ISSUE #98 USUA CLUB #66, Richard E

Newsletter Issue #119 USUA Club #66
Richard E. Miller Chapter
May/June, 2004

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USUA Club #66 May/June Newsletter 6/10/2004

Our next meeting will be at Ray Osterhout's Camel Back Airport on June 19th at 5 PM. REMEMBER IT WILL BE AT 5 PM for the benefit of our flyers to come and participate. The Coordinates are N 41* 43.941 W 075* 49.741.

Our cook will be John Finn. See you there!!

Our May 15th meeting was a complete success even if it was a little windy. We had a total of 17 people attend. Two pilots flew in; Mel McKinney and Dave Schwartz. The wind was SW and a challenge but these guys were pros to begin with so it didn't pose as a problem. Even Ken Kilpatrick was there to greet us. It was great seeing you again Ken. Yes, my dad and Ray Osterhout said to say hello to you. We're also glad to see our Net Publisher (Tom Lewis) come back for the Summer. Welcome back Tom!! Sorry you didn't get a chance to enjoy the Winter with the rest of us but we do know Florida was more tolerable.

Gil Aitchison wasn't able to attend this meeting because his wife Liz had to have an operation, I spoke to him on Monday and found out that Liz is doing well.

John Finn, brought in all the food for our picnic and it was great! He liked it so well he volunteered to do it again this June's meeting. Serving food can be fun as John found out so don't be afraid to volunteer. You will be compensated for your cost.

Well father's Day is coming up so if there is anything you want that your wife can't think of, now is your chance to slip one in under the radar. She'll love you for it you know little things, like our toys that fly. On father's Day back in June 19th of 1972 my wife worked overtime for the birth of our son. So guess what day our next meeting is? Wow !! I guess that makes Matt 32, he's getting to be an old man. Now to top this off, if my grandson is born on this day, it will make me a grandpa, won't that be a surprise?

Our meeting started at 12:45 PM with The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Ray Osterhout (our President) had an important mission and wasn't able to attend. He was invited to give a commencement speech at SUNY Binghamton. So I'm sure he did his best part for our next generation to instill in them, good values towards their business vocations. Stop and think about it. As scary as it is, we will be depending on our next generation for sooo MUCH!! Good going Ray!

We had our round table review and as usual pilots had a chance to share their experiences and their blunders. Harry Henderson had a force field landing with his ultralight. The engine quit so he naturally had to go down, but he happened to be in the right place for a safe landing. You really have to appreciate Harry. He never got a license and he is 81 or 82 of age and is quite an aviator. He has to replace his engine; it was worn out.

Dave Thomas put his jet engine lawn mower on hold for now and has gone back to flying because of the good weather. He probably didn't need his jet powered lawn mower just yet anyway. Dave also mentioned of a possible fly in July. It is 3 miles from South Montrose Susquehanna County . Mel Mc Kinney said he would go down and see if it would be a safe place to go in. Also a farmer will need to harvest the hay off it first. He also said, his brother would like to do the cooking.

Norm Dibble said, if anyone gets caught short and for some reason can't make it back home they could stay at his house for the evening. Norm did some hopping around at Chenango Bridge Airport with his craft but didn't take to the air just yet.

Butch Osterhout has an operation to look forward too. We should learn of his details at this next meeting. Hopefully all is well. (We just heard that the operation was a complete success and Butch is up and around and doing well).

I mentioned to everyone when going into any airport, Camel Back or Chenango Bridge or any other, use your gut feeling and good pilot discretion. If you don't like what you see and or if you don't feel good about going in and making a landing, no one will hold it against you. You are the PIC (Pilot In Command); you decide if it is ok for you to go in.

Our meeting was interrupted by a bear crossing the runway so we took a break to make sure the little fella got across the runway. It was just a cub and no mom.

George Smith gave us a summary on the Florida Sun and Fun and he also talked about his Savannah aircraft that he is building.

Dave Donnora is still busy putting his Wagabond together.

Rest of the guys have been busy working and or getting ready to get serious about flying.

A good friend of mine Richard Rosener (Rosie) is very interested in a craft like yours Ray (the one with the parachute). If you happen to have the dealer available that may be a good time to reach towards a sale. If all goes well maybe we can get Rosie to join us in the club.

We broke away from our meeting again to make sure Mel McKinney and Dave Schwartz got off ok. The cloud cover was starting to look ugly and was getting more windy from the South West. The way the wind was blowing created a little down draft as Dave and Mel got off but their experience taught them well and they headed back for Susquehanna Airport .

We went back to our agenda and discussed the best time to have meetings, which is in the morning or in the evening. A vote was made to go for a 5 PM meeting so that others would be able to brave their way in. Let's face it high noon can be very rough air for the little guys.

Our meeting was over by 2:45 PM.

Your Secretary,

Mel Wightman

PS Here is a special request from Bob Lindsey

Wanted-----a (2) blade wood prop, min diameter 3', no specific pitch & small cracks are OK. I want this to engrave a couple of names of now deceased persons who I think need some type of memorial for their contributions to the Modelers of Binghamton RC club. It will be mounted at the flying field.

Thanks, Bob Lindsey