Current Field Status: The current field location is still open for use, albeit with a few new obstacles. Over the last few weeks the developer has had pipe delivered for future water lines. Unfortunately, the movement of the pipe around the field resulted in two 8’ long by 1’ wide by 6” deep gouges in the left center of the runway. Additionally they have parked the bucket section off of a front-end loader in the upper right corner of the runway. Alas, the local neighborhood kids with ATVs have also taken to carving donuts into the surface of the runway as well. Yet, despite all of this, the field is still serviceable! I have still managed to conduct some training sessions with a new member, and a large group met last Sunday to hold an informal electric contest and fun fly.

Search for a New Field: Over the last month we have had a few tips as to possible field locations. The search committee of Schlumberger, Beck, and Keller investigated one site with the landowner, but the property turned out to be less suitable than stated over the phone. Ernie has one additional lead that he is still pursuing. Once again, if you here of any leads please contact one of the club officers and we will do our best to investigate and report back.

April Fun-Fly and Cookout: Due to a lack of RSVPs we formally cancelled the April 25 Fun-Fly and cookout. Despite the cancellation a sizeable crowd developed and Ernie hosted an Internet Electric Competition with the usual (or is that unusual) electric competitors in the club. Overall about 15 to 20 folks showed up to fly both electric and gas aircraft. Paul even showed off his latest aircraft, an 80+” wingspan Gee Bee that flew well and was skillfully landed while carefully avoiding the obstacles noted above. Overall, the group involved had a great day at the flying field.

One thing I would like to point out is that while the field is still available, few are taking advantage of the opportunity to fly. If you are like me, many of you may not enjoy flying alone. Part of the reason the Sunday get together worked well was that many came out to socialize, informally compete, or just watch others. To this end I would suggest that if you have plans to make it out to the field after work or on the weekend try to link up with others or at least spread the word through email. You may find that others will show up just because they know someone else will be there.

Safety: Tom Huckaby spread the word via email on a safety alert from the AMA. I am enclosing this for the Fly Paper as so many won’t read their email or will delete it shortly thereafter.

Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy density (amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to NiCads or other batteries. With high energy comes increased risk in their use. The, principal, risk is FIRE which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries. All vendors of these batteries warn their customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their use. In spite of this many fires have occurred as a result of the use of Lithium Polymer batteries, resulting in loss of models, automobiles, and other property. Homes and garages and workshops have also burned. A lithium battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator for ancillary (resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact between Lithium and oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition, or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively.

These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The following is recommended:

These batteries CANNOT be handled and charged casually such as has been the practice for years with other types of batteries. The consequence of this practice can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/ or personal harm

5161 E Memorial Drive
Muncie