THE ADVENTURES OF THE TRUNK PILOT!
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WMAA Safety Notes for February 2006
Hi everyone how about this weather. I was at the field a couple of days last week. The field was pretty crowded, some fliers and just some watchers, right Leo? One thing I did notice on a safety note, some of the new people who I don’t believe have joined us yet, are not announcing their intentions. You know, take off from the right or landing from the right or touch and go or dead stick. Most of these are not written in the AMA rules but we have adopted this procedure to be courteous to the other pilots flying at the same time as you. Another thing and this is really important, YOU MUST HAVE AN AMA CARD TO FLY AT OUR FIELD….. [Period]. I don’t know weather one of the pilots was just proud of his bank card so that is why it was prominently displayed on the frequency board or it may have been there for other pilots to take to Capstone to buy a new plane. This we must stop no card no fly, I don’t care what your credit limit is. Our field was hard to get and harder to build and not worth loosing to someone abusing our rule. We all must police this abuse, it is easy you are not the bad guy just the rule abiding person who wants to protect a valuable club asset, probably the most valuable other than Lenny. I know there are new people flying all of the time and some may not be aware although I find it hard to believe. So look at it this way you are turning in a poacher or stopping a poacher. We have a good relationship with the Corps of engineers and this rule is part of our lease agreement we must abide by the rule.
February Trunk Pilot
Things are almost back
to normal in the Monster Hanger after the holidays. The Waco is progressing
nicely with mid February for the final painting and polishing. Trunky has
settled down and is back to his duties. We have had a couple of interesting
visitors to the hanger lately. Don Heitzerling was over last Sunday for some
consultation on his Ford Tri Motor. He had the plans blown up from the Cleveland
models plan. He has a great start and has elected to power the one fifth scale
plane with electric motors. The air frame pictures will be on the web site.
Don had a smaller version at last years show. The plane is covered with corrugated
aluminum sheets. He has made the equipment to duplicate the corrugation.
The other visitor was Kurt. He has a brand new Extra 260, of the Carden variety.
The plane is built very light and I assisted him with an ultra lite paint
job. During one of the sessions the question came up, Doe’s sand paper
wear out? Most of the projects that have passed thru the hanger the answer
is no because it wasn’t used enough. Boy is sanding a real pain. Well,
that’s about it for now the Trunk Pilot left today for Aspen he is part
of my advance party. We will be leaving next Saturday. Susan will be managing
the house while we are gone, but she knows nothing about R/C so save you questions
till I get back. See You Soon.
Mike Barbee
WMAA News Letter Safety Notes
Well the flying season is winding down and some of the club members are even thinking of their return to Florida and parts south. Barb and I spent last weekend in Chicago with my daughter. I planed it just right. It was the weekend of the Air and Water Show. Something interesting and even a bit scary happened during the show. First let me tell you that there were one million people at the show each of the two days. The Saturday afternoon flight of the Thunderbirds was exciting.
They were putting on their low level show, it was cloudy and the ceiling was only about 6000 feet. At the start of the third pass, the 4 plane slow barrel roll, two of the planes touched. Yes right in front of us, number 3 and number 4, wings touched. The force was enough to cause the missile attachment point on the wing of the F-16 to come off and fall into Lake Michigan.
At that moment, they broke into two’s and flew out of the show air space. There were about a thousand or more boats on the water watching. The part fell into the water without impacting anything. There was an interview with the Major in charge of the team and he said the Sunday show was canceled for further investigation of the incident. Many were disappointed but what if the accident would have resulted in a crash. One or both of the planes could have easily ended in the water or some ware on the shore line dotted with a million people. This would have certainly been a disaster.
As I watched I was reminded of a rule in competition if you come it contact with a plane in competition, midair, you must land immediately. Another rule if a part falls of a plane you get a zero flight score and must land immediately. The show was designed to take place in an area over the water and no one was permitted in that area. Of course it was for safety. They did no flying over the spectators’ head.
At our field we have a similar situation. We should never fly over the spectators that is why we have the fences and signs keeping them out of the pit area. Now I don't want to make any enemies but I think we should use common sense when we plan our next paint ball shoot. First of all because the shooters are trying to disable the planes, the pilots, shooters and spectators should be protected is some way. A plane missing half a wing or rudder could go out of control and cause an injury. Remember our flight rules it something comes off the plane or it comes in contact with another plane or object for safety reasons you must land. Let’s give our next paint ball event some more thought. It can be done let’s make sure it’s safe. That’s something to think about.
The rest of the air show was great.
Safe flying is
no accident! Mike Barbee
News from the MONSTER HANGER and home of the Trunk Pilot
Things are progressing nicely with the three projects in the hanger. Mr. Philip Wessinger is learning the value of a good sanding ethic. He was quick to tell the Monocote is not thick enough to cover up anything. Yes, with the diligence of the Trunk Pilot, my sincere thanks to the club for this valuable fellow, Philip’s Carden Extra 350S is almost complete. Not bad I figure nine weeks or weekends consisting of two days of good effort from three individuals.
We have had our problems with the night shift. They work but never clean the shop after their shift. Next session for us, we spend an hour or two just cleaning. My grandma always said cleanliness is next to Godliness. I can attest that there are no God like persons on any of the projects. The other project, Mathew Laine’s Yak, is also going well. We should have the engine next week. Final assembly and painting after the Toledo show.
I will probably be real busy this year at Toledo; I am entering the A-26, even though I only finished third at our show. I will also be introducing the Trunk Pilot to his first Toledo experience. I will have to limit his spending money for this event; I can see him going nuts in the swap shop. The third and final project in the Monster Hanger is John, the glacier, Boyko’s 47% Pitts. We have some parts covered but the fuse has presented a problem the exact location of side windows was demanding, and after three markings they are still not cut out.
John doesn’t get much help from the Trunk Pilot; just between us I think there is a personality conflict there. The Trunky I believe is having a problem with the fact that John was invited and flew in the XFC. He did not get an invitation. I sense a little of that because of my Top Gun invitation, but he knows how much Frank Tiano likes me. We have to get these projects complete the flying season is quickly approaching.
One more thing about flying. The build and fly class will attempt their first flights on April 9 2005. We have three completed planes and two slackers that will probably never finish. I could use some help that morning. If it’s not raining we will begin at 10:00 AM at the field. Call for instructors interested in helping throughout the year please show up.
That’s all for now. I am looking forward to another discussion on the annual show. I am sorry I missed the last meeting. I maintain the show is an important part of our clubs existence and a vehicle to get new members. Just be at the next meeting for the discussion, I have writer’s cramp now along with brain drain, see you there.
Mike Barbee
Proprietor of the Monster Hanger and Keeper of the Trunk Pilot
The Trunk Pilot Returns, Thank God,
Well all of you by now know that the or I should say my Trunk Pilot was off to Barbados last news letter writing. Well the good news is for me is that he has returned, with a very nice tan I might add. The week he got back the only problem I had was to convince him he did not need to ware the sun glasses in the shop.
It was very busy and all hands were on deck now for the last three weeks. The building has gone well, very few mistakes. Of course that is because of my supervisory role. Philip’s 35% Carden Extra is just about complete just some final sanding and we will be ready to slap on the Monocote. It is surprising how much a group of builders can get done in a day all working on the same project. Then the night shift shows up to put their eight in things come together quick.
Mathews new YAK, we can talk about it now his mom found out, is an ARF and there are time guidelines in the instructions. They give detailed information of the item to be built, and then they say that the time to complete should be one hour or two hours. Well let me tell you that either they have extremely fast builder that don’t care what it looks like or I just take too much time. He is soldering the servo leads and is doing a real nice job. Last week he made the boss mad he was using too much heat shrink.
Have you bought any lately, it is expensive. All the servos are mounted and the tray is built for the rudder servos, I think the Trunk Pilot actually help with some of this because I was out in the back yard running my Moki engines that are powering the bomber. The kids enjoy working with him he doesn’t yell as much as John or I. Back to Philip’s plane, it is a fact that by the completion of this bird, Philip will have ask every possible question that pertains to every aspect of construction, batteries, glue, wood, engines, servos, and snacks.
Production last Sunday came to a screeching halt when Philip’s mom brought over Stromboli for diner. Boy was it good! So we all took an unusual diner break and watched the end of the Daytona race. The Trunk Pilot didn’t come up stairs with the rest and by the time he wandered in the Stromboli was gone. We had one mad and upset and hungry boy, and into the pouting routine he went. We even did some minor work on the 47% Pits John is building. But Sunday we had to fix it, because it did a slow roll from the stand to the floor.
Only minor damage I was happy it didn’t cause any collateral damage, there a bunch of planes in the shop. Sunday, was a good day we worked about four hours. There was quiet no kids no questions. At about 1:30 it was off the field I had to get a couple of flights before the JR Challenge next weekend in Florida. Trunky will be in charge while I am gone. Till next time I will keep you apprised of the deeds of the Trunk Pilot and the trials and tribulations in the Monster Hanger. The web site is up now. Monsterhanger.com not many pictures yet but soon. Then what, maybe the hanger- cam?
Till next month
Mike Barbee [owner and controller of the Trunk Pilot]
The adventures of my Trunk Pilot
This month not too much was accomplished. I had planned on a trip out to Big Sky Montana, for some relaxation, skiing, and fine dinning. After hearing of my planed trip, Trunky decided to get some rand r also. I tracked him down after I returned. He was beaching it in sunny Barbados. I hated to bother him but I got wind and begging phone calls that two of my former students needed help on two big planes. Phil is building a 35% Carden Extra 300. Or should I say he is reading the instructions while I sand and glue. The other one has to remain anonymous because his mother doesn’t know about the new plane. It is a very nice ARF I will keep you informed of the lad’s progress next month. Till next month, be safe, and glue something together, if it’s wrong we can sand it off later. Can’t wait till my Trunky returns to the Monster Hanger.
Mike Barbee
The TRUNK PILOT comes thru again!
This months report on the trunk pilot, what a great gift, takes a different look. I hope I didn’t offend the pilot’s ability when I asked his help on a special project. Yes, as many of you know there are times when it’s necessary of me to help misguided youths. This usually happens when my wife, Barb, volunteers my help or just flat tells me I have to help her friend. Is this case it was the construction of a boat. Yes your eyes aren’t playing tricks I said boat. Her best friend’s son is building a replica of the three masted HMS Victory.
What a project, I suggested a plastic model but it had to be wood. Balsa wood, and guess who had a good supply, notice I said had. I could have build two planes with what we used or messed up. The morning went well with me cutting the bulkheads on the band saw. Then I cut the strips to be used for planking the hull. Oh, I neglected to tell you we started from a picture we downloaded from the internet, we I should say Jonathan the student did the internet search and seizure. Things progressed nicely but time is running out he needs to be finished by January the 6, 2005.
One major complication is that he is now on his way to the OSU vs. OSU bowl game. I suggested he stay home and complete the project and I would take his place cheering OSU on to victory in Texas. That didn’t fly and neither will the boat. After much though the next best thing happened. I again called on the TRUNK PILOT for his help. Now, as I am writing this he is in the shop staining the hull and masts. Tomorrow he will hang the hand made sails and make the sixty three cannons which will be placed on the deck.
Before I forget, I must call him on the intercom and remind him about the six hundred and thirty cannon balls, that’s ten for each gun. I hope that this task doesn’t corrupt the Trunky; I need him for the airplane stuff! I will have to apprise all of you of the outcome after the entire project isn’t due till the 6th. 2005. I will have a picture of the completed ship for the next news letter. It may take some convincing but I will try to get Trunky to appear in the picture. Stay tuned.
Mike Barbee aka
the Trunk Pilot Handler
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The club was kind enough, at the party, through Jim Hingtx to award me with a truly great gift. I have decided that because of the clubs and Jim’s graciousness I will report on the use of this gift through the year usually monthly. The first use came when Brian Sanik showed up at the shop on Saturday to enlist my help in finishing his new Extra 300. We had to cut off and replace both leading edges on the wings,monocoate the entire plane, primer and sand the cowl wheel pants and landing gear. Then we had to paint all these parts, first with base coat then the clear coat. All of this seemed pretty overwhelming to complete in just two days. I know if John Boyko was with us no sweat we could get it done, but no John this weekend. So what to do first to get this project finished and make Brian happy.
Then I remembered the great gift, the TRUNK PILOT, it was residing in my office since the party. Now I put it to work, after retrieving it from the office, I simply took in down to the shop pointed it in the direction of the work and pressed the button. Guess what! Briar left Sunday evening with all items complete. Awesome machine , thanks guys! Stay tuned for the next TRUNK PIOLT tasks.
Mike B.
