President's Column

I know it seems as though I’ve fallen off the face of the planet but really I’m still around and ready to get started on a new stunt weapon. Since I finished my Magnum I haven’t set foot in my workshop, not even to clean. That’s not because I don’t want to build anymore but rather because I’ve got to get some things on my honey-do list done that I’ve let slide for the summer. It’s been said that if she’s happy, everyone’s happy. So far the jury’s still out on that one. Once the juices get flowing again I’ll figure out what to build. I do need a good profile and I’ve also been thinking about something different like another twin, or a BI-plane, a canard, or a pusher/puller twin like a Cessna mix master. I’ve got lots of ideas rattling around upstairs so when the time comes I’ll figure something out.

I can see some thrust line issues with the mix master and with the higher then normal elevator I’m not sure that I could get it to turn anywhere close to the same inside and out. There is always the world war two German fighter, DO-335. Solves the thrust line issue, could machine a common motor mount out of aluminum for the front and rear motors…. Slide the rear motor forward a couple of inches to help it balance...make a rear extension shaft supported by bearing blocks like an old Chevy drive shaft... These are the kind of ideas that always cause me trouble, but I do like the challenge.

Getting back on track, at last months meeting we held nominations for all of the chair officer positions. The only change will be in my spot. I nominated Jeff Welliver because I felt he could do a better job up front then I and I feel he’s got sufficient background and experience to manage the future of our club. Also Jeff, just like Keith, faces the frightening prospect of answering to John should things go to far wrong.

Another item that came up was fine-tuning our schedule somewhat. It was decided to move our contest back one week in August to make it easier on our members and also separate our contest from others on the same weekend, details to follow. 

A couple of other housekeeping items that I should mention are the meeting date of December 16. As you may recall the November and December meetings were combined again this year because of the holidays and lastly the dreaded membership dues will need to be paid again by the January meeting. In summary: No cash by January means no newsletter in February etc.

Finally, I’ll throw out the same offer I do at this time every year. Give me a call and I’ll let you know what I want for X-mas. In case I suddenly get multiple calls I’ll be kind enough to give you several options. Over the years I’ve never received any calls asking what I wanted under the tree but in the interest of consistency I felt obligated to make the offer one more time…

See you at the meeting,
Keith Sandberg

Vice President's Column

Well, folks, the year is winding down. Thanksgiving and Christmas are tomorrow and the next day, I think. And 2005 the day after that, it feels like. But 2004 has been a very good year in so many ways. Piston Poppers membership is steady. We have an excellent flying site. Control-line as a hobby is strong. Kits, engines, hardware, plans, coverings, paint, lines and handles, ARFs, ARCs, fuel tanks, the list goes on and on. It’s a great time to be doing CL.

Several of us made great strides at the control handle this year. Bob Cheney is flying strong and has two first place awards to prove it. Sina just has to move up this year. Keith flies his Legacy with great authority, Saito 56 growling away up front. Ryan is looping his Flite Streak with confidence and bugging me to finish the Fancy Pants for him.

Uh-oh, now he wants a REAL stunter. After the SIG contest, I decided that I would do the pattern, no matter what. And it worked. I still don’t have the whole pattern, but I sure have some pieces and the confidence to go forward. John Christensen learned just about everything there is to know about hard luck. And look at the work Wayne Willey does. Neat stuff, creative, and well-crafted. When Wayne learns the pattern, he’ll be Nats material, for sure. And new recruits Jim Jorgenson, Tony Kubes and Bud Stahel were out regularly and learning fast. And I know I’ve missed some people, but please forgive me. I have to plead distance and irregular attendance.

It looks like officers for '05 will be Jeff, John, Jim, and me again. The first thing I have to do is change my name to Jerry so I fit in! I’d like to see us grow by a few more members this year-everyone bring your kids, friends, neighbors, or total strangers and let’s get some more people involved. If you’ve never been to Oshkosh, (or even if you have!) come with us to Kid Venture. It’s a painless way to get introduced to Oshkosh. Good parking places, free admission, great fun. What more could you ask? I’m looking forward to another great year!

I’ve picked up two tools to improve my building life. First is a router table from Sears. I’ve had a router for years, but just now thought to get it set up on a table. I bought two bits. One is square-ended for recessing motor mounts for aluminum plates. (No more crushed motor mounts or chisels for recessing the plates.) It will also serve to trim mounts to allow for shimming the tank higher. I also got a 1/4 inch round-off bit. I think I can run a profile fuselage blank through it on each side and have nice uniform round edges. Then this week, Harbor Freight put a 4-hp compressor and a HVLP paint gun on sale for a total price of $130. Freight is free, handling charge of $6. This is the same gun that many modelers are using now to spray dope and auto paint. One Stuka Stunt Works forum regular has painted a full-size Cessna 150 with his and is getting a Cherokee ready to paint. Obviously, it’s not a high dollar pro outfit, but it will be a big improvement over what I’m doing now. Call or write me or if you’re online, check the Stuka Stunt Works forum for the links to the sale items. Looks like a great deal.

Time to get back into the shop for a little while.

See you at the meeting.

Kelvin Heath

Members Space

THOUGHTS ON THE YEAR….

By “der Feldmarschall”- Jeff Welliver

First of all, let me extend a big THANK YOU to everyone for your cooperation with me in keeping our noise level within the limits. Everyone has been willing to cooperate and I haven’t heard one growl when a change was needed to stay within the 90db @9’ limit.

For next year, and with your approval, Wayne Willey has agreed to be field marshal and will have a meter and book. He’s at virtually every flying session.  I will also continue to monitor as in the past. We spot-check the levels on the combinations we constantly look at, but need to 100% check new combinations.  PLEASE HELP US BY GETTING A NOISE LEVEL CHECK WHENEVER YOU CHANGE SOMETHING.   This includes prop, muffler, etc or the same engine on a different plane.  Our records include model, engine, muffler and prop so help us keep a good, accurate record when anything changes.

Thanks, also, to everyone for the willingness to help in our various activities.  Things like picking up junk, taking turns flying, helping with lines and launches and the general level of courtesy and safety awareness, which seem to be “second nature,” really make for pleasant flying. At our contests the willingness of people to help as they are able make’s life so much easier. Take my word, it has not always been this way---and I go back to day one with the club (less a 28 year gap in the middle).

NOW A CHALLENGE! I’d like to challenge each of you to bring at least one new flyer, recycled old flyer, or potential flyer to the field next year. We have trainers and can be sure they’re available.  Without new blood we’re doomed to die of attrition, and that new blood can be young or old. If we can make the spark, a new flyer can get an ARF Flite-Streak and a used engine up for about what AMA dues cost. Food for thought: If they do that, why don’t we toss in their first year club dues as an incentive? 

See you at the meeting!

Jeff Welliver

Members Space

Hello all, I don’t know what to call this article: ramblings, soapbox or just babble.

I’ve heard and I’ve also entered into the thoughts and crabbing about our flying field at times and the way we need and want to use it. Some of us are upset at times about the field issues whether it be mufflers, flying days and hours or types of flying. Many members talk of the need to have another flying site when in reality we have a great site for flying with rules we must follow. Though it’s sad we can’t do other events but face it what other events are most of us flying. “STUNT” So as our field has become basically a stunt field some of us are barking for another place to fly but yet they feel it’s up to the officers of the club to find and do all the legwork for another site (remember who is going to maintain another site).

To go flying on a Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or a Friday call a club member and ask them to meet you at the School lots of Dakota County or one of the many parks throughout the cities. A couple of fliers could spend a little time without any problems and I’m quite sure possibly turn on Control-line flying to some potential new members.

As for different events at our field: Racing, Combat, Balloon Bust or anything else you can think of as long as you meet all the field requirements propose an event and schedule a date. Think about your fellow fliers and don’t jeopardize the field for them  by pushing the rules to the limit

Bob