Genesee Valley Aero Modelers

Editor: Glenn Crocker
21 Highview Trail
Pittsford, NY 14534

A new beginning... A New Year, new officers, new possibilities, new challenges. As I am writing my first article as president a lot is going through my mind. First off I'd like to say thank you to Lou for a great job as our past president, to Glenn and John for their past work and for staying on in their positions, and to Eric for volunteering for the role of vice president.

As we look forward it occurs to me to ask a simple question. What do we want our club to be in the future? Do we want our club to grow or are we content with our current size? Do we want to improve our field, and if so, how? Do we want to host a meet of some kind, or perhaps a swap meet? Do we want to be more involved in the community? I'm sure at this point some of you are thinking maybe we elected the wrong guy, I like the club just the way it is! That's fine too, I only bring these questions up for thought. I think we have a great club with good people. Some of them have become close friends over the four years I have belonged to the club. It just seems that there is always room for improvement and the New Year provides a time to take a minute and think about such things.

On a more personal note, I am finally getting excited about starting a new plane project. In past years I would already have a kit half built and be trying to figure out how to afford the engine and radio! The fall has been very busy with kids and even some occasional flying. Plus the room in my basement that is now known as "The Airplane Room" has gotten pretty full. I know I'm not even close to some of you guys out there, but six planes do take up some space. The other thing that has slowed me down is my decision to scratch build a plane from plans I got from Jim McBride of his Extra 300. My only other scratch built plane was a small electric made from scrap balsa. The Extra 300 is going to require a little more wood that I need to order. And then of course are the "Improvements?" to the plans. Well anyway, It's time to get going on those winter projects if you haven’t already.

On a final note, I hope to use this page of the newsletter better communicate, inform, educate, provoke and to allow you to get to know me a little better as I get to know you better. We are in a very exciting time for RC Aircraft. New laser cut kits, high quality ARF's, neat helicopters, electrics of all sizes, jets, and radio equipment of all types and sizes that are more reliable than ever. I don't know about you, but every time I get a new magazine I find more new toys I'd love to try but just can't afford right now. What was that about the difference between men and boys?

If you have any ideas, questions, concerns, or just want to talk, please feel free to call me. I definitely won't have all the answers, but I'm always willing to listen and to try and find the answers. Besides, I'll talk airplanes anytime!

Happy landings...

It’s that time of year again when you might be considering a new radio system. You can use this to get on an uncluttered frequency.

Dick Parshall after a hospital stay is back home. He says "Hi" to all his friends in GVAM. The problem was digestive track stoppage and an operation was necessary.

He says, " I’m feeling a lot better" and is putting the final touches to his 16 year old Kadet which is being completely restored,

Our 18th annual Frozen Finger Fly is history. The weather was cold (wind chill around 17degrees), the wind was doing what it usually does and it was snowing hard enough that we needed IFR ratings. In other words it was a perfect day for our annual fly.

We had eighteen insane members show up and six of the more demented souls actually flew. The weather forced Scott to forgo his trademark shorts and go with the long pants. Mark Smith stopped by with his helicopter for a couple of flights before going to meet up with the helicopter guys.

One person came all the way from warm flyable weather (Florida) to participate in this. We won’t disclose his name but his initials are Tom Brown. The phantom GVAM member (Walt Judd) made a cameo appearance and remained well beyond his usual 10 minute time limit.

We retrieved all of the planes in one piece and beat hasty retreat to the Country Skillet. Several cups of coffee, bagels & buffets latter we were thawed out. This was my first time at the Country Skillet at its new location and the new facility is very nice.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and are looking forward to next New Years Day.

Keep in mind you can fly during the winter, but keep an eye open for the snow snakes.

Jan 20 Balsa Dusters Auction. Details in December Newsletter.

Feb. 2 Batavia RC Flying Club Auction. Details in December Newsletter.

It’s that time of year again. Club dues are due.

Seniors $45.00

Juniors (19yrs or younger) $1.00

Membership renewal is due by December 31st. If dues are not received by February 15th a $10.00 late fee will be assessed.

If you can’t make the meetings you can mail your dues to me. Use the editor’s address on the first page.

Collect a few hardware paint stirring sticks. Then glue strips of various grade sand papers to each side to create a collection of useful sandpaper "files." You can also cut the sticks into odd shapes before applying the sandpaper for those hard to reach areas.

I will be taking orders for fuel at the January meeting. We have some good news. The price per gallon has gone down. The prices listed below reflect the change. The prices are based on the 64 Gal. lot size and include the club 10% prepay discount.

If you ordered at the higher price, I will provide a refund of the difference.

2cycle and 4 cycle prices are the same.

10% Nitro $10.67/Gal.
15% Nitro $11.61/Gal.

Standard lubricant is 19% (can increase to 20% without additional cost) made up of 2% Castor and 98% Synthetic
They will mix any Castor content you request.
I plan to place the order on January 14th. so it will be available in time for the February meeting. If you have any questions give me a call 248-5133.

One of the main causes of a dirty, dusty work area is dust floating in the air. One solution I have found that works quite well for me is a box fan sitting on the floor with a furnace filter taped to the intake side of the fan. I also use a leaf blower frequently to blow the dust off of the rafters in the basement. This blows the dust into the air which is then caught in the furnace filter on the box fan. One step further is to drape an old T-shirt between the box fan and furnace filter. This will help catch some of the fine dust that gets through the furnace filter. This doesn’t do much for chemical fumes but is a good way to keep your work area a little cleaner.

An ultrasonic cleaner would be a nice thing for servicing engines. I’ve procrastinated for years in buying one because of the confusion in researching what’s the best one for our use. Capacity; quality, etc., varies quite a bit. But I came to realize that I do have the poor man’s version in the WaterPic® type tooth cleaning device. Mine happens to be an INTERPLAK® brand, and I’ve just tried it for cleaning out grit after abrading a cylinder inside to accept new rings. The gadget may even have a slight advantage over a sonic cleaner in cleaning out crevices with pulsed water jets. An example is cleaning the bypass cavity when you don’t want to pull the cylinder liner. Four interchangeable tips came with the gadget, so the engines have their own sanitary tip, although I will make them all share the same tip. Best used outside, because water droplets spray everywhere.

When working with CyA glue, always get out the glue and the release agent (solvent). They should be on the building table together at all times.

I have had the thin stuff run off of a part unnoticed and glue my stomach to the table edge. This can be painful and makes it just a bit difficult to reach the shelf to get the glue solvent.

I once glued my hand to a large nearly complete model and I was not in a position to reach the glue solvent, way over on the shelf. I had to call for help to get unstuck.

Now, I always get the glue and the solvent (release agent) together. The solvent is ALWAYS within easy reach.