Horace Hagen
ECIM Secretary
Dear Member,
Since 2002 I have maintained several separate lists for the R/C Slow Flyers (RCSF) division. The most important list is used to track the frequencies used by the pilots and to help our members select the least used channels for their new R/C system purchases. The number of Slow Flyers has increased steadily from the original few to the present 148 members. A second list displays the number of pilots per frequency which ranges from 1 to 8. So please look at the Excel plot located in our locker before you buy that new 72 MHz system. Our most recent data shows that there are no empty 72 MHz channels. A third list shows who is flying on 50, 53 or 72 MHz and also on 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum. (We also use this list to tell us who forgot to return their frequency pin after a days flying session , heh heh.) Of course the introduction of 2.4 GHz spread spectrum systems has considerably eased the situation. At present we have about 30 pilots using these systems and the number is steadily increasing. At the end of 2006 I took over the job of ECIM club secretary from President Rob Romash. Today the ECIM club has 283 total members so the RCSF division has exceeded the halfway mark.
We recently had an incident in Hangar #1 where one of the models crashed under full throttle near some club members. The crash did not result in injuries but we must make every effort to avoid this type of crash in the future. The model involved in this incident was being flown by a novice pilot. It is very important for novice pilots to seek help from experienced pilots. We have many experienced pilots who are always willing to help. If you are a novice pilot, please make arrangements with an experienced pilot to aid in setting up your model, trim it for flight and teach you how to fly safely. Since a motor running at more than idle speed can cause injury the first thing a pilot must train himself to do is cut the throttle whenever he loses sight or orientation of the model. This step reduces the risk of injury in two ways. First, it keeps the prop from causing cuts and second it reduces the momentum of the model. Please be aware that, in case of an injury, we have a first aid kit in our locker where the frequency pins are stored.
We have been very fortunate, thus far, in that we had no Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) battery failures in Hangar #1. Please maintain your habits of treating LiPo batteries with great respect. Everyone must keep and transport these batteries in metal containers. If you crash your model please remove the battery immediately and place it on a non-flammable surface away from combustible materials. Wait 15 minutes and if the battery has not puffed up it probably survived the crash. There are copies of an AMA document on LiPo battery safety located in our locker and I encourage you to take one and read it carefully.
Some of us have been flying in the John Bennett Sports Dome in Toms River. Club Vice President Don Post made the arrangements with the Toms River School District with the understanding that only experienced pilots are allowed to fly there. We must take much greater care in flying in the Sports Dome because the roof is made of an inflatable fabric and the floor is covered with outdoor carpeting. We have decided that aerobatic helicopters will not be allowed because they could seriously damage the fabric dome cover. However, the smaller coaxial helicopters are allowed. Fixed wing airplanes with maximum input power of 75 Watts are allowed (2-cell LiPo - maximum 10 Amps / 3-cell LiPo - maximum 7 Amps). All LiPo batteries must be stored in metal containers and placed on the perimeter concrete apron. If you are a novice pilot and wish to fly in the Sports Dome you must first demonstrate your flying skills to one of the club’s officers in Lakehurst Hangar #1. At present we have permission to fly in the Dome Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9 pm up to the Thanksgiving weekend. After that Don Post expects to get word from the school officials of available time slots.
Recent Air Force and Navy contractor activity in Hangar #1 has forced us to fly with more than one flight line. Many members are still flying from the floor on the eastern end of the hangar. At the moment the carrier deck offers the most takeoff and landing space and is often divided into three flight areas. The eastern end is typically used by novice pilots. The middle area is typically used by pilots flying aerobatic models (FAI Class F3P). The western end is sometimes used by aerobatic pilots but is mainly recommended for faster flying airplanes. All of this activity coupled with the increased membership has increased the likelihood of midair collisions so please be careful in selecting your flying space. In the past we have used a rule that recommended the following: If more than one airplane is flying they should use a left hand traffic pattern to reduce the risk of head-on collisions. With three flight lines this rule no longer makes sense. Please pay special attention to the free flight activity at the western end of the carrier deck. Until 1:00pm they share the air space with us at their own risk but after 1:00pm we must give these models the right-of-way.
Back in September the “Chow House” that we all learned to love was sold. Many of the regulars and the club chipped in to collect $300 (converted to coins by Tom Unger to get a chuckle out of Bruce!) and gave our friend a royal send off. The Chow House was renamed “The All American Café” by the new owner. Unfortunately he has decided not to open it on the weekends. We will certainly miss it on the cold winter weekends. Personally, I will carry a thermos bottle with hot chocolate/coffee with me on those nasty cold days. Of course, the thermos bottle won’t do any good in warming my hands so I will still carry a supply of catalytic hand warmers with me.
As in the past, Club President Rob Romash has again donated some club funds to the Lakehurst Historical Society (LHS) and Navy and Air Force relief organizations. A few years back I decided to join the LHS just to show my individual support and to get regular updates through their newsletter. I encourage all of you to join the LHS to increase the club’s support.
I wish all of you a happy, successful and safe 2008 flying season in Lakehurst Hangar #1.
|
