Bend aero modelers

Bend Oregon

News Archive for 2009

Page Updated on: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

News Archive June 2009

06/01/09  Full Circle:   Hope everyone is having that good 2009 so far.  It's that time of year again when we plan for that big event, the Fire Cracker Fun Fly.  We have a lot of work to do on the Horse Ridge site before that wonderful weekend, and a few work parties have been planned.  We'd like to ask that each member do some soul searching to see what they can contribute to the effort in pulling off the best Fire Cracker yet.  If you have an idea for an activity or event during this weekend we'd like to hear about it. We plan this year to have a few computers available for demonstrating simulators to the public.  As yet no formal competition events will take place this year but will be open flying for most of the weekend. In addition we are still looking for a food vendor for the event, if you know of anyone that could help with this please contact our el presidente.  The special events page on this site is a great way to keep up with the latest info on this topic. Work day issues include the following: Painting of the club house, repairing pilot stations, trash barrel replacement, secure and cleanup of the toilet units, repair of fencing by the toilets, mat replacement in the pit area. There may be a few other items that will get added as time permits

News Archive September 2009

09/11/09  FireCracker:   Hope everyone is having a good flying year so far. The Big Firecracker is behind us and while the turnout was less than what we expected, it wasn't a bad year event. Heat was a big factor in low turnout along with an economy that has been turned upside-down. The up side is we all had a pretty good time, Tom Brohamer did his award winning BBQ and there were no major accidents to speak of. There were some minor little things but over all everyone took their airplanes home at the end of the event.  Night flying this year got off to a big start as Dave Arata and the Usual suspects put glow sticks on the club trainer for night number one. On Saturday night, Dave Lawler and Chris Rankin lit up the night sky with airplanes equipped with bright LED lights. Was really something to see and a few of us shocked it didn't get the local sheriff called out. We lit up the night sky with the usual pyro techniques and a ton of fun was had by all. As a few of you remember Dave Arata and Dave Lawler coming together in mid flight during last years night event, kudos goes to Dave Lawler for actually building a wing from scratch for this event.  Now what's amazing is the scratch built wing was built in about four hours, but took many hours to attach the LED's for evening event. The Magic with the new wing was test flown, in the dark with LED's. Amazing by most standards.

09/11/09  OJ:  Jet's Over Whidbey an annual major jet event here in the Northwest was attended in style by the Oregon Jet's gang this year. Kim Waterhouse, Chris Shaker, Chris Rankin, Dave Lawler and Bruce Tharpe from BTE all made the trek to attend the event up on Whidbey Island Washington.  Kim Waterhouse hosted a BBQ for the gang which was attended by even a few jet guests from Canada. The guys from the great white north put on a wonderful event at Princeton twice each year and these guys were made to feel at home here in the US.  Kim Waterhouse flew his BVM Bobcat each of the three days, burning huge amounts of fuel. Chris Shaker took his Reaction 54 up for more stick time but crosswinds prevented him from getting tons of good quality flight time. Chris did fly several times over the three days, eventually figuring out the landing technique for his airplane. He was one happy camper. Chris Rankin flew many times during the three days and actually when all was said and done, burnt through about five gallons of Jet A. Chris's airplane a highly modified Reaction 54, missed getting the "Best Sport Jet" award by one vote, beaten out by a Kingcat with an airbrushed lion on the bottom. Maybe next year.  Bruce Tharpe came up with his lovely daughter and flew his Comp R54. Bruce also dazzled everyone with his noon time Saturday show flying his DynaJet powered Delta Vortex. Bruce Tharpe got a surprise when Chris Rankin handed over his airplane letting Bruce fly. Bruce seemed impressed.  Dave Lawler got the surprise of his life at JOW. Dave Lawler as many of you know, is one of our more skilled R/C'ers, having been in the hobby for many years, and is not new to high performance aircraft. Dave made the trek this year to fly his F-16 Ducted fan at JOW, but after the first day said he was truly humbled by what he had seen and learned. Christopher Rankin put him on the controls flying his R54 SE each day of the event and by day two Dave said he had a new respect for those that fly these airplanes. Let's just say that the whole experience was such that it brought a new level of appreciation on the complexity and difficulty in flying these unique airplanes. As Chris Rankin put it, "that's when I truly knew Dave was ready". So on Sunday afternoon, taking the controls of Chris Rankin's R54, Dave Lawler proceeded to make his turbine waiver test flight. With Christopher Rankin doing the signoff along with Kim Waterhouse, all being observed by Al Watson and Bob Brusa.  Dave took off into an evening sun filled sky and nailed his waiver test,  Dave obviously had the biggest smile after it was done. So JOW 2009 ended with a huge crab dinner at Kim Waterhouse's place in celebration of Dave's completing a milestone in his modeling, a turbine waiver signoff.   As with most of these major events, new friends are made, new milestones accomplished, and new memories made, being filed away only to be brought back out in front of a fireplace some winter day when the snow is flying, and the heart needs a reminder of that warm summer weekend in Washington.

Left to right  -   Dave Lawler with Chris Rankins R54, Chris Shaker's R54, Paul Dries Scorpion, Scorpion, Viper Jet, Bruce Tharpe Comp R54 with Chris Shaker lending a hand, Bruce Tharpe's Dynajet powered Vortex, Skymaster F-16, Line up at JOW

News Archive October 2009

10/21/09  Elections:   Is that time of year again, time to elect your officers for the 2010 term.  Nominations need to be in no later than the beginning of the October meeting, and the election vote will take place at the November meeting, with Proxy votes due before the start of the November meeting. Proxy nominations and votes can be done electronically via email.  The Nominations so far are as follows:

  • Office of President - Tom Brohamer
  • Office of Vice President - Waldemar Frank
    • Christopher Rankin - Declined
  • Office of Secretary - Tony Bass
  • Office of Treasurer - Dan Clark
  • Office of Safety Officer - Steve Younger
  • Editor - Christopher Rankin

10/21/09  2010 Dues:   As the holiday season approaches, it's easy to forget that AMA dues should be in before the 31st of December. BAM Dues are also requested before January 1st.  This will prevent any delays on getting your membership card from AMA, as there is always a years end rush at HQ for those putting it off to the last minute. In today's economy it is understandable if funds are a little tight for hobby related expenses, and BAM does have a plan in place to allow members to pay out over a short time period dues for 2010. If this is something you'd like to discuss, contact Sec/treas Dan Clark for details.

10/21/09  Go Fast, Turn Lefty - Pylon:   Some of you have heard, some have not.  BAM will be introducing pylon racing to Central Oregon next year.  They will be starting with Club 40 events and see where it goes from there.  There was a detailed article in last month's AMA Model Aviation for anyone that is curious.  I'm writing to let everyone know that we will be placing our first order for the planes and engines soon.  You'll have two choices of planes.  The Sky Raider Mach II, or the LA Racer 40.  Both from Airborne Models.  Here's a couple of links to take a look at:

http://www.airborne-models.com/html/productdetails.asp?ProductID=147
 
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/productdetails.asp?ProductID=91
 
 There are 4 schemes available for the LA Racer and 2 for the Sky Raider.  They are both available in solid yellow or solid white for you to customize as you see fit.  They are also available almost ready to cover.  
 
Once we receive 10 or 12 orders for planes, we'll place the order.  We'd like to do a bulk order so we can offer discounts to our customers.  The same holds true for the engines.  The recommended engine  is the Thunder Tiger Pro .40BB.  There are other acceptable engines per the Club 40 rules and those engines are the Super Tigre GS-40, the GMS .40 and the Evolution .40NT.  Here's a brief rundown:
  
http://www.rcpro.org/html/rules/club_40/club40_racing_printer.htm
 
 Please let us know if you're interested in racing, or come to BAM's meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28th for additional info.  Give us a call or send us an e-mail to place your order.  We already have 10 or so with planes on order.  Let's have some fun!!!

Dave Arata, D's Hobbies  541-389-1330

News Archive November 2009

11/26/09  Elections:   Like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Sounds like a lot of new things are planned for 2010, which brings exciting times to Bend Aero Modelers. We have Pylon getting a good start with the group, there is interest in scale events, and the usual sport flying. There are a few changes in the officer core for 2010, where we are splitting off the jobs of Secretary and Treasurer. These jobs in the past were combined to make things easier, but the size of the group has become such as to merit the division once again.  Tom Brohamer will resume his post as President, Dan Clark will remain as Treasurer, Steve Younger will continue keeping us safe. Waldemar Frank picks up VP, Tony Bass will step into the newly created separate position of Secretary, and I Christopher Rankin have the job of keeping you all informed. Remember this is your group, and new ideas are always welcome, so shoot one of us an email if you have something you'd like to see happen or something to share. Look forward to seeing you all next year.  - CR
  • President - Tom Brohamer
  • VP - Waldemar Frank
  • Secretary - Tony Bass
  • Treasurer - Dan Clark
  • Safety Officer - Steve Younger
  • Editor - Christopher Rankin

11/26/09  Ho Ho:   Annual BAM Christmas Party will be held at Boston's this year on December 5th. The following are details for the event.
 Christmas Party will be at Boston's on 3rd street in Bend on December 5th at 6:30pm.  We will have a gift exchange ($20 limit please). For the guys a gift of hobby item and for the ladies and appropriate gift. Label the gift accordingly, (ladies or mans gift). We will draw numbers then pick a gift, then the next person will either pick a gift or "Steal" from another person. A gift can only be "stolen" 3 times. This is a lot of fun, lets have a good turn out.
DINNER: Attendees are responsible for the dinner, will order from the standard menu. (Please remember the 18% gratuity).