LISMORE  MODEL  FLYING  CLUB       NEWS    February  2015  

 IMPORTANT  DATES  Next  LMFC  General  Meeting  Sunday  1st  March  2015  At  the  field  starting  at  9am.      

 Sailplane Expo 2015: Armidale January 24 -26    Wow!   What   a  sensational   weekend  of   thermal   soaring.  Celebrating   35   years,  this   inconic   soaring  event   continues   to  draw   some   the   best  sailplane   pilots   from   the   east   coast   of   Australia.   This  year  had  34  entries.    Solid   friendships   forged   over   consisent   attendance   is  half   the   fun.   People   helping   each   other   and   a   healthy  touch  of  sledging  as  well,  sets  the  scene  for  a  fun  time.    

That’s   not   to   say   the   Expo   is   not  competitive,  it  is.  To  be  in  the  top  ten   you   have   to   be   consistently  good  at  achieving  your  ten  minute  flights  and  moreover,  you  need  to  land   near   the   spot,   nearly   every  

flight.    Of  the  thirteen  rounds  flow,  Thomas  Cook  (ex  Sydney,  now  living  in  Houston,  Texas),  dropped  only  43  points  out   of   the   maximum   possible   13,000   points!   Pretty  darn  good   if  you  ask  me.    The   rest   of   us   were  ranked   off   his   score  with  only  the  top  ten  being   better   than  12,000  points.  

 LMFC   members  have   always  supported   this  event   well   and  this   year   saw  some   returning  after  a  couple  of  years   absence.  Given   that  most  of   the   LMFC   guys   fly   sailplanes   only   on   a   part   time  basis,  we  held  up  pretty  well  in  the  stiff  competition.    The   thing   that   always   amazes   us   coastal   dwellers,   is  

the   variety   of   weather  conditions   that   the  tablelands   can   deliver   in   a  comparitively   short   time.  Saturday   was   postcard  perfect  ,  with  zero  wind  and  perfect   thermal   conditions  when  you  found  one!  

 Sunday……westerly   winds   that   would   have   had   any  sane  modeller   back   in   his  workshop   for   the   day.   The  strange   part   is   that   Sunday   generated   some   of   the  weekends   best   lift   and   very   close   competition.   Go  figure?   The   thermals  were  everywhere.    Monday…..The   same  wind,   only   blowing   180  degrees   around,   from  the   east.   Thermals   not  so   good   and   some  omminous   clouds  lurking   around.   Tough   challenging   conditions,   but  competitive  rounds,  until…….  

The Lismore Boyz……A tad short on shade

 The   heavens   openned   up   half  way   through   round   14   at  approximately   11.30   am.   I   mean  it  bucketted  down  rain  drenching  anything   and   everybody  without  shelter.    Congratulations   to   Hutton   Oddy   and   Kevin   Smeaton  for   a   superbly   run,   very   enjoyable   comp….see   you  there  in  2016.    The  Field  of  Dreams  

“Are  we  there  yet”?    “No  not  yet”.    Sound   familiar?   Every  parent  has  heard  it.    The   problem   with  

establishing   our   new   field  and   more   importantly,  

filling  the  low-­‐lying  land  of  our  new  field  is  the  budget.  Not  ours,  but  the  LCC  budget  for  ongoing  works.      In  Saturdays  Northern  Star,  we  read  that  some  10%  of  LCC’s   rates   are   outstanding.   That’s  millions   of   dollars  that  should  be  being  allocated  to  infrastructure  works  in  the  Lismore  area.      Logic  subjects  that  if  clean  fill  is  available,  why  is  it  not  being   dumped   at   our   site?   Why   isn’t   progress   being  made  more  rabidly?    Sadly,   any   fill   dumped   into   the   flood  plain  must  meet  strict  environmental  requirements  and  secondly,  once  dumped,  LCC  needs  to  fund  the  moving  and  leveling  of  the   material.   So   far,   we   have   received   in   excess   of  $60,000   worth   of   materials   and   machinery   time,   to  build  our  road,  parking  areas  and  pits.    As  heard  at  the  February  meeting,  your  executive  have  recently   been   re-­‐enthused   to   progress   and   maintain  whatever  pressure  possible  on  LCC  to  keep  going.      

 Craige's new Stiik

 Further  to  this,  a  request  has  been  submitted  to  extend  our   current   field   license   until   mid   2018   to   ensure  tenure   until   we   can   safely   move.   Updates   will   be  provided  at  each  monthly  meeting.        

 

FLING-­‐FLUNG  last  weekend.  It’s   on   again   in   2015.   Sunday   February   8th   saw   the  beginning   round   of   the   monthly   Fling   soaring  challenge   and   by   reports   received   in,   a   very  competitive   mornings   soaring   was   had   by   all  attendees.      Weather  conditions,  whilst  initially  challenging,  turned  into   super   charged   thermals   all   over   the   flying   area.  Some  suggested   they  were   so   strong   that   the  model’s  

covering  was  at  risk  of  being  sucked  off  the  wings!  Gentlemen   Jim   was  apparently   heard   to   say   in  one  round,  “  Can  anyone  see  my   model”?     Not   a   nice  phrase   to   be   uttered   on   the  flight  line.  All   eyes   focused   skyward  and   with   the   skills   of   an  

spotter   for   an   army   sniper,   Jim’s   flight-­‐line   buddies  managed   to   locate   the   errant   Fling   and   so   began   the  height   reduction   process   to   within   normal   eyesight  range.  A  good  result  all  round.      Eds   Note:   The   Ed  would   greatly   appreciate   some   photographs   from  the  Fling  days  and  the  results    for  publication  after  each  round.          

   

John 's impressive hanger.

   eGlide  2015.    Thanks   to   the   ongoing   enthusiasm   of   Nigel,   eGlide  2015  is  on  again  at  LMFC.  

Simplicity   is   the  rule.   Any   electric  launched   glider   and  you  are  in.    The   weapon   of  choice   by   the  masses   is   the  standard   Radian  Glider.   Simple,  

rugged  and  reliable…..most  of  the  time.    Trophy  hunters  are  emerging  as  the  event  matures  and  some   pretty   hot   hybrids   are   appearing.   Apparently,  really  high   launches   is  a  way   to  cover  up  your   lack  of  thermaling   abilities?   Rumors   abound   about   volts   and  milliamps  etc  etc  etc  (They  are  apparently  important?)    

Quality   sledging   is   now  an   inherent   part,   some  say   an   essential  ingredient,   of   this   super  fun   event   and   your   Ed  has   now   figured   out   that  being   the   first   down   is  

not   the  desired   result!   Someone   said   I  need  a  12  volt  battery.....not  sure  the  Radian  would  carry  the  one  out  of  my  car,  but  the  argument  seemed  convincing?    The  first  event  saw  the  Hybrid  Hunters  on  safari  taking  out  first  and  second  with  amazing  descents  from  mega  launches!   The   rest   of   the   crew   scavenged   out  respectable   scores   and   had   a   s#t   load   of   fun   in   the  process.    I   forgot   to   mention  Rod   B   trailing   his  magic   orange   ribbon  under   his   Radian.  Apparently,   he   was  hoping   to   jag   a   sky  hook   on   his   flights.  Scores   indicate  that  he  did   actually   do   it   on   3   rounds……the   judges   are  checking  the  rule  book  as  I  type.    Lastly,  your  Pres.  Jamie  Z  is  on  report  for  ploughing  the  grass   runway   whilst   landing   at   Mach   1.2   with   his  eSpirit.     I  swear  I  saw  him  dropping  corn  seeds  in  the  furrows   ready   for   next   summer.   If   anyone   spots   him  watering  the  runway,  you’ll  know  why.    Get  a  bigger  battery  and  we’ll  see  you  all  next  month.    Ed   Note:   Any   eGlider   guiders   who   I’ve   failed   to  embarrass,  humiliate  or  condemn…  my  apologies.  I’ll  get  you  next  month  :o)      

     eGlide  1st  February  2015  Results  1   Scott  J   73  2   Jamie  Z   68  3   Peter  P   66  4   Graham  H   64  5   Scott  V   62  6   Rod  B   57  7   Phil  C   36  8   David  L   31  9   Ralph   21  10   Jim  R  (  Mechanical  Problems)   18  11   David  C  (Radian  Failure!!)   DNS    Some  more   from  Omaka   Heritage   Aviation  Museum.  Blenheim  NZ.    

   

   

   

IMPORTANT  NOTICE:    At  our  next  club  meeting  March  1st  2015,  the  agenda  will  include:    -­‐Would  members  be  interested  in  having  a  monthly  Sunday  morning  fun  flying  comp?    -­‐Our  site  shed  has  been  sitting  unused  since  at  was  bought  and  so  the  question  to  all  members  is  should  it  be  kept  or  sold.  This  will  be  voted  on  at  this  meeting.    Safety  Issue-­‐  relating  to  engine  start  up,  (IC  or  Electric)  at  the   shade   roof   area.   Members   encouraged   to   read   the  MAAA  manual  of  procedure  immediately.  This  document  outlines   your   obligations   to   operate   inside   the   MAAA  guidelines   and   therefore   ensure   your   insurance   is   not  jeopardised.   It   easily   accessed   on   the   MAAA   website,  there  is  no  excuse.    Builders Corner From  the  workshop  of  Jamie  Z    I’ve recently been asked by a model sailplane retailer to assemble a 6m scale moulded model of a Shark 304 for a customer that is coming out from the United states for 6 months. Being ambitious and up for a challenge, how could I refuse. Upon receiving the model the first thing to do with a $5500 model is cut a hole in it and yes it took me 2 days before I was game enough. The hole is for a 12 cell ducted fan which puts out 6.5kg of thrust, that should be enough to haul the 14kg model off the ground. Next job is the bulkheads to support the motor which I ‘Hysoled' in. Then the doors are hinged on using custom made hinges. The motor is installed and a bit of

programming (actually it took me 3 days to figure out how to use the Weatronic radio. It’s similar to a full-sized PC and with no instructions it was a matter of pressing buttons until the code was cracked. Now I’m used to it and all’s good.)   Talking of the Weatronic radio, the

receiver that is supplied is a monster, it’s similar in

size to a substation for a small village. But once you get your head around how it works, it is an extremely good choice for larger scale models. The receiver side can accept up to 32 servo inputs that are broken into eight separate banks of four, with each of these banks having it’s own voltage regulator. Each bank can be set at either 6v or 7.4v these banks are also overload protected. There’s also a GPS unit and a three axis stabiliser built into the unit. They claim a range of three

kilometres for it, pretty impressive.   Here’s the donk in all it’s glory. P.S That’s my Ventus taking back stage or should I say being repaired! Better landings than mine…JZ And….. Knowing LMFC has a few Fokker DVII fans. Here is a nice one coming together in Sydney by John “Crocodile” Crockford. Scratch built to ¼ scale. John is Secretary of the Flying Scale Aircraft

Association. of NSW.

http://www.flyingscaleaircraftassociation.com/about.html

   

February  2015  MINUTES

Minutes for LMFC 01/02/2015. opened at 9.05 am. Present 16 members.( others present but not signed) Opened by JZ, apologises from David Riley, Bill Mackenzie, Gregory Spencer, Neil Clifford and Graham Gilliver. Minutes for DEC 7TH 2014 read by JS. approved by JR and SL. Correspondence from MAAA concerning new WINGS awards for foam aircraft and MAAA grant/loan scheme to assist model clubs develop. JZ pointed out the work JS had put into getting information on these grants though it is still not quite clear if it would be a grant or a low interest loan. James will pursue this and make an application for LMFC. MATTERS arising. LMFC next Interstate Glider Challenge to be at Pearces Creek 2nd and 3 May 2015. Scott Johnson and Nigel Virtue to organise the event. Phil Crandon to liaise with the field owner for approval. Catering will be organised at next LMFC meeting. Discussion re the current field lease, PC believes that LCC will provide a lease until June 2018. Phil indicated the lease revues are to be held in March PC and other committee members to meet with LCC and finalise a lease. JR suggested that LMFC should get to know our local councillors by inviting them and their family, to a club barbeque on an event day such as the Electric day . Agreed by affirmation seconded by JM. JR thanked JZ and DM for buying the Kubota mower, saying it was an excellent asset. Treasures report. DM reported that LMFC expenditure for Jan 2015 was $478.00, we had $100.00 income, a balance of $1901.00 and a deposit of $10,070.00. REPORT by JZ. JZ said the event at Armidale was attended by a number of LMFC members and was very friendly, with a high standard of flying by all. Presently no fill is being dumped at the new field. PC pointed out how difficult it is to fill wet lands because of environmental laws. JZ said that LCC may have $3000.00 to put toward the new field and the sale of the current land used as a drop zone by the Gun Club to the Gun Club may help to pay for fill at our new site. Other business. Jim Romer suggested that LMFC sell our club shed (Which is not used and is decaying) . Agreed by most present. JZ will inform all members and if the majority agree LMFC will sell the shed. SL pointed out that some members were starting their motors very near the shade roof, this is dangerous and against MAAA guide lines , of which all members should be aware and diplomatically suggest to offenders that they start their engines away from the pit area as outlined in MAAA manual of procedure. John Morgan suggested a series of Fun Fly days, agreed to by many present. JZ to approach members and see reaction. . Meeting close at 9.55am  

Lismore  Model  Flying  Club  –Calendar  (December  2014)  www.lismoremodelflyingclub.org.au  

   

    Got some modeling gear to sell or looking for something??? Email a photograph and details to you’re the Ed. phil_crandon@bigpond.co

Don’t  Forget  

LMFC  General  Meeting  2015  

To  be  held  at  the  field  March  1st,  at  9am.  

                             

 LMFC is on FACEBOOK!!!!

Don’t  be  afraid  of  this  social  media  forum.  There  is  a  whole  lot  of  interesting  info  being  shared  by  the  modelling  world  just  waiting  for  you.    Here  is  your  LMFC  link    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lismore-Model-Flying-Club/893002544046201?hc_location=timeline  

February  2015  9/2    16/2    

21  22/2   Harrisville Hootenanny 21st -22nd aka Kev's Calamity or Smeaton's Sailplane Struggle  March  2015  

1/3   Club  meeting,  E-­‐Glider  comp,  BBQ  breakfast  8/3    15/3   Fling  comp  &  BBQ  lunch  

21  22/3   Scenic Rim Aerotow  29/3   Fun  Fly  Day  

     

April  2015  

5/4   Daylight  Savings  ends  –  clocks  Forward  1  hour;      Easter  Sunday;  E-­‐Glider  comp  

12/4   Club  meeting,  BBQ  breakfast  19/4   Fling  comp  &  BBQ  lunch  

10  to  13/4   MAAA Nats (Harrisville Glider)  May  2015  

2  &  3/5   Interstate  Glider  Challenge  Pearces  Creek.    NO  LMFC  meeting  

10/5/   Mother’s  Day  

17/5   LMFC  Club  Meeting  Fling  comp  &  BBQ  lunch  

24/5    

31/5    June  2015  

7/6   Club  meeting,  last  E-­‐Glider  comp,  BBQ  breakfast,    RENEWAL  fees  due  by  15th  June  

14/6    

21/6   Fling  comp  &  BBQ  lunch  

28/6    July  2015  

5/7   Club  meeting,  Final  E-­‐Glider  comp,  BBQ  breakfast  12/7    

19/7   Fling  comp  &  BBQ  lunch  26/7