Hangar Talk – March 2023
We have a few things to talk about this month and in particular, the completion of another significant project – The concrete paths and starter slab..
Club Day – March 4
The weather gods were kind to us and this resulted in quite a good turnout for the day with 19 in attendance, including a visit from Nara Tatemsapya and a prospective member Dan Hazelwood. The members in attendance were Mark H, Alan J, Mike H (nice to see you again Mike), Greg R, Kevin H, Fred W, Vince B, Rodney K, Mike L, Liam & Phillip E, Max W, Russell W, George & Kerry C, Chris J and Meilin H.
This was also an opportunity to utilise our newly acquired ceiling height clearance. I called the Tower, who asked for the duration and a contact number. I advised “until late afternoon” and gave them my mobile number as a primary contact. “All good and have a great day” was the reply from the tower. The thermals were booming and Greg R took advantage with his glider, climbing from about 20m to a great height (below 1000′ of course) in no time. Even my Multiplex Easy Star was catching some thermals and I wasn’t alone!.
Kevin H and Rodney K put on a great display of warbirds. Rodney with his German Focke-Wulf and Kevin H with his P-47 “Razorback”. It was a great show with strafing runs up the strip with the allied P-47 in hot pursuit of the FW. The Focke-Wulf specifications are as follows.
- Focke Wulf Fw-190
- Manufactured by: TopFlite
- Wingspan: 2160mm
- Engine: Saito FG90R3 Petrol
- Propeller: Biela 3 blade 22×12
- Robart Electric retracts
- Weight: 12.8kgs (approx.)
Kevin H’s model, the P-47 had the following specifications –
- Republic P-47D “Razorback” Thunderbolt
- Manufactured by: Hangar 9
- Wingspan: 2064mm
- Engine: Saito FG-60R3 60CC 3-Cylinder Petrol Radial
- Propeller: 3 blade
- Robart Electric retracts
- Weight: 10kgs (approx.)
I manage another video with my iPhone of the two protagonists in flight.
There was only one casualty and a minor incident that I saw on the day. Mike H had an unknown problem and his model ended up “re-kitting” itself on the runway. Bad luck Mike! Russel W brought along his Mamselle, purchased from Peter D. It is a big model and slow flying model. Max W did the honours and flew it for it’s “maiden for Russell” flight. The model ran out of electrons and was headed for the perimeter fence on the outside of our fenced area. Fortunately, being a slow flyer, it landed just short of the gate and all you heard was a gentle “bump” as the spinner hit the post. They both breathed a sigh of relief!
Saturday was also an opportunity to discuss the paths and other planned projects. It seemed there was consensus and the concreters were booked for Friday, March 10.
At the end of the day, I called Airservices to sign off and close our ceiling height request for the day. Fortunately, Tim McLean, the manager with whom we’ve been doing all the negotiations with, answered the phone and was very glad to hear how the day went. As I’ve mentioned before, it is vital to utilise this every Saturday, if anyone wants to fly above 400′. “Use it or lose it”, must be the mantra for the day.
Some more images from the day.. (you can download using the arrow as you hover over an image or click on it to enlarge and then click though the images).
A Call to Mid-week flyers!
I often make contact with members that I haven’t seen for a while to see how they are travelling. Most recently I contacted Adrian Hurkmans to say hi. Adrian, has expressed a desire to get a few more lucky “retirees” to participate in regular weekly flying, weather permitting of course. This is something a few of us did quite regularly in the past. Greg R and Jacques W, would recall our regular flying during the week. Adrian has mentioned that they had a system that worked quite well at his past club, MARCS in Victoria. This is what Adrian said –
Now I would like to try to repeat what was/is so successful at the MACS club near Sunbury Victoria, even if it is with a small group to start with. What is needed is an Email to all or some of the members that are interested in flying any day of the week including weekends. (ideal for retiree’s) If they agree to join a group by supplying their Email address they can then receive the weekly best flying day message which can also include a 7 day forecast copy. All that is needed to decide is which Day and Time the message should be sent. (used to be Saturday evening at MACS). I am hoping that you can help us by maybe mentioning the subject to others and at meetings. Max has been a great help to me in the past by notifying me when he was going to the flying field for mowing and a few flights.
With the Flying message everyone will have more time to prepare their batteries an models.
It would be great if we can get a few people to join Adrian. For those interested, contact Adrian on his email “adrian_carol”AT”optusnet.com.au” or mobile 0401 805 039. Of course replace the AT with “@” (no inverted commas.) Any problems, contact me. Once Adrian has some names, a weekly email can be set up to keep those interested, of the flying day(s).
Path Project
Finally the path project was nearing completion to the extent that the concrete was poured on March 10 and Saturday the 11th was a day when we called for volunteers to assist in the removal of boxing and the levelling of some soil along the edges of the path. As usual, Mark was there at the crack of dawn. He was joined a little later by the following who had responded to the call for volunteers to help with removing the boxing etc. Mick G, Max W, Danny N, Phillip and Liam E. turned up to volunteer to help. Kerry provided a “morning tea” of a bacon and egg muffin. Some pictures of the project and the Saturday volunteers who helped with boxing removal and levelling of the soil, none of which could have been achieved without the equipment and work that Mark H put in. By the way, there were plenty of comments as to who will be the first to take off from the new concrete “runway”! NOTE: Mick G has since laid some grass seed around the starting pad and everyone that visits should make a point of watering the seeded areas.
The Club embarked on a major project that has been planned for years. The paths will provide year round access to to the flight line for mobility limited members as well as avoiding the wet ground during winter. In addition a new starting pad 6m x 2.5m has been laid to give members with large models a better area for starting their models.
Defibrillator
No sign of the defibrillator as yet. The latest advice is that they hope to receive them from the supplier sometime this month.
Club Site Improvements
The next project will be shading for members and their models. It is hoped that this can be completed before next summer, providing we can raise enough from our own funds and are successful with an application to the MAAA Club Assistance Scheme.
April Events – Don’t forget to mark your diary!
April 1 – The club will be holding its first “Open Day – Fun Fly” event, where we are hopeful that members of other clubs will come and join us for a day of flying, feasting and general chatter. LMAC has held some of the biggest events in the past – Championship events like State Pattern, State Thermal Glider, State LMR Glider, Tomboy and Old Timer (models not members), as well as the biggest Air Pageant the State had seen. As we continue to improve facilities, we hope to see more shared events in the future. It is important that as many members attend this day to showcase the club.
20230401-FunFly-3April 21 Annual Dinner –
This will again be held at Steve’s Grill. Please register your attendance or otherwise ASAP. If you decide you can’t make it, register a “non-attendance” please as I’ll then know you have seen the post and I won’t have to follow up with you. Details can be found here. last year was well received by all who attended. Don’t miss this one.
From the WWW..
Just when we thought building skills would disappear with the advent of ARF’s, take a look at the skills involved in building this 3D printed model. It is indeed a work of art!
We have all been caught with the crosswind at our field, here is an interesting take on how to manage the take off and landing in a crosswind. If you have a different technique or point of view, place a comment so others can learn.
Well that’s it for another month. Don’t forget to send in some pictures of your latest project or what you have stored in your hangar.
Don’t Forget – Put a Spark in your life and fly electric!
George
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