Hi Fellow VT RC flyers,
    We have had great flying weather since our BIG freeze down here --- The longest I can remember (12days) of real cold --- We lost a lot of our orange crop (we have 15 some trees)(did not hurt the trees though) but we had already picked our tangerines and put them in cold storage --- We managed to save some of the oranges for use the rest of the winter ---
    On the negative side, I must report that I had another disappointing happening --- Many of you knew that at the end of the season while flying with you guys in VT I lost the bearings in my rather new Saito 91 Gold Edition on my Astro Bipe --- Joe at Barnspeed put new bearings and a rod in it, and it lays in Hanks cellar until I get back to put it back in the plane --- Well, I have been noticing a strange sound occurring in my other rather new Saito 80 Gold Edition on a Tiger 60 and it had been getting worse --- Make a long story short, bearings went bad in that engine also --- We have a good engine guy here locally and I am to get the engine back this week-end --- Both engines were broken in by the book, the fellow is very careful, and always running the fuel out of the engine --- I use the same fuel in all my planes and no other problems with them --- The only thing we can think of is that he built these two planes about 4 yrs ago and the planes have just set in his shop BUT he assured me that when he put them up he had run the fuel out and put after run oil in (I have no reason to not believe him, I have known him some time) and as they sat he would turn the props over from time to time when he was in his shop --- So it remains a mystery ---  
      Flying is going full bore now --- Two to three time a week --- We fly at two different fields, one field is only 4 miles away, the other one 14mi --- A couple of weeks ago we started float flying on the lake we are on and have had some great weather flying days, we wait for the cold fronts (getting weaker now) to get thru and High Pressure to set in when we float fly --- Had 3 planes up yesterday --- A month ago I put a "Ready On Floats" ABS ARF together with an OS 46 FX on it and it fly's like a gem (one like Dick Robinson has) --- We just have to keep the Gator's away from the planes while on the water LOL --- They are really not much of a problem this time of year because the water is still cold and they are rather docile in cooler weather as well and they mostly stay on the banks sunning themselves and we are out in the middle of the lake on the pontoon boat --- I did read an article recently where a Gator chomped down on an RC float plane somewhere though ---

  Here is a tip that I discovered and believe worthy ---
    Last week I broke an ACP prop (only damage) while making a wild windy landing and as I was changing the prop and hating to throw anything away, it dawned on me that it might make a good letter opener --- I asked Joyce if she could use an extra letter opener to use in another place in the house and she said yes --- I took the prop to the grinder and rounded off the broken end and "Shazam", I had a neat letter opener --- I gave her the old one I was using and kept the ACP one at my desk to use, and as a novelty --- They make a perfect openers and conversational pieces as well while laying on top of my desk  :-) ---
    Now you "Big Bird" flyers could use the same method but of course could only be used for opening "Big" envelopes or packages :-) --- Or they should make good kindling for the fireplace to help you stay warm --- :-) ---
    I hope you guys enjoy that Micro flying inside, sound like fun --- Looking forward to seeing you all early summer !!!!
            Ron

Construction Projects for Winter 09-10