Football and the State Fair are upon us and that can mean only one thing: Summer is drawing to a end.

This flying season went especially well for the club.  We had more people out flying, gained several new friends and had no problems from either inside or outside of our club.

As the days get shorter we'll lose our Wednesday night fun flying light.  Right after that the weather will change and our Sunday's will also be history for another season.  My advice is to get out while you still can because like I told C.J., in January you'll be kicking yourself for missing these summer days of flying.

On August 9 & 10 we had our annual Don Bentfield Memorial Stunt Contest.  Because of all the member participation it ran really well.

Both days the weather was near perfect and the level of competition was very high.  Throughout the weekend it was not uncommon to see scores only 1/2 to 1 point apart.  I believe entries were right about on pace with what they should be.  The spectator attendance was way up.  We had old and new modelers watching along with family, city officials, neighbors we even had the local hobby store managers cheering us on.

I really want to thank everyone for helping out and making my job so much easier.  Aside from the people that always work hard for us there are a few that I'd like to mention: C.J. Wold deserves a big thanks for being everybody's runner and helping out where ever possible.  A big thanks also goes to his grandmother Elaine for taking care of everyone's lunch on both day's of the contest.  Ryan and Kelvin Heath also deserve many thanks for driving up from Rochester just to help our contest run smooth.  They didn't compete or even fly just helping wherever they could.  Wow what a club we have!

At our last meeting Kelvin mentioned a fun fly at a private grass airstrip near Rochetster.  This on September 20th put on by the Marion Radio-control Flyers.  They have invited us to fly our control-line planes (same muffler rules as we use) and to bring along some trainers.  There will be Giant Scale R/C, Helicopters and of course us.  Lets all show up for a day of flying fun.  For more details call me at 763-477-9032 (elsewhere in this issue you will find directions and a map to the Marion R/C site).

See you all at the meeting,
Keith

Vice President's Column

Hello everybody.  We just finished with another successful Don Bentfield Memorial Contest this past weekend.  Thanks to everybody who came from out of town to be a part of this event; also many thanks to our entire club for their help.  This was a very smooth running contest.  Weather was absolutely gorgeous, almost no wind both days.  Classic and Advanced classes had the highest number of contestants which was followed by Pampa beginner stunt, and the P-40 beginner, and P-40 Intermediate.

It was very interesting as we had many visitors, especially on Sunday.  Hope they had a good time watching the contest.  This shows that there are many interested people around.  These are the people with which we should give an opportunity to get them involved with the Piston Poppers club.  So, please make sure to welcome any visitors and introduce yourself to them, any day (flying days or events).

Again, many thanks to our club members for their help and participation, especially the members that cam from Rochester and St. Peter to join us.  Let's start planning for next year's contest.

Thanx,
Sina

Editors Page

I too wish to thank everyone for the Bentfield contest and the people who made it happen.  THANKS.

Rochester is only a short distance away and Kelvin went to bat for us to fly with the R/C guy's.  After the work and support he and Ryan gave to our club lets all go and join in on the fun at Rochester.  Below are directions to the Marion R/C Clubs Flying Field:

Take Hwy. 52 South to Rochester, and through (Sorry about the construction).  Stay on Hwy. 52 to I-90.  Cross under I-90, continue a short distance to Marion township.  Turn left on 54th St. SE (at the Ducati motorcycle shop).  Go north 1.3 miles to 50th St. SE and turn right on 50th and turn left at the first driveway (it will also be marked).  Drive through yard past house, barn and hanger.  Our spot will be on the east end on the north south runway.  Bring out some kids stuff as they will advertise for kids to come out.  On site concessions will be available.  Kelvin also mentioned that he is going to try to round up some plastic bag gliders for the kids.

Now that contest season is done for our club it's time for preparation for next year already.  I know you think I'm nuts but if we want to better ourselves it's practice, practice, practice.  As for upcoming events other than WINTER is the January 1st Frozen Fun Fly.

Bob Cheney

Airshow Schedule

For those of you interested in full size aircraft the next even around the area.

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

Club Events

January 1st, 2004 - Frozen Fly

Bob Cheney, Jeff Lange, and Derek Lange will host this event - Chili, Hot Chocolate and fun flying with cold miserable weather.  More details to follow.

For those who may not have heard Tom Newton's wife Bonnie who battled hard, lost her fight with Leukemia.  The good part is that she is not suffering anymore.

Bob Cheney