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aeajr
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 Posted - 09/06/2010 : 7:34:02 PM
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Eastern Soaring League Newsletter - August 2010
2010 OFFICERS AND STAFF
President - Ed Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer - David Beach
Scorekeeper ¡V Luis Bustamante & Anker Berg-Sonne
Contest Coordinator - Jose Bruzual
Web Master and Publisher - Jose Bruzual
Quartermaster - Steve Lucke
Newsletter Editor - Ed Anderson
Hand Launch Director - Doug Harnish
FROM THE PRESIDENT - Ed Anderson
As we enter September, we have approximately 1/3 of the 2010 schedule ahead of us. I hope you find time to participate in some of the great contests yet to be flown.
So far this year we have had 44 pilots participate in our Hand Launch series. We have had 67 pilots who have attended our Thermal Duration series. I have not done a contest to contest comparison but I think the numbers are down a bit. Considering the economy, I don¡¦t think anyone is surprised. Let's hope for a turn in the economic outlook so more of our members can participate in more contests next year.
New for this year will be an award that will recognize the top pilot participating in both the HL and TD divisions. The top overall pilot will be named as the Top Combined Champion pilot with the best total points made up of their best 4 TD and best four 4 HL contests.
Looking toward the top combined award I see that we have had 14 HL pilots who have attended 4 or more contests and 35 TD pilots who have attended 4 or more contests. Each of these pilots could be in contention for this award. And it is not too late for you to qualify. With 4 more HL and 6 TD contests to go, even pilots who have not flown any contests could qualify.
Are changes coming? There has been a fair bit of discussion on the forums and ESL mailing list about proposals for change that may be presented at the ESL annual business meeting, to be held Saturday October 9 at the Daniel Boone Silent Flyers field in Birdsboro PA. You will see a note below, from Doug Harnish, about two such proposals.
The ESL Annual Business Meeting will be held on October 9 on the Daniel Boone Silent Flyer¡¦s field, right after that day¡¦s contest. Even if you won't be flying in the contest that day, you are welcome and encouraged to attend the ESL Business Meeting. This is your League and this is where we conduct our annual review of the year and how we want to go forward. If you cannot attend I encourage you to share any thoughts or ideas you may have with the League officers and staff, prior to the meeting.
Clear skies and safe flying to all.
ESL CONTEST SCHEDULE - 2010
Contests still to go
http://www.flyesl.org/calendar.asp
Thermal Duration Division
09/11 - 09/12 CASA Open - Warrenton, VA
09/25 - 09/26 LISF 2 - Syosset, Long Island, NY
10/09 - 10/10 Reading ESL TD EOS - Reading, PA
Hand Launched Division
09/18 - 09/19 SKSS Hand Launch (HLG) - Newark, DE
10/16 - 10/17 Pegasus: ESL HLG EOS (HLG) - Hagerstown, MD
ROOM AND RIDE -
If you found a great little motel near one of our contests, please let the rest of the League know about it.
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=17
GETTING THE 2011 CONTEST SCHEDULE READY
From: Jose E. Bruzual - Contest Coordinator
Subject: 2011 CONTEST SCHEDULE
I would like to remind CDs for established contests to send me confirmation for next year, and for potential contest with their preferred dates to contact me as well
If there are any initiatives outside of the process described above, I would need to be contacted directly
Thank you all
PROPOSALS PLANNED FOR THE ESL BUSINESS MEETING
From Doug Harnish:
Two years ago I was asked to join the ESL board as HL Director The new board position was intended to provide a liaison to the board from the HL community as well as investigate ways of growing the HL division of the ESL. After considerable discussion with the board and ESL members I have come up with the two proposals which I will introduce at the ESL business meeting. Please read the proposals and send any questions or input to Doug Harnish. Doug.cvi@myactv.net
There has been some discussion about these proposals on the ESL and RCGroups forums. If you are interested in reading about these and related ideas, you can find them at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1278456
And
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=396
Proposal 1 - Motion to amend the rules to eliminate restrictions on having HL and TD contests on the same weekend. This motion will also propose to eliminate and requirements for skipped weekends in the calendar other to avoid conflict with the NATs or other major events, as determined by the board. The effect will be to greatly increase the number of available dates when HL and TD contests can be scheduled.
Proposal 2 - Motion to expand the operating area of ESL Hand Launched division to include all states East of the Mississippi. Again this will give opportunity for growth of the organization to serve more clubs and pilots. The TD area is not included in this motion.
CONTEST REPORTS-
The following contest reports are available in the ESL forums
HRSF/BRASS May 22, 23
Report by Josh Glabb
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
SKSS ESL TD Contest, June 12&13, 2010 ¡V Report
Report by Gerald Terfloth
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
LISF 1 TD Contest June 26, 27 LISF 1
Report by Ed Anderson
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
DBSF ¡V July 10 & 11
Report by Steve Lucke
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
CRRC Hand Launch Classic July 17/18 2010
Report by Anker Berg-Sonne
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
The ESL Mid Season Contest-Daniel Boone Aug 28 & 29
Report by Steve Lucke, CD
http://www.flyesl.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=15
ESL MOBILE PHONE LIST
Carried over from the May Newsletter
Peter Schlitzkus, soarkraut@mchsi.com , has offered to organize a cell phone directory and call chain for those of us that have to travel to contests. There have been many times when people need to contact the CD or someone from the local club about weather, detours, flat tires or the like. A call to the right person can really be helpful.
If you would like to participate in this effort, contact Peter with your cell phone number. Peter, my number is on the way! Thanks for offering to do this for the League.
ESL SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS AND MORE
ESL logo items can be ordered from Cafepress. They have t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and mouse pads. If you would like to show off the League logo, you can order whatever you like. There is no minimum order. T-shirts start at $9 and sweatshirts start at $33. http://www.cafepress.com/FlyESL
RC SOARING DIGEST IS AVAILABLE - FREE
RC Soaring Digest is a must read for anyone who loves soaring. Bill & Bunny Kuhlman do a terrific job of publishing it each month for our enjoyment. RC Soaring Digest is free. All you have to do is download the file. And consider making a donation to help support the magazine. http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com
FOUND ON THE WEB
NATS NEWS - If you didn¡¦t get a chance to read the reports
http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx
DR. MARK DRELA, HARD AT WORK
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/nplus3-0517.html
Aerotow Video - SKSS Electric Aerotow 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn2eipbunaQ
PRECISION- A new entry in the high end RES market
http://www.soaringusa.com/products/product.htm?product_id=17001&category_id=293
PULSAR 3200 ¡V A light 3.2 METER F3J rated full house sailplane
Empty weight is just 27 ounces - All up weight - Perhaps under 50 ounces??
http://www.soaringusa.com/products/product.htm?product_id=16849&category_id=293
PRODUCT REVIEW - HITEC AURORA 9 CHANNEL 2.4 GHZ RADIO
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1179322
See how some top DLG pilots make their throws
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14995928&postcount=13
Transmitter mods and set-ups for DLGs
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1243437
How to be a good timer/helper for a hand launched pilot.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1265167
Quick Flick Build thread ¡V For those wanting a low cost way to try DLGs http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395169
Gambler DLG Build thread ¡V One of the best starter DLGs
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504554
Top Sky DLG - Build Thread ¡V Sort of an intermediate bagged wing DLG
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1121424
A Mini DLG you can build yourself
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840763
Super Gee 2 - One of the more competitive designs you can build yourself
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676909
A variety of useful links about gliders
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=868756
Timing the zoom - A master class video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo&feature=related
MAKING A WORK BENCH POWER SUPPLY USING A COMPUTER POWER SUPPLY
http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-an-ATX-Power-Supply-Into-a-Regular-DC-Powe/
TIPS ON WORKING WITH KEVLAR
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657516&page=2
WING CONSTRUCTION FOR VACCUM BAGGING
http://www.favonius.com/soaring/bagging/bagging.htm
Alternate bagging materials
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1001599
LOST FOAM METHOD FOR MAKING FUSELAGES
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188980
HOW TO MOLD FIBERGLASS
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=868756&page=4
UNDERSTANDING AIRFOIL DATA
Polars for dummies
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751435
SOFTWARE FOR DESIGNING YOUR OWN AIRFOILS
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771413
CROSS COUNTRY SOARING WEBSITE
http://www.xcsoaring.com/
COOL FULL SCALE GLIDER VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZIILtI2I
Pushing the limit ¡V soaring above the Swiss Alps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlXDTFhCG9w&feature=related
THE BIGGEST - full scale glider
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRaxCtVfxB0&feature=related
DX5e TRAINER JACK PROBLEM/RECALL
Note that there is a problem with some DX5e trainer jacks that are on the back of the radio.
http://www.heliproz.com/spektrumrecall.asp
FAA
Interesting discussion on the National Airspace - Where do you fly?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9594964/mpage_4/key_/tm.htm
Airspace Classification
http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/airspace.htm
FAA and Model Aircraft - An FAA Q&A
http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=174&p_creat...
Interesting DOT/FAA document on unmanned aircraft
http://origin-images.rcuniverse.com/forum/upfiles/458491/Om31912.pdf
SOMETHING NEW -A SURVEY
I decided to try something new, a Survey. I thought it would be interesting to see what fourms our members find useful. This went out Saturday, September 6, around 11:30 am. If you would still like to add your response to the survey, you can find it here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G96S37Y
The question was, "Which on-line forums do you visit most frequently? You can select all that apply." You should all have received the survey invitation from the ESL mailing list.
As I understand it, we have around 200 names on our mailing list. We received 36 responses as of September 6 at 7pm. So I thought I would share this with you, as a point of general interest. Here was the outcome:
Choice Percent and Number of responses
I don't visit on-line forums 8.3% 3
ESL Forum 30.6% 11
AMA Forum 5.6% 2
RCGroups 88.9% 32
RCUniverse 8.3% 3
RCHangout 5.6% 2
Wattflyer 2.8% 1
Other 13.9% 5
Based on this, it looks like those who responded close to 90% visit RCGroups frequently. I was pleased to see the ESL forums came in second.
There was also an opportunity to add forums under the ¡§other¡¨ category. These were the write-ins:
1. RCSE, RC Soaring Exchange
2. Yahoo groups (RC related) & Google groups RCSE
3. RCSE
4. Yahoo and/or Google groups for specific club emails. 5. CRRC GROUP
6. RCSE
7. http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/ http://rcglider.ning.com/ http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/forumdisplay.php?f=261
The second question was to ask which you found most useful. No surprise, RCGroups was the overwhelming answer. However CRRC and RCSE were also mentioned.
I am thinking about trying this survey idea again. This time it will be about the planes that our ESL members fly. I have been asked many times as to the most popular planes among ESL pilots. Well, let's find out.
Watch for the survey in the next week or two. It should be fun to see the results. I will publish the results in the October/November Newsletter. Hopefully we get a very large response to the survey.
HERE TO SERVE YOU
I hope you have enjoyed the ESL Newsletter. Send your notes, photos, compliments or complaints to Ed Anderson, ESL Newsletter Editor, at aeajr@optonline.net
If anyone would like to become involved in the Newsletter please let me know. I wouldn't mind a Co-Editor. Or, if you are a graphics or format guru and would like to spice up the appearance, I would welcome the assistance.
Let's close on a little wisdom and humor.
=====================================
Aviation Wisdom
From AMA Insider and the newsletter of the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego
1. Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills.
2. Rule One: No matter what else happens, fly the airplane.
3. Forget all that stuff about thrust and drag, lift and gravity; an airplane flies because of money.
4. The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the airplane to keep the pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out into a sweat.
5. If you're ever faced with a forced landing at night, turn on the landing lights to see the landing area. If you don't like what you see, turn 'em back off.
6. A check ride should be like a skirt, short enough to be interesting but still long enough to cover everything.
7. Speed is life; altitude is life insurance.
8. Never let an airplane take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
9. Don't drop the aircraft in order to fly the microphone.
10. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller.
11. Hovering is for pilots who love to fly but have no place to go.
12. The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
13. Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man; landing is the first!
14. You know you've landed with the wheels up when it takes full power to taxi.
15. Those who hoot with the owls by night should not fly with the eagles by day.
16. Young man, was that a landing or were we shot down?
17. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
18. Fighter pilots believe in clean living. They never drink whiskey from a dirty glass.
19. Things which do you no good in aviation: Altitude above you. Runway behind you. Fuel in the trunk. A navigator. Half a second ago. The airspeed you don't have.
20. If God meant man to fly, He'd have given him more money.
21. Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.
22. Flying is the perfect vocation for a man who wants to feel like a boy, but not for one who still is. |
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers
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Edited by - aeajr on 09/07/2010 10:27:54 AM |
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ESL Newsletter - August 2010
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