Genesee Valley Aero Modelers

Editor: Glenn Crocker
21 Highview Trail
Pittsford, NY 14534

As I look at the changing weather patterns and the continued decline of daylight hours, I am made more aware than ever that the time of transition is upon us. Opportunities for flying are diminishing rapidly, except for you snow birds, that is. As the sunny South beckons and as you respond to its siren call, you will be able to hone your flying skills to a high degree of perfection that will put us poor slobs here in snow country to shame. I have just one admonition. Remember what I have said before: in this Darwinian struggle for existence, only the strongest and fittest survive! And it's these Western New York winters that winnow the weak from the strong (or the stupid?)!

And for some of us who remain here in flannel shirt and overcoat land, flying continues even when the ground is white and temperatures hover in the 30-40 degree range or even less. Years ago I did some winter flying and it was great fun. Now, each winter I say that I'm going to build some skis or pontoons and have another try at it, but each winter I fail to get around to it. I'm hoping this year will be different.

And that in part is what winter is all about: hoping and dreaming; hoping that we'll be able to do more flying come next spring and summer, and dreaming about that perfect RIC model that exists only on a sheet of plans, or in a kit, or merely as a figment of our imagination. However, this is the time to start translating that dream into reality. So go to your workshop and get to work! Before you know it, we'll be approaching spring weather, and flying season will be upon us once more!

The annual Ladies Night Out Dinner was held October _13th and by all accounts, everyone had a great time. The attendance was the best we've had in several years. I believe the total number who gathered at the Holloway House was 51. Presumably the earlier date will be retained for future dinners so that you snow birds can participate.

Election of officers will be held at the November meeting. Since only one slate of candidates is available for consideration, the election will be a pro forma event. However, it would be nice to have at least a quorum on hand to cast the votes! The candidates are: President, Max Wright; Vice-President, Eric Higham; Secretary, John Street; Treasurer, Glenn Crocker.

One final note on safety is in order. Several months ago I had completed my flying for the day, and I decided to run my engine dry before putting a little after-run oil in it. I turned on my radio, adjusted the throttle control and fired the engine up. Only later did I realize that I had given my frequency pin to someone else who was flying at the time I was running up my engine! Fortunately I had retracted the antenna, and no damage was done. But it sure was a wake-up call! The episode was a demonstration of how easy it is to forget simple safety rules. Let us all stay alert and remember that safety is everyone's business! 'Nuf said!!

That's all for this month. The plane-eating trees may be going dormant, but those pesky snow snakes are about to reappear, so be careful!

Answers of yes to more than five of the questions below is a strong indication of a serious infection called Hobbypox.

I need another radio. Add one YES for every radio you own over five. (Two channel and AM radios count as1/2 YES.)

I have more than one large box of balsa scraps.

I save pieces of Monokote that are as small as an inch square.

I keep broken props.

Two hundred dollars extra for a four-cycle engine is worth it because it sounds better than a two cycle.

I have more than three functional flyable airplanes. (Add one YES for each airplane over four.)

I have parts to more than three airplanes that are not functional and never will be.

I need a more powerful engine.

I have thought of buying a new vehicle so I could buy a larger airplane.

I recognize my spouse and children less than two out of three times. (Two YES responses if divorced because of your illness. Thee YES responses if you just noticed that they left at the beginning of last flying season.)

I have snow skis for my airplane. (Two YES responses if your plane(s) are fitted with wing deicing equipment

I wish twin rotor helicopters were more of a challenge.

I can guess the RPM of an engine within five RPM.

I have a still in my basement but only to make my own fuel

I have never noticed the model holding the model airplane in advertisements.

I have deliberately crashed an airplane so I would have an excuse to buy/build another one.

I bought a VCR just to watch model airplane videos.

I visit hobby shops when I am on vacation instead of going to the beach.

Stolen from Talespins, newsletter of the Aeromasters of Fredricksburg, Virginia, Charles T. Rector, Editor, who borrowed it from Fliglitline News, Greater Cincinnati R/C Club.

The field has been winterized (no john or shelters) but until the driveway gets too soggy there will be some good flying. If we have a long rainy stretch, you may want to park on the road rather than risk becoming a winter fixture in the parking area.

I am sure there will be a lot of snow or indoor flying this winter, so get your ski plane or rubber model ready.

If someone has the indoor flying schedule, please give it to me and I will publish it in the next Newsletter.

Dues Are Due
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.

I will be taking orders for fuel at the December and January meetings. The fuel prices for what we commonly order are listed below. If you want Helicopter Diesel or different Nitro content let me know. The prices are based on the 64 Gal. lot size and include the club 5% prepay discount.

2cycle and 4 cycle prices are the same.

10% Nitro $11.99/Gal.
15% Nitro $12.92/Gal.

Standard lubricant is 19% made up of 2% Castor and 98% Synthetic.
They will mix any Castor content we order but do not recommend any more that 2%. In past years most of the club has ordered and used a 50% Castor 50% Synthetic lubricant without any problem.

Here is an effective solution once and for all, to prevent your CA bottle from gluing itself shut. It also works great for glue syringes that have fine tips on them. Pick up a package of modeling clay and use a small amount to pinch around the tip of the spout or micro tube on your CA bottle. It completely seals the container and does not react with the adhesive. You no longer need to bother with caps supplied by the manufacturer because this works better and is quicker. Works well for long term storage. Submitted by John Valentine, Brentwood, TN.

To make the most efficient use of epoxy when building, you need to use all of the epoxy that is sometimes left on the mixing board. All of us tend to mix too much and the hobby. shops love us for that. It's nearly impossible to mix just the right amount. Look over the plans and mark the areas that will require, or benefit from, a coat of epoxy. These areas are generally around the wing seat, fuel tank, firewall, and landing gear attachment. Mark these areas where the epoxy can be used to fuelproof. Now, when you are joining a stab to the fuselage and have leftover epoxy, apply it to the marked areas and get the most out of it. Submitted bv Chris Knee, Fort Collins, CO.