Happy April Sport Flyers!  The weather is starting to break up and get warm enough to get out and burn some fuel.  I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty tired of the rain and wind.  A few of us did some flying the last weekend in March.  The day was cut short due to the 20mph plus winds that came up not long after we arrived.
I just came back from the field a while ago.  I got some weed eating done and I'm in the process of moving stuff around inside the club house to sweep up all the dead bugs and dust that is accumulating.  The field is in pretty good shape.  A few more items need to be removed that makes the place trashy.  There's some left over materials around the outhouse and a broken flight stand next to the club house.  I removed the door that was hanging by the spring from the outhouse.  I'll stop by Lowe's and get a sheet of plywood to make new doors, and I'll get a couple gallons of paint for the interior.
In our last meeting we focused on the mowing situation.  Buy a new mower?  Hire someone to mow it for us?  There were some good suggestions.  I was going to get quotes.  The best one so far Randy sent me.  He'll post it in the newsletter somewhere.  I also have a friend at work that buys and sells mowers.  He's got one now that is a Craftsman 42".  He showed me a picture.  It's got a bagger on it which can be removed.  Two blades.  He's asking $425.  I hope to get this issue resolved this month because the grass isn't going to wait.
Our Spring Fly In is April 26th.  Get them new birds finished up!!  As soon as I can get my trailer tags renewed I'll be able to load up some of Herbs stuff to sell at the event.
The Springfield R/C club has invited us to join them for an open fly in June 7th. 
I've made a few changes.  I've dropped my land lines and now on cell service only.  If you need to contact me my phone number is 417 327 2233.  I'm also about to drop my internet service provider.  You can still email me at adamquennoz@yahoo.com
I had a lot more written but lost most of it when I went to save it as a draft in my Yahoo account.  See you at the meeting.
Regards,

Adam Quennoz
BSF President

Additional Information

Mowing quote received from: Ryan Stretch [lnstretch@gmail.com]                                                                       We have heard that the Bolivar Sport Flyers are looking for someone to mow there lot.  Here is our Quote, $80 for the runway, pit area, and the parking when you want it all mowed.  $50 for just the runway and pit area once a week, or as often you want it mowed.  If you ever wanted the grass bagged on the runway and the pit area it is half the price more than what it is that time.  If you have any questions you can e-mail me at lnstretch@gmail.com.  Thanks for your time.

This came today from Mike Proffitt.

I am going to sell my Grasshopper mower. Today I bought a new mower, so will not have any use for the old one. It has it's problems but should last a long time no more than will be done at the flying field.  I am asking $500 for the mower. It has a 62 inch deck and the engine is a Briggs V twin.

Safety Officer input…..

AMA would like everyone to have a safe flying year with no accidents. Here are some items that might help in that regard.

The first is the use of Li-Poly batteries in our models. If you are flying electric airplanes with Li-Poly batteries, it is highly recommended that a fire extinguisher be kept in your car. Fire caused by Li-Poly batteries can happen through a shortage, improper charging, or crash damage. Standard household extinguishers (Class A, B, C or a combination of these) will not put out a lithium fire. Rather, it can increase the blaze. Class D extinguishers (metal/sand) are the only type capable of putting out flammable metal.

If a class D fire extinguisher cannot be obtained for your vehicle or flying site, at the least, keep buckets of sand ready and available should a fire start. (The sand must be dry because water reacts with lithium fires to make them worse.)

Second, remember to cycle the batteries in transmitters and airplanes to ensure they are up to par. Airplanes can go down because either the transmitter or the flight pack batteries have failed. If you should by chance get your airplane to respond long enough to land, do not taxi back toward the pits. Get it down and kill the engine. A running airplane with dying batteries is little more than a loaded gun waiting to go off and injure someone.

Most folks have a winter project that is now ready for a test flight. New airplanes mean new additions to the transmitter. Remember to always check to ensure it is the correct one for the airplane. Always look to see that the control surfaces are moving in the correct direction when you are ready to taxi out. Also, as a new project, make sure it has been finished with your name and address or AMA number.
 

Lightning produced by electrical storms can travel amazing distances. If you are flying and should see lightning in the distance, just think of that radio antenna as a lightning rod. Lightning has been known to come 10-20 miles across the sky and strike a person just standing there—and that is without a 3-foot lightning rod in his or her hand.

Engine failure on takeoff is a common occurrence. Every time, when you taxi out, always think, “What am I going to do if the engine quits?” Remember that the best way to land is into the wind and with the wings level. If that means a walk out in the weeds a couple of hundred yards to get your airplane in one piece, that’s much better than taking a broom or shovel out to the middle of the runway to scoop up the pieces.
 

Lastly, it is strongly recommended that members do not fly alone. In a hobby where things can go out of control with the slightest of error, potential dangers are not far behind. It’s helpful to have an extra set of eyes to watch for any interferences or problems the pilot may not be able to see while following his or her model. Better to be overly prepared then under prepared. At the very least, you have a buddy to talk to and show off for! Q

 

Hope to see you all at the meeting this Thursday evening at 6:30PM