Upcoming EFO Flying Meetings Reminder Event Reminder.	Change of Email Address Requested Ken suggests keeping your email address up to date with him.
A RetroRC Flash Joe Hass shares his 23" Flash.	The Galloping Ghost Astro-Mite Flies! Joe Hass describes the successful flight of his Astro-Mite with photo.
The Crazy Mixed-up May 2025 EFO Flying Meeting The May EFO flying reschedule meeting change.	The Lark from Steve Labuta Steve shares his Model Works Lark and praises Model Works and Innov8tive Designs.
The May 2018 EFO Flying Meeting Happenings at the May 2018 EFO flying meeting.	The Upcoming Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-in 2025 Event Announcement
41st Annual Mid-America Electric Flies 2025 & FREE Open Air Swap Meet Event Announcement	Upcoming E-vents
Send Ken email

EFO Flying Meetings Reminder      Please keep in mind that summer EFO flying meeting dates are tentative because of the weather.      Flying meetings are usually scheduled for a Saturday. Because of predicted winds or rain for the scheduled date, the actual date could be changed, even to the following Sunday.      Members are notified, via email, as to the correct time, date and place. Any changes are also immediately posted to the EFO Website.      Everyone is welcome and proof of current AMA membership is required to fly.      Spectators and visitors are always welcome.      The next EFO monthly flying meetings are scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. at the Midwest RC Society 7 Mile Rd. Flying Field, that's the postponed May meeting, and then again on Saturday, June 7.      If the weather is not suitable on that date, the meeting will be postponed to a future date and members notified, via email, regarding any change in date and time. The change will also be published on the EFO Website. EFO Web site Link Return to "What's In This Issue" Change of Email Address Requested By Ken Myers      A reminder for Ampeer subscribers. If you wish to continue receiving the monthly notice, please update your email address whenever you change it. Thanks, Ken Return to "What's In This Issue" A RetroRC Flash From Joe Hass via email      More than a few years ago I started a Retro RC Radio Flash.      For reasons I don't remember I put the unfinished frame in a box. While doing some cleaning I found it and proceeded to finish it. I quickly remembered why I stopped working on it.      It is a complete kit, including wire and tissue covering materials.      While it has a 23" wingspan it is a bit fragile.      It uses a Spektrum brick for rudder and elevator with a single cell 200mAh LiPo battery.      Propulsion is from any of the many Horizon small foamies.      Hinging the rudder and elevator was done before covering with a thin bead of SOHO adhesive applied with a brush.      The biggest challenge was installing and shrinking the ESAKI tissue covering. With a little internet searching I found that using a permanent glue stick worked perfectly for installing the covering. 70% isopropyl alcohol lightly sprayed on the tissue tightened it up but induced some warps. I found that spraying both the top and bottom of the wing and then blocking it up to dry solved that problem.      At 1.3 ounces, with a fully charged battery, it is definitely an indoor / dead calm aircraft.      It ROGs easily. Ditto for touch and goes. It is definitely a slow flyer.      I finished this after completing the giant RYAN STA. Perhaps it is time to work on a flying machine between these two size extremes. Joe Hass 248-321-7934 joehass@gmail.com Return to "What's In This Issue" The Galloping Ghost Astro-Mite Flies! From Joe Hass via email      With son Chris as my co-pilot, the 1968 vintage Astro-Mite with a Min-X Galloping Ghost radio system and Rand Actuator took off from the runway at the Pilgrims field this afternoon (March 24, 2025 KM) and flew successfully. It is amazing how well 27MHz radio systems work with the transmitter antenna extended!      It took a few laps to get the trims sorted out and to remember just how slowly the controls responded.      When the motor timed out, the glide brought us back to the edge of the runway. One flight was enough for my nerves. I look forward to more.      Unfortunately, at this writing there are no flight photos as Chris was busy helping me with the trims and trying to understand how the Astro-Mite presented itself in the air.      More later. Joe Hass 248-321-7934 And in a follow-up email:      Chris managed to get one picture of the Astro-Mite. The tree wasn't really that close. Joe Return to "What's In This Issue" The Crazy Mixed-up May 2025 EFO Flying Meeting      Saturday, May 10th was to be the first EFO flying meeting of the year. Unfortunately, several unexpected happenings occurred at the same time and it caused the meeting to be postponed until Saturday May 24, 10 a.m. at the Midwest RC Society 7 Mile Road flying field.      The June meeting is still tentatively planned for Saturday, June 7 at the same time and place. Return to "What's In This Issue" The Lark from Steve Labuta From Steve Labuta via email Hi Ken,      I was just reading your latest and thought I should give you some updates from me.      At last year's Mid America Electric Flies, you gave me an award for my "Sleek Twin." That plane also won the AMA's build contest which had a prize of an Old School Model Works Lark. (It's a redesign of the old Goldberg Skylark).      (For those that don't remember, the Goldberg Skylark was basically a low-wing Falcon 56. KM)      Old School Model Works (https://www.oldschoolmodels.com/index.htm) also works with Lucien Miller of Innov8tive Design for recommendations for electric power systems for their kits. I have used the Innov8tive Designs Tempest brand motors in my last 4 builds, and each one has performed fantastically. All of these builds have used motors and ESCs recommended by Lucien.      I was also greatly impressed with the Old School Model Works Lark kit. It's great to see someone being successful at creating wood-based RC kits again. Great wood, great laser cutting, fantastic instructions, full sized plans and all hardware is included. It makes for a stress-free, quick build. You'll be seeing it at the next MidAm.      Pictures of the build are here. Steve Labuta * * * * *      Here are a couple of pictures from that link. There is still much more to see there and appreciate about his great build!      A lot of the Goldberg style and structure can be seen in this photo of the framed up Lark.      Steve's chosen color scheme is so reminiscent of the late 60s and early 70s sport color schemes.      Fantastic job Steve. I can't wait to see it fly. Return to "What's In This Issue" The May 2018 EFO Flying Meeting      No, you did not read that incorrectly.      While cleaning up my computer, I found this meeting report and photos that I'd never used.      The original write-up, that follows, was written on May 27, 2018.      Enjoy a little "history" here. * * * * * EFO Flying Meeting, May 2018      May was a horrible month for flying here in southeastern Michigan. Our first flying meeting was scheduled for Saturday, May 5. May 5 and 6 were both horrible flying days with wind and rain. The meeting continued to be rescheduled through the weekends in the month of May.      The meeting was finally held on Saturday, May 26, which fell on Memorial Day weekend.      The sky, as shown in the photos, was overcast, but the morning temperature was in the mid-70s and there was no wind.      Even though the Midwest RC Society flying field had been cut the previous day, it was still pretty long. They could not set the blades to low, or it bogged down the big Ford tractor.      I flew the Simple Cub off the runway out of the over fuselage belly high grass, but the other ROG planes couldn't get off the runway.      Dave Stacer got out the Ford tractor and mowed a few swipes down the center of the runway. That helped a lot. Thanks Dave.      The landings were another matter. Let's just say they werenÕt pretty, and you'd not liked being the pilot onboard.      The turn out was pretty good, for a holiday weekend. Return to "What's In This Issue" The Upcoming Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-in 2025      The Balsa Butchers are hosting the "Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-In", for the 23rd year, at their field near Coldwater, MI. The event takes place on Saturday, May 31, 2025. It is a one day event.      The event consists of Open Electric Flying with a "Special Guest of Honor Theme". Happy Birthday Keith Shaw [June 6].      Enjoy a day with the "Pioneering Master of Electric R/C Flight". 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday. NO LANDING FEE! Donations for field maintenance and lunch appreciated.      For additional information contact; Contest Director: Dave Grife - E-mail: grifesd@yahoo.com or Phone: 517-677-9978      Please e-mail or call with any questions.      The field will be open for guests to fly on Sunday as well. Return to "What's In This Issue" 41st Annual Mid-America Electric Flies 2025 & FREE Open Air Swap Meet (See Swap Meet Note at the end of this announcement.) AMA Sanctioned Event (Proof of AMA membership required to fly - Sorry MAAC membership is no longer accepted) Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13, 2025 Hosted by the: Ann Arbor Falcons, Electric Flyers Only and The Midwest RC Society The 7 Mile Rd. Flying Site, Salem Twp., MI, is Provided by the: Midwest R/C Society Contest Directors are: Ken Myers phone (248) 669-8124 or email Ken Website for updates: theampeer.org for updates & info Keith Shaw (734) 973-6309 Flying both days is at the Midwest R/C Society Flying Field - 7 Mile Rd., Salem Twp., MI Registration: 9 A.M. Saturday Event Flying from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Saturday Open Flying 10 A.M. Until You Leave Sunday (Open Flying Saturday after the Event & All Day Sunday There are NO SCHEDULED EVENTS on Sunday, just open electric flying) No Pilot Landing Fee Donations will be gladly accepted No Parking Donation Will Be Requested from Spectators or Those Participating in the Open Air Swap Shop Donations to Midwest will be gladly accepted from Spectators and Open Air Swappers Awards on Saturday Only! Best Scale Most Beautiful Best Mini-Electric Best Multi-motor Best Sport Plane Foam Flurry for NCM aircraft CDs' Choice Planes Must Fly To Be Considered for Any Award Plaques for the winner in each category The Field is Open for Open Flying All Day Friday Night Flying Possible, Weather Permitting, Friday & Saturday Nights Field Lunch is provided to pilots and friends (hot dogs, chips, water or pop) Available on Saturday Field Dinner is provided (Burgers, Brats on Saturday evening for Pilots & Their Guests) Come and join us for two days of fun and relaxed electric flying. The NCM (Not Conventional Materials) Event Traditionally, model aircraft airframes have been mostly constructed from balsa wood, plywood, spruce, and fiberglass. For the purposes of this meet, NCM airframes are mostly constructed from not conventional materials i.e.; sheet foam, foam board, cardboard, block foam, foam insulation material, etc. Foam Flurry for NCM aircraft: This is a true event. It is based upon the all up/last down event of early electric meets. Any NCM aircraft may be used (no ARF types). Power systems are limited to a maximum of 3S (no paralleling) LiPo batteries or 4S maximum, no paralleling, for A123 packs. All planes qualifying for this event will launch at the same time, and the last one to land will be declared the winner. VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR 2025 - THE FLYING FIELD ENTRANCE TO THE MIDWEST FLYING FIELD CHANGED FIVE YEARS AGO! The old entrance to the Midwest RC Society flying field is permanently closed!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE IT!!! This is what the flying field entrance looks like. Please Drive SAFELY The field entrance is on the north side of Seven Mile Road about 1.5 Miles west of Currie Rd. entrance is on the north side of Seven Mile Road about 1.6 Miles west of Currie Rd. The address is 7621 Seven Mile Road, Northville, MI 48167. The entrance is through a private residence drive and out past the barn. How to enter the flying field, by going past the farm buildings, is shown in the following photo. Directions from Google Maps to the flying field Directions from Google Maps to the flying field To locate the Midwest R/C Society 7 Mile Rd. flying field, site of the Mid-America Electric Flies, use the link for the map above. Because of their convenient location and the easy drive to the flying field, the Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn Express in Wixom, MI have been added to the hotels' listing. They are only 10 miles northeast of the field and located near I-96 and Wixom Road. See the map-hotel .pdf for more details. Open Air Swap Meet There is a designated area for swappers. Please check-in at the event registration table before setting up. Someone from registration will point out where you may set up. Bring your own table(s) and chair(s). There is no swap meet fee. A donation to the Midwest RC Society, for the use of their flying field, would be greatly appreciated. Return to "What's In This Issue" Upcoming Toledo R/C Swap Meet & Expo Friday, April 4 & Saturday, April 5, 2025 9:00AM - 5:00PM FRIDAY 9:00AM - 2:00PM SATURDAY Glass City Center - Main Floor 401 Jefferson Ave. Toledo, OH Admission: $10 Toledo RC Swap Meet Website Toledo RC Swap Meet Facebook Page Manufactures, Distributors, and Businesses Welcome! Questions Contact: Hank Rauhaus Phone: 330-419-2029 request info at: info@toledorcswapmeet.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