• The President's April 2012 Letter

Bill Roy, CMAC President

Our hobby continues to benefit from the latest advancements in technology.  The 2.4 GHz radios have increased reliability and telemetry has allowed numerous types of information to be viewed on the transmitter, heard, down loaded or viewed on your iPhone, iPad or iPod in real time.  Many of these features are available on main stream radios reasonably priced.  A few years ago, advances in battery technologies brought electric performance up to the level of glow or gas powered models with recharge time down to 10 minutes.  The combination of electric motor with current battery technology provides superior performance in helicopter over glow powered.  The next emergence might be the new smaller gas powered engines that now fit 40 and 60 sized planes.  Even with the rising price of gas the cost is still much lower than glow fuel with the added benefit of requiring smaller tanks for similar run times.   

Spring’s here and there is some work that needs to be accomplished at Plymouth.  The repairs we made last year on the washed out areas never had time to grow grass so the loose dirt has lots of tracks.  We have had one work party to date but it will take a few work parties to get everything squared away.

Anyone interested in aerobatics can check out the IMAC web site at www.mini-iac.com.  There is a Judging seminar on Saturday April 7, 2012 at the Trumbull Public Library.  It’s an all day event and the cost is $15.00 which includes 2011-2012 Rule book insert, coffee, donuts and lunch.

A Basic IMAC Event will be held on Saturday April 28th hosted by the East Cost Swamp Flyers. 

In June CMAC will be hosting an IMAC Event on June 1, 2, 3 Friday thru Sunday.  As plans are finalized, we can start working on preparations.

During our April Meeting we will be having a silent auction for three planes with the proceeds going to the club.

Next Membership Meeting

Our next membership meeting is April 20, 2012 and it’s also our 36th Annual Winter Build Contest.  Spring is here so hopefully you’re getting your equipment dusted off, cleaned up, checking out you equipment, batteries so there are no unexpected surprises on your first flight.  While you’re at it get something cleaned up for the Winter Build.

Is Your AMA Membership Current ???

Plymouth Field

We had our first work party of the year, and as usual the first one is always the most difficult.  We accomplished a lot; we got the field raked out and most of the ruts filled in.  Ran the chain link over the field then rolled it.  Both of the over fly ends were trimmed.  When we left, the area looked in good shape.

Winter Gate Rules

Winter Gate Rules went into effect on Columbus Day.  This means that the First Gate will be locked closed when you come to the field and must remain closed and locked at all times.  The Second Gate can be left open when we are flying.

Please make sure that our lock, the rangers lock and small pin is locked to the large pipe to prevent it from getting lost

The last member out MUST make sure the gate is locked closed.

Following the rules will prevent somebody from driving in and getting locked in.

Summer Gate Rules

Summer Gate rules will go into effect on the 3rd Saturday of April ( 21st  ).  This means that the First will normally be open when you come to the field.  This means that the Second Gate MUST be kept locked at all times.

You can check out the web site for the Army Corps of Engineers Hancock Brook Lake at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/hnk/hnkhome.htm and if you go to recreation you can select model airplane club and you can get to our web site.  The current weather and wind is also available from their site.

Monroe Field

The Monroe Field will be available for flying thru the winter weather permitting.  Hours are Monday thru Friday flying 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Saturday’s are for electrics only from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Remember to fly safely, don’t fly alone, follow the rules and have a good time.

Bill

36th Annual Winter Build Contest

Held during our regular meeting on Friday April 20th 2012

Be part of CMAC’s 36th Annual Contest                                                                 

THIS YEAR'S CATEGORIES

• Best ARF

• Best Kit or Scratch Built

• Members Choice

AWARDS

• Best ARF $20 Gift Certificate
• Best Kit or Scratch Built $30 Gift Certificate
• Members Choice $40 Gift Certificate

Included in all categories are planes or helicopters

SILENT AUCTION

We will have a SILENT AUCTION for three planes donated by club member Ron Faanes to benefit the club treasury.  Two .60 sized kit-built planes complete with servos, receivers and motors, and one new in the box electric.

You buy a ticket from Treasurer Andy Figlar for $ 5.00 for the glow planes, or $10.00 for the E-flite electric Fokker.

Winning tickets will be drawn after the model build contest is done.

• Specs: .60 sized Bud Nosen Aerobat with all servos and O.S. 60. Motor Low wing, Ch. 19 receiver, 68 inch wingspan, beautifully covered.

• Specs: .60 sized Kwik fly II, 66.5 inches, 8 lbs with motor all servos and receiver.

• Specs: E-FLITE FOKKER DVII electric ARF wing span 34 inches, wt. 7.2 ounces
This plane is still in the box, ARF, is a $10.00 ticket.

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• UPCOMING EVENTS

April 20, 2012, Friday 7:30 PM
CMAC General Membership Meeting
36th Annual Winter Build Contest
Margaret Egan Center
Devon, CT.

April 28, 2012, Saturday 8:30AM
Basic IMAC
East Coat Swamp Fliers
Info Erik at ehaakonsen@aol.com

May 12, 2013, Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
TILRCC Float Fly
Wolfe Park, Monroe, CT

June 2-3, 2012, Saturday-Sunday 8:00AM
IMAC Event
CMAC Plymouth Field
Info Erik at  ehaakonsen@aol.com

June 15, 2012, Friday 7:30 PM
CMAC General Membership Meeting
Margaret Egan Center
Devon, CT                                                     

July 8, 2012, Sunday
Dawn Patrol
Ellington, CT
www.ncrcc.org

Always be sure to check for any last minute event changes

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• The regular Balsa Chips Newsletter will be sent out quarterly.

• Any news, events or notices will be sent out as necessary in the Balsa Bulletin.

• E-mails will also be sent out prior to the meeting, events or other activities.

CMAC’s 5th Annual Fun Fly Plymouth Field June 27, 2010 Photos by Jon Sinish

• CMAC FUN FLY Plymouth Field 5.23.2010

 

• Wings and Wheels at Sikorsky Airport Memorial Day Weekend

• CMAC's 34 Annual Winter Build Contest Photos

• WHERCC AUCTION PHOTOS

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• Reminder 2010 Membership Dues

Dues can be mailed to: Stan Wysocki 135 Spring Street Stratford, CT 06614. Make checks out to “CMAC”. Please note any changes in address, phone number, E-Mail or AMA number. If possible include a copy of your current AMA card.

It’s your dues that cover the operating expenses and maintenance of the fields. Most of the dues goes into the events, cookouts, awards and door prizes that the members have the opportunity to partake in.

• CMAC web page is now linked from US Army Corps of Engineers Site

The Plymouth Field of CMAC is featured as part of the Hop Brook Lake site administered by The US Army Corps of Engineers at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/hnk/hnkhome.htm

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AL’S HOBBIES • NORWALK, CT • (203) 846-9932

"I’m only a phone call away... and with next day service
I can mail out most small items like hardware, props, radios, engines etc.

"Plus we have many new items daily. Our prices are magazine competitive."

Please mention you saw this notice here on the web at www.ccmacbb.org

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• CMAC-Pilots Group on Yahoo
Many of you will recall that we started an email group on Yahoo over a year ago. Several CMAC members have joined since that time and it has been a useful tool to coordinate with other CMAC members for flying together at our fields.

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REMEMBER, You Can Join CMAC Anytime...

You can join CMAC anytime and get your own subscription to the print version of Balsa Chips which has more information than the web version.

Dues can be mailed to: Stan Wysocki, 135 Spring Street, Stratford, CT 06614. Make checks out to "CMAC". Please note any changes in address, phone number, E-Mail or AMA number. If possible include a copy of your current AMA card.

Better yet, come to the meeting.

* Regular membership $65.00 * Senior membership $50.00 * Junior Membership $6.00

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Rules for The CMAC Plymouth Field, a big field worth flying

How often have you heard someone say:

Don’t fly over the house
Don’t fly over the road
Don’t fly over the barn
The park is too crowded to fly today
Field is being cut
Planes too noisy
Field’s flooded
Can’t fly before 10
Can’t fly after 1
Can’t fly on Sundays

At Plymouth You Only Hear 1 Thing >>> Always lock the gate!

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DIRECTIONS AND RULES FOR THE PLYMOUTH FIELD

<<Area Lodging and Campgrounds are at end of rules section below>>
GPS Field Co-ordinates are: N 41  8.800, W 73  01.863

Directions: Take Route 8 to exit 39. If you are coming from the South turn right at the end of exit. If you are coming from the North, turn left at end of exit. This is Route 6 going towards Plymouth.
Turn right at the first traffic light (about 7/10 mile up winding hill from exit) if coming from Route 8. (Second traffic light if coming from the North.) This is route 262. Take your second left off of Rt. 262 (about 6/10 mile). This is Keegan road. Follow Keegan Rd. to the end (about 1.1 miles) and then sharp right to the first gate.