Hi folks! As I write this editorial, it is late August, and soon fall and winter will be upon us. Please don't forget that it is almost time for club officer nominations (October club meeting) and club officer elections (November club meeting). I ask that each and every one of you participate in this event, making Mesquite Modelers your club.
   Christmas is approaching in about 100 days, and this year should be special. Tom Fenn and I have been searching and buying just the right gifts at exceptional prices, thus giving each of you the best value. Don't forget to put this event (5 December at the Golden China) on your calendars.
   For this month's tech tip, please consider checking your aircraft flight pack batteries over and get your batteries up to flying specs. If you have a cycler and the batteries have been lying around, then by all means cycle them a couple of times to get them up to full capacity and give you an idea of how well they've weathered the season. If they don't measure up, try recycling. If they still don't measure up then dump them and get a new pack.
   If you don't own a cycler, consider purchasing one. The hundred bucks or so can easily pay for itself with one airplane that you save.
   Before you bring the plane out to Bollin Field, check it over. Look at the control surfaces, hinges, clevises and push rods. Check the engine mount to make sure it's secure. Make sure that you used Loctite on every metal bolt, especially those attached to the engine. As a popular commercial reads "if you don't, you could lose your nuts."
   Repair any tears or cracks in the covering. Replace anything that doesn't look quite right. If you lose a plane because of a lousy 50-cent clevis that fails, you're going to kick yourself right into next Tuesday. If you bring out a new plane for that first flight, remember to double-check all the control surfaces and don't forget to balance it! Those first few flights can be very stressful so if you're not all too comfortable, ask one of the senior pilots to test fly it 

The takeoff smooth, the flight divine.
I love this model plane of mine.
The wind is calm. The day is clear.
I can't believe I'm really here.

My boy says, "Dad, you're doing great."
I feel so proud. I feel first rate.
"Can you do a loop?" says little he.
"Of course," I say, "just look at me."

"What's happening? Something's amiss!
I don't know what. I can't watch this!"
I hold my breath. My heart just pounds.
My pretty plane has gone to ground!!

Slow and sad, my son and 
I Watch it crumble, watch it die.
We walk to where it fell to earth.
Slowly, like a funeral dirge.

"Oh, Dad, how sad!" he says to me.
I say, "How can this really be?"
Three times I've built this plane from scratch.
And now there's nothing left to patch!"

Let's put it in a hefty bag.
This is one time I can't brag."
"What made it crash, Dad?" "I don't know.
I thought I'd finally made it go."

"Can we save the engine?" said my son.
"I hope we can. It's my last one."
Then, we both know, as if on cue.
We realize what I didn't do.

We turn slowly toward the radio.
"That's IT," I said, "Oh no, OH NO!!"
"Dad, I probably should just shut up.
But shouldn't the antenna have been up?"

It's always the last line isn't it? Take care, and I hope to see you at the flying field or the monthly club meeting.

Bill

   The next meeting of the MMRCC is scheduled for August 1, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the TRW facility (Highway 90 Bypass). Personnel are required to sign-in and sign out for security purposes.
 

  We can fly at Libby Field on September 21, 2002. Any non-internet users contact me or club officers and we can relay all pertinent ground rules that must be followed or we can lose this privilege.
   Any questions, comments, or information you would like me to include, please contact me. I would like any information by the 15th of the month for insertion in the newsletter.
   During the several weeks I have seen several things at the field that are not safe or in the best interest of flyers and people and planes in the pits.  One case of taxiing in the pits and another of a pilot flying while standing on the runway side of the safety fence.  Not a safe practice.  Enough said as I am sure the individuals know who the are.
   See you at the field and fly safe!!
Will

  Final preparations are needed for our annual Christmas Party. As usual it will take the place of the monthly meeting on 5 December 2002. It will be held at Golden China, 220 W. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, AZ at 7 PM. We have held past parties at this location with great success. To assist in the planning so that adequate presents are available, it is requested that All members contact Bill Hermes and let him know if you are planning to attend or not. Bill can be seen at the field on Saturdays or you can contact him at the following:
   EMAIL bill-hermes@us.army.mil
    Work Phone   520-538-7731
    Home Phone   520-378-3601
   Lets have a big turn out for this affair. I have seen the list of presents and there are NO throw a ways to be had. As usual I will conduct a raffle for some plane kits so bring MONEY. As always, there will be something for the ladies.

Tom Fenn
Treasurer MMRCC