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aeajr
477 Posts |
 Posted - 06/22/2007 : 12:53:21 PM
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Eastern Soaring League Newsletter – June 2007
2007 OFFICERS AND STAFF
Tony Guide - President
David Beach - Secretary/Treasurer
Tom Kiesling - Contest Coordinator
Anker Berg-Sonne - Scoring Systems Coordinator
Jeff Steifel - Public Relations Coordinator.
John Hauff - Clinic Coordinator.
Phil Barnes – Winch Conditioning
Jose Bruzual – Web Master and Publisher
Ed Anderson – Web Site and Newsletter Content Editor
FROM THE PRESIDENT – TONY GUIDE
Thanks for the opportunity to say something. I’m not much of a conversationalist or writer but I’ll give it a shot. I don’t believe I have any words of wisdom. I will say that I’ll do my best to fulfill everyone’s expectations while in the office of President. It’s a discovery process for me.
I’m looking forward to another flying season and hope to see everyone soon. It’s always interesting to see the different flavors of sailplanes, and styles from year to year and all the new gadgets, or “stuff” as I call them. I know I’ll be flying a new plane this year that is not you’re typical Mantis or Supra style. I did order a Pike Perfect back in October 2006, but I was mistakenly put on the “do not send” list.
One thing I’ll be trying is to not use a skeg for landing this season. At least I’ll give it a try for the first contest. Is any one else willing?
The Novice program should prove to be a worth wild venture. Everyone needs to exercise patience when coaching a novice. I’m sure we have all been there. Have we though of a way to promote the novice to sportsman?
I know many people are concerned about the number of members within an organization. Large numbers usually mean you are successful. However I have seen many flying clubs with a membership well into the hundreds. With a membership this large you would think there would be tons of events you can be involved in.
For me, the reality has been that having a large diverse group does not always spawn a lot of flying activity but instead it’s just the opposite. There is often very little turnout at events and you see the same 10 people show up. Size does not matter to me, but the interest and involvement generated does.
I think we should also be open to new ideas. For example, the order of events for a contest or the number of pop-offs, or different landing tasks. Can we charge it up a bit with different tasks or challenging landings?
At the mid-south this year they had a different type of landing circle. It was new to everyone, which made the contest more of a flying task the first day rather than a landing contest. Everyone was challenged with the landing task. Opening the door to new ideas and challenges is the key to creating interest.
What will the next generation of sailplane flying be like? There is a lot of flying experience and creativity in the ESL. People will explore the possibilities.
JULY ESL CONTESTS
http://www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp
DBSF 7/7-7/8
Location: Reading, PA
Sanctions: AMA and ESL
Registrar: Dale Hart
Phone: 610-821-0977
Event: Thermal Duration - Tasks, Rounds and Times to be announced at the Pilots' Meeting. Landing Task - Graduated spot landing, details to be announced at the Pilot's meeting.
Event Homepage: www.dbsf.org
Awards: Unlimited - Expert and Sportsman trophies to 3rd place daily. Trophy for best two - day performance. Novice class awards to 3rd place.
Max Entry: 2 Flyers per channel
Register before: 7/6/2007
One-day fee: $15.00
Two-day fee: $30.00
On field registration: Yes *Additional charges may apply, check "comments" for details.
Schedule: Check-in Time 8:30 a.m.
Pilots meeting 9:15 a.m.
First Flight 9:30 a.m.
CRCC Hand Launch – 7/14-7/15
Location: Sudbury, MA
Sanctions: AMA and ESL
Registrar: Mark Drela
Phone: 617 253 0067
Event: HLG tasks, to be announced in advance.
Event Homepage: www.flyecm.com/crrc/default.asp
Awards: Separate Expert and Sportsman categories, self-selected. Trophies 1st to 3rd in each category each day and for weekend champion.
Max Entry: 2 Flyers per channel
Register before: 7/12/2007
One-day fee: $17.00
Two-day fee: $30.00
On field registration: No
Schedule: Check-in Time 8:00 a.m.
Pilots meeting 9:00 a.m.
First Flight 9:15 a.m.
AMA/LSF SOARING NATIONALS (Not ESL) - Muncie, IN 7/22-7/29
NATS News for more information
www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx
FUTURE 2007 EVENTS – August Forward
Consult the Web Site for Updates and Registration
www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp
August 4, 5 LISF HLG
Aug 11, 12 CRRC
Aug 18, 19 CASA HLG
Aug 25, 26 SJSF 1 (Tentative)
Sep 8, 9 CASA Open
Sep 15, 16 SJSF HLG
Sep 22, 23 LISF 2
Oct 6, 7 ESL EOS – Reading PA
Oct 20-21 East Coast HLG Festival - ESL HLG EOS - Wilson, NC
A REPORT FROM THE POLECAT CHALLENGE
Submitted by Dan Siegel, LISF
To everyone...
Frank, Pete and I had a fantastic weekend at the Polecat Challenge in Carlisle, PA. The weather was perfect for three days in a row. We threw our brains out and a great time was had by all. None of us were winners in the official sense of the word, but in the unofficial sense, we all won. Plus, the pig roast on Saturday night was powerful good.
As in just about all things having to do with this hobby helping each other learn and succeed is something we often witness. But this weekend there were two incidents that strongly displayed the generosity of knowledge and effort and just plain giving that we see so very often. After two days of intense flying I arrived at the field early Sunday morning for the last day of the contest. Unfortunately while practicing I was flying the far tree line and lost orientation. The plane dropped to the hard farm field below, breaking the fuse in three places, breaking a push rod, and stripping an aileron servo. I was sure that I was out for the day, being that I only had one plane.
Unbelievably, the masters all around me converged on my plane and it was like a tag team effort. One guy, Dick Proseus, used carbon fiber with 3m 77 and CA to fix the fuse. He and I replaced the push rod with help of someone else's shrink wrap and soldering iron. Then Jeff Winder provided me with a new servo, which Mike Seid installed and Denny soldered into place. The plane was back in order BEFORE my first scheduled round. It was an amazing effort and the plane seems as good as new.
The other act of generosity that impressed me tremendously was during the famous raffle at the end of the day on Sunday. There were 5 or 6 planes and a JR 9303 radio that were the big items. Anyone whose ticket was pulled could pick whatever they wanted from the table. When the planes were gone and the only remaining big item was the 4-500 dollar radio everyone wanted their number picked. Amazingly the next ticket was pulled and while the guy approached the table all the hecklers were telling him to take a hat or a T-shirt. This guy actually passed up on the radio and chose a 40 dollar receiver instead. He just said, "I have a radio and one of you guys could probably use this one." Now that is a very thoughtful and generous spirit. I wish I knew his name, as I would be happy to give him a nod of respect.
Anyway, it was a great experience...I recommend it to all. And when my shoulder recovers I'll be happy to be throwing my XP again:)
CONTEST REPORTS
Thanks to Dan for sharing his experience at Polecat. If you would like to share your experience at one of the ESL contests, or read the reports, just visit the Contest report forum on the ESL web site. You can start a new thread on the contest you attended, add your comments to one of the current discussions, or send me your comments and I will post them for you.
www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
This one is about the SKSS ESL contest in Delaware
www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=285" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=285
BAGGED WINGS - UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576306" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576306
People talk about built-up wings, bagged wings, molded wings, but what do you know about them? This discussion may shed some light on the concept of bagged wings and how they are made. Materials are also discussed including carbon, Kevlar, glass, resin and others. How do they differ and why would you want one over the other?
Some wings have spars and some don’t. How does that work? Interesting stuff!
ESL LOGO ITEMS NOW AVAILABLE
The ESL is fortunate this year to have a wide selection of items that bear the ESL Logo. We have two suppliers, who are providing different items, so we have something for everyone.
Visit the ESL Store
www.flyesl.org/store/" target="_blank">http://www.flyesl.org/store/
A WORD ON SCORING
While competiting in a club contest I had the privledge to team with Paul Bell, a very accomplished flyer. Paul gave me this tip, “remember that a good landing can be worth a minute in the air.”
Paul saw me working to stretch my flight a few extra seconds which ended up costing me a good landing. Thanks for the wise words Paul. I thought I would pass them along to those who may benefit.
FROM THE FORUMS
WHAT ARE GOOD MIDRANGE - NEXT STEP PLANES?
This thread discusses planes that one might consider as next steps from a beginner plane. The "Top Planes" are nice but not everyone is prepared to spend that much for a new plane. Used it always an option but this is about planes that can be bought new. If you, or someone you know is looking for that next plane, this discussion might hold some ideas for you.
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636636&page=3#post7568597" target="_blank">http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636636&page=3#post7568597
SPREAD SPECTRUM - 2.4 GHz WATCH
The following was taken from SOARING list serve e-mail distribution. Jim Deck asked if anyone was flying 2.4 GHz in sailplanes and were they showing up at contest events. Don Richmond ( hilaunch) and Mike Lachowski responded. I have edited out unrelated comments about gas prices and pop-offs, for brevity.
In a message dated 6/4/07 6:18:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
james.deck@comcast.net writes:
...
2)Is there any serious place to get straight answers regarding spread
spectrum and soaring? Has anyone sown up at contest with a spread spectrum
ship? If so what was the result?
Date: Monday, 4 Jun 2007 21:45:00 EDT
From: Hilaunch@aol.com
I have AR6000, 6100 and 7000 receivers, driven by a DX7 transmitter in
several models. I have it installed in an XP 4.5 and a Li'l Breeze HL models.
Both have been to the limit of visibility on many occasions with no
noticeable problems. I did lose the XP 4 this weekend due to battery failure.
It seems the SS receivers may draw more current that the FM types. I have
yet to prove this theory, but the battery did die.
I also have the 6000 in a small foam electric model that mostly stays
within the field boundary. Small, light and works perfectly.
I frequently fly at fields that are not frequency controlled. The SS
gives me some assurance that I will not be shot down or shoot someone else
down.
I have a 7000 in a 3.2 meter Rogue RES. I flew it at the Mid south a
couple of weeks ago with no problems. It seemed to well in good lift as well
as great sink. I did not "sew up the contest" but the radio had nothing to do
with it.
I have a 7000 in an AVA and an AVA E. Both work well to the limit of
visibility. I also have a 7000 in an electric Esteem. It has had several trips to
2000 feet and to the limit of visibility with no apparent problems. An
unintended consequence is that the electric models do not experience motor
glitches. No unplanned motor runs.
But, I have been unable to find an antenna configuration that will work
to my satisfaction in the Supra. Too much carbon I suspect. Barry Kennedy
will solve this problem, I hope.
I like the weight and feel of the DX7 and the transmitter battery life
is good for an entire contest.
The transition to JR thinking is still in progress. It is not intuitive
for a long time Airtronics user where ailerons are ailerons and flaps are
flaps, but I am learning the language. Mike L gave me some good advice about
setting it up. It would be very nice to have a module that would snap into my
Stylus so that I could actually change things at the field, instead of at
home with the book.
It may be possible to teach this old dog a new trick or too.
Don Richmond
San Diego, CA
hilaunch@aol.com
www.hilaunch.com
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:46:43 -0400
From: Mike Lachowski <mikel@eclipse.net>
I have my Bubble Dancer with and AR7000 and DX7 as well as one of my old
F3b ships with an AR7000 and DCM module in my 10X transmitter.
Both have the same shape pod, but the BD is built as a canopy setup with
a lighter layup. Since winds picked up on Sunday when I last flew the
BD, I put in ballast bars. The front of the bar is a little behind the
front RX but right next to the remote RX further back. I flew it with
both aluminum and brass bars. Eventually the wind got strong enough
that it wasn't as much fun to fly the BD with 16 oz and I didn't have
the 24 oz tungsten ballast bar.
9 channel RX won't fit in these fuselages. The remote RX is oriented
vertically so the antenna is parallel to the bottom of the fuselage.
Front RX has the antenna towards the front of the RX, but I had to bend
antennas on a 45 degree angle to fit inside the fuselage. It's just
under 2" diameter so it's hard to fit in the fuse.
F3b model was out the first time with RX and the module setup in my 10X.
Seems to work fine. No issues, problems doing speed runs, etc..
HERE TO SERVE YOU
I hope you find value in the ESL Newsletter. Perhaps a piece of useful information that will help you this season.
If you have ideas or input for the next Newsletter, please feel free to write. Perhaps you have a quick tip to share, as Paul Bell shared with me. These little gems can make a big difference in competition. Why not pass them on.
Send your notes, comments, photos or complaints to Ed Anderson, ESL Newsletter and Web Site Content Editor, at aeajr@optonline.net
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
ESL Content Editor
aeajr on the forums |
Edited by - aeajr on 06/22/2007 10:29:15 PM |
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ESL Newsletter - June 2007
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