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Buzzard Droppings February 2006

Builder’s Competition 2005-2006 Rules

· Entries can be made by any club member in good standing.

· Each model is considered an entry and will have a $10.00 fee.

· Payment along with the name of the model can be submitted to any board member or event judge.

· Event judges and ruling body will be comprised of 4 members. 

      These members are:

à Dave Bell

à Vince Bell

à Dick Ovrid

à Ray Gilkey

· Judges cannot judge their own plane.

· You must build the model yourself.

· Two main categories:

à ARF

à Stick build (plans or kits)

· You must beat someone to win (must have other entries in the category).

· You can finish the model you previously entered but didn’t complete.

· New models must have been started after the October club meeting.

· Two special awards voted on by the attendees of the May meeting:

à In the Bones (award to the best model started, but not finished)

à Members Choice Award

· Prizes will be club checks to the winners.

· You must have fun!

· Questions should be directed to the judges.

Text Box: Now that winter is fully upon us, and flying is at a slow down, it is time to get the planes out and give them a thorough cleaning and inspection. When doing the inspection keep a note pad handy. If you don’t correct problems as you find them, make a note and stick it in or on the plane so you won’t forget. At the same time, on another note pad make a list of the parts you’ll need to repair any problems you have found.
Start by checking that all the hinges and control linkage are secure and have no binding throughout their travel. I could make a list about a mile long of all the things to check, and I would still miss a bunch. I noticed on one of the planes I fly a lot, the control horns on the elevators were loose. The plane is an ARF (and cheap one at that) with no hardened points for mounting the control horns. When I started tightening the screws I noticed the balsa was crushing, it wouldn’t be long before they would be loose again, or worse. This can be fixed by wicking CA into the balsa and allowing it to harden the balsa before tightening the mounting hardware.
One thing I see a lot of is the outer tube of NY-Rods that are not secured.  This is not a good practice can be a cause of flutter and very sloppy control surfaces.. Look over the covering, any wrinkles should be investigated for a cause. Sometimes the only thing holding the plane together is the covering. Don’t over look those crusty, trusty batteries that have served you well for years. Look at the switch harness, if there is any doubt at all about either of them, replace them.
You guys that use lithium batteries…. Read “Emergency Safety Alert: Lithium Battery Fires” in the February MA page 10. Also, everyone read the article starting on page 33 in the same issue by Donald Brooks. “Aeromodeling Workshop Safety”. There will be a test!
Remember that a safe day is a good day. Keep your body parts out the prop!

Vince Bell, Safety Officer
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