Eastern Soaring Talk - ESL Newsletter - November-December 2008

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ESL Newsletter - November-December 2008

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aeajr

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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 8:59:05 PM

Eastern Soaring League Newsletter – November/December 2008

2009 OFFICERS AND STAFF

President – Ed Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer – David Beach
Scorekeeper – Luis Bustamante & Anker Berg-Sonne
Contest Coordinator - Jose Bruzual
Web Master and Publisher – Jose Bruzual
Quartermaster – Steve Lucke
Newsletter Editor – Ed Anderson
ESL Historian - Anker Berg
Hand Launch Director – Doug Harnish

FROM THE EDITOR – Ed Anderson

On behalf of the entire League I would like to thank the 2008 officers and staff who took time out of their personal schedules to serve the League. The new and continuing slate of officers and staff is shown above. Please give them your support as they work to help make the ESL a success for 2009 and try to bring you the best in soaring competition.

MEET THE OFFICERS AND STAFF

Ed Anderson – President and Newsletter Editor

I was proud to be nominated and elected President of the League and confirmed in the role of Newsletter Editor. I hope I can serve the League well in both roles. In many ways I see the two roles as closely aligned. As Newsletter Editor I try to report the news as well as bring content of interest to the hobby and the League. As President I see my role as an enabler of the ESL mission, to “enhance the sport of radio controlled (R/C) thermal soaring through the establishment and maintenance of reasonable standards for contest operations"

I also have an informal job, assisting our Webmaster, Jose, as content contributor and moderator of the Novice Lounge on the ESL web site. The goal of the Lounge is to provide a resource to new and developing glider pilots.
In addition to flying in the ESL in the Sportsman class in TD and in Hand Launch, I am President of the Long Island Silent Flyers. I am also an instructor and flight examiner for LISF. I enjoy helping new electric and glider pilots discover the joy of flying and soaring.

For those who don’t know me personally, you might know me as AEAJR, which is my screen name on RCGroups, RCUniverse, Wattflyer, RCHangout and a number of the other RC forums. I am a moderator on a number of the forums. I also write product reviews for RCUniverse Magazine.

This past year I had one article published in Model Aviation and four in RC Soaring Digest. In 2009 I hope to have published a series of articles on soaring. As you can see, in addition to being an active flyer, I am an active writer too.

As President, I need your help. If you have ideas on how to improve or promote the Eastern Soaring League, I would like to hear about it. Feel fee to contact any of the officers, staff or myself directly. All input is welcome. Aeajr@optonline.net

David Beach - Secretary / Treasurer

The job of ESL treasurer involves a variety of tasks including taking meting notes and handling the financial accounts. The ESL treasury is on deposit at a local credit union, and the balances are maintained using Quicken software. The easy part is mailing or handing out checks to those league members who incur reimbursable expenses. As with any treasurer, the more difficult task is collecting the account receivable. Each time contest scores are posted I prepare a sanction fee invoice and email it to the CD. Sometimes the checks come in right away. Other times it takes a bit of email 'nagging' before payment is received. Lastly, I prepare a treasury report for the end-of-season meeting. dbeach@seldensoft.com

My hobby timeline (with favorite ship):
1965 to '68 - 1/2A control line phase (Carl Goldberg Lil Wizard)
1977 to '78 - Got started in RC (the original SIG Kadet)
1997 to 2006 - RC glow sport flying (combat Gremlin)
2006 and beyond - RC Soaring (Pike Perfect).

I have the advantage of a super soaring site nearby, but it's not accessible in winter. Then my soaring is limited to the simulator and occasional slope. I also belong to a year-round power club where we put on skis or pontoons to fly off the snow. For the past few year's I have CD'd that club's Frozen Fingers Fun Fly in January. That's where I learned the secret to starting a glow engine at -3 degrees is a little lighter fluid down the carb.

Luis Bustamante - ESL Scorekeeper

As the ESL Scorekeeper, I'm responsible for tracking the ESL standings for each contest season. Each ESL Division, TD and HLG, will be tracked independently. I will be tracking the championship standings for Expert and Sportsman, Advancement points for the Sportsman class and the Improvement rankings (TD division only).

I can be contacted via email at ljbcomp@comcast.net for any and all matters related to score keeping. All CDs should submit each contest results as quickly as possible after the conclusion of the event. I encourage all CDs to use the wonderful scoring software provided by Dale Hart as it makes the job of exporting and reporting the contest results
extremely easy both for the CD and for me. Dale's software is conveniently available for download at the ESL site.

On a personal note, I am the Treasurer and Scorekeeper of the North Jersey Soaring Society (NJSS). I have been flying sailplanes since 1996 when I first showed up at the NJSS field with a brand spanking new Gentle Lady. Steve Lucke took me under his wing, taught me how to fly and a couple of years later took me to my first ESL contest at Syosset. Two highlights from that day: I won the Sportsman class but much more
importantly, I learned not to ever, ever, ever break John Hauff's line!

I moved up to the Expert class about 3 or 4 years ago and have managed to finish 3rd in the championship standings the last two years. Considering the level of the competition, I figured the only way I'll ever win the whole thing is if I keep the scores. Based on this
realization, I volunteered to become the ESL Scorekeeper!

Anker Berg-Sonne – Score Keeper and ESL Historian

Everyone knows Anker as the League Scorekeeper. Anker is also well known as an Expert TD pilot finishing 2008 in the top third among all Expert pilots.

For 2009, Anker will be sharing score keeping responsibility with Luis Bustamante. This will free Anker to spend some time on gathering and documenting the history of the ESL. If you have information, documentation or recollections of the early years of the ESL, please get them to Anker.

Also, Anker has started his own business making Supra Wings. As anyone who owns their own business knows, running your own business is a big commitment and very time consuming. We all wish Anker the best of luck with his business.

Jose E. Bruzual - Contest Coordinator and Webmaster

I was first introduced to R/C soaring in 1977. I was thirteen years old and a neighbor brought home and R/C Magazine. It had an article about soaring. At the time I lived in Caracas, Venezuela.

I learned of a nearby slope where some guys where flying. The first glider I ever saw flying by was a Cumulus 2800, the name I later learned, and who happen now to be MTT on RCG. My first kit was an Astro Super Malibu.

After some years out of the hobby, I began flying with CRRC club. In 1998 I started flying with the ESL.

I first joined the ESL officer's group as Newsletter Editor in 2002. That was later combined with the new ESL Website, which I launched in 2003. The current ESL Website was realized out of the need for a centralize management system for coordinating ESL events, it offers officers, CD, and pilots a number of tool which have proven to be effective in streamlining the ESL efforts and supporting CDs as well. If you have a question about the web site or how to use it, feel free to contact me.

As Webmaster I am responsible for the development and maintenance of the ESL Website. I also maintain a working relationship with an ISP, which supports my development needs. I am also responsible for maintaining the ESL forums, mailing list and our new officers online group

In 2008 I was elected as the ESL Contest Coordinator to replace Tom Kiesling, who since has relocated to the West Coast. I manage the contest calendar for the ESL. As such, I am responsible to manage the contest calendar for the ESL, present a working calendar for the following year at the end of season meting, work out date conflicts among contests and coordinate with other national events

If you are a CD or if your club is interested in hosting an ESL event, please contact me. jebnet@bruzual.com

I also run my own RC aircraft design and sales operation. I make competition grade hand launch gliders.

Steve Lucke - Quartermaster

I feel my function in the ESL is to help get the ESL equipment from one contest to the next, and to store it during the off season. Right now I have all the ESL equipment except the winches. The winches are with Tony G. for maintenance and Tony will be taking those down to Tidewater (the first contest of the season) in the spring and I'll meet
him there with the rest of the stuff. Tony is providing a vital service for the ESL by performing the necessary maintenance on the winches.

My plan in 2009 is to fly in every ESL TD contest and to help contribute to the ESL by moving our equipment from one site to the next, as needed, as well as help run the Daniel Boone contest in July.

I'll be speaking with the various CD's as I go from one contest to the next about making the necessary arrangements to get the ESL equipment to the following contest.

If anyone has questions let me know! Slucke@njm.com

Doug Harnish - Hand Launch Director

The role of Hand Launch Director is new this year. This is an appointed rather than an elected position. It was created because the officers felt that, despite having TD and HL divisions the Hand Launch division has not see the growth that we would like to see. So, what could we do to help build a larger interest and participation in the HL division?

We asked Doug to take this position because of his strong presence in the Hand Launch community. Doug finished in the top 10 of the Expert class in the 2008 season.

We will be looking to Doug for ideas on how to attract new HL flyers to the League.
Doug is going to need your help. Do you have some ideas about how to grow HL in the ESL? Contact Doug and share your ideas. Help Doug help the ESL grow our HL division. Doug.cvi@myactv.net

THE ESL CALENDAR -http://www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp

The 2009 ESL calendar is not yet finalized. Jose Bruzual, Contest Coordinator, is working with the clubs that hosts the events to work out the last minute details. Jose will post the new schedule on the web site as soon as it is available.

NEW YEARS DAY SOARING – An Invitation

While the ESL contest schedule for 2008 is complete, the clubs are still active. Josh Glaab provided this invitation.

I just wanted to let you all know about our Tidewater Model Soaring Society Hardy Souls Contest. This has been an annual tradition for years (too many to remember). We will have an open-winch contest on New Years Day and I will be the CD. This is an AMA sanctioned event. Medals to third Expert/Sportsflyer. While not wanting to provoke mom-Nature, this should be some good soaring with great food on the side (or vice-versa depending on where your priorities are).

The contest will be at our Isle of Wight Courthouse location (Isle of Wight Virginia, same place we had our MOM contest in May). Pre-registration is desired, but by no means required.

Plan on many rounds of T-1 International thermal duration with FAI-tapes (AMA landing task).

If you are in the neighborhood, we would be glad to see you!

Website: www.soartmss.com

Thanks, Josh.

2008 END OF SEASON CONTEST AND FINAL STANDINGS

East Coast HLG Festival – ESL EOS HLG Results
www.flyesl.org/scores/scoreCon.asp?vnr=Sunday&vfn=21" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/scores/scoreCon.asp?vnr=Sunday&vfn=21
Daniel Boone, End of Season TD Results
www.flyesl.org/scores/scoreCon.asp?vnr=Saturday&vfn=20" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/scores/scoreCon.asp?vnr=Saturday&vfn=20

ESL 2008 Season Hand Launched Final Standings
www.flyesl.org/scores/HL_oVe.asp" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/scores/HL_oVe.asp
ESL 2008 Season TD Final Standings
www.flyesl.org/scores/oVe.asp" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/scores/oVe.asp

RC SOARING DIGEST IS AVAILABLE FREE

RC Soaring Digest is a must read for anyone who loves soaring. Bill & Bunny Kuhlman do a terrific job of publishing it each month for our enjoyment. The current issue has 74 pages, which are well worth the read.

RC Soaring Digest is free. All you have to do is download the file.
www.rcsoaringdigest.com" target="_blank">http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com

FOUND ON THE WEB

TIMING THE ZOOM ON A WINCH LAUNCH
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo

WINCH TRAILER - COOL IDEA
www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2129067" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2129067

FINDING AND WORKING VERY LIGHT LIFT
Mark Drela:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4443318&postcount=110" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4443318&postcount=110

TRANSMITTER MITT FOR COLD WEATHER FLYING
http://rcmitt.com/index.html
www.raydiowarm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.raydiowarm.com/
www.trextuning.com/raydiowarm.php" target="_blank">http://www.trextuning.com/raydiowarm.php
www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=GHPMITT" target="_blank">http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=GHPMITT
www.blueangels.rchomepage.com/transmitter_glove.htm" target="_blank">http://www.blueangels.rchomepage.com/transmitter_glove.htm

2.4 GHz RADIO REVIEWS -
Spektrum DX6i
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=815187" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=815187
Spektrum DX7
www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=856" target="_blank">http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=856
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583877&highlight=2+4+GHz" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583877&highlight=2+4+GHz
Futaba 10C,. 12FG and 14MXZ
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=911139" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=911139
Futaba T7CA 2.4 GHz
www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=965" target="_blank">http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=965
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709587&highlight=2+4+GHz" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709587&highlight=2+4+GHz
Airtronics RDS8000
www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=995" target="_blank">http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=995
JRX9303
www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=851" target="_blank">http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=851
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670739" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670739

AN AMAZING SLIGHT OF HAND
It is not flying but it is still enjoyable watching an expert perform, “SAM THE BELLHOP”.
www.noob.us/entertainment/awesome-card-trick-sam-the-bellhop/" target="_blank">http://www.noob.us/entertainment/awesome-card-trick-sam-the-bellhop/

HERE TO SERVE YOU

I hope you have enjoyed the ESL Newsletter. If you have ideas or input for the next Newsletter, please feel free to let me know.

Perhaps you have a quick tip to share. These little gems can make a big difference in competition. Why not pass them on. Extended length articles are always welcome and I love to include photos.

Send your notes, photos, compliments or complaints to Ed Anderson, ESL Newsletter Editor, at aeajr@optonline.net

Best regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers

Edited by - aeajr on 12/28/2008 9:00:51 PM

aeajr

477 Posts

Posted - 12/28/2008 : 9:01:05 PM

A PHOTO COLLAGE FROM THE EOS AWARDS AT DANIEL BOONE
Photos by Peter Schlitzkus

Image Insert: