Monday April 22 brought "warm enough" and "calm enough" conditions for members Jim R. and Steve B. to do some flight testing. Jim did well enough with his upgraded UMX Waco (3S instead of 2S power).  But when everything is set up at the factory and you can launch in SAFE mode it shouldn't be challenging for an experienced flier. The scratchbuilt PZL P-11c was another story.  It took off easily enough, but the trim seemed ineffective.  After landing Jim figured out his transmitter didn't switch to "cross trim" when he thought it did, and he was putting in rudder trim i ..read more

  After fortifying themselves with a hearty breakfast at Studebaker's in New Carlisle, a few hardy souls braved the cold winds to prep the field for flying season.  The windsock is up and solar power is connected to the shelter lights and charging station.  Too windy to fly anything but kites, but some of us did admire the Hangar 9 OV-10 in President Chad's van ..read more

  In the last article in this series, we showed that each aircraft configuration has a "neutral point" (NP), and discussed ways of finding it using a CG calculator.  If the model's CG is forward of the NP location, the model will be stable in pitch.  If it's behind the NP, the model will be unstable. We also noted that CG calculators ask the user for something called "static margin" before finding the acceptable CG range. So what's static margin?  Simple - it's the distance between the CG and NP, expressed as a percentage of the wing mean aerodynamic chord (MAC).  Fo ..read more

  For once the weather cooperated and SMAC members and families were treated to a spectacular view of a total solar eclipse Monday April 8th. Totality lasted about two minutes, showing the Sun's corona and a couple of nearby planets (out of this frame). Of course some flying was done as well! Grass height was a bit challenging, but SMAC President Chad N assures us mowing will begin soon.  If you haven't signed up for the mowing list, Chad would be glad to hear from you ..read more

 With temperatures nearing 70 F, ample sunshine, and moderate winds a couple of intrepid SMAC members got a head start on flying today. Rick B. test flew Bart's new Shock Cub.  Nice landing Rick! And Rob C. got away from the classroom long enough to get some stick time with his P-38. This is a good opportunity to remind members that while the official season opening isn't until April 20, that just means that some amenities are unavailable.  Come on out and fly, just be mindful if it's damp and remember mowing season hasn't started yet.   ..read more

  SMAC member Jim R. submitted these photos of his latest scratchbuilding project.  It's a PZL P-11c, a Polish 1930's gull winged fighter which was still in service when WWII started in 1939. The model spans 53", weighs a little over 4-1/2 lb, and is powered by a Suppo 4120/6 brushless electric motor on 4S (glow .46 equivalent). And yes, for you eagle eyed types Jim knows the national insignia on the wings are inconsistently placed.  The Poles did that on purpose, to (hopefully) throw enemy pilots off their aim. Hoping for a nice day soon for a first flight ..read more

Check out Rick B's newest project! Powered by a Valley View RC 70cc gas twin.  Weighs 23 lb ready to fly. Rick says it only took 6 days from in the box to completion. Looking forward to see this one fly ..read more

 SMAC member Jim R. shared these photos of his Bucker Jungmann which is nearly ready for covering.   The plane is built from a vintage Carl Goldberg Models kit, converted to open cockpit configuration. Power will be a VVRC 20cc gas engine. Goldberg made wonderful kits - it's a shame they went out of business ..read more

 Rick B. shared these photos of his new Seagull Models Shock Cub.  102" wingspan, powered by a DA50 gasoline engine.  All it needs now is a carbon fiber spinner!   ..read more

  SMAC member Rick B. is getting his 14' trailer ready for flying season.  A shelf makes room for twice as many planes! Rick says the tie down tracks and hardware come from a company called E-Track.  Looks like a good off the shelf option Rick ..read more