Fly Day at Swan Harbor RC

In the absence of Jim Snyder, President, Vice-President Scott Jordan opened the meeting of June 10, at the flying field.

In the aftermath of our Annual Club Fly-In there was little business that needed attention. We spent most of the afternoon flying and eating.

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
 
 

The threatening weather never materialized and we had one of our best fly-ins. The crowd was smaller than usual but the fine collection of planes and outstanding flying made for an entertaining day. We got a nice turn out from other clubs which was much appreciated. Ron Stahl, President of Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore (RCMB), gave a fine performance with his BVM Electra, an electric ducted fan jet…so fast it was hard to follow. (There’s write up on Ron’s jet in the next section). We got some outstanding stunt flying by Sean Ellis, our Club, Michael Hornbaker, Pegasus RC and David Hughs, Harford County Radio Control Modelers (HCRCM). They even did some synchronized flying tricks, how cool is that?

Jack and Don Holmes, brothers who fly with (HCRCM) had a big layout of classic planes which included T-28s, Spitfires, a Messerschmidt ME-109, Focke Wulf, P-47 and others. Our former Bill Kalb, now with Pegasus RC, came all the way from Hagerstown to be with us flying another Drei-Decker. And we were visited again by our dependable Cliff Tacie, from the Sunday Flyers.

Earl McMullen, our Club, was flying a beautiful Balsa USA 1/3 scale Sopwith Pup built by the late Hank Mayford. Just outstanding workmanship and detail.

And our cooks, Tom Insley, Bob Walker and Tom Smith, what more can you say about them, well no one got sick and it’s 26 days later. Actually, they did a wonderful job. No one went away hungry.

THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST OF THOSE FLYERS WHO PARTICIPATED:
Ron Stahl, RCMB, BVM Electra.
Sean Ellis, SWAN Harbor RC, Extra 300
Jack Holmes and Don Holmes, HCRCM, assorted nostalgic WWII planes
Michael Hornbaker, Pegasus RC, Extra 300
Cliff Tacie, Sunday Flyers, the electric Aeronca Champ
Ron and Tom Moyer, Swan Harbor RC, Fokker D.Vlll
Hugh Ellis , Swan Harbor RC, Piper Tri-Pacer
Dan Bowman, Swan Harbor RC, Extra 260
Earl McMullen, Swan Harbor RC, Sopwith Pup
Gary Hershberger, Swan Harbor RC, Gee Bee, Y series
David Hughs, HCRCM, Electric Extra 300 and helicopers
Bill Kalb, Pegasus RC, Fokker D-l Ron
Lazzeri, Swan Harbor RC, Gee Bee, Y series

And there were many other flyers. I just didn’t have the time to get the goods on them. Their participation was greatly appreciated.

Sam Harbold, who attended with many of his HCRCM colleagues, made a video of our fly-in. To see it go to “you tube” and enter “Swan Harbor Open House 2010” and enjoy.

 

WHAT IS A BVM ELECTRA?...

Ron Stahl, Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore My BVM Electra was built from a BVM Jets kit 2 years ago when I was recuperating from surgery. It is a fiberglass, kevlar and carbon fiber fuse with wood wings that have two plug in carbon fiber spars on each side and wood stabs. The fan unit in the plane is from BVM and is the 5212 model. It runs on 50 volts (yes 50 volts) @ 110 amps making 7 hp turning the fan @ 27K rpm at full power with 17 LBS of thrust. It weighs 15 Lbs ready to fly with 4 lbs of that in flight batteries which are from Flitepower; They are 6500 mah with 12 cells. I use a JR 12X radio on 2.4 GHz with all JR servos. The retracts are BVM mechanicals and use two JR retract servos to drive them. There are 10 servos in all, 2 flaps, 2 ailerons, 2 elevator, 2 retract, one each for rudder and nose wheel steering. The covering is Monocote on the wings and stabs and Testers modelmaster paint on the fuse. I have had it clocked at 178 MPH straight and level and it will go over 200 if you dive it at full power.

1. I have been told of a few close calls where people were reaching over a spinning prop.  A recipe for disaster.  It takes a little longer, but adjusting the need valve from the back of the plane is obviously much safer.  Don’t want any bleeders out there.
2. For some reason, a lot of people like to fly in the openings of the fence.  The fence is there to protect you and it can‘t do its job if you don't stand behind it.  Endless planes have clipped the posts over the years....so please take advantage of the protection, even though it is minimal.
3. With all the heat, please drink plenty of liquids.  It is real easy to dehydrate out there.    

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 a current AMA membership card because you need it to fly.  A SWAN HARBOR RC 2010 Membership Applications  is available on line or additional information can be obtained from Steve Snyder, 410-638-2895, Steve@SwanharborRC.com.