Unofficial Meeting Minutes… 16 May 2004

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President, Karen Loop called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at the TCWS field pavilion.  (16) members and (2) associate members were present.  Larry Dunkle won the 50/50 drawing.

Jack Hilbert read the Secretary’s report for April with a motion to accept by Bud Wunder, seconded by Ray Lucas, and all approved.  Dale Loop read the Treasurer’s report as of 16 May 2004.  A motion to accept was made by George Case, seconded by Dave Renninger and all approved. 

Old Business…

1.      Working Airplane Model for Reading Airport Display

a.      John Messersmith and Dave Renninger are continuing with the project.

b.      Karen Loop will contact AMA for a plaque to be added.

2.      2005 Swap Meet Update

a.      Dale Loop has reserved the Hamburg Field House for 26 March 2005.

3.      2004 Giant Scale Fly In –

a.      Karen Loop has distributed flyers to local clubs.

b.      Volunteers to manage the Swap Shop tables are still needed.  Contact Karen Loop.

c.      Anyone wishing to help with car parking should contact Karen Loop.

d.      Karen Loop has notified the Township that the event is scheduled and security will be provided on the weekend.

4.      Family Picnic –

a.      Dale Loop is organizing the Picnic.

b.      A sign-in sheet will be posted at the field so a head count is available to order the right size pig.

c.      All those attending are asked to bring a covered dish to share.

d.      Dale Loop is also organizing a fun fly event.

5.      Field Fertilization -

a.      Karen Loop still trying to get Green Giant to commit to a date.

6.      Kitchen Improvements -

a.      Lee Buskirk and Terry Miller volunteered to repair the propane gas line.

7.      Field Flight Stands -

a.      The decision made at the April meeting to build (2) additional flight stands was discussed and reversed.  A motion was made by Terry Miller, seconded by George Case and approved by all to NOT build additional stands.

There was no other old business at the time.

 New Business…

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1.                  Field Courtesy -

a.      Terry Miller reminded everyone to abide by the “pattern” requirement when more than one plane is in the air at a time.

b.      The directional pattern is established by the prevailing wind direction which also dictates the take-off / landing direction.

c.      There are to be NO aerobatics or 3-D maneuvers made while “in the pattern”.  Pilots wishing to perform aerobatics or 3-D should either wait till the pattern is clear of other planes or fly farther to the south, outside of the pattern when performing.

d.      Pilots who want to just fly “in the pattern” should also be aware of those who are flying “outside the pattern” and keep the pattern reasonably defined.

There was no other new business at the time

R/C Events…

1.      IMAC – Tournament of Champions

June 4, 5, 6 2004

Baltimore, Maryland

Information and directions: Art Vail – Event Coordinator

Phone: 410.247.4281

E-mail; artvail@erols.com, Website: www.tocofmaryland.com

2.   BUC-LE Aero Sportsmen – Giant Scale Fly-In

Quakertown, Pa.         19,20 June 2004

3.   Lehigh Valley Radio Control – All Electric Fly-In

                Easton, Pa.                 5^th & 6^th  June 2004

Announcements…

1.      Ray Lucas announced that the Flying Dutchman will once again be hosting a static display of RC aircraft at the Reading Fairground Mall on 18, 19 and 20 June.  If you’d like to participate, contact Bob Fryer @ 610.929.1518

2.      Karen reminded everyone of the Vintage Days at Kutztown Airport on the Memorial Day Weekend.  Jim Pauley is coordinating on behalf of TCWS.

 Web Sites…

1.      www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/-1-4news.asp – The AMA National Newsletter can be found on this website.

	Editor Note:  If you have a favorite web-site or found one which may be of interest to the Club Members – forward me a note at jdh@flsairtech.com and I’ll post it in the newsletter

 

Technical Information… epoxy

Editors Note: - The following article appeared in the May/June issue of the COCALICO PROPBUSTERS NEWS and was submitted to TCWS for printing by Bud Wunder. The original source of the information was the R/C World Flyers newsletter.

What to do when epoxy doesn’t harden properly?

Epoxy is one of the best modeling materials available.  It’s useful as an adhesive for wetting out fiberglass cloth, as filler and as a finishing material.  It can be thinned or thickened for a variety of purposes.  But, even though it is useful, epoxy also can be a pain when it doesn’t harden properly.

There are two important issues when dealing with epoxy: Proportioning and Mixing.

Of these two, mixing is the most critical.  Disproportioning the hardener to the epoxy generally leads to slow hardening, but lack of proper mixing can lead to permanent sticky epoxy.  One hundred, quick, hard strokes are recommended when mixing an amount of epoxy. Count them to be sure your mixing is adequate.  Always mix your epoxy before putting in any additives.  Either thinning or thickening agents can keep epoxy from mixing properly.  Give the epoxy 100 strokes first and put in additive.

Thinning

Epoxy can be thinned using acetone or denatured alcohol.  Either of these can be added to make it more watery.  A mix of up to 50 % doesn’t seem to have any effect on the final strength of the epoxy.  Thinning the epoxy will slow down the curing time and make it wet out fiberglass and carbon fiber better.  Thinned epoxy also can be wiped on as a finish.

Thickening

Epoxy can be thickened by adding almost any inert, fine grained solid, from sand to cotton fiber.  Modelers usually use microballons for thickening epoxy since they are readily available and add little weight.  Thickened epoxy can be used to make fillets or to fill gaps.

5 Minutes, 15 Minutes, 30 Minutes, More?

Epoxy comes in formulations for different curing times.  The times listed on the package are strictly nominal and generally refer to curing time.  Five minute epoxy does not give you five minutes of working time.  At best, you will get 20 seconds of working time in which to place a 5-minute epoxy before it starts to “hit”.

Thirty minute epoxy gives you around one to three minutes before it starts to “hit”.  These times will vary with temperature, mix proportions and proper mixing, but they are good reference points.  In general, 5-minute epoxy is only good for spot gluing.  It is great for small, quick jobs but not for involved tasks.

A general rule of thumb is the working time for epoxy (after the 100 strokes of mixing) is about 1/10^th of the time listed on the package.  Keep in mind that epoxy mixed and left in a cup will hit faster than epoxy that is spread out immediately.

Clean Up

Epoxy on hands can be cleaned with acetone, denatured alcohol or vinegar.  Vinegar is the most desirable of the three but is does smell.  Soft soap, when used straight and rubbed patiently and thoroughly on the hands, removes epoxy residue in a completely satisfactory fashion.  The best thing to do id to wear latex gloves while working with epoxy and toss them away when you’re done.

Editor Note ;--Our thanks to Bud Wunder for this information - if anyone else has information or articles they would like to share with the other members, please let me know.

Club Officers…

Karen Loop - President      610. 562. 0643                     mrsmermaidusa@aol.com               

John Messersmith - Vice President                610. 562. 4767                     BLU-FTAS@comcast.net

Jack Hilbert – Secretary & Editor      610.767.6938                       jdh@flsairtech.com

Dale Loop – Treasurer       610.562.0643                       mrbehavan2@aol.com

Board of Directors…

Jeff Shriver            (exp. 2007)            610.366.1820                       jeff773@fast.net

Vince Indelicato   (exp. 2006)            610-845-3222                      vince@southeast-pa.com

Nelson Gould       (exp. 2007)            610.395.9159                       at6snj@rcn.com

Building & Grounds Committee…

Sam Miller – Chairman                      570. 943. 2912                     kam611@earthlink.net                       Larry Smith                                        610-377-4941                                                     

George Case                                       610-264-9782

Dennis Christman                                              610-562-3680                      christmanlake@aol.com

Flight Instructors…

Larry Smith                                           610-377-4941                     

Dave Renninger                                  610-374-2306                      xxspeed@netzero.com

Erik Rudjord                                         610-285-2176                      ejorudjord@cs.com

Bill O’Neill                                             610.435.9640                       oneillwj@aol.com

Field Marshals…

Larry Smith                                           610-377-4941                                     

Jack Hilbert                                           610-767-6938                      jdh@flsairtech.com

Safety Officers…

Larry Smith                                           610-377-4941                     

Larry Dunkle                                         610-929-2159                      larry4113@netzero.net

DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A CHAMPION IN OUR CLUB?   In last month’s newsletter, we mentioned that Rick Boyer had achieved success and personal recognition at WRAM and Toledo.  We also mentioned he would be participating in Top Gun in Lakeland with his Pitts Bi-Plane beauty.   Rick placed first in Civilian Class and 14th OVER-ALL in his first Top Gun appearance.   We congratulate Rick on his continued success and personal achievements.

 

FUTURE TCWS MEETING DATES

Summer Meeting Schedule – TCWS Field

·        Sunday, June 20^th , 2004 @ 1:30 PM

·        Sunday, July 18th, 2004 @ 1:30 PM

·        Sunday, August 15th, 2004 @ 1:30 PM

A Bar-B-Que Chicken Dinner will be served on the 20^th of June  approximately 4:30 PM

Chicken, French Fries and ColeSlaw with a cold drink of your choice --  $5.00 per person