"We have been blessed".  I heard that statement made by one of our members last Wednesday night at the field and it's true.  For the last three weeks or so the weather for flying planes has been great.  The attendance at our field has been way up.

There has been a mix of old planes and some new aircraft out this year.  Wayne Willey brought out his P-38 Lightning and it looks great, there is no substitute for the sound of a twin.  Also "Mr. Four Stroke" John Christensen has been flying his Saito 72 powered Force lately and I can honestly say it's one of the very best planes I've every flown.  Jeff Welliver recently finished his Tempest and is getting a few trim flights on it.  This plane was built very well and shows itself very well in the air.  It's got those long and lean classic lines that everybody likes, no the boxy ones that the new style planes are all designed around.  One day I'll build a plane that both looks and fly's well, unlike the semi-attractive failures I've done lately.

On June 7th we had a the demo with the Northwest Angle R/C club.  This club invited us at Al Sandberg's suggestion (Thanks Al).  I would like to thank our members that showed up to help out especially Bob, John C., C.J., and Elaine for the grass cutting and safety barrier work.  For awhile the weather was great and lots of flights were made.  C.J. spent some time getting to know his new plane.  The Boy and Cub Scouts really seemed to enjoy watching "Four Stroke Johnny" fly his Force.  We also spent time helping Scouts get there first flights with the club trainer plane.  As always the interest and lines are greater then the time we have available to let kids fly our trainer.  The only down side to the day (aside from the thunderstorm) was when the Scouts started launching their model Rockets.  We have been invited back again for next year (first weekend in June) and I think we should accept.  The Rocket issue has already been addressed.

Our next big club function is the Kids Kontest of 2003.  It takes place on July 6th and I would like to see more than the same few folks there.  So invite whatever kids you know and do what you can to attend.  Any question or input can be addressed to me.  Keith Sandberg ~ 763-477-9032.

Well - Mike "Two Beers" Moylan just called to go flying so I'm off...  See you at the meeting.

Keith

Vice President's Column

Hello Everybody,

Just want to ask everybody to take a look at our new website.

www.pistonpoppers.com

See what a great job Bob's daughter Carey did.  Many thanks to Carey Cheney for helping out with our new website.
Thanx, Sina
 

Safety
by Jim Varno

I feel its necessary to talk a little about eh safety in our sport.  IN the past year I have seen 3 line breaks, several fingers cut (one man from our area had three fingers cut off by a prop last year).  I recently saw the nose of a model come off in flight (tank and motor from the wing forward).  The motor seemed to speed up when released from the front of the aircraft and almost hit a club member who had no time to even move.  A front coming off models is not often heard about but once you see it, it wakes you up.

These four rules can help us keep our sport enjoyable.

1. Always pull test the plane, lines, and safety thong.
2. Check the nose of your model, if it is oil soaked, give it a reasonable twist.  Does it feel solid?  If not fix it or destroy it.
3. Use a finger guard and fear the prop.
4. Use hearing protection (hearing aids cost about $5,000.00)

My Magnum is about 10 years old and is usually soaked in castor oil, but because I painted the inside of the nose with epoxy, it's still strong as new.

Tip of the Month
by Jim Varno

I used to build in a damp basement but finding glue joints separating, I got a dehumidifier.  The next problem was everything was too dry and things warped when out in high humidity.  Solution: I purchased a hygrometer for about $6.00.  Keeping the humidity between 55 and 65 percent will keep your wood from expanding too much in high humidity or shrinking too much when dry.  This tip can save your finish.

Mankato Air Show

I just wanted to tell everyone about the air show I went to on June 7th.  I went with some of my family because I wanted them to experience something new.  The Air Force Thunderbirds with their F-16 Falcons were the headliner act.  The only time I had seen the Thunderbirds was in 1971 when they were flying F-4 Phantoms.  Also Jimmy Franklin and his highly modified Waco UPF-7 were there.  This biplane has a jet engine mounted between the gear legs in addition to the 450 horsepower Pratt & Whitney in the nose.  I've seen Jimmy fly many times before and his always entertaining, but you have to see this to believe it.  The sight of a biplane with the sound of the jet screaming is something that just doesn't seem to fit together.  The incredible NOISE as he pulls up and gives it full throttle will have you on your feet.  With that much power he almost seems to accelerate going straight up and rolling continuously.  The speed and performance difference between his Waco and the Red Barons and their Stearmans was like night and day.  Other acts were a couple of Extra's, a Sukhoi 29 and a SP95, flying one, two, and three plane formation aerobatics.  Later Jimmy Franklin did a wing-walking act with his son on the wing of the Waco.

While everyone was watching one of the planes land, a Stealth Fighter came out of nowhere, made some passes, climbed out and was gone.  The last act was of course the Thunderbirds.  Because of the weather which had some broken and scattered clouds down low they were only able to do their low show.  Just formation passes and the two solos, no vertical maneuvers.  They open by flying from behind you and over your head and breaking into the two formations.  The two solos do some opposing passes while the main formation is getting turned around for their pass.  On one formation pass as they started turning around a solo came by at HIGH speed and blew everyone away with the noise and surprise.  On one pass the solo did a slow speed flyby with gear and flaps down rolling left to right in 90-degree banks.  The speed and power combined with the precision are what make the Thunderbirds a class act.  All in all it was a very impressive show and well worth it.

Jim Gevay
 

Airshow Schedule

For those of you interested in full size aircraft, I have a list of events around the area.

June 21 - 22 = LaCrosse, WI - Airshow with the Blue Angels.  Call 608-789-7464 or www.airfest.com.

July 10 - 13 = Anoka County, MN - Collings foundation B-17 and B-24.

September 20 - 21 = Duluth, MN - Airshow with the Blue Angels.

If I get any more information like times and contact numbers, I will put them in the next newsletter.  As always, these events are dependent upon weather.

Jim Gevay
 

More Upcoming Events

Kids Kontest & Fun Stunt - July 6th - Flying Field - Keith Sandberg CD 763-477-9032

47th Red River Championships - Fargo, ND - Carrier, Combat, Stunt, Racing, Balloon Bust, and more.  Contact Jim Varno - 218-847-0012

Don Bentfield Memorial Stunt - August 9 - 10 - Flying Field - Keith Sandberg CD 763-477-9032
 

Editors Comments

Hello everyone, a lot of things have been happening so far this year and more good things are to follow.  The most exciting to me is the new web site, this is something I've wanted for a long time but with my limited knowledge computers I could not do it.  My daughter Carey has agreed to get a site started and to help keep it going.  So far she has done great but this is only my input and we need yours.  Comments, criticism, corrections, or idea's are needed.  To get to the site, type in:

www.pistonpoppers.com

We have decided (Carey and I) not to have a link to this site until we get more feedback and idea's from you.  We have pictures at the headings but are still missing a few, most notable is a shot of the board members of 2003, come to the meeting wearing your Sunday Flying best.

I also hope you all read the articles from Jim Varno.  This guy has been building and flying for years and has some good insight for us all.  Plus it was a pleasure to read his take on Discover Aviation Days.  Glad he enjoyed his time with us.  Keep in mind that Jim is a member of the Fargo Skylarks club and that if at all possible to attend their contests.  The sport of Control-line flying is alive and well specially when we support each other.

With our contests coming up be sure to check with Keith Sandberg to where your help is needed.  We all need to participate in the preparation and the operation of club events.

Well, I'll see you all at the Flying Field, Meetings, and where-ever else our lines may cross.

Bob
 

From a Visitor - Discover Aviation Days
by Jim Varno

Discover Aviation Days in Anoka are over for another year.  For those of you who did not attend this year, you missed out on an excellent weekend.  The Piston Poppers keep improving this event each year.  From watching Bob Cheney stunt with his screaming (fast fun) Jr. Flite Streak to helping Keith Sandberg start kids flying and learning from the friendly competition, made the trip well worthwhile.  Many types of WWII aircraft were also at the show and they were giving tours of a beautiful B25.  This is a friendly fun event that I look forward to each year; please plan to attend next year.
 

Have You Noticed

Not only does our flying field look good because of the grass cutting, but what happened to the dandelions?  Bob tells me that Jim Ehlen has been treating the field with a weed killer and I can see a big difference.  I want to thank both Jim and Bob for a field we all can be proud of.

Jeff Lange

"LOST MISSING IN ACTION"... "STILL"

One of our club notebooks with information about our club, the AMA, newsletter copies, directions to our field, and meeting hall is missing.

Was loaned out and not returned.  Please everyone take a look for it.

Bob