the propwash - Heart of Texas Miniature Aircraft Club

September 8, 2014
THE PROPWASH
In this Issue:

Submit Articles

Bird’s Eye View

Greater SW Jet Rally

At the Field
Update -AMA Files
lawsuit
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
Club Events
A Heart of Texas Model
Aircraft Club, Inc.
publication
Submit your Articles
This newsletter will only be as good as the articles
submitted by the membership and its readers. To that
end, I will continually ask for input from the
membership. Send comments, photos, for sale (classifieds) how-to articles, etc. to me for
inclusion. Send to: stephen.e.bird@gmail.com
As editor, I reserve the sole right to exclude any and all information deemed inappropriate.
However, I am confident that the “Propwash” can once again be a useful instrument for
having fun, building comraderie and sharing information in this hobby.
Bird’s Eye View
“Quadcopter at the Race Track”
I recently attended the ASCS Sprint car races at HOT Speedway
in Elm Mott on a Friday night. During warm-ups and “hot-laps” I
noticed a Quadcopter with a camera attached. I’m not around the
Multi-Rotors much or I would name the maker and model, but
that is not what this is about. I was curious to see how the rotor
would be flown and where. Sure enough it was flown not only
over the racetrack but over the grandstands and at times very
close to one or two individuals in the infield area of the track.
Most people were unaware of the “Quad” and its presence. Although plainly lit with orientation lights, most people were focused
on the races. I do not bring up the presence of this Quad at this
event to criticize or to complain, but to clearly point out how this
technology is permeating and impacting almost every activity that
spectators attend. The drive to get unique photograph perspectives of sporting and recreational events and the technology to
capture these images will make these devices ever present in
our midst. The Quads presence also demonstrates that the public user of this technology has a completely different “safety” perspective than that of a “modeler”.
Joe Q. Public and “public” users, are seemingly blinded to the
potential hazards that these devices possess. Someone is now
regularly in the news about how a “drone” is flown without regard
for others safety from injury. I doubt that many of these users of
the technology have received any guidance to their safe operation or possess any additional liability insurance that would cover
their activity should an injury occur. Hence, as Joe Q. Public has
these devices available, they will certainly continue to show up at
more and more events.
This is where the FAA is trying to step in and provide some guidance for safe operations of all things flying. The FAA is charged
with providing safety to the national airspace. .As the technology
has outpaced current regulations, the FAA finds themselves in a
precarious position and is now “reacting” rather than “acting” on
how these devices interact with the national airspace. Low flying
multirotors over property and people should not be the FAA’s
concern, but it is a potential issue for safety and privacy concerns. And that seems to be
the “pushback” from those
groups that are aware of
those issues.
I’m not sure of the final potential regulatory impacts to
our hobby, but the recent 60
day extension to the comment period to the FAA’s interpretation of Sec 336 of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 indicates openness to
receive input over the controversy that is arising from the usage
of this technology. Remember, this extended comment period
came at the urging of the AMA.
To that end, I encourage each of you that value your privilege to
fly RC to provide that input. I have sent a couple of comments on
different sections of the interpretation and plan on sending a few
more. See the AMA website (modelaircraft.org) to get informed
about the issues and how to respond to the FAA during the comment period. As an organized chartered RC club under the AMA,
I have focused on providing feedback to the FAA to preserve that
type of activity. I challenge each of you to do the same.
2014 Greater Southwest Jet Rally
The 32nd Greater Southwest Jet Rally on Sept. 4, 5, & 6 just completed. Registered pilots flew several hundred quality flights each day with lots of fine Jet aircraft
in attendance. Slice of Heaven Bakery provide breakfast tacos Thursday morning
and Rosati’s Pizza provided dinner on Thursday evening. CD Larry Garrett would
like to thank all the pilots and workers for making this event a success. We also
want to thank all our sponsors for their support.
Sponsors
Member/Chef John Hall cooked great
burgers.
Horizon Hobby
Great weather and moderate temperatures brought 63 pilots with over 150
aircraft from Oklahoma, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arizona, and Texas
to the Jet Rally.
One registered pilot was Sam Snyder
who began modeling at 8 years of age
and is now over 80 years old and flew
his own design, scratch-built airframe.
Sam is scheduled to be inducted into
the AMA Hall of Fame.
Hitec
New Creations R/C
Bob Violett Models
Rosati’s
Slice of Heaven Bakery
Big Dog RC
Roger Kirschner with his “JACKNIFE”. The paint job on this
jet is immaculate.
Pilot Kevin East won the Hitec X4 Charger
An action packed flight line was evident all weekend long.
JPO Top Gun Award—Barry Rayburn—Cougar, F-84, Hawk—Houston
Best Military Performance—Robert Bernal—A-10 Warthog—Houston
Best Military Detail—Derrick Martin—F-100—Louisiana
Best Sport—Ron Schwarzkof—Bandit—Fort Worth
Pilot’s Choice—James Smith—Hawk—Fort Worth
C.C. Adams, Rodney Shelton, Don Meadows , Tommy
Armstrong (back) manned the Registration .
2nd
Membership Continues Growth
At the end of August, HOTMAC membership stands at 95 members. As newcomers join, they continually cite friendly folks and a great flying site as the reasons
they join. Keep being a Friendly and Fun place to fly.
Debra and Ronnie Dean flying his 55cc S-Bach on
Saturday Aug 16 at the Field.
New Charging Station almost completed—The
new charging station in the North section of the
pits is almost done. Those who helped contribute
welding, labor and time on this were: Don Meadows, C.C. Adams, Tommy Armstrong, Stephen
Bird, A.J. Beasley and Ronnie Dean.
New Members: Tommy Case (L) with Perfection and A.J. Beasley with his Corsair.
New member, Tommy Case with his Perfection
Don Meadows (L) prepping a 4”x4” shelter brace. Ronnie Dean welding on the steel bracing for the charging station
Upcoming HOTMAC Events
September 20-21 1st Annual Quiet Fly (All Electric)
September 27 HOT Airshow TSTC (Static Display)
October 3-4 HOTMAC 3D Throwdown
October 25-26 National Club 40 Pylon Races
HOTMAC 3D Throwdown
Scheduled for October 3 & 4, HOTMAC will host it first ever 3D meet. Plan to
come out and see or be part of
the the action with of some of
the best 3D pilots in Texas.
New Member, Sam Swink in a
Hover
IMAA Calling
it “Quits”?
I recently received an
email from the IMAA
that the Fall 2014 publication of High Flight
magazine would be
their last issue. Indications in the email is that
the whole organization
may be “winding
down”. See a copy of
the email I received
toward the end of this
newsletter.
Also indicative of the
changing winds is
HOTMAC’s Quiet Fly
the first all Electric FlyIn and Fun Fly on September 20-21. Make
your plans now to attend and be part of the
FUN!
Jet Rally Raffle Winner—
Deluxe
HOTMAC member Ed McMahon not only won the EDF Jet in
the raffle, but he also won the
drawing for the Spektrum
DX18. I think he needs to buy
some Powerball tickets this week. Congratulations to ED and
thanks to our sponsors New Creations and Horizon Hobby.
AMA Files Petition
against FAA
On August 22, the AMA filed a
petition in court to begin the
legal process to resolve the
disputes that have arisen over
the recent FAA’s rule interpretation. The AMA believes that the
FAA’s Interpretive Rule is contrary to the text and intent of the
FAA Modernization and Reform
Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95,
and violates Congress’ specific
prohibition on any new rules or
regulations regarding model
aircraft that are operated pursuant to a community-based organization’s standards.
Hopefully the courts will agree
that Section 336 law was written to allow more freedom for
flying model aircraft rather than
becoming more restrictive. Go
to the AMA website,
www.modelaircraft.org under
media releases to find out
more.
Science Fest
We have been invited to help and
partner with Alcoa to participate in
the Waco Science Fest, Sept
27th & 28th.
During this event last year they
helped over 400 students build
and fly the FPG-9 Glider. Alcoa
provides all the materials, and all
we need to do is help instruct
young people in this activity. Contact Stephen Bird (281) 352-3964.
Ron Schwarzkof fueling his bright orange
Bandit, winner of
Best Sport at the
Greater Southwest
Don Meadows showing off his new flipflops that have a
built in “beverage”
opener.
To our valued IMAA members,
For the first time in its 34 year history, the IMAA is facing a serious financial challenge – a challenge grave enough that
we must cease publication of both the print edition, and the digital edition, after this Fall issue of HighFlight Magazine.
IMAA is a non-profit organization and, as such, relies on member dues and donations to operate. Over the years, IMAA
membership has slowly declined. At the same time, print and production costs have steadily increased so that the print
version of the magazine has consumed more and more of our resources.
This Fall issue will now have to be the last printed version that we produce. The digital edition will also be released as
scheduled,through the NXTBook.com server.
HighFlight Magazine has been the only publication available exclusively devoted to giant scale news, technical information, and product reviews. The IMAA Board and Officers have worked hard to find a resolution to the challenges we
faced, but the bottom line is that we simply do not have the funds to continue.
In years past, the Board has made every effort to make IMAA membership, and HighFlight Magazine as affordable as
possible. It appears that the Board was too successful in that effort, and the savings to the members resulted in the
organization’s undoing. We ask for your understanding and support, as we wind down the organization.
We are confident that the traditions established by the IMAA..... the definitions of what constitutes a “Legal” Big Bird ...
and the planning and promotion of Big Bird events will continue. Although HighFlight Magazine will be missed, in its
history of over one third of a century, we have seen the hobby grow from its simple, do-it-yourself roots, to the highly
sophisticated level that we enjoy today.
Readers of the first issue of HighFlight, in 1980 were taught and encouraged, with articles on how to modify chain saw
and weed whipper engines to a form that could be used on a giant scale aircraft. There were instructions on how to
build your own, semi-scale Cub type landing gear... bandsawed from plate aluminum, as there certainly were no “off
the shelf “ landing gear available at that time. Another article in that first issue detailed how to apply Ceconite (full
scale aircraft covering) to our models. There was a section of that Volume 1, Number 1 issue with some proposed bylaws for the new organization, and an invitation to meet at the upcoming Toledo Trade Show to discuss forming a new
giant scale organization. Yes..... There was an issue of HighFlight, BEFORE there was an I.M.A.A.
And there was a listing of “Sounding Board” Contacts, off of whom you could bounce ideas ... or ask questions. And
many of those folks, including Don Godfrey, Dave Platt, Corky Heitman, Wendell Hostetler, Jerry Nelson, and Lee Taylor are still active in the hobby today. That first issue of HighFlight included an aircraft inspection check list, and a preliminary list of safety rules and procedures. The I.M.A.A. has always championed good safety practices, and as a result, by working with the A.M.A., we were able to get governmental approval to fly larger and larger Big Birds at our flying sites.
Obviously, over a third of a century, a lot has changed in our hobby. Big Birds are probably more the norm, than the
“Giant Oddity” that they were in 1980. One of the first “Giant” kits that became available was the Bud Nosen J-3
Cub. At 1/4 scale, it spanned 109 inches, and everyone was in awe of that “Huge” model. Today, it is the same size
as the Aeroworks Cub Crafters Sport Cub S2 that is featured in this issue. Today, this is a plane that is regarded as
somewhat small, but manageable.
Today, you can walk into any hobby shop, and find a huge array of giant scale engines, airframes, hardware, and servos, and even completely assembled “Bind and Fly” aircraft that are I.M.A.A. legal. Everything you need to get started
with a Big Bird is right there on the shelf....with no grinding of engine castings required.
I’m sure that I speak for all of the I.M.A.A. Officers and Board members, when I say that it was a very sad day when
they had to formally, finally shut down the organization. But I also know that they are proud of the contributions that the
I.M.A.A., and HighFlight Magazine has made in the hobby. Big Birds truly DO fly better, and they will continue to fly
better for a long, long time. Thank you to the members for your support along the way. Fly Safely, and Have Fun! It’s
been quite a ride!
-Taylor Collins, Editor & The Officers and Board of Directors of the I.M.A.A.