Bob Walker And The Messerschmitt ME 109

Jim Snyder, Club President opened the meeting Jan 14, 7PM, at the Churchville Rec Center. The minutes are as follows:

1. Very quiet meeting this month. Still we had a good turnout. Just shows that everyone wants to keep in touch and is anxious to get into the new flying season.
2. We spoke about having a Fun Fly in June and probably a Club picnic in September. We’ll try to resolve the details in coming meetings. Steve Snyder will try to reserve Dec 11 (a Saturday) with Parks and Rec. for our Christmas Party.
3. Treasurer, Steve reported that we already have 39 members signed up for the new flying season. Very good start.

If you have any questions regarding the minutes or contents of this Newsletter, please direct them to Achille Silvestri, Ph 410-838-6261 or e-mail axsilvestri@verizon.net
 

 

SHOW AND TELL…

Gene Clark brought in a Citabria that he is building from a kit. It is in the bones and well on the way to becoming another great airplane for Gene. The Citabria has 69 inch wingspan and will be powered by 70, 4-stroke. Gene expects to have it out this season.

Bob Walker brought in an all foam Parkzone electric. It’s a copy of the Messerschmitt ME-109, one of the really colorful planes out of WWII. Very nice replication. It comes as a complete package with radio, engine and batteries.

 

Gene Clark With His Citabria

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL…

We’re taking applications for 2010. Don’t forget, the suspense is March 31. If you don’t sign up by then you’ll have to rejoin as a new member and pay the initiation fee again.

   

SAFETY REPORT….Bob Walker, Safety Officer

Batteries are probably the biggest weak link in our hobby.  We have talked about batteries before, but winter time is when many people ignore and neglect their batteries both in the airplanes and transmitters.  Most fliers put everything away at the first sign of winter and will dig everything out in spring.   You can do your rechargeable batteries a big favor by spending a little time with them over the cold months.  At minimum, it would be a great idea to just recharge all those batteries for 24 hours just once a month.  The same goes for your starting batteries, glow batteries, etc.   If you did get a battery cycler under the tree, now is a good time to check those old battery packs and weed out the bad ones.  If you cycle a  battery pack and get less than 70% of rated capacity, it is time to pitch it.  So, a 600 mAh battery should have at least 420 mAh capacity, a 1000 mAh battery should be at 700 mAh or more, etc.  Do you know the capacity of your battery packs?  Most people have no idea.  The serious flyers pitch their batteries every 2 or 3 years period.  Seems costly, but how much to replace an airplane, radio, engine, etc.   One thing we should all do is put a piece of tape on each battery when purchased and note the date.  I am sure we all have battery packs older than 5 years or more......could be bad news.   I have a trickle charger.  You can buy a Lil Trickler for less than  $20 if I remember.  You simply plug up to 3 wall chargers into it and it charges at 1/10 the normal charge, keeping your batteries ready to go all winter long.  Some people think this is a bad idea, but I have been doing this for years without problem, but I do cycle each several times a year to check on the capacity.   More and more people are using NiMH batteries because of their smaller size for the same capacity compared to NiCad (TM).  But with everything in science, there is a downside.  NiMH batteries should be replaced twice as often.  I am attaching a link to SR Batteries that explains this since many will not believe that statement.   http://www.srbatteries.com/nimh.htm   Until next month,  keep those batteries charged and ready for spring flying.

Swan Harbor RC meets 7PM the second Thursday of the month.  In the Fall and Winter we meet at the Churchville Rec Center located on Glenville Road in Churchville.  Otherwise we meet at our flying field at Swan Harbor Farm.  The public is welcome to the meetings. To fly with us at Swan Harbor flying field take Oakington Road off US 40 (between Aberdeen and Havre de Grace) and follow the signs for Swan Harbor Farm.  Be sure to have your 2009 AMA membership because you need it to fly. A SWAN HARBOR RC 2009 Membership Applications  is available on line or additional information can be obtained from Steve Snyder, 410-638-2895, Steve@SwanharborRC.com.  To learn more about Swan Harbor RC (formerly MAOA); go to www.harfordvista.com/rcnews/  and click onto January 2001