President's Column

Let me start this month off with a much neglected THANK YOU! Carey Cheney, Bob’s daughter has been one of those people who quietly help the club and is rarely noticed. For a number of years Carey has been a key part of the Cheney family effort that resulted in a PROP WASH every month and also has built what is becoming a very nice web site, which she is steadily improving. We rarely see her and she never asks for credit, but let’s all take the time to thank her next time we do see her for all the hours of work she puts in. THANKS, Carey! 

CLUB AUCTION: After a short business meeting we will have our annual Club Auction at our February 23^rd meeting. As we did last year, NO sales will be allowed before the business meeting. After the business meeting you can sell to your heart’s content with 10% going to the club.  Also, as we did last year, we ask you to bring anything you’d like to DONATE to the club and we will have a “Bid” auction, with your infamous President as auctioneer, right after the end of regular selling.  All proceeds from this go to the club. In addition to the usual items, pretty much anything that would be of interest (within reason) will be accepted. Clean out the shop and those shelves and help the club at the same time!  See you there!

Sunday, February 26^th at 1 p.m. at the EAA hanger, will be our building session for the Challengers. Bring tools, glues, and some type of building board if you can. This should be lots of fun, so come on out even if you’re not building one yourself. There will be more details at the meeting.

On a personal note, former Piston Popper and all around great guy Burt Brokaw managed to lose an argument with an APC prop at a contest in Phoenix on Sunday. He describes it as “really doing a number on it”. Our thoughts are with you Burt.  

While we’re on the subject, the APC’s are great props but the edges are knife sharp. A few moments of work to dull them could make a real difference in a hostile encounter. Like Sergeant Esterhaus used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Hey, Hey! Let’s be careful out there!” 

The newsletter is now available by E-mail for those who prefer. Just let Ivars know and save the club some bucks. Also, we will be doing more exchanging with other club newsletters, which should result in some interesting articles.  

Congratulations to the F-M Skylarks, who will celebrate their 50^th anniversary this summer. Way to go, folks! I do get their newsletter on the net. If any of you would like me to forward it, just let me know. It is a good read.  

On the subject of Fargo, I notice they do at least one Mall Show every year. That’s something we’ve gotten away from, and I’m inclined to think it would be worthwhile to look into it again. Also, if we do end up with the Fridley site, it strikes me that setting up a kids program with the Parks & Recreation Department, and also working with the site owners to offer something to their employees and families might be future possibilities. With a number of us now retired, this could be a lot of fun. Just planting some seeds for the future! 

I spoke to the EAA chapter President last week and he indicated that there might be some chance of us being asked to be a part of Aviation Days this year. He says many of last year’s problems are solved and it may be a bit bigger, though not as huge as the “good old days”. I indicated that we would be interested. 

Isn’t it ironic that we don’t recognize the “good old days” until they’re gone? We never really appreciate the present like we should, or so it seems.

Finally, as to the possible flying site - I spoke to our friend at EPA on the 12^th. He’d been out of town for a couple of weeks. The site has been sold, and it appears that it is now owned by BAE, the company that is already there. He will be contacting them in the next few days. All of the various state and federal people involved with the superfund site find us an acceptable use, which is as good as it gets in that arena. In my opinion, this is the best news we could ask at this stage. With ownership established we should be able to move forward. Knock on wood!

 As of today (2/14/06) it’s 22 days till departure for Tucson and VSC-but who’s counting?  See you at the meeting!

Jeff Welliver

Vice President's Column

I spend a lot of time during the building season sitting in my shop and mulling over my half completed projects, over-planning what needs to be done, worrying about the mistakes I might make and in general over-thinking the building process.  All that activity doesn’t finish any of my half completed projects but I sure have a lot of good ideas and plans. 

One of the ways for me to get out of the winter blahs is to attend the club’s building session on Sunday, February 26 at 1:00 in the EAA building.  I understand that Keith Sandberg and Jeff Lange have fabricated the parts, which is an enormous task.  I’ve seen a prototype of the wing on a building board and the workmanship is indeed superb!  My parts don’t look nearly as nice after I cut them out. 

Our 2006 building project is the Keith Sandberg designed Challenger.  The .15 size engine and airplane is a real nice size for me.  The models usually go together quickly and are pretty economical in terms of material and effort required.  I will use a Fox .15 BB which has more than ample power.  Most of the stunts I know I learned using the Fox on a sort-of-a Flight Streak that I built from memory and out of spare balsa and plywood.  The plane wasn’t pretty but it was forgiving and did the job. 

My goal at the building session will be two-fold.  First, I am going to use the time to complete the construction of the wing and perhaps get the fuselage ready to accept the wing.  If I get further than that, it will be a bonus.  The second goal will be to observe and question other builders on techniques.  I have noticed that we have a large reserve of experience and skills among the members of the club and I plan on learning as much as possible to improve my own style.

If you’re planning on attending the building session, bring whatever you will need to work on the project.  I’m going to bring a building board, lots of masking tape, a square to lay out lines on the building board, all my modeling hand tools which fit nicely into a cigar box, three types of glue, pins and probably a few other things.  Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the session!  One of my first experiences with the Piston Poppers was at the same time of year in 2000; we offered a building session featuring the Keith Sandberg designed Falcon.  I flew that airplane with a 1959 Model .35 OS Max for several years and through several crashes.  The OS is still around but the plane is long gone to its reward in the hanger in the sky.

 Mike Moylan

PAMPA Notes

This is going to be a short regular feature from now on, just to pass on some info from the stunt world.

Our club and members are all over this month’s STUNT NEWS. First of all, Keith Sandberg’s lovely profile P-51 Mustang has half the inside back cover, in color no less. I think Keith is the ONLY one who doesn’t seem to realize how great that model looks! In addition, Keith has two more black and white pix on the inside and there’s a very nice boxed article about him personally. Way to go, Keith. 

The club and our flying site search are mentioned in Crist Rigotti’s column, with pictures of the possible FMC site. Crist also has pix of John Christensen and me in there. I loaned my issue to someone so I’m doing this from memory. Please forgive me if I miss someone. In addition there will be a nice write up on the FROZEN FUN FLY in the next issue..

STUNT NEWS has a new editor, Tom McClain, and the transition should be smooth. Tom Morris has done a great job for a number of years and had decided some time back to retire. Thanks to both Toms! 

“Till next month”, Jeff Welliver

An Offer You Can't Refuse!

An idea came to me recently that I've decided to present to all Piston Popper members. First though, a short explanation is probably in order. We have a great club that is quite active, but I can't help noticing the fact that I rarely see any newly built and finished models at our field. Of course we all know about the new ARF's that are now available. They have proven to be pretty decent fliers when set up properly, but frankly, they just don't possess the "Cool Factor" that a plane fresh from the workshop does be it scratch built, from plans or a kit. Now don't get me wrong, I do understand that everyone has different aspects of our hobby that they enjoy, maybe building just isn't one of them. Also, for many of us, time is an issue. Maybe there are just no kits or plans available that get you, uh, salivating? Whatever the reason, I would like to offer something here in an attempt to spur more building of models by our club members. 

HERE'S THE DEAL:

"Willey Aircraft Works" (read-I) will design and draw up a basic plan for any member who would like to scratch build a new model-FREE OF CHARGE. These "plans" will be laid out, drawn and inked neatly by hand, to actual size. I do it by hand because I have no computer or program to use (like I'd know how to use it anyway). Initially at least, these will be profile designs only. Also, if it is a tapered wing design, I will only be able to provide the root and tip rib outlines (no computer). Most all necessary wood dimensions and recommended basic hardware items will be noted on the plan. You will then receive an original drawing that can be copied at Kinko's so that then you have actual size patterns etc. to build from. Design wise, think of anything from a fun little 1/2A job, all the way up to a monster .60 powered animal, or maybe even a twin - the choice is yours. If you have a favorite set of moment "numbers", or airfoil etc., I can use them, or, I'll figure the dimensions for you. Any predetermined dimensions I can then apply to an original design. Designs can consist of any type of model, from Old Time or Classic type planes, to modern, sleek jet style stuff, to war birds and military planes, or even a favorite civilian or homebuilt aircraft. You simply describe to me in general what you’re after, and you and I will then decide on the basic design. I'll take it from there. 

Something that I highly recommend you keep in mind is that Brodak sells laser cut rib sets for practically all of their kits at very reasonable prices. These rib sets are an excellent starting point for a project. They are a huge timesaver, especially if you hate cutting and matching ribs from scratch. For example, I recently purchased a set of Brodak LAGG-3 ribs (55"tapered wing) that I have drawn up a P-63 Kingcobra design around. I plan to start building it soon. Most of the Brodak rib sets are in the 12-18 dollar range. I really recommend to anyone who doesn't already have one that you get yourself a Brodak catalog. For $5.00 it gives you a ton of reference for the wings I'm talking about, wingspans, areas and such. Oh yeah, and you can order stuff too! Also, don't forget about Sig and the "old reliable" Twister and Banshee wings as a potential starting point. Many of you have already seen my unfinished "StukaTwister". This one started as only a Twister rib set and plan, but I scratch built everything else. Nothing against the original Twister, but I expect the "Stuka" to be an excellent flier with all new moments etc. Anyway, take a rib set or wing, add about another 20 bucks in balsa and ply and this "plan", and you now have your "kit". Easy As Pie!

So maybe you would like to have a truly original design model or "Secret Weapon" to show up at that next P-40 contest with? Here's your chance to use literally ANY custom design you'd like. There is truly no limit to your options.

 HERE'S THE FINE PRINT:

Now, all I ask here is that if I design a model for you that you actually follow through and BUILD IT and FLY IT. Although you certainly could, I don't expect anyone to get in line at the next contest with it, just have FUN. Who knows maybe we'll stumble onto a great new design and revolutionize C/L as we know it? THAT I highly doubt, but I do guarantee a fun and interesting project. I would also require that the original plan be returned to me promptly after your trip to Kinko's so that I can save it and also donate a copy to our club plan collection. If you have any questions, or want to get going on a project, feel free to call me at 507-402-4050, evenings or weekends would be best. 

So, put your thinking caps on, get that work bench cleared off, and get ready to enjoy the satisfaction of building and flying your NEW model!

Wayne Willey

Editor's Musings