News

  • 17 Oct 2016 4:22 PM | Marshall Henley

    facebook

    SLRCFA has an ACTIVE facebook page managed by Jonathon Hendrickson, Marshall Henley, and Geoff Biderman. Happenings at SLRCFA’s page are constantly being updated with up to the minute news and even LIVE streaming video.  Don’t miss out on what is happening at the field.  Be sure to check out our facebook page and “like” it if you are a facebook user. 


  • 17 Oct 2016 4:22 PM | Marshall Henley

    Many SLRCFA members have requested clarification regarding the rules pertaining to pilot’s stations.

    Excerpt from the Operating Procedures:

    “All pilots must fly from one of the 6 designated pilot stations for the given traffic pattern that is dictated by wind direction.  The established pattern must be followed.   Takeoffs and landings will all be in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern”

    Excerpt from the Field Rules:

    “7. Takeoffs and Landings are permitted on the paved or grass runways only.  Taxiing out onto the runways is permitted, provided it is past the white lines at either end or center of the taxiway. Pilots must stand at a pilot station when flying.”

    ALL pilots must fly from a pilot’s station.  It is advised that if another pilot is already flying from a pilot’s station that you fly from the station nearest to them to improve communications.  If a member is handicapped and wishes to fly from the handicapped flight station, they should notify the other pilots that they are going to fly from the Handicapped flight station.

    Call out your intentions or difficulties to others that are flying. Some examples are: “Taking off”, “Coming in/Landing”, “Touch and go”, “On the field”, “Off the field”, “Dead stick” or “Lost control”.  


  • 15 Sep 2016 1:14 PM | Marshall Henley

    by Jonathan Hendrickson

    Many of us could use a little refresher on runway communications and protocol. This system keeps our pilots and aircraft safe and prioritizes runway use.

    Runway Communications  are verbal announcements required to be used between you and any other pilots anytime you or your aircraft enters the runway area (grass or paved). 

    ·        "Coming out" as you prepare to place your aircraft on the runway or taxing to the runway. 

    ·        "Taking Off" aircraft is on the runway and ready for takeoff roll.

    ·        "Setting up to land" as you begin your downwind leg gives others time to clear the area for you. 

    ·        "Landing" as you are on final approach. 

    ·        "On the runway" if your aircraft stops dead on the runway. 

    ·        "Off on the far side" if your aircraft veers off on the side away from the pilots'stations 

    ·        "Crossing the runway" Anytime you have to cross the runway (in either direction). 

    ·        "Runway clear" after you have retrieved your errant aircraft, or if it has been taxied off the runway on the pit side. 

    ·        "Dead stick" when your engine dies while in the air. Other pilots will pass this announcement down the line as it is a signal for everyone to immediate clear the runway. 

    ·        "Touch and go" or "Slow fly-by" (note that high speed low passes and acrobatics over the runway when other pilots are at stations are forbidden-these may only be performed out past the runway over the grass). 

    ·        “Low Pass” is a high or low speed pass a low altitude over the border between the asphalt and grass runways.

    ·        Aircraft down..... ''(followed by the general area). 

    ·        "Don’t have it" The pilot will announce that he has a problem as soon as possible, other observers may be able to get a fix on the plane if it goes down. If you do get a fix, such as a certain tree, etc., do not move.  Call for another person to stand beside you and show them the point you fixed on. Even turning around and back can lose the fix.

    Most SLRCFA members are fluent in runway communication, but new members and guest may need a little help.

    Runway Protocol/Priorities allow multiple aircraft operating in close airspace to land and/or maneuver on or over the runway in an orderly and safe manor.  This list below is in order of priority.

    1.     Declared “dead stick” landing has priority over all other flight activities. The runway must be cleared for him. If more than one happens at the same time, generally, the first declared has the right-of -way, or he may yield to a lower other aircraft at his discretion. 

    2.     Declared “equipment problem” and needing to land ASAP.

    3.     Declared normal “landing.” 

    4.     Declared “touch and go.” 

    5.     Declared “take off.”

    6.     Declared “slow fly-by.”

    High speed low-passes over the paved runway are never allowed and must be performed past the far edge of the paved runway.

    Hovering over the paved or grass runway is NEVER allowed while there is an established pattern. If there is no established pattern or you are the only pilot flying, you may hover no closer to the pilot’s stations than the paved runway center line. However, if you are the only pilot flying and all other pilots present approve, you may move from the pilot’s station to get closer to your aircraft.

    If more than one pilot is flying, the established pattern must be followed.  Takeoffs and landings will be all in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern.


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:08 PM | Marshall Henley

    The SLRCFA Board of directors has approved an Amendment to the SLRCFA Constitution for the general membership to vote on.  This Amendment will be voted on at the August 18th Club meeting @ 7:30pm.  Officer positions use to be a permanent position and now are elected for 2 year terms.  This amendment was deemed necessary to outline when the officer elections would take place.

    The proposed change is highlighted in yellow.  

    ARTICLE 6 – ELECTIONS

    Section 1. Election to the Board of Directors shall be conducted during the first regular meeting in December of each year.  Officer elections shall be held immediately following the Board of Directors’ election. The Newly Elected Board of Directors vote for officer positions.


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:08 PM | Marshall Henley

    SLRCFA has an ACTIVE facebook page managed by Jonathon Hendrickson, Marshall Henley, and Geoff Biderman. Happenings at SLRCFA’s page are constantly being updated with up to the minute news and even LIVE streaming video.  Don’t miss out on what is happening at the field.  Be sure to check out our facebook page and “like” it if you are a facebook user. 


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:08 PM | Marshall Henley

    SLRCFA is seeking volunteers for the RedwingRC Show Me 3d Fly In September 18-19th

    We need volunteers for:

    ·       Parking

    ·       Pilot Registration

    ·       MC / Announcements / Music

    ·       Greeting guests/Handing out club Information

    ·       Running RC Simulators

    ·       Running Raffles (50\50, Spectator)

    If you are willing to volunteer for any of these positions, please contact Jonathon Hendrickson slrcfa.rotate@gmail.com


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:07 PM | Marshall Henley

    Many SLRCFA members have requested clarification regarding the rules pertaining to pilot’s stations. While the Safety Team is looking into possible future changes, for now these are our procedures and field rules:

    Excerpt from the Operating Procedures:

    “All pilots must fly from one of the 6 designated pilot stations for the given traffic pattern that is dictated by wind direction.  The established pattern must be followed.   Takeoffs and landings will all be in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern”

    Excerpt from the Field Rules:

    “7. Takeoffs and Landings are permitted on the paved or grass runways only.  Taxiing out onto the runways is permitted, provided it is past the white lines at either end or center of the taxiway. Pilots must stand at a pilot station when flying.”

    ALL pilots must fly from a pilot’s station.  It is advised that if another pilot is already flying from a pilot’s station that you fly from the station nearest to them to improve communications.  If a member is handicapped and wishes to fly from the handicapped flight station, they should notify the other pilots that they are going to fly from the Handicapped flight station.

    Call out your intentions or difficulties to others that are flying. Some examples are: “Taking off”, “Coming in/Landing”, “Touch and go”, “On the field”, “Off the field”, “Dead stick” or “Lost control”.  


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:06 PM | Marshall Henley

    Have you been out at the field and had a visitor ask you about the Club?  Sure we all have had this happen.  SLRCFA now has a New Flyer holder located under the pavilion near the Electrical Panel.  This container is filled with upcoming event flyers and club brochures, flyers, and Business Cards.  Please utilize this to give our guests information about our club.


  • 16 Aug 2016 9:04 PM | Marshall Henley

    SLRCFA members now have an Official business card.  The business card has a spot for each member to insert their contact information. It also allows members to always have information about the club with them.

    Front


    Back


    Business cards will be available at the SLRCFA Club and Board meetings for members to pick-up.  A few additional business cards will be available in the brochure holder under the pavilion. 


  • 11 Aug 2016 1:08 PM | Marshall Henley

    by Marshall L. Henley

    CombatONE Speed Build Jig Protype Ready-to-Go

    I finished and tested the prototype of the CombatONE Speed Build Jig today. Click here for a video of the CombatONE Speed Build Jig prototype.

    It was a lot harder to make than I thought, due to the three-dimensional angles. A bit of trigonometry was required, followed by some hard-core rasping to get the profile I wanted.

    I built a left-side one and will build a right-side one next. The reason for building the right-side one is not because we an only build left side wings -- the wings are symmetrical both aerodynamically and structurally, so all we need is one jig to build a wing.

    I'd like right side jig so we can build two wings, and then slide them together for the glue joint. Even without that, we can have two jigs running if there's more than one user.

    The jigs run off a vaccuum from a shop vac. I think a small one would work, but I'm using my big shop vac right now. In addition to building a right-side version, I have a few improvements I'd like to make:

    • I build the jig slightly over-size so small differences in wing-skin cuts won't affect it's use. I'd like to add a rear-edge registration device of some sort to dial in the skins when they're cut right.
    • I would like a top-side, hinged press to push the top skins down onto the spar and rib during assembly. That's a nice to have; perhaps even an "unnecessary." I'll use Chivetta foam as the contact surface for the top side if I do this.
    • Finally, if I get the right-side wing done, I'd like to align both wings on a sliding bed where they would come together with competed wing halfs to speed and make more accurate the wing-center gluing operation. I can do this easily without the folding top half concept.

    I'm shooting for something that would let us do a group build in an assembly-line type fashion, or even build a plane if we crash during an event.

    Let me know if you want to give the jig a try!



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