air currents - march 2015dvrc.org/newsletters/2015/0315/0315.pdf · 2018. 8. 2. · the official...

The Official Newsletter of the Diablo Valley Radio Controllers

3500 John Henry Johnson Parkway

P.O. Box 9411, Pittsburg, CA 94565

www.dvrc.org

DVRC Newsletter - March 2015 �1

March 2015

Air Currents

Gene Aughtry's Slow Poke!

http://www.dvrc.org

President's Corner... There’s a lot happening at DVRC since our

last newsletter. In January we worked together

to build 2 more starting tables to make our

facility better for all our members, especially

during those busy weekend flying days.

February brought us some much needed rain

but also some amazing flying weather too.

Along the way we have navigated through

some challenges as well. The rains had the

effect of softening the soil under our road

near the bathrooms which may have been some of the reason behind the leak that developed

in the feeder pipes to the leach lines. Many thanks to Ron Williams for jumping on the

problem immediately then digging down deep to help locate the pipe break so that we can

get the system fixed. Repairs are still in progress so bear with us as we resolve that

problem.

As most of you know, we share the property with the Pittsburg police who use the facility

for special training and range firing a few times a year. Recently we were able to work

with them to coordinate timing and efforts that they will expend to build a shade

structure on the upper range and help us clean up that area by taking over one of our old

storage units, and demolishing a very old tired one. This work opens the door for us to do

a little spring cleaning ourselves as we bring in a new storage container that will be

delivered in a new location that better suits our field’s needs.

Finally, just after our February meeting the FAA issued a new Notice of Proposed Rule-

making (NPRM) pertaining the operation of model aircraft. If you remember, last year

the FAA issued a new interpretation of the law as it pertains to model aircraft operating

in the national airspace system that was met with a lot of passionate debate from model

aircraft enthusiasts, the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) industry and commercial

entities such as Google and Amazon. Thanks to many of you who joined in the

discussion 32,245 comments were submitted which the FAA must review, categorize and

respond to before issuing a final rule. On February 15th, the FAA issued a new NPRM

for public comment while they continue to review public comments from their last


proposal. This new NPRM appears to be a much less heavy handed approach and provides a

glimpse of the FAA’s intended roadmap to safely integrate model aircraft hobbyists, and

the commercial use of model aircraft and UAS into the national airspace system. I

encourage you all to read the NPRM for yourself here http://www.faa.gov/

regulations_policies/rulemaking/media/021515_sUAS_Summary.pdf

For hobbyists such as ourselves, the key thing to note is that the FAA has now carved out

that the proposed rule would NOT apply to model aircraft operated in a manner defined in

section 336 of Public Law 112-95 - meaning that if we operate our aircraft in accordance

to the AMA safety code and for non commercial purposes, it is business as usual with one

major exception. The FAA will still have responsibility and authority to enforce against

anyone who endangers the safety of the national airspace system. That simply means

don’t ever interfere with full size aircraft and don’t ever fly in a reckless or unsafe

manner that would put any person or property in danger. If you have any questions, feel

free to send me an email [email protected] or find me at the field.

Well, as the calm days of the “winter” subside to the “gentle” breezes of the spring, I

encourage you all to dust off your sailplanes, gilders or anything you can toss off the

hill and get them prepped for the windy season. If you haven’t tried slope soaring yet it’s

a great blend of using lift off the hills, finding occasional thermals and learning about

energy management so you don’t have to take those long walks to retrieve your plane if

you run out of lift. What you learn on the slope will definitely make you a better pilot for

any aircraft.

Learn a little more about slope soaring here

http://www.shallowsky.com/planes/weasel/slopetips.html

http://soarcasa.org/index.php?page=20

Oddly enough, the world speed record for a model airplane is actually from a glider at

505 mph! Catch a glimpse of one of these speed demons here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfoxjNg-eg0

Looking forward to seeing you all at the field and on the slope in the weeks to come!

- Ken Bieler


http://www.shallowsky.com/planes/weasel/slopetips.htmlhttp://soarcasa.org/index.php?page=20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfoxjNg-eg0

Upcoming Events (visitors welcome)....

Note from our Safety Officer ....

I wanted to share an interesting article on RC Groups on the

potential for Ammo cans to explode if a Lipo battery ignites. All

of us that use Ammo cans should review the RC Group site for

more information.

Basically it says "Worst thing you can do is store lipos in a

sealed container. The gasses released can make even an ammo

container into a shrapnel bomb. Those sealed safes are even worse. Use an ammo

can with a few holes drilled in the top to vent gasses in case of lipo ignition.

-Safety Officer Gene Aughtry

Safety Dance - Men Without Hats Official Video ...

http://youtu.be/AjPau5QYtYs


Sat Mar 14 @10:00AM - Membership Meeting

Sat Mar 21 @ 9:00AM - Erv Rodemsky's Annual Stud Fly

Sat Mar 28 @ 8:00AM - Membership Work Party

Sat Apr 11 @10:00AM - Membership Meeting

Sat Apr 18 @ 9:00AM - 7/11 Event

http://youtu.be/AjPau5QYtYs

Interesting Links ...

Some interesting links from Mike Phelan. Thanks Mike!

IKE's Plane - Who Knew? https://www.youtube.com/embed/ehwvZXVKmPU

Here's a nice link of pictures of aircraft at the National Museum of the USAF at

Wright-Patterson. Take a look at some beautiful planes.

http://www.cdsg.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=381

Some full scale F-18's taking off in heavy cross winds...

http://youtu.be/JYUm5Nl6318

Bob Wolfe landing his new Viper jet...

http://youtu.be/ABfGU4ApYQQ

Joel Williams took this video of Ron Williams Maiden flight of another members

F-86 Sabre. Nice flying Ron! http://youtu.be/-n6_F5i-vfs

Interested in any Ice Fishing? This was a

common activity for me (and probably Mel

Nash) growing up in Minnesota (minus the

plane). Yah, you betcha!

http://youtu.be/V9IIKnI_zJ4

Who needs a runway? Take a look at these short landings and take offs!

http://youtu.be/0zDo7hkmCNY


https://www.youtube.com/embed/ehwvZXVKmPUhttp://www.cdsg.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=381http://youtu.be/JYUm5Nl6318http://youtu.be/ABfGU4ApYQQhttp://youtu.be/-n6_F5i-vfshttp://youtu.be/V9IIKnI_zJ4http://youtu.be/0zDo7hkmCNY

Work Party!! Repair and Build Benches!


Now this is a good looking group! Wait, who's that guy on the right?!

Nice Work!

At The Field ...


Does anyone see my plane?

More Photos At The Field ...


Photo Bomb!!

More Club Pictures ...


Coming next Newsletter - The Early Days of RC Modeling...

New Badge Awards ...


Can I get a Badge for this?

Raffle and Donut Drop Winners..


First Place in the Donut Drop!

HaHa, time for all you sad sacks to start

practicing for next year!

MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES...

Date: 2/14/2015

Meeting was called to order by Ken Bieler at 10:02am

Officer’s present: President Ken Bieler, Vice President Mel Nash, Treasurer

John Tester

Welcome

Total present:25

Guests:2

Sanjay Nath

Ron Partain

Under a temporary Flight Restriction until 10:45

Agenda overview-

Mel provided verbal overview of the January Meeting highlights as written

minutes were not available. These highlights included:

• A call for Contest Directors (CD) for all planned events was issued. All CD

positions were filled except for the open house in October. A CD is still needed

for that event.

• A Maintenance signup passed around

• Discussion began about the need for a new storage container for the field.

• The board then took the action to send a letter of application to Matson to

obtain a used shipping container through a program for non-profit

organizations.

• Two additional start up tables were built for the field.


Jim Seibert gave his Flight Operations report-

• Ted Ianiro received a Student badge

• Jim Teal renewed his membership

Ron Williams gave his field maintenance report-

Lawn needs to be mowed - Werner volunteered to do this

Gate locks need to be installed in such a way as to prevent bypassing any

other locks

Gene Autry gave his Safety report-

We have had 45 days without injury in 2015.

Most people are remembering to assemble planes on the assembly table and

start or install batteries and arm planes on the starting tables.

Reminder to use care when using Cyanoacrylate Adhesives (CA) as

sometimes they can splash up and get in your eyes if you’re not wearing

safety glasses.

Ken gave a thank you for everyone’s help in building the added starting

tables in January.

Ken reminded everyone to take the time to do a preflight check before flying,

do a range check and consider using a checklist to make sure you don’t get

out of sequence when preparing or disarming your aircraft.

Bob made the suggestion that members should remove planes from the

starting table if you’re not currently using it so that others can.


Old Business-

Ken discussed his observances from the AMA Expo held in January. He

provided a summary of the seminar that pertained to the fairly recent

changes made by the FAA pertaining to model aircraft, which was the most

well attended at the Expo.

Ron and Mel discussed their discussions with the Pittsburg police recently

during a walk through of the property where the police discussed their plans

to develop the firing range by building a shade structure in the upper area

adjacent to our meeting house and taking us up on an offer to use our old

storage container. Jim Seibert asked about the status of the cub obtaining

new containers and Mel discussed our plans.

Mel announced that the police has advised us that they will use the firing

range for training on March 12 and April 6, during which time the flying

field will be closed.

Field maintenance. In the past we sent around a sign up sheet that hasn’t

worked out well. Ken proposed doing something different.

1. Create small teams that can work together and provide a little more

camaraderie rather than individuals working alone, or

2. Every other month we have a general work party to clean things up

during which time the field would be closed until the clean up and

maintenance was done. That way, we all work together and get it done

sooner and more thoroughly than can be accomplished by individuals or

small teams. This would work well for most things, but during certain

months the grass needs to be cut more frequently as an example and for

those items we would continue to seek individuals to help.


A motion was raised to establish work days every other month. Motion

carried.

A reminder that we still need a CD for the Open House planned in October.

New business-

Donut Drop event to be held 2/21/15

Ken suggested NanoQX quad races? Asked for interest?

Ken suggested a Frankenmort for Gliders in April. Asked for interest?

Show and Tell-

Steve Iverson showed a beautiful Top Flight Spitfire kit that he bought in

2012 that he just finished.

Raffle-

Ken Bieler won the Phoenix Extra 300

Ted won the Great Planes P-51

Jack won the DVRC hat.

Upcoming Swap Meets in the Area...

Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark (SCCMAS) in Morgan

Hill, Saturday, April 4th - Spring Swap Meet. http://www.sccmas.org

Tokay RC Modelers in Lodi, Saturday, April 11th - Swap Meet and

Indoor Flying. http://www.tokayrcmodelers.com/images/pdf/swap_meet2015.pdf

RC Country Hobbies in Sacramento, Saturday, April 18th, starting early at

7am. http://www.rccountryhobbies.com/in-the-news/theswapmeet


No, I will not be at any of these Swap Meets - Really

http://www.sccmas.orghttp://www.tokayrcmodelers.com/images/pdf/swap_meet2015.pdfhttp://www.rccountryhobbies.com/in-the-news/theswapmeet

Diablo Valley Radio Controllers 3500 John Henry Johnson Parkway

PO Box 9411 Pittsburgh, CA. 94565

www.dvrc.org


Flight Instructors: Ron Williams 925-825-5845 Eric Mocker 510-282-9116 Henry Lu 925-757-1657 Anthony Cox 925-783-3980 Jim Seibert 925-822-7822 Mel Nash 925-597-8142 Ted Edginton 925-356-6834 Dale Parsons 925-684-2248 Ray Davis 925-352-7229 Greg Gallegos 925-783-1072 Gene Aughtry 925-687-1762

Board of Directors:

Ron Williams. 925-825-5845 Ron Penn. 925-383-3232 Jack Schonberger. 925-672-4562 Anthony Cox. 925-783-3980 Steve Anderson. 925-216-9216

2015 Club Officers:

Ken Bieler, President. 925-858-3585 Mel Nash, Vice President. 925-597-8142 John Tester, Treasurer. 925-930-8454 Carlos Gracia, Secretary. 925-640-8257

For DVRC driving directions and some club information, check out this link:

http://youtu.be/Owc7yDVYhc4

Flight Operations: Jim Seibert 925-822-7822

Membership Coordinator: Jim Seibert 925-822-7822

Safety Officer: Gene Aughtry 925-687-1762

Newsletter Editor: Steve Iverson 925-963-9459

Field Manager: Ron Williams 925-825-5845
http://youtu.be/Owc7yDVYhc4http://youtu.be/Owc7yDVYhc4http://www.dvrc.org

air currents - march 2015dvrc.org/newsletters/2015/0315/0315.pdf · 2018. 8. 2. · the official...

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