Fly With Catawba Valley RC

First thing: Thanks to Dick and Jim for cutting the grass.

Today’s pilots: Lonnie Hagadorn, Jim Bates, Dick Blackburn, Randall Hendrix,

Alan Roberts, and yours truly Al Bleyenberg, accompanied by my lovely wife Darlene.

Weather: a LOT on the coolish side. My usual 8 a.m. arrival time turned into

9 a.m. ish. Followed extremely closely by Lonnie and Alan Roberts, Dick, then, Jim

and last but not least Randall.

Apologies to Johnny Walker for not letting him know we were going, didn’t get his 

email, till we got home.

All in all, aside from the “complaining” about the weather, we had a pretty good time.

Lonnie flew his Mambo biplane to everyone’s amazement or amusement. Too the good that 

is.

He also flew his Eflite Sukoi. A little more of a handful, be he did extremely well with it

too.

Jim had his homebuilt 3D foamie. He must be a Harley-Davidson man because it was 

orange,black,orange,black……. that’s as he did mulitiple corkscrews.

At one point, he must have sneezed, because the next thing was the HD plane heading

toward the left side of the tall grass. No harm, no fowl.

Dick started out with a “wing”, you know, one of those planes that goes like stink.

First “tiger themed” one lasted 7 seconds into the air. Brought it back to the plane  station, 

and off again. This time zoomed all around the field a bunch of time.

Not to be out done, Jim brought out his own wing. It was dueling “wings” in the air,

but no banjo music in the background.

After the wings were put to bed, Dick was “attempting” to fly his Avios Grand Tundra. But for

some reason, the transmitter and the receiver didn’t want to talk.

As for me, I started with the Hummer. That’s the el-cheapo 3D plane that I’m having a lot 

of fun with. After 2 nose first into the ground landings, time to “trailer” it.

Next, tried the Skylark. That’s a little more of a zoomer, I didn’t do too bad, UNTIL, 

I looked left while the plane was going right. Nose dive. Picking up the 5 different

pieces, don’t think I have enough C/A with me. Actually, this one is going to be

retired.

Next, I bring out my Dynam T-28. Start with a 3S battery and the stock 11x7x3 prop, just for 

grins and giggles and it flew like it always did. Way too slow and barely airworthy. An abrupt 

landing “all in one piece” “sorta” and off to get a 4S battery, oh yeah, change to a 2 blade 

prop. Whole new air plane. Now I’ve got some control and speed. Make a few circles of the

field, then feel a little “frisky”. Put the Tee into a couple inside loops, then a couple of outside 

loops. Bring it in to check the battery. Up again and hear some muttering. It’s cheering 

coming from the “peanut gallery”. Jim, Dick, Lonnie, and Darlene, are oohing and aahing. 

So, being “egged on”, I do a couple of outside loops. More oohs and aahs.

Only, “one” unnamed spectator says, a Tee can’t do an outside loop.

Guess I didn’t get the memo.

So, good day all around.

TTFN

hopefully, next weekends weather will be a little more “friendly”

Al understates his flights with the T-28!

THE REAL STORY

The first series of Outside loops he performed ended up ejecting the battery, but fortunately the damage was light. The second time around (after minor repairs) Al was goaded into trying another outside loop by the peanut gallery, which he accomplished flawlessly. We did in fact only have one nay-Sayer in the peanut gallery who said it couldn’t be done with a T-28, but he was quickly proven wrong.

Nice flying AL!

Lonnie

Today’s pilots: Don Jerch, Al Bleyenberg

Due to the fact I have flown in a couple weeks, I’ve been going “bananas”.

I ventured to the field, and was “TOTALLY SHOCKED”.

A few weeks back, we had been invaded by a Russian MIG.

In retaliation, the USAF, sent in an F-16.

TODAY! We had been invaded once more. This time by the BLA.

The field and runway had been completed bombarded. It was like WW2 all over again.

Luckily, Don Jerch, was willing to help with the cleanup.

Oh, the BLA, is the Bovine Liberation Army, (cows).

Tim the farmer has some “teenage” cattle that either go under the electrified fence,

or just plain jump over the fence. The then wander around eating the sweeter grass, 

and “depositing” there thanks.

Don and I cleaned up as best as we could. Then spray painted around the “crater” holes.

So, be watchful of where you walk. 

Don put in some great flights with his Parkzone T-28 and a Flitetest Cub.

I relegated myself to my Parkzone T-28.

By 11, the wind had picked up, Don had to go to the dentist, and I had to go home to 

pick up my “honey dew” list.

TTFN.

P.S. as I was leaving,  a new to me pickup pulled in.

The guys name is Tom Moore from Catawba. He was checking out the field.

I gave him the usual intro and info.

Hope he’ll show up on Sat.

Please make him welcome.

Oh a warning, he flies electric and that ole timey NITRO thing.

Today’s weather: hot and hummmmmid

Today’s pilots (in name only): Don Jerch, Al Bleyenberg

On the spur of the moment,  I met Don Jerch this morning to do some testing.

Don had his new Dynam YELLOW!!!! Waco. Don has done some “artistic” work

to the plane. A new white scarf wearing pilot, some subtle trim painting here and there.

You have to look to see it. Not a bad thing, just tasteful.

This is his second outing for this plane. First time was un nice. Motor came loose from 

the firewall, Battery hatch flew off. So, with all that taken care of, back to the runway.

With GoPro on his head (ala Lonnie), headed off down the runway. Nice smooth “scale”

take off. A few dozen circuits around the field, a see saw landing in the grass, ending up 

with the Waco on its nose. No damage, yeah.

Don was a little disappointed cause I hadn’t brought my RED Waco. Not enough

room in the “mini Taj Mahal”.

So, Don asks, are you flying today. 

ARE YOU SITTING DOWN, HEART RATE IS GOOD.

 WELL, WENT TO THE FIELD TODAY, BY MYSELF, WITH ONE OF THE CLUBS “PAINTBALL” TARGET PLANES.

SHOT FULL OF HOLES THAT HAVE BEEN PATCHED WITH CLEAR TAPE. NITRO 60 O.S., NOT RUN IN YEARS

 LOOSENED UP THE THROTTLE, INSTALLED RECEIVER, PUT ON A S–T LOAD (TECHNICAL TERM) RUBBER BANDS TO

HOLD ON THE WING.  PUT IN FUEL, PUT THIS STICK THINGY ON THE SPARKPLUG,

HIT IT WITH THE ELECTRIC START. CAME TO LIFE, A FEW ADJUSTMENTS, PUT IT ON THE RUNWAY, GAVE IT THE “SCALE” 

GAS. LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, FLEW IT FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES, 

LANDED IT WITH NO ISSUES (GO FIGURE)

HMMMMMMM

FILM AT 11

Even Don was impressed. Pics and short vid to follow. 

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TTFN

Today’s pilots:

Al Bleyenberg, Steve Tisi, Lonnie Hagadorn, Billy West, Jim Bates, Dick Blackburn

New members Doug&Sherry Gast, accompanied by RENO.

Late arrival, Blake Hunicutt. GLAD YOU MADE IT OUT AGAIN.

Getting there early is interesting. Many bunnies are hopping around, and wild turkeys (not Lonnie) are bopping around. 

I’ve brought my Frankenstein plane, doing some testing. Got a few good flights in, butwith unusual results. A lot of bucking in the sky. 

Many adjustments, until I realize the motorshaft is flopping around in it’s housing. Hmmmm.

Steve Tisi showed up. He starts out with his mini Convergance VTOL. 

Billy West hot on his heels. Billy looks naked (not physically-thank goodness), he’s just in his SUV. No trailer, no Madison, just a heap of planes in the back.

Billy starts out with his Flitetest “cardboard” A 10. I’m always amazed at the Flitetest products. A bunch of cardboard glued together and it works and flies well.

Lonnie has started with his new E-flite Extra 300. This is a very attractive plane. At one point, while I’m not paying attention, I hear the oh,oh’s. I look up and the plane is waaaayyyybehind the driveway heading towards the trees near the big tower. Luckily, Lonnie, gets it back into the flight pattern. 

A few deep breaths and he gets it onto the runway in one piece. Lonnie just got disoriented.

Steve has now brought out his twin engine Mule. He’s mumbling something about  dropping something out of the plane. Steve has this “paratrooper”

that he loading into the belly of the Mule. A very hasty takeoff and the plane climbs to a safe level. As Steve lines up for the “drop”. He has a gaggle of “engineers” helping with wind direction and speed for the proper drop so that the paratrooper will land back on the field. 3,2,1 drop. This itsy bitsy paratrooper is now heading to earth. AND, at a respectable drop and direction. Steve gets the Mule back onto the runway happens about the same time as the paratrooper hits the grass.

Decent drop sight. He’s landed on the cut grass portion about 50 yards from the end of the runway.

Now the mumbling starts again, if we did one paratrooper, why not try two.

The situation is in progress. This time Billy is the pilot. Same flight pattern as last time.

Takeoff, climb, and line up for a good drop. 3,2,1 drop…….drop……drop…….the trap door is open and we can see a chute flopping in the wind, but no drop. 

Billy does some pilot “stuff”, to try to help with the drop. Finally, they drop. Billy brings the Mule to the ground. 

The paratroopers have floated to the right of the main hangar and over by the roadway.

both paratroopers have survived, everyone is happy.

Alan Roberts has shown up. I introduce him to Doug and Sherry Gast. Then they start talking

about that “nitro” thing. I now have a blank look on my face, and walk away.

Billy has uncaged his Pterodactyl. If you haven’t seen this thing fly, you have to look it up on Lonnie’s Youtube sight. It’s a riot.

Doug has brought out his SIG KADET with an 80 four stroke motor. A few teething problems, and it’s airborne. Luv the sound of a four stroke. 

Looking behind me, and Billy is putting  his Quaker together, also a four stroke.

As sleek as Doug’s KADET is, as gawky is Billy’s QUAKER is. But, Billy’s plane is in an American flag theme. Very striking and very visible in the air.

Jim Bates has launched his flat black jet. As slow as the Quaker is, as fast is the jet is.

Lonnie drags out his Visionaire, 3D plane. He pulls off a very respectable flight, UNTIL, coming in it goes hard right towards the cars, hits the chain, 

which is 5’ away from Lonnie’s own truck. PHEW.

Dick Blackburn brings out his yellow/white sailplane. Puts out the lawn chair, launches,  sits down, and soars. At one point, I look up and can barely see it.

It’s high up there.

Billy brings out his UMX Beast. It’s small, fast, and jittery to fly, but it’s got that  AS3X system on it. Amazing performance from Billy. 

I drag out my Pulse XT 25e. it’s a foam copy of the balsa plane, flies the same, amazingly. One battery flight, second battery flight in progress.

I call out landing left to right. Now remember, it’s still breezy, with the wind coming right at you. The Pulse is in line with the runway, straight, 

good downward flight pattern, 5’ from the end of the runway, the wind kicks it toward the pilot station, instantly I give it right rudder. 

UM, should have been left rudder, THWACK, wing just catches the end of the wire guards, out of the corner of my eye, I see Billy’s UMX GeeBee coming in also, 

and in a “copy cat” fashion, does the same thing I just did.

The GeeBee hit’s the first mesh guard. Billy comes over and we give each other a high five. Billy is so competitive; I think we are tied for the most crashes.

Once the dust has settled, we all start to gather under the main hangar. Except for Dick. 

No fuss no muss, he takes it up and just flies. Brings it down, comes over, sits down. And it’s lawn chair flying for the rest of the time.

Pilots start to fade off into the distance for home. 

I follow shortly after that.

TTFN

P.S. this time pics will follow and hopefully be bigger. 

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C

Today’s players: Alan Roberts, Alan Moe, John Walker, Al Bleyenberg, and a late arrival by

no one else than Wayne Huffman (go figure)

after being in Atlanta for a week’s holiday, had the urge to fly. As a spur of the moment thing, 

got up at 5am (couldn’t sleep)(not excited, just still wound up from driving), headed to the field. Got there around 9, no one there except me, the mild wind, just enough clouds to make it comfortable, and the buzzards. I think they were “trolling”.

Today is a test and tune for me. Tried using a prop saver on the Dinner Table built Hummer.

Ran into a hassle trying to fit the prop to the prop saver. The adaptors didn’t want to play well. While messing around with that for way too long, the wind started picking up.

Time to bring out a heavier plane.

Brought out the Skylark. A 3d ish plane with a little more weight to it. Spent a bunce of time trimming. Flew light a drunk crow. Major trimming and made it tolerable. 

Car pulls up, Alan Moe, big grin on his face as usual. Unloads his helicopter. If you haven’t seen this thing, it’s amazing. Looks great, flies even better, and Alan knows what he’s doing.

Sorry Alan, no pics of heli.

That one out of two at the field.

Half hour goes by and Alan Roberts shows up. Alan and Alan have known each other for years, but due to “life”, hadn’t seen each other in a long while. They drifted off into reminiscing mode. 

I kept on “testing”. By now it’s the Dynam T-28, flies not to bad after hitting a tree the last time I had it out. 2^nd landing broke the front gear, again. Tried to fix it on the spot. Ain’t happening. Back to the hangar. 

By now, the wind is up and down and above my abilities. 

Didn’t stop Alan and Alan from flying. 

Next to arrive was Wayne Huffman, and guess what, no plane with him. Didn’t stop him from staying for an hour and a half, bench flying. 

Next, John Walker shows up. Now it’s picnic table round table, b.s. session.

I’m standing there just lapping it up. I KNOW these guys wouldn’t lie. 

I brought out the folder I made with the old pictures from the club members from the late 1990’s. They helped put names to the faces. Of course, none of the people in the pictures have changed in appearance.

John, takes out his 3d plane, and even with the big winds, flies like nobodies business. 

Right now, my right leg (hip replacement) is screaming at me. Time to go home. 

Left the boys to tell tales.

Today’s pilots: Lonnie Hagadorn, Alan Moe, Al Bleyenberg, Jim Bates, Don Jerch, Wayne Windsor, Dick Blackburn

For the first time in a long time, the accue weather people were right. Coolish at 9:30 when I got there. Lonnie and Alan were already flying for a couple hours.

Lonnie had migrated to his new Twisted Hobbies 3D plane. Surprisingly, he did quite well at it. Go Lonnie.

Alan was doing the eggbeater thing. Didn’t know heli’s were supposed to fly like that.

Upside down would not be comfortable in a real one.

As I unloaded, Jim Bates, arrived. Jim brought out his Voltigeur 3D plane and flew the 

begeebees out of it. 

I asked Jim to give me a hand with my dinner table built Hummer 3D plane. Last time, we

burnt up the motor for whatever reason. This time, bigger motor, but same prop. As Jim

got it into the air, the plane was a handful. Major “trim” on Jim’s part. Glad he 

knows what he’s doing. I had made some “builder” errors adjustments. My bad.

Back in the air, and it was decent. He brought it in and we changed the prop to a larger 

diameter and 1 more up on pitch. Whole new plane. Even though Jim wasn’t happy with

the slowness of the servo throws, it was a ton better. By now the wind started picking 

up and “me” doing a flopper would have been funny and dangerous.

Next, I drug out “Frankie”. This is the first and second plane I ever owned all rolled 

up into one plane. As I’m attempting to “fly”, I realized it was beyond my control. Jim stepped

in and took control. He made another circuit and was bringing it in for some adjusting.

Lined up perfectly with the runway, came down on a perfect descent, missed the runway by 

4” which put the landing gear right into the edge of the fabric. Now it’s a belly lander. The gear

was about a foot before the edge of the runway. I’d have done the same thing.

Don had shown up and brought out his Variant. Very well put together plane and looks great

in the air. Plus, Don can fly it extremely well.

Another vehicle arrives, oh boy, be still my beating heart, it’s Wayne “Moses” Windsor.

Cybil is riding shotgun. Within minutes David Putnam arrives. A jet appears on the ground 

behind Wayne’s truck. I don’t know who it belonged to, but Wayne took it out to the 

runway and did a superb job of flying it. And here I thought Wayne was a “prop only” 

guy. 

Don’s turn to fly his newer sailplane. I’m not a sailplane guy, but can appreciate the talent it 

takes to make it look easy. Biggest problem is trying to find it in the sky. They go HIGH.

Lonnie makes his exit. Company coming.

Wayne is now assembling one of his “old” biplanes. This thing is so old, he has a hand

crank start. Still sounds wonderful when it’s running. Someday, when I grow up, I want to be 

just like Wayne.

So here we are, Wayne, Jim, Don, and me. So, what else do you do as the morning has 

turned into afternoon, but shoot the breeze. Once again, I can’t figure out who’s the biggest

storyteller. Doesn’t really matter, it’s all interesting to hear of past exploits.

After about half and hour, Wayne looks at his watch, lunch time for me, or is it “nap time”.

Jim packs it in, home duties. 

Don does one more flight and heads to the house to meet an insurance adjuster.

Last night’s storm put a tree into his roof and he’s needing it repaired.

So once again, there I am, outstanding in a certain field, all by myself.

FINE!, I can take a hint.

TOODLES FOR NOW.

Todays player: Billy West, Al Bleyenberg, Lonnie Hagadorn, Jim 

Bates, Dick Blackburn, Alan Moe, Wayne Windsor, Don Jerch, Steve Tisi

ACCUE WEATHER was half right. Temps were super. The 5mph winds were at least double and triple at times. Grass was a little “longish”, gonna cut Friday after lunch, helpers welcome. Dick, Jim, and I, are going to Dos Amigos on Hwy 70 for 12 for lunch. All welcome.

Flying started out with Billy and his “new” hatchlings. First was Flite Test LongEZ Electric Airplane Kit (483mm). It’s a canard style. Same idea as the plane in the Clint Eastwood movie “Firefox” only a little slower, but not by much. Big boy needs big motor, pilot that is. This thing just screamed.

Billy did a hard left and vertical and it corkscrewed out of sight. Best description is WOW.

Lonnie was trying to film it, but he’s too slow on the uptake for that.

Then was the fluorescent orange “bug” looking thing. Not as dramatic. Still KUTE.

Now comes the “NEW” big gun. Now, gotta admit, it’s beuuuuutiful.

AVIOS ALBATROSS HU-16 FLYING BOAT 1620MM (63.7″) PNF

Yellow, gray, white, twin engine. This is a water boat. Which means no landing gear, so what

does Billy do, takes it off on the grass. No harm no foul. Excellent flying rig. Lonnie will have 

video. And of course, lands it back on the grass almost hitting Jim Bates.

Jim has his H-King Voltigeur MkII 3D EPO Aerobatic Plane 1220mm (48″)  with JM Inc, landing gear. A one-off setup, only available in Morganton.

See Jim for pricing and availability. After that, he flew his older than me 3D plane that he wrangled out of Wayne Huffman.

Not to be outdone, don’t take much, I flew “Frankenstein”, to Jim’s amazement did not too

shabby, till the last flight. Oopsied (technical term) landed in the tall grass to the left.

Landing gear 5’ from plane. C/A to the rescue. Then to the rescue was “Goofy” go to plane. Nuff said. 

Dick goes thru his routine, padded lawn chair, check, plane and transmitter, check, sit down, check, toss plane, check, fly, check.

Wayne (Moses,Noah,Methusala) and his lovely bride Cybil show up. Wayne draaaaggsss out one of his “yawn” big gas planes. Completely puts it together for flight, except missing a screw. Couldn’t hear if it was the plane or Wayne. Fuels up, spins prop, fires up fast. Perfect takeoff, does a couple of laps, and then must be trouble, smoke just billowing out of the plane for the rest of the flight. Looked way kool. Does some of that Top Gun “pilot sh…”

Lands it with no problem. 

By this time Alan Moe has joined the group. No plane, no helicopter, just smiling personality. As Alan and Dick are in conversation, Wayne mosies 

over and it’s a three way tie as too who has the tallest tale.

While all this is going on Steve brings out his new Mini Convergence VTOL BNF Basic, 410mm.

It’s like a bumble bee floating around.

Don Jerch brings up the rear. He’s flying his new Phoenix glider sailplane.

Now is my turn to bail first. Say my farewells, no one cares.

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