee supports this it would have been good if we had been involved in this initiative. Please consider the need for due process whenever doing something that represents the Club. See you all at the Fun fly on April 7 th Jeff Our first Club Meeting in our new Club House. Page 4
Rotor Torque - April 2013 Treasurer Report A very uneventful period to report on this time, so this will be brief. Membership No new members. Current membership stands at 51. I have put a list up in the clubhouse as well as sending to all members a few weeks back. Please let me know if there are any corrections or updates to contact details as I need to get ready for the annual membership renewal in a few weeks. Balance Sheet Here is the March 2013 balance sheet position: Account This Year Last Year Difference Assets: Cheque $3,230.12 $28,281.64 -$25,051.52 Undeposited Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Investment $23,224.77 $0.00 $23,224.77 Petty Cash $87.70 $750.80 -$663.10 PayPal $184.00 $184.00 $0.00 Withholding Tax Credits $187.00 $0.00 $187.00 Trade Debtors -$65.00 -$100.00 $35.00 Liabilities: $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Net Assets $26,848.59 $29,116.44 -$2,267.85 Not a big change from my last report. We expect to spend another $1,000 - $2,000 on the new clubhouse, connecting up power and water as well as fixing up the floor. As the weather cools down I m hoping that a few of you will decide to invest in a new fleecy jumper which will improve our bank balance a little. Year to Date Income & Expenditure The Club income comes from membership fees (the bulk of which come in at the end of our year at annual renewal time), sale of club apparel, events, sale of drinks and BBQs at the club house and bank interest. Income This Year Last Year Difference Sale of Stocked Items $865.00 $0.00 $865.00 Membership $1,215.00 $990.00 $225.00 Events $520.00 $995.00 -$475.00 Sale of Drinks etc. $506.70 $250.37 $256.33 Other Income $40.00 $111.00 -$71.00 Bank Interest $414.30 $618.81 -$204.51 Total $3,561.00 $2,965.18 $595.82 There are no big differences between this year and last year although we have sold over $800 of club clothing, which we did not have last year. Generally our expenses fall into the categories listed below: Expenditure This Year Last Year Difference Cost of Stocked Items $1,351.13 $0.00 $1,351.13 Field Expenses $1,063.90 $2,760.54 -$1,696.64 Club House $5,946.06 $0.00 $5,946.06 Meeting Expenses $0.00 $110.00 -$110.00 Club Training Helicopters $0.00 $465.50 -$465.50 Events $145.70 $395.30 -$249.60 Food, Drink etc. $1,200.27 $496.42 $730.85 Other $416.12 $214.30 $201.82 Total $10,122.28 $4,442.06 $5,680.22 Net Profit/(Loss) -$6,362.18 -$1,449.88 -$4,912.30 So you can see that the bottom line difference between this year and last year is just a bit less than the investment so far in our new clubhouse. As always, if you have any questions about the club finances please contact me. Page 5
Rotor Torque - April 2013 Secretary's report Minutes from General meeting 4 th February 2013 at Club house. Present: Peter Jeff Ben Roger Jason R Bryan Paul Brian L Jason G Ray Daryl Mark Brian Sisley Fred. Apologies Carl Bizon. Meeting started 8.00pm Peter read minutes from October General meeting. Proposed by Nick Seconded by Ben. School Fence Jeff discussed update about front fence, fence being rebuilt, one side only, Jeff hinted that school tried to have both sides repaired. School carnival, looking for flyers, James Dargue maybe Ben, send email to members no general flying on this day 2 nd March. Jeff asked Fred if he would like to provide a stall for day no interest given. Jeff outlined proposal for flightlines and why, star pickets or similar to be placed to indicate limit of hovering area. Someone to activate. Heli sub committee. Jeff unhappy about format the MAAA goes about submissions from heli sub committee, suggestion to instil new blood Matt Carmicheal proposed as Victorian face of sub committee. Seconded Roger unanimously agreed. Club house Quote from Rob $700- $1000 for materials to connect club room, drainage, Roger to ask school to review location in culvert. Jason G asked to obtain price for lineo. Painting of walls knocked back as paint won t stick to colour bond wall, proposal to not install A/C. Members requesting trailers be moved from electric area. Roger gave briefing on upcoming air show 2 nd & 3 rd march, MRCHC involvement who s going. Funfly rescheduled to 10 th Feb Ray asked to look into starting 3D comp for funfly. Email details to members email addresses and phone number only of members. Proposed by Jeff seconded Ray. 3 new members. Treasurer Expense report in latest newsletter Jeff never shy of a challenge with his newest creation. Huge mechanics for a large scale project. Close up of the mechanics check out the lead to balance things Page 7
Rotor Torque - April 2013 Scale day 17 th Feb at state field run by GMAC. Safety officer no issues General business New field prospects nothing on the horizon. Meeting finished 8.50pm. Welcome to Aprils newsletter, during the last couple months the club has been busy participating in events such as providing a marquee to display our models when the school held a carnival day. Further to this MRCHC was again invited to the 2013 Airshow, providing some models and members to inform the public who wished to obtain any information on our sport. The questions asked seem to be limited to about 3 things, How much? Does it fly? and what fuel does it use even though the battery was staring at them. There seemed to be quite a few people really keen to investigate our sport so we can only see if our memberships improves from its present position. As a topic for this newsletter and maybe for anyone else to write about is how we got started in this hobby. As with most of us I m sure everyone has dabbled in some sought of model be it plane car or boat. When I was younger I had the Cox PT19 and Balsa Taipan with a 2.5cc motor both control line, this didn t last long couldn t stand walking around in circles. Years later I built a radio control plane never got to fly it as I never joined a club, so in the end I lost interest. In 2002 I decide to try again and purchased a plane which I still have joined a club this time but just to get someone to help at this club was difficult so I never had much of a go flying, so while getting miffed and at the hobby shop I saw the mighty JR Venture 30 with Radio, so I thought about it for a while so when the door closed at the shop and entered I said I ll take one of those. With a helicopter I thought I could just go and fly without someone actually having to launch it for me, so since then the plane has just been left to gather dust, I have noticed over the years, I was spending money not only on repairs but on upgrades new technology it just shows how our hobby is changing and improving, the choices are many on the market today I wouldn t be surprised if the number of helis are overtaking planes. Happy Flying. Page 8
AIRCRAFT RADIO Cularis Twister Gemini Back in stock Easystar-Fox Acromaster NEW JR 11X 2.4 Freewing F16, F-86 Parkzone Habu Turbines and Fly Fly EDF Parkzone HITECH AURORA 9, 2.4 SEAGULL JUST ARRIVED Ryan Navion, Pilatus Porter, PC-9 RAAF colours MULTIPLEX 16 CHANNEL 2.4 BEGINNERS PACKAGES If you are just starting out in the hobby there are quite a few options. We recommend starting from a ready to fly glider, electric model plane or helicopter up to larger engine powered types. OS, Saito, Supertigre engines Wayne, Addie, Knut, Lucas and George are all active modellers. No hard sell, just good advice with competitive prices. We have a large range of stock and spares with all the latest accessories and building materials. Phone and mail orders welcome. Phone/fax: 03 9773 3955 641A Nepean Highway Carrum, Vic. 3197. Melway 97 C8. 200 metres south of Carrum Station. addies_hobbies@optusnet.com.au Closed Mondays and Public Holidays
Rotor Torque - February 2011
Melbourne RC Helicopter Club Inc. Flying Rules) updated Feb 2011 The MRCHC has an outstanding safety record. The safety of our members and our visitors is foremost to the Club and so the following rules are in place to help maintain a safe flying environment. Please observe the following rules at all times. 1. No member shall fly or operate their helicopter equipment, which has not been tested and checked prior to first flight, is obviously faulty or is obviously in need of repair. 2. No member shall fly or operate equipment to the danger of others or in a manner as to present the likelihood of harm or injury to person's or person's property. 3. The Frequency Keyboard shall be used at all times where possible for 36Mhz. NO person shall fly or operate any equipment unless the appropriate frequency key is in position on the keyboard. No person shall remove a Frequency Key from the Frequency board apart from the owner thereof. 4. Frequency Keys are not required for 24Ghz Spread Spectrum but transmitters must be on the approved list Refer MOP 058 5. Any member or visitor found to have caused loss or damage to any other member's Helicopter, property or equipment through unauthorized operation of their own equipment or by dangerous or irresponsible behavior shall be liable for such damage or loss. 6. NO pilot shall take off or land in the pit area, fly over the pit area or the Car Parking area. Flying is permitted in Authorised flight areas only (ref. map in the Club House). 7 All pilots shall maintain 9 meter separation form their helicopters at all times 8. No member is permitted to fly unless they can be identified by wearing a current Membership Identification. 9. Visitors flying at the field must sign the visitor s book prior to flying: - Visitor Rules apply. A Current member must sponsor the visitor and brief the visitor of the club's Flying Rules. 10. A directive from a club Safety Officer or a Committee member shall be complied with immediately. Any dispute settled later by the committee. 11. Hovering in the hovering area shall not exceed 5 meters in altitude. Pilot must not hover the helicopter between the Pilot and the Pits. 12. The hovering area is for hovering, the model must not exceed walking pace. 13. Mobile Phones are not allowed on at the flight line at any time, Mobile Phones are allowed in the pits and in cars. 14. There is to be no flying on Fire Ban days. 15. All members who wish to fly on the main flight lines will require to have their Helicopter Bronze wings or greater endorsement. Visitors wishing to fly on the main flight lines will be required to have a member accompany them whilst on the main flight lines until such time as they have obtained their endorsement.