January 2016 Club Meeting Recap

PVMAC President Chuck Pozanac wished everyone Happy New Year at the first meeting of 2016.

Membership count is at 310 members an climbing.  Chuck estimated that because we lost the Norton flying field last year, We probably wont see as many members renew as last year, but we are doing pretty well so far.

Chuck thanked all the members that volunteered at the AMA booth.  Chuck mentioned that there was noticeably extra security this year .   Everything went smooth.  Ticket sales for the opportunity drawing were down this year, we only sold a little over 4000 tickets.  There were some speculations on why sales were down, but at the end of the day, the club did not loose any money. The Ticket sales covered the cost of the booth, electricity and  items purchased for the raffle so all is well.

All prizes were picked up and delivered at the show and this was a first.  Usually, we have to haul things back and locate winners.   We signed up 3 new members at the show. A Special thanks to Phil and Kyle Goodwine and Jim and Tom  for making the booth look good

The Dogs are back in February and March.  Chuck asked that if you notice that the outhouses are full after one of their weekend events, please let the club know so we can take care of it.

Chuck  talked about a person who he met that is involved with wounded warrior, who wanted to know if the club would like to be involved in helping Veterans learn to fly RC. The Board thought this would be worthwhile and we should be involved in any way we can.  

Chuck opened up conversation about the FAA’s Mandatory Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) registration. There was heavy discussion regarding this topic during the meeting, with alot of information and opinions being shared. I wont share any of the opinions here, just the facts. 
Through the 21^st of January, Registration is $5, and the cost will be reimbursed at a later time.  (The FAA are using the credit card charge as Identity verification).  You will also need a valid email address and a physical address.

Though the AMA first informed everyone to hold off in registering, By the end of the AMA show, they sent out an email to its members informing everyone that they need to register.   The Board wants to make it clear that they recommend you go thought the UAS Regisration process to avoid any government fines or criminal prosecution.  

You must register as a pilot of a UAS if you fly anything (Fixed Wing, Helicopters, Multi-Rotors, Powered or otherwise, and even if you fly control Line and your aircraft Weighs more than 0.55 lbs. (250 g) and less than 55 lbs. (25 kg). Unmanned Aircraft weighing more than 55 lbs. cannot use this registration process and must register using the Aircraft Registry process.  If your aircraft weighs More than 55lbs, you cannot use the UAS registration process and must register using the Aircraft Registry process.  Your registration is valid for three years. Once you receive a registration number, you can use it on all of your unmanned aircraft if they meet the online registration criteria. You must mark the registration number on all aircraft you own, in a place that can be seen without using tools.  Which means you can put the number in a battery compartment as long as you don’t need tools to see it.  

Click here to Go to the FAA registration Site Now

Loni brought in the Hangar 9 Inverza 62 ARF, which he said was perfect as entry level IMAC competition.  He recommended that for flying IMAC You take what ever the airplane instructions recommend for low rates, and go down from there for IMAC.   The planes are usually setup for 3d which is not appropriate for IMAC.  He Powered it with a 60 size DA motor.  2 servos on elevator, 1 rudder and 2 on ailerons. All Up weight is 24lbs.  He alo said This is about the smallest planes you would want to compete with IMAC, any smaller and you cannot see it. It has an 88″ wingspan. 

Cal Orr brought in a vintage plane called the So Long.   He said  the airplane was named either because the tail is longer than usual, or because when you released it for flight, you would have to wave “So Long” .  It was originally a guided free flight plane which you would have rudder control only and would have been originally powered by a .049 engine. This one however has been converted to electric. It has only 2 servos, rudder and elevator.   He can get about 4 minutes of flight at full throttle, but with good throttle management, you can fly for much longer, and it does glide very well.

You can read more about what Cal Orr is up to with his Vintage Aircraft, 2.4 Ghz Kraft Radios, Reed Emulators and much more at http://www.calorr.com 

Randy Wilbur brought in a Ledgend models Dauntless Douglas which is a made by VQ Models from Jb-Hobbies.  It was brand new in the box; his wife bought it for him at the AMA Show for his birthday.  It is the  80” version, not the one that is carried by Hobby people.   It will have a 30cc engine.   He plans on flying it in a Scale Master qualifier in June, so he will need to re-configure the servos for the tail, so that those are hidden.  Randy said that the dauntless was well known for the Battle of Midway and was retired before the end of the war.  This model is designed for electric or gas.    

Joni Brought in an Evolution Engine 15gx Gas engine from Horizon Hobbies she won at the AMA show from the club drawing. 

The Board Voted Chuck Pozanac is President, Larry Marsh as Vice president, Ted Novack as secretary, Bill Sheets treasurer.

There was a 50/50 drawing and lots of money given away for just showing up.  

Want to be part of the fun, Join us on February 9^th  for the next PVMAC Club Meeting at the Chino Community Building 5443 “B” Street Chino, CA 91710 from 7pm-9pm.   We will be discussing all the clubs activities, swapping stories, and exchanging ideas, sharing aircraft, and of course giving away more money.   You don’t want  to miss it.