East Valley Electric Flyers Issue 2 Vol. 2 

NEWSLETTER   May - August 2020

East Valley Electric Flyers AMA charter #4702   

In this Newsletter

❖ Hot Topic - F5K ❖ Silent Wings Ranch Update ❖ Future Events ❖ DLG ❖ Elliot Bowl Status ❖ Summary of Local Events ❖ Welcome New Members ❖ Classifieds

1

Hot Topic - F5K!

Yes, you read that correctly...it isn't F3K or F5J, but F5K.

I've counted about 10 pilots in EVEF that are building or in the process of procuring F5K planes. This is a new contest format from the Netherlands that is gaining support relatively quickly. Initial F5K rules have been submitted to the FAI to establish an international standard in the future.

The main features of F5K…

1. Maximum of 1.5 meter wingspan plane

2. Quick electric launch (~7 second motor run)

3. Multiple flight tasks with different target flight times

4. Deduction/bonus for launch height

Why is this the right time for EVEF to start experimenting with F5K?

● The rules, planes and supporting devices are stable enough for us to have fun yet provide valuable feedback. Also, Gliderscore will officially support F5K within a couple weeks, making it easy to run and score contests.

● This may prove to be popular in the soaring community because it has the following positive attributes

○ No need to be “athletic” to enjoy and be competitive

○ Competitive planes can be obtained/built at relatively low cost

○ Multiple flight tasks provide for more variety

F5K Fun Fly: Saturday, October 31 (9 weeks from now)

This event and future F5K events will be posted on the EVEF event calendar. The purpose of this first event will be to…

1. Provide a target for us to get our planes ready 😉

2. Ensure everyone has their altimeter (Altis Nano, see below) configured properly. I will bring a laptop to help.

3. Go over the basics of launching and landing rules.

4. Practice the basics of launching to a preferred launch height and recording the heights from the Altis device.

5. Promote the first contest!

What do you need?

1. A 1.5 meter plane (any number of control surfaces) with electric launch and no more than 2-cell power.

2. An Altis Nano to control motor run and altitude recording

Planes / Power System

You can convert an existing DLG or buy a new 1.5 meter plane. We won’t sweat the wing loading for now, but the pending rule will allow for wing loading as low as 11g/dm^2, making it easier to convert an existing DLG to an F5K plane. Links to planes that are currently available…

● e-Flitz: Several of us, including I, have purchased this model or just the fuselage

● Fury F5K - ArmSoar: At least one club member has this model

● Vortex 3 F5K: At least one club member has this model

● Snipe 2 Electric: The motor system for this one is readily available separately at a reasonable price

● Yellow Jacket 1.5 meter: Our own Corky is working on an electrified 1.5 meter Yellow Jacket kit. I will let him

2

chime in on expected availability. His website: SonoranLaserArt

More Details Coming

More details regarding F5K will be coming, including in the next edition of the EVEF newsletter. Please be cautious if you look up the rules for F5K…they are currently a bit tedious and are in process of getting simplified. I am in contact with the founder of this new contest format and have obtained a great deal of insight already, so I should be able to answer most questions regarding F5K.

Thanks!

-Randy

Silent Wings Ranch Update!

Justin: Well, I’m still tired, just more so now.

Significant progress has been made on the ranch since the last EVEF newsletter. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, there were significant delays in getting materials, and this has pushed back the timeline.

A concrete pad was poured (thank you John and Charlie) and John placed the generator on the concrete pad with his truck. Then, I trenched out the field according to the sprinkler diagram, and thus the big push

began.

In one three-day weekend, John set up, and ran all the electrical wiring, while me and some irrigation guys(they install irrigation for a living) installed 7000 linear ft of irrigation piping. I’d like to say that I was instrumental

3

in the installation but these guys I hired just kind of took over the job and cut/glued and installed all the piping/valves and sprinkler heads. I ended up just being labor and hauled/placed all the piping in the correct areas. The undertaking was massive, and my irrigation guys were extremely skeptical that it was going to all work. Their concern was that I was using too small of a mainline pipe for the distances being travelled, but I had paid Rainbird a whopping $35 to design a complete system based on the area, and according to Rainbird it would work. I also coordinated with Phoenix Pumps and they sized the pump based on the numbers provided by Rainbird. So, when the irrigation guys completed the furthest most section, we asked John to supply us power so we could see if it’d work. We opened that valve and behold; we have water in the middle of the desert. To say the guys were shocked is an understatement, but it all works and better than they had anticipated. Then, the trenches were backfilled and covers installed over the valve stations.

Next was tackling the automation of the electrical system. This is where I must extend my profound appreciation for ALL the help and guidance that John Armstrong has brought to this project. To say that I couldn’t have done this without him is an understatement. I might just have to adopt him as my long-lost son... But we are moving ever closer to a completely

automated watering system. As of this writing the sprinkler timers go off at 445am and 530am(just 2 minutes per zone for right now as a test run), which triggers the generator to start, and once the voltage is correct it signals the irrigation pump to turn on and we have water. In addition, John has integrated the well pump into the system so that when the storage tank gets low, a signal is sent, a relay opens, and the well pump turns on. We built a patio cover over the generator pad as we were having some heat issues with the inverter, but the cover and a cooling fan appear to have solved this heat issue. A solar panel was installed on top of the cover to keep the batteries charged and not lose any of the programming.

Here where it all gets really cool. I purchased a hotspot router from my cellular

4

service, and with the wifi we will be able to monitor, AND control, the sprinkler timers and the generator. If I’m on a trip somewhere I can always check in on the operation of the system. Additionally, with the help of Randy West, we will install a wifi operated camera system and weather station, allowing anyone to access the camera system and see what’s happening on the ranch, check the weather as well. This will be helpful to see that the sprinklers are operating and for other future uses. But very very cool, thanks again Randy.

So, what’s next you ask. Plant seed, boy I wish. I had the dirt tested by a soil’s lab in Phoenix, and they gave me a breakdown of the fertilizers I need to ensure proper grass growth and health. I ordered all of that and it's down at the ranch just waiting to be roto-tilled into the ground. It’s now too late to plant Bermuda grass seed (thank you pandemic), which I already have, and we will wait till October to plant rye grass seed. For proper rye grass germination, the average nightly temperature needs to be around 65° so who knows when that’ll be based on these record high temperatures. Come next April I will overseed with Bermuda grass. Whether or not I overseed the Bermuda grass with rye in the future will depend on the almighty dollar, if I have any left.

The ranch is getting closer to being flyable, just now waiting for the heat to break. I now have a registered AMA club at the ranch, Southwest Soaring Society (SWSS) and

memberships will open once I see that first blade of grass break dirt. During the cooler months, I will get back to working on the club house and other projects that’ll make this a welcoming and inviting place to fly.

Future Events! Not local...

Here is a partial list of up and coming events. See RCGroups for more details.

F5J in the Rockies, 19-20 September, Longmont, CO

Visalia Fall Fest (Open, 2-Meter, RES, Woody, ALES) 3-4 October, Visalia CA

North/South F5J Challenge, 24-25 October, Visalia CA

Discus Launch Glider (DLG)

Interested in DLG? How could you NOT be? The idea of competing and beating 2, 3, even 4m electrics all with the flick of your wrist - DLG is soaring in its purest form!

Unfortunately, the cost and complexity of DLG is anything but pure. Fear not, we have an EVEF member whose passion for DLG can overcome these obstacles. EVEF member, Charles Martin would be more than happy to put you on the right path and assist you in all things DLG. You simply have to place the call, text, or email. Honestly, Charles has offered his contact information with the hope of recruiting more pilots so we can grow this aspect of soaring.

Charles is available at...480-516-5947; email: cenmartin@cox.net

5

Elliot Bowl Status

Back in February, two EVEF members were confronted by a Mesa motorcycle cop regarding parking at Bowl 116 (our normal flying site). The policeman told them it was illegal to climb/cross the curb and sidewalk to get to the dirt path and the area in which we have been parking. Parking itself was not the issue. He said he will issue citations in the future. So going forward, there is a strong likelihood anyone found parked on the dirt will be ticketed. Please park on 96th Street and walk/cart your gear to the 116 using the dirt road.

Summary of Local Contest Results May - August 2020

F3RES May 30th

Our first contest since the pandemic shut things down. A great turnout, with nine participants. Lee (CD): What great fun this event was again. Thanks to Greg and Kirby for making the long drive and adding to the team enjoyment. A little hot, but with shade and a nice breeze most of the day it was tolerable. Update: After Jim's landing change in round 3 (he wins round 3) and Kirby's update in the round 5 re-flight due to a bungee break (he wins round 5), the standings have shifted. All new reports are posted below for your consumption. Congratulations Jim on taking 1st place, and Kirby for moving up from 8th to 5th. There will be a 1-week deadline for your lawyers to review these scores and submit written protests (in triplicate) .Results and reports below.

1 VANDERZYL, Jim 4653.8

2 WOLFE, Lee 4568

3 ARMSTRONG, John 4460.6

4 LACROIX, Ed 4396.2

5 HOUSE, Kirby 4182.3

6 MAHONEY, Matt 4054

7 MILLER, Corky 3846.5

8 MCGILL, Greg 3567.9

9 PARKS, Bob 2959.5

F3RES July 11th

Corky: It was a fun time flying this morning. Great to get out of the house too. As we started arriving around 7:00 am it was already close to 100f. We ended up with 6

6

pilots so we formed 2 three man teams. The wind ended up coming from the west so we got the bungees setup right the second time. Clouds were developing but the first couple rounds left us all scratching hard for lift and there were a lot of relaunches. A little later the air started developing. The wind picked up some so we were getting great launches. Often though when you found a thermal it moved down wind pretty quick. Several of us had very high downwind flights. I actually lost my plane once with a big white cloud behind it. I was very lucky that Ed could still see it and coached me on moving the sticks until it reappeared - thank you Ed. With the breeze we were pretty comfortable especially in the shade. I have to admit I was sceptical but am now glad I didn’t let the heat keep me home. Bob lost his model early on so Lee and Randy flew ghost in his position so there would not be any auto wins for the guy flying on the other team during his absence. Thanks for the contest and the guys that braved it out.

Lee (CD): Here's the results from the "Ghost Rider" 110 Invitational. We will really try to avoid 2-team comps which can lead to necessary ghost flying. There were times when one pilot had to fly 3-times in a row. But... it WAS fun and not really that hot. Still can't believe we had another exact tie, which could point to high-level leadership collaboration

OVERALL

Rank Name Score Pcnt Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd5

=1 ARMSTRONG, John 4996.3 100 1000 1000 996.3 1000 1000

=1 MILLER, Corky 4996.3 100 1000 1000 996.3 1000 1000

3 WEST, Randy 4891 97 1000 930.8 1000 960.6 1000

4 LACROIX, Ed 4415 88 589 1000 1000 947 878

5 WOLFE, Lee 3635 72 445.9 333 1000 992 863

6 PARKS, Bob 3461 69 0 837 624 1000 998

LANDING

Rank Name Score Pcnt Raw Score

1 Wolfe, Lee 454 100 85 94 91 85 99

2 West, Randy 416 91.63 90 95 99 35 97

3 Armstrong, John 364 80 75 0 96 95 98

4 Parks, Bob 350 77.09 0 96 65 90 99

5 Miller, Corky 309 68.06 0 75 96 45 93

6 LaCroix, Ed 220 48.46 0 90 60 70 0

7

8

New EVEF Members

We have seven new members to our club so far in 2020. This brings our current membership up to XX. Please welcome the following new members:

Tom Gressman, out of Tucson; David Del Monte, Mesa; Bo Han, Gilbert; Mark DuBois, Queen Creek, Ron Collinsworth, Mesa, Jim Vanderzly, Scottsdale and Hal Aasen in Green Valley.

Classifieds

Jerry Bunger

Has an Oculus for sale. Soars

beautifully. Flown only three times.

Contact Jerry at:

Jerrybunger1@gmail.com

Charlie Morris

Charlie has a great list of items for sale

that he hasn’t flown in over a year.

Here’s Charlie:

1) F3J Maxa $800 (F5J fuse only)

2) Dyno Don’s F5J Maxa $1000

3) Mike Roseberry’s F5J Maxa $1400

4) Jim Allen’s (now Myra’s) Ultima 1

$1800

9

They were all in flyable condition when I

put them away in 2019.

I also have a heavy CX-4 for windy

conditions $400

Contact Charlie at: cptsnoopy@cox.net

Jim Velleman

For Sale: PULSAR 3.6 REF. Add your RX. Everything else included.

Asking $500.00

SporTube carrier. Asking $40. Big enough to put in and protect two (4.0) planes.

Call 480-794-1255, if not home...leave a message or e-mail at: jcvsoaring@gmail.com

Bill Wilson

I have a,

Futaba 12z, case, and manual 250.00

Futaba 14sg, case and manual 275.00

A collectors item a Kraft transmitter, receiver and servos, 100.00

soarin3@gmail.com

10

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President………………………...Ed LaCroix

Vice President……………….Matt Mahoney

Secretary/Treasurer...………...Randy West

Safety Officer…………………….Lee Wolfe

The EVEF Newsletter is published three times a year

by the East Valley Electrical Flyers. Any part of the

newsletter may be reproduced for non-profit

purposes unless otherwise noted. Please credit the

Newsletter and the Author (if named). Articles do not

reflect the opinion of the Club but that of the Author.

Deadline for submitting materials for publication is

one week before the end of April, August, or

December. Send submissions to

mattmahoney@ymail.com.

Visit us on the Web at

https://www.evefphx.net

11