NOVEMBER. 10, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 19:05 hrs. by President Jim Jewell.

Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer's Report was presented by Treasurer Barry Fegarty. (details will be read at the Dec. meeting). Motion to accept the report as read was made by Norm Long and seconded by Ed Gresik. Motion carried.

Old Business:

President Jim thanked the volunteers who were at the Leamington Complex for the “RACE AGAINST DRUGS”. Gerry Shaw and Chuck Smith, visitors from MAAC were impressed with the ‘RACE AGAINST DRUGS PROGRAM” and our club participation. MAAC will donate approximately (70) balsa stick planes to be built and flown in the school program. Jim gave a brief outline of the school program and the need for volunteer s both at the schools and the field trips. Lou Deschamps, Len Laport, Bill Bell and Jim Jewell volunteered to help with the programs.

NEW BUSINESS:

New pilots, Bob Myers, Norm Long and Kyle Tiessen were congratulated on receiving their wings. New members Bert Litke and Terry Momney were welcomed to the club.

A current membership list was circulated for any changes to addresses, telephone or email information.

A motion to supply balsa planes for school field trips was moved by Ed Gresik and seconded by Bob Axford. Motion carried. Since MAAC will no longer supply the balsa planes for free, the planes will be ordered from MAAC and charged back to the schools at cost, if needed. The program has received accolades from everyone involved.

A motion to close the meeting was moved by Ron Edwards and seconded by Norm Long. Meeting closed at 20:05 hrs.

Following the close of the meeting Joe Schooley presented a show and tell of his latest creation which is an old time design aircraft. Joe gave members a brief description of the plane and classes and categories applied to these aircraft and answered all questions.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Bill Bell, Jim Helke, Jim Jewell, Ron Edwards, Barry Fegarty, Norm Long, Herb Thrun, Ed Gresik, Bert Litke, Len Laporte, Kyle Tiessen, Pete Auch, Joe Schooley, Bob Axford, Robin Paulton, Ray Gould, Bob Myers, Terry Momney, Roger Gould.

Secretary Bill Bell.

Once again we are very pleased to feature another article by Joe Schooley which follows.

        ... a look back

By the end of the 1930's, the world of model aviation had changed completely. The era had begun with rubber models and was going out with the ZIPPER --- a skyrocket with wings. The competition model had become very suddenly an engine-powered glider. Not everyone liked the idea. Not everyone does today, but 50 years have passed and the engine-powered glider has yet to run its course.

Moves to ban gas models rose in 1935. Death dives were fairly common in '35. Wheel launches exceeded wheel landings. These were the days when newspapers headlined model meets. People turned out by the thousands to see these death dives.

A couple of eastern states decided to pass anti-gas laws. "No model shall be flown over the state of Connecticut if powered by gas". Massachusetts was soon to follow. Unpopular laws are soon ignored. Within a few years the laws of both states faded into oblivion.

The big problem was not in starting the engines but in stopping them. In 1938 a clockwork timer appeared. New rules in '38 brought in fuel allotment - a certain amount of fuel per pound of model. This year also heralded the start of the Texaco event and the 30-second antique event (a 30 second engine run was timed after the release of the model). In addition to these two, Pan American Airways invented the 'payload event'. You put a lead weight dummy in the cabin and flew in rounds. Each round the dummy got heavier. The one who took off with the most weight won.

The first Nationals to take place was in 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee. You had to place first in a series of contests in your city, and then you were invited to the Nats.

In 1936, the Nationals came to Detroit and there it remained for four years. Seven of the first twelve Nats were held in Detroit but they have not hosted another since. An R/C event was held in 1936 and nobody came. Things changed and in 1938, timers could not use binoculars and were not allowed to follow the model.

In 1940, the Nationals went to Chicago with 1200 entries from the United States and Canada. The 1941 Chicago Nats saw over 1300 entries.

In 1948, the U.S. Navy took over running the 'Nats' at their big name air stations as they were already sponsoring contests. For the next 25 years the Navy would be the mainstay for the Nats. They housed and fed every contestant. You could build, repair planes, and even run engines in the hangers; and they provided times for all of the events. The Navy even gave school children the task of turning out 500,000 solid models for spotters and Navy pilots. Ninety percent of all World War II Naval pilots had built model airplanes.

Joe Schooley

The monthly comment this issue comes in the form of items about idiots.

Idiots at the Phone Company:

This week all our office phones went dead and I had to contact the telephone repair people. They promised to be out between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. When I asked if they could give me a smaller time window, the pleasant gentleman asked, "Would you like us to call you before we come?" I replied that I didn't see how they could do that as our phones were not working. He also requested that we report future outages by email. Does YOUR email work without a phone line?

Idiots in the Neighbourhood:

I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the local township administration office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road. The reason: too many deer were being hit by cars and he didn't want them to cross there anymore.

Idiots in Food Service:

My daughter went into the local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce". He said he was sorry but they only had iceberg.

Idiots at the Airport:

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your luggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

Well it takes all types. Hope to see you at the meeting December 8, 7:00 p.m. Stick some good ones together for the spring.

Ron Edwards.