Tips on Building the Big Ones Keith Shaw shares his knowledge on building large electrics.	E-30 Class Electric Flight Ken Myers tries to figure out what "class" this is and how to participate in it..
News from the Frigid North Brent Watkins tells about flying at -42 degrees F.	Introducing the X440 TM Larry Sribnick provides info on his exciting new e-powered sailplane.
More on Props & the Cloud Dancer Dennis Weatherly share his thoughts on the "t;best" prop for his flying style and his Cloud Dancer.	A Bigger E-Streak Robert L. Kuhn describes his friends 125% larger ElectroStreak.
The February Meeting Highlights: Doug Kursinsky's Hobby Lobby Flame with photo of plane and Doug, electric 'round the pole' flying with photos.	Sanyo 2000 - a Test by Ulf Herder Ulf Herder shares his data for these cells.
Attention R/C Goodies Maufacturers Bob Aberle would like to review your products.	News from Jomar Joe Utasi provides info on his new speed controls; the MICROMAX, MINIMAX II and the NANOMAX.
An Era Ends - The Ampeer Salutes Benito C. Almoujuela! Ben bids farwell to being editor since May 1987. Great job Ben!	Viper Model Products Bernard Cawley and Ken Myers not the new ESCs available from this company.
The Mid-America Flies '97 Flyer for the upcoming Mid-Am 1997.	Upcoming Events: Schedule of Upcoming Electric Flight Events for 1997.
Upcoming E-vents	Send Ken email

Tips on Building the Big Ones From e-mail between Eric Diedrick and Keith Shaw Hi Keith,      I saw the pictures of your Bearcat, thatKen posted on the EFO web page. It sure looks like a nice airplane (as usual). I am building a 1/4 scale Extra 300 (72 in. span 9-11 lbs with a 60 or 90 Astro motor). I was wondering what kind (make and size) of hardware you use on you larger, more powerful aircraft? Where do you place the servos? I have seen some planes with the servos mounted in the rear of the fuselage and some even have the servos in the horizontal stabilzer. Is there any problem with radio interference when the servos are in the tail area? Do you use stronger servos and or more servos? Any suggestions, hints and tips will be appreciated. Thanks, Eric Diedrick Hi Eric      On my large aircraft I use standard 1.5 oz, 50 oz-in torque servos like the Airtronics 102 or the ball bearing equivalent and a standard 600 mAh battery pack. Even though I rarely fly more than one or two flights on any plane in a day, I would be reluctant to go to a smaller battery. The 600 cells have a lower impedence, so the voltage doesn't droop as much when several of the bigger servos are active. I am very careful to support the pushrods (I use fiberglass arrow shafts) several places down the run to be absolutely sure they can't move sideways.      It is also very important to have NO slop in the hinges. I use the fuzzy strip type, be sure to use thin normal CA, not odorless types. The odorless types do not seem to "wet" the hinges well. You could pin the hinges with a toothpick or straight pin to be really sure it's okay.      Also, I use a Kraft-Hayes molded hinge at the location of the control horn (epoxied in) to prevent hinge flex and deterioration of that high stress area. I've seen e-models with the servos in the tail, seems to work okay, but I've never used it. If any range/interference problems do occur, installing Ace Noise Traps in the line will probably take care of it. Heck I'm still using single servo and bellcranks in the wing, rather the separate servo that seem to be so popular these days. Separate servos would be better for suppressing flutter, but I've not had problems with that yet. I guess the best advice is to pay careful attention to preventing slop and bends in the pushrods.      By the way, Dave Grife has a 6 foot Extra framed up for a geared 60, two aileron servos and R+E servos back in the tail. You might give him a call if you have any questions. I know that it is sized identical to one of the available kits so that he could use the cowl, canopy, and landing gear.      Looking foward to see your Extra this summer... Keith Return to "What's In This Issue" E-30 Class Electric Flight By Ken Myers      E-mail is great, until it goes wrong. In January I received a request from Chris Behr, in Australia, on the E-30 class. I replied and it came back to me. I tried again on February 1, using a modifed address, but it still came back. Even though you are reading this in April, it is being written Feb. 1. Chris, I'm sorry this didn't get to you sooner, but thought that all of you might like to hear about the E-30 rules. Hello Chris,      I didn't have a clue on the E-30 class rules. I was pretty sure it was based on the AMA P-30 rubber outdoor free flight class. I posted to CompuServe ModelNet Forum and Dave Gee, from the Free Flight area responded with the following. E-30 1. projected wingspan not less than 28" or more than 30 " 2. only the following motors may be used: VL HY-70 system or MRC system from kit IS01 cessna foam model (motor only..plane does not qualify) 3. Batteries: two 50 mah cells 4. prop must be plastic commercially available 5. minimum weight 50 grams 6. flight of more than 40 seconds considered official flight. six attempts to make 3 official flights 7. max flight time 2 minutes 8. if a tie exists after 3 recorded flights than each successive flight has a max of 1 minute more than the previous flight. only 1 attempt for each flyoff flight.      This is from the Blacksheep Exhibition Squadron freeflight rulebook. Yer on yer own now... Dave      Then I received the following from James Hall Ken,      The blacksheep rules we go by here in L.A. have two catagories-E30-2-50-mah cells. E30X- 3- 50mah cells. Two motor systems - the VL Hy-70 and the MRC motor from their Cessna foam kit (note these are old rules) are allowed. plastic prop-min wt.-50 grams- max flt times--E30-2 min. E30X-3 min. projected span 28 min. 30 max. I think we have allowed other motor types over the years.      "I hope this helps. Sincerely, Ken Return to "What's In This Issue" News from the Frigid North from Brent Watkins Ken,      Here is a piece of electric news trivia. Here in Fairbanks, our club (Midnight Sun R/C Club) has an annual fun fly each year on January 1, regardless of the weather. I am the only electric flyer in our club.      "Well this year the temperature was -42 F (note -40 F is the same as -40 C), and I made 8 flights with my Goldberg Mirage with Astro-05 and 8 cells. The dense cold air (we are also only 400 feet above sea level) gave excellent performance. Only one other flyer with a glow engine was able to make two flights (with engine difficulties). Return to "What's In This Issue" Introducing the X440 TM from Larry Sribnick. SR BATTERIES, INC., BOX 287, BELLPORT, NEW YORK 11713 Fax: 516-286-0901 Phone: 516-286-0079 Email: 74167.751 @compuserve.com      Hi, My name is Larry Sribnick. I'm President of SR Batteries, but more importantly, I've been a modeler for over 40 years.      "Like all of you I love to fly, but I don't have any time to build. I'm lucky if I can find time to get to the flying field. Sure there are Ready-To-Fly and ARF kits I could buy, but for the most part they are lead sled plastic bags and they still take a bunch of hours to get flying. The only reason people fly ARF models is because it's either fly an ARF or don't fly at all. Sound familiar?      "Well, if you're interested in Electric Flight or have been thinking about trying it, all of that has just changed. We've just introduced the X440 made for us by X-Models.      The materials and workmanship that go into the X440 are as good as you could want. Frankly, I'm a good builder, but the best I could hope to do is equal the quality of the X440. It's really that good. That's why we're calling the X440 a "Custom Built" aircraft rather than a Ready-To-Fly aircraft.      With the X440 there's nothing to build. Just install the servos and motor and you're ready to head for the field in less than an hour. Even I have time for that!      If you've looked at any of the other ARF or Ready-To-Fly electric aircraft on the market, you're used to seeing wing loadings of 13 ounces, 17 ounces, and even 23 ounces per square foot. Will they fly? Sure. Will they fly and soar well? No! How does a wing loading of 7.5 ounces per square foot sound? That's the X440's wing loading! Balsa is used where it should be used and carbon fiber and epoxy/glass are used where they should be used. The result is a 442 square inch aircraft that weighs only 10 ounces less radio and propulsion system!      Everything is CNC computer machined so that the parts fit just right. In fact, the parts are so identical that we can stock extra wings, fuselages, and tails so you can be back in the air in a hurry if the unthinkable should happen.      The X440 is pre-covered with lightweight transparent yellow Oracover on the stabilizers and wing center section and lightweight transparent red Oracover on the wing tips. The spars, leading edge, and push rods are made of carbon fiber. The fuselage is pre-painted yellow epoxy/glass with two plug in "V" tail stabilizers so the X440 comes apart easily for trans-porting or storage. Even the servo mounts are pre-installed. The two piece, take apart, wing has a span of 64.5" and a wing area of 442 square inches. It utilizes the S3021 airfoil and has a high performance aspect ratio of 9.4:1. As I've said, the X440 has a wing loading of 7.5 ounces per square foot for truly outstanding soaring performance. Power is by a geardrive, Speed 400, AP29BB, or SR Max7 motor. The X440 will easily give you 30+ minute flights. In fact, the "Standard" system, described later, will give you 5 climbs to altitude from a single charge!      How does it fly? As good as you could want with absolutely no bad habits. You can thermal or motor around to your heart's delight. Even with its outstanding performance, it's an easy airplane to fly and would be the ideal aircraft to use to introduce a newcomer to our Hobby. The price? Only $229.95 but for a limited time the introductory price is $199.95 plus shipping!      To provide you with the utmost in performance and the least building time, we've designed complete radio and propulsion packages for the X440. We've thought out all the details ahead of time so you won't have to waist time making all the decisions usually associated with building a new aircraft      Give us a call or drop us a note and we'll be glad to answer any questions you might have or take your order. X440 Custom Built Kit Complete kit ready for radio and power $199.95 Matched Power Systems Economy System Speed 400 6V Motor, 4:1 Graupner gearbox, CAM 11x8 Prop, Jeti 10B Micro Speed Control with Sermos connector, Two SR 500 Max Series 7 cell battery packs with Sermos connectors. System assembled and wired, ready for installation. Speed 400 6V Motor, 4:1 Graupner gearbox, CAM 11x8 Prop, Jeti 100 Micro Speed Control with Sermos connector, Two SR 500 Max Series 7 cell battery packs with Sermos connectors. System assembled and wired, ready for installation. If purchased separately . . $259.85 Special package price . . . $209.85 You save $50.00 For 8 cell pack upgrade add $14.00 Sport System (pictured) Speed 400 6V Motor, X-gearbox 4.4, CAM 11x8 Prop, Two SR 500 Max Series 7 cell battery packs with Sermos connectors. System assembled and wired, ready for installation. With Jeti 10B Speed Control If purchased separately . . $297.70 Special package price . . . $234.95 You save $62.75 For 8 cell pack upgrade add $14.00 For Jeti 30B upgrade add $15.00 For FX35-D upgrade add $25.00 Performance System AP29BB Motor, X-Gearbox 4.4, CAM 11x8 Prop, Two SR 500 Max Series 7 cell battery packs with Sermos connectors. System assembled and wired, ready for installation. With Jeti 30B Speed Control If purchased separately . . $345.70 Special package price . . . $279.95 You save $65.75 For 8 cell pack upgrade add $14.00 For FX35-D upgrade add $10.00 Competition System SR Max7 Motor, X-Gearbox 4.4, CAM 14x9.5 Prop, Two SR 500 Max Series 7 cell battery packs with Sermos connectors. System assembled and wired, ready for installation. With Jeti 30B Speed Control If purchased separately . . . $410.70 Special package price . . . $339.95 You save . . . $70.75 For 8 cell pack upgrade add . . . $14.00 For FX35-D upgrade add . . . $10.00 Power System Performance Table Exclusive SR Radio Systems!      For the first time you can buy a new radio system for Electric Flight and not have to throw half of the equipment away because it's too large and heavy.      This special package consists of the Airtronics Radiant computerized transmitter, Airtronics Micro 4 channel receiver, two Airtronics 501 sub micro servos, and an Airtronics Rx/Tx charger. All you have to add is the speed control of your choice and a receiver battery pack if you're not using a BEC. You'll save more then $150 by buying a new radio system this way. Basic Electric Flight System . . . $269.95 If purchased with an X440 kit, subtract . $10.00 SR 225 Series Rx pack w/conn . . . $32.95 Individual radio system components Airtronics micro 4 channel Rx . . $69.95 Airtronics 501 sub micro servo . . $46.95 Airtronics Rx/Tx charger $17.95 Hitec 535 micro receiver xstal . . $79.95 Hitec HS-80 micro servo $31.95 Hitec HS-85 micro servo $38.95 Hitec HS-60 sub micro servo $45.95 Hitec switch harness $7.95 Deans micro antenna $8.95 Motors Graupner Speed 400 6V motor . . $10.95 Speed 400 6V, 4:1 gbox combo . . $64.95 Kyosho AP29BB motor , , , $39.95 SR Max7 motor. . . $89.95 X-Gearbox True planetary gearbox. Has 4mm output shaft. Requires motor adaptor and pinion gear. For installation, motor shaft must be shortened and pinion gear must be pressed onto shaft. X-Gearbox 4.4 $66.95 Speed 400 motor adaptor $10.95 AP29BB motor adaptor $10.95 Max7 motor adaptor $12.95 Pinion gear, 2.3mm shaft $3.95 Pinion gear, 3.2mm shaft $3.95 Custom installation of X-Gearbox . $10.00 Speed Controls All have a brake, BEC, and arming switch Jeti 10B, 5-9 cells, 10 Amps $49.95 Jeti 30B, 5-10 cells, 30 Amps . . .$68.95 FX35-D, 5-20 cells, 45 Amps $79.95 Folding Props Graupner CAM 11x8 with spinner . . $21.95 Graupner 12x10 with spinner $19.95 Graupner CAM 14x9.5 w/spinner . . $34.95 4mm shaft adaptor for X-4.4 gbox . . $3.50 Motor Battery Packs      Packs are made up of matched cells, completely assembled in the shape of your choice with leads but without connector. If you would like to assemble your own pack, subtract $3 per cell for screened, unmatched, loose cells with solder tabs. The 500 Max Series cell in strongly recommended for the X440 Electric Sailplane. SR 500 Max Series, per cell 7.00 SR 600 Series, per cell 6.00 SR 650 Max Series, per cell 7.25 SR 850 Series, per cell 7.50 SR 900 Max Series, per cell 7.25 SR 1000 Magnum Series, per cell . . 8.50 SR 1100 Max Series, per cell 7.50 SR 1300 Max Series, per cell 8.00 SR 1400 Magnum Series, per cell . . 8.75 Chargers Astro 110D Charger . . . . 116.95 Wire, Connectors, Accessories SR 18g wire, 5' each of two colors5.00 SR 14g wire, 3' each of two colors5.00 Sermos connector pair (2 red, 2 black) . . 4.00      (Please note that all prices are subject to change, and that you should check with SR for the current and correct price. This infomation was scanned and double checked, but there still could be errors that are not the fault of SR Batteries. I'm sorry if I made any errors, but a phone call or e-mail should get you the correct info. km) Return to "What's In This Issue?" More on Props & the Cloud Dancer from Dennis Weatherly Wilsonville, Oregon U.S.A. Hi Ken,      I just read the February Ampeer and was very interested in the feedback from Bob Benjamin and Bob Boucher re: the Astro 25 powered Sportster 20. While my name is not Bob, I'd like to add a little input for your consideration.      Bob B. has indeed flown my Cloud Dancer and was quite impressed with it. What he didn't mention (and may not be aware of) is the difference between the setup he flew and the setup I now use, which I think is "better". When Bob flew the CD it was using a geared Astro 25 on 14 cells and a Master Airscrew 12x8 prop. This is a pretty typical setup for the Astro 25. With this setup it flew well, but I was not happy with the looping maneuvers.      I have since done a "bunch" of prop tests and fiddled with the battery pack configuration. For my Cloud Dancer and the way I want it to fly, I have settled on a 16 cells pack and a Graupner Super Nylon 12.5x6 prop. Many folks would argue that this is not "enough" prop to adequately load the Astro 25. I see 24.5 amps at full throttle on the bench, which is a bit below the 28-30 amps that many people shoot for.      (If you want to dig through the eflight mailing list archives there is a big write-up on my prop tests in there somewhere. I did current/RPM checks and flight evaluations on about half a dozen props.)      This has done several things for the CD. It flies a little slower at full throttle, but the throttle is rarely wide open anyway. It now has better "drive" through loops and vertical maneuvers. I can't quantify the difference but it feels better to me. I can easily get six to seven minutes of aerobatic flight from 1700SCRC cells.      The bottom line is this: there is a lot of good information out there on "what works". The geared Astro 25 on 16 cells and a 12x8 prop is a very common setup for six pound sport models. (I like the way my 5 lb. Senior Skyvolt flies using the AF25G, 15 1700SCRC cells and the MA 12x8 reg. wood prop. Amps about the same as yours. km) I would urge folks to use this as a starting point, then fine tune their setup to fit "their" requirements. Someone else may want more speed from a Cloud Dancer than my model provides.      That's not right or wrong, better or worse. It's just different. (Thanks for the valuable input, Dennis! km) Return to "What's In This Issue?" A Bigger E-Streak From: Robert L. Kuhn via email      The February Ampeer had comments about the ElectroStreak. My friend at Elverson R/C Club, Exton, PA, has built several ElectroStreaks, including a recently completed model at 125% the normal scale. Here are my comments regarding this fine plane.      All plans were enlarged to 125%. All parts, including all wings and fuselage are constructed at 125% the original scale.      The wing has a extra 4.5 inch section added to both ends, above the 125% scale. The wing chord is an extra 0.25 inch long, above the 125% scale. This provides a wing with 625 square inches of area, for a wing loading of 18.4 oz./sq. ft. A fiberglass rod is built into the wing for greater strength.      An Aveox 1406/4 brushless motor, direct drive, drives a 7-6 Graupner folding prop, using a Aveox F5LV speed controller (for 9 to 16 cells). Current is 36 amps full throttle.      Using (7) 2000mAh cell gives a mild, but adequate, flight. Using (14) 2000mAh cells gives a fast flight when desired for acrobatics, then good gliding, for a long flight time (15 to 20 minutes). A 250mah battery pack is used for the radio.      The finished weight is 3 pounds plus batteries.      My homepage is http://home.earthlink.net/~kuhnrl/      Have a good day. Return to "What's In This Issue?" The February Meeting      There was a lot to see and do at the February meeting.      Ken started off the meeting by mentioning some of the things he’d learned on-line about new e-products and cells.      Doug Kursinsky, of Sterling Hts., did a wonderful show and tell on his latest, the Flame. The $69.70 kit (part number: HLAR002) is available from Hobby Lobby International, 5614 Franklin Pike Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027. Phone: (615) 373-1444 or Fax: (615) 377-6948 E-mail: 74164.2423@compuserve.com or visit their WEBsite at: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/      Doug feels that there needs to be a major modification to the landing gear. Follow Keith Shaw's advice on this one. Other than that, he felt that the kit was a good value. He also added and enlarged a few hatches.      The Specs on Doug's plane: 680 sq.in. of wing area, 66” span, 5.25 lbs., Astro Flight 25 direct, 12 cells, 11x8 prop, 8,000 RPM, Astro Flight 204 ESC, finished in Monokote white and neon red. The members watch enthusiastically as Ken resents his talk.      After the show and tell, Ken gave a presentation that continued the October discussion of how to select the correct diameter and pitch of a prop for an electric sport plane, as well as the power loading. How to choose the correct motor is a forthcoming topic. Note the rapt attention of the members. Watch the Ampeer for all of this info.      Next came more flights of electric round the pylon. Ken Welch was a very interested spectator as Richard Utkan flew the Spitfire once again. Ken's Voltswagon is nearing completion and should have flown at the March meeting.      The Spit can be seen on the far left of the picture. Richard Utkan and Ken Welch get ready to put Richard's plane in the air. On the far right, a little duct tape keeps the landing gear from getting tripped by the power line, but, dare I say, a typical Richard landing? Return to "What's In This Issue?" Sanyo 2000 - a Test by Ulf Herder      I have measured 8 single cells of the new Sanyo RC2000. - Great!!! The maximum capacity was reached at the 6th cycle, after this cycle the capacity didn't change much. Here is the data: average capacity 2114.6 mAh +- 41.5 mAh (maximum deviation of the best and worst cell) average voltage 1.1273V +- 0.0105 V (average voltage over the complete discharge) average internal resistance 3.635 mOhm +-0.525mOhm I measured the cells at 20A continious current. Return to "What's In This Issue?" Attention R/C Goodies Maufacturers      Bob Aberle, writer for Flying Models, would love to review your products in his R/C Digest series in FM. If you provide some type of product that would not be profitable to advertise, or just would like more exposure, contact Bob. Everything he reviews is either returned or he pays for it. You can't really go wrong, since it is FREE advertising. Contact Bob at (516) 724-7517 or write to him at: 33 Falcon Dr., Hauppauge, NY 11788-1204 Return to "What's In This Issue?" News from Jomar Jomar Products Inc., Div. of Electronic Model Systems Inc., 22482 Mission Hills La., Yorba Linda, CA 92687 Info: (714) 692-1393 Orders: (800) 845-8978 To e-mail Joe Utasi directly.      Mark Schwing pulled my arm long enough to get me back to work. He gave me about a dozen little throttles that are currently on the market and said - here, make one better. So I tried.      I just finished the design and I'm now doing the prototype testing. It measures a hair bigger than 1.1 inches in diameter, solders directly to the motor terminals of a speed 400, has 16+ speed increments, no speed jitter, BEC, and the lowest dropout voltage going. It features 5 of the 4410 mosfets - 4 for the throttle, and one as an external pass transistor for the voltage regulator - this allows for almost no voltage drop at 1/2 radio current draw. Also, no current limiting. It will supply all the current you can pull through .060 copper traces with a "1 ounce" copper rating. Naturally, it has the auto shutoff at 5.2 volts (actually a bit lower, depending on radio system draw, but this is a TRUE cutoff voltage - it does NOT use a 2940 3 terminal regulator!). It also has a power switch, but it is "failsafe" in that it controls the voltage regulator "enable" line by pulling it to ground to shut it off. Think about it...      The mosfet gates are driven by a TELCOM chip that guarantees 15 volts drive with 5 volts in. This one is called the MICROMAX.      Also in the works is an "update" for the Mini-Max. This one will also be going the way of the current crop of throttles, double sided, surface mount. The incredibly stable minimax software will remain UNTOUCHED. (It works too smoothly and reliably). It will feature 10 of the 4410's for throttle, and a 4435 for the brake. I’ll also add another 4410 as a pass device for the BEC (no current limiting). Size and weight should be comparable to the Viper speed demon. This will be MINIMAX II.      Last in the mix is a specialty throttle called the NANOMAX. This one's for indoor and ultralight fliers. Features the new 8 pin SO8 PIC processor, a 400 MA regulator for BEC that is ADJUSTABLE from 3.3 to 5 volts (less volts = more flying time!) and will be about the size of your thumbnail. Look for it this spring! Tell em' Joe sent you! Sincerely, Joe Utasi R&D man for Jomar! Return to "What's In This Issue?" An Era Ends - The Ampeer Salutes Benito C. Almoujuela!      (Charge Ahead! has been an inspiration and source of information for the Ampeer for as long as I can remember. Even though I've never met Ben in person, I'll certainly miss him! He and Bernard having been "electrifying" the Northwest, and the rest of world, for over a decade. Thanks Ben - Great Job! km) From: Benito C Almojuela benito.c.almojuela@boeing.com Flying Into the Sunset by Ben Almojuela, Editor (via Charge Ahead!)      Well, this is it. My last issue.      Fortunately, we have found a new editor. Rick Fischer, another long-time PSEMF member, has volunteered to take over the responsibility of assembling and producing the newsletter. Rick is a great guy; please treat him well. Rick can be reached at (206) 227-8902, or on the Internet at DCRCR@AOL.COM.      Bernard Cawley will assume the responsibilities of the office of President of PSEMF (whatever those are). Most of you don't know that I was the self-declared President of PSEMF. Since no one ever argued the point, I just kept going. Since PSEMF doesn't really officially exist, and has no Constitution or Bylaws, there wasn't a problem.      As far as I know, PSEMF is the oldest organized group of electric power modelers in the country (and probably the world). The idea for PSEMF was not mine. It sprang from an idea by our old friend, Dave Katagiri, to have a northwest chapter of the Society of Electric Aircraft Modelers (which has since fallen by the wayside).      Our Boeing Hawks/PSEMF Electric Fly-In is the oldest electric annual electric event held at the same site (KRC has been moved twice), and even today most of the Fly-In's success can be attributed to the efforts of Bernard Cawley.      Charge Ahead! is the oldest of all the electric-power newsletters, with the first issue published May 13, 1987 (the Dallas Electric Aircraft Flyers [DEAF] dispute this, since their first newsletter was also dated May 1987, so I guess we may have to share that notoriety).      The newsletter name, Charge Ahead!, was actually coined by another old friend, Mitch Poling.      What happens now? Bernard Cawley and Rick Fischer will keep PSEMF going, I am sure, if for no other reason than to provide a vehicle for Bernard to publish his astute observations about electric-power products and equipment.      As for me, I will be spending more time working on my family, my new home, and my career. And yes, I hope to have more time to build and fly models. You're on your own. See ya. (THANKS, BEN! km) Return to "What's In This Issue?" Viper Model Products (via Charge Ahead!) by Bernard Cawley with added info by Ken Myers      On the speed control front come three new microprocessor-based ESC's from Viper Model Products. Vic Newton, the head man at Viper, was at our Fly-In last summer showing off two of them. The Viper MicroDemon 100 is intended for Speed 400 type applications, 1-14 cells, at up to 20A. The MicroDemon 102 adds a BEC/cutoff and brake to the 100 (and because of the BEC is limited to 6-8 cells). The Speed Demon 200 is a 1-16 cell ESC, rated up to 35A, weighing less than 1 ounce with wiring, according to their ad in Model Aviation. I've not had a chance to sample any of these yet - but I imagine I will, then pass on the info in a future issue or submit a piece to the E-Zone web site. These are available from Viper or from New Creations as well. Viper Model Products, 3475 Edison Way, Suite I, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Phone (415) 366-6800.      (Added by Ken)      I received an e-mail from Vic and have added his WEBsite to the suppliers' list and connections at the EFOsite. Products available include: MD100 Micro Demon 100   -  20 amp miniature digital motor controller, MD102 Micro Demon 102  -  20 amp miniature digital motor controller with BEC and BRAKE, SD200 Speed Demon 200  -  35 amp miniature digital motor controller, Multi Mode Micro Mixer - No need to buy an expensive computer radio when you have one of these, CIC1-5 Constant current battery charger (there are five different models) - for trickle and overnight charging, ST1000 Double sided hook and loop fastener - Great for holding battery packs in place, SK1-2 Motor noise supression kits for electric motors - Stop interference before it gets to your radio. SW1605 16ga thin wall silicone insulated wire. He also has some specials on Sanyo 1700SCRC packs.      You can reach Viper Models to order call 1-800-592-VIPER or 1-800-592-8473 or to FAX an order send it to 1-415-366-3538 24 hrs daily. VISA and MC accepted. Visit Vic's WEBsite at http://www.vipermodels.com/ Return to "What's In This Issue?" The Mid-America Flies '97 AMA Sanctioned (New Location - See Below & Map) Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13 , 1997 Hosted by the: Ann Arbor Falcons and Electric Flyers Only Site Provided by the: Midwest R/C Society your Contest Directors are: Ken Myers phone (810) 669-8124 or 102575.3410@ compuserve.com Keith Shaw (313) 973-6309 Flying both days is at the new location, the Midwest R/C Society Flying Field - 5 Mile Rd., Northville Twp., MI (see map) Registration: 8:30 A.M. both days * * * * * Flying from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Gold Stickered Transmitters are REQUIRED! = = = = = All 50 frequencies will be used Saturday's Events Sunday's Events All Up - Last Down All Up - Last Down Longest Timed Flight Longest Timed Flight Best Scale (must fly) Best Scale (must fly) Most Beautiful Most Beautiful Best Multi-motor Best Mini-Electric Best Sport Plane Best Biplane CD's Choice CD's Choice Refreshments will be available at the field both days. There will be a pot-luck picnic at the field on Saturday evening. Come and join us for two days of fun and relaxed electric flying. Even though this is called a contest, the purpose is fun and the enjoyment of sharing the electric experience. Come, Look, Listen, Learn - Fly Electric - Fly the Future! Saturday's & Sunday's Awards: Plaques for 1st in each category Merchandise drawing for ALL entrants NOTE: Map was rotated to fit on page. North is to right as you view. To locate the Midwest R/C Society flying field, site of the 1997 Mid-America Electric Flies, look on the far left side of the map (top as viewed here), where X marks the spot near Five Mile Road and Napier. The field entrance is off of Five Mile Road. M-14 can be entered and exited via Beck Road. Mid-America Flies Hotel List 1997 Rates are believed to be per night on the weekend for 2, and were the best infomation I could get on 11/10/96. Novi Hilton Sheraton Oaks Wyndham Garden Hotel Hampton Inn Northville Travelodge Detroit 21111 Haggerty Rd. 27000 Sheraton Dr. 42100 Crescent Blvd. 20600 Haggerty Rd. 21100 Haggerty Rd. 236 rooms 206 rooms 152 rooms 125 rooms 124 rooms 800-445-8667 810-348-5000 800-222-4200 800-426-7866 800-578-7878 810-349-4000 810-344-8800 313-462-1119 810-349-7400 $79 $75 - $85 $64 - $74 $76 $55 Comfort Inn Livonia Days Inn Livonia Detroit Marriott Livonia Holiday Inn Livonia Hotel Baronette 29235 Buckingham Ave. 36655 Plymouth Rd. 17100 Laural Park Dr. N. 17123 Laural Park Dr. N. 27790 Novi Rd. 112 rooms 72 rooms 227 rooms 225 rooms 149 rooms 800-221-2222 800-325-2525 800-228-9290 800-465-4329 810-349-7800 313-458-7111 313-427-1300 313-462-3100 313-464-1300 $65 - $95 $41 $72 - $79 $85 $79 Return to "What's In This Issue?" Upcoming Events: April 13, 1997 Capital Area Soaring Association's Annual SPRING SIZZLER ELECTRIC FUN FLY, Gude Drive Field, Rockville, Maryland, Call Roy Smith at 301-279-2966 for more information. May 24 (rain date only May 25) EMFSO at Oakville Model Flying Club, Electric Fun Fly, Drumquin Park, North Field, Britannia at Trafalgar, John McNicol (905) 821-9629 or Walt Gray email: mailto:gwr7mm@sympatico.ca June 7 & 8 Tenth Annual Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society E-Fly, Mike Stewart, 107 Taft Terrace, Washgington, NJ 07882 as CD. For more info E-mail Mike at Mike721@worldnet.att.net or Phone: (908) 689-6981 June 7 & 8 EMFSO, EMFSO Electric Fun Fly, SOGGI Flying Field, Lynden, Ont. Bud Wallace (905) 274-3177 or Stan Shaw (519) 766-9966 June 13 - 15 First Annual Electric Fun Fly, the event will be held at the 3M RC Flyers site in St.Paul, MN: - 35 acres of well maintained grassy area - 3 paved runways at 45 degree increments to minimize crosswinds. Flyers will be required to show their AMA card to fly. Contact: Mike Roerig Tel: 612-778-6340 or email Mike at mlroerig@mmm.com June 28/29 - Knights of the Air R/C Club, Springfield, Illinois, Tim McDonough, 127 S. Oaklane Road, Springfield, Illinois 62707 or Email Tim at tpm@inw.net June 28/29 - Kingston Radio Control Modellers, Electric Fun-Fly, Martin Irvine (613) 389-9457 July 12/13 - Mid-America Electric Flies, Ann Arbor Falcons/EFO, location, Midwest R/C Society Field, 5 Mi. Rd, Northville Twp, MI Ken Myers/Keith Shaw (see this issue) Aug. 2 - 5 - AMA Headquarters, Muncie, IN Doug Ward, R.D. #1, Box 189. Irwin, PA 15642 (412) 446-5891or email Doug at DWard79207@aol.com Aug. 16/17 Halton Hills, George Ball Memorial Electric Fun Fly, Ont. Geoff Miller (905) 454-5198 September 6 & 7 Rhode Island Quahog Electric Fly, Don Bousquet (401) 780-7437 or Tom Hunt (526) 981-0372 September 20 & 21 Queen City Airport, Allentown, PA: KRC - setup on the 19th. For more info e-mail Anthony Assetto at 102723.2566@compuserve.com Return to "What's In This Issue?" To Reach Ken Myers, you can land mail to the address at the top of the page. My E-mail address is: KMyersEFO@theampeer.org EFO WEB Site