SEN 97-19 - 10 Oct 1997
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News and Reports - 1997 Issue 97-19
SCAT Electronic News 10 October
Latest toys
=======
I just got the latest Sharper Image catalog and Bushnell have brought out a
newer model [Lytespeed 800 - the old model was the Lytespeed 400] of the Laser range finder .. better magnfication , more power
and it appears better ability to handle moving targets.
While on toys Bob Piserchio reports that NIMH batteries are now
available for the Kenwood Radios. These have longer life, more power
and none of the memory problems assocaited with NiCads.
Reminder that these radios are on the Ham band so require a Ham
Licience
Rubber News
==========
Grapevine has it that FAI is about to have a new batch, reports will follow
very soon.
Electronic Timer News
=================
Bill Turner had an item in product news in the AMA [I think] magazine
showing his electronic timers. The cheaper 3 function goes for $120.
Hobby Club has started selling the Volz servos from Germany. These look
like quality items. They have a lighter [7.5 gram] than the FMA Direct. It
has German mechanics and goes for $39.95 Meanwhile FMA have
dropped their price of the S80 to $19.95, I assume to combat Hobby Shack
who sell it for $22.95 as the Cirrus 20.
Further Comment on the Sierra Cup
=========================
While I said that it went well for me [execpt for the results !] some other
people have commented that the shortened rounds and number of timers
caused then to them have to squeeze flight in at the last moment or even
miss a round completely. On our pole we were fortunate that my wife Lindy
was able to time two of the people on the pole; George Batiuk and
Alexander Andriukov, while George's brother Tim timed Rich Rohke
and me. We let the provided timer go to one of the adjacent poles
to help out there. It did take us a little while to get back in time for the
next round, what with my small bike and Alex chasing on foot. I guess
that in a contest like the Sierra Cup where the organizer does provide
time keepers .. and when they shorten the round be sure to bring
it to the organizer's notice if there are not time keepers available.
News from the NFFS
===============
The NFFS is revamping the plans list, see the latest digest and the NFFS
Web Site [www.mmb.com/nffs].
Also the latest news from Bob Stalick, the NFFS president - stolen from
the same NFFS web site .. you ALL are NFFS members .. ?!
1. The editor of the 1998 NFFS Symposium is Dan Tracy and he is
soliciting submissions now. Send a brief description of the intended
article to: Dan Tracy, Box 244, Maple Valley, WA 98038. The deadlines
for this year's publication are: January 15 for article descriptions and
March 15 for completed articles.
2. Nominations for Ten Models of the Year are also being solicited by
new chairman: Bob Perkins. Nominations should include: Cover letter,
Description of model design and competition record, brief resume of
modeler/designer, One page three view with dimensions, and photographs
of modeler with model.
Send to: Bob Perkins, Chair NFFS 10 MOY Committee
2285 PInebrook Rd.
Columbus, OH 43220-4327
USA
Phone: (614) 451-3558.
3. NFFS Hall of Fame Nominations are now being received by Chairman,
Jim Haught. These nominations are for outstanding contributions or service
to the sport, hobby and science of Freeflight. Please submit nominations
with appropriate letters of support and list of nominee accomplishments to
Jim Haught, Chairman NFFS HOF
4629 E. 150N
Anderson, IN 46012
4. Copies of the 1997 NFFS Symposium publication are still available
from Fred Terzian, NFFS Supplies for $20.00 plus postage of $4.00 each
in the USA.
Contact Fred Terzian
4858 Moorpark
San Jose, CA 95129
5. NFFS elections for Directors from the Western and the Northeastern
Regions will be underway with the receipt of the November issue of the
NFFS Digest. If you are not a member and want to vote, join soon.
Running for election for Vice President from the Western Region are:
Hector Diez, Incumbent
Douglas Joyce
Bob Norton
Len Sherman
Running for Vice President from the Northeastern Region are:
Hardy Brodersen
Thomas Sanders
Phil Sullivan.
Also on the ballot are two important proposals to change the NFFS
Bylaws.
One allows election of officers to be held every other year on a staggered
basis with terms of office being 4 years. The other changes the bylaws to
allow the NFFS to become a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt educational
organization. Both are important changes for the future of the Society.
6. Dunk The Deficit. The campaign to Dunk the Deficit will end on
November 1. We have successfully eliminated the NFFS deficit and have
raised all of the needed funds to pay back the $26,000 loan that kept us
going during the first part of 1997. Bob Waterman, who headed up the
campaign, wishes to thank all who participated. Their names or the names
of the organizations who helped, are included in the October NFFS Digest.
Personally, I want add my thanks to those of Bob Waterman.
7. With the Deficit now history, the NFFS Directors (Vice Presidents) are
developing plans to promote free flight activities and support so that we
address our stated mission. We have taken upon ourselves the task of
attempting to identify some of the needs for free flight in the USA and to
see whether the Society has a role to play in addressing these needs. Later
this winter, the membership will be asked for their input and suggestions.
8. Membership brochures are currently available from Bob Stalick, 5066
NW Picadilly Circle, Albany, OR 97321. All you need to do is drop me a
card or letter and request the number you will need. With the cooler ather
upcoming, this might be the time to encourage your club members or
unaffiliated free flight friends to join and support the only organization
that serves solely the interests of freeflighters in this country.
9. USOC and USIC Planning Meetings. The USOC and USIC are currently
in the planning stages. If these are events that you attend or would like to
attend, the planning meetings should be of interest to you. Representing the
NFFS will be the 1998 USOC Contest Director: Phil Sullivan. Phil can be
contacted at 4536 Southern Ave., Anderson, IN. 46013. Ph: (765)
640-4536
Representing the NFFS will be the 1998 USIC Contest Director, Dave
Thomson, 5432 Haft Rd., Cincinnati, OH. 45247. Ph: (513) 574-8322.
For your information, the USIC barely broke even financially for the NFFS
and was a cash loser for the AMA last year. Some changes to get closer to
a slightly positive cash flow are in the works. The USOC, on the other
hand, produced positive cash flow for both the AMA and the NFFS. Some
changes to either reduce entry fees or provide incentives to help pay
expenses for volunteers, officials, or clubs are in the works.
Bob Stalick, NFFS President
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