WINTER
BLUES RC
FUN-FLY
By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net
MICHAEL VOICHECK, ED.D., the department chair and an educator at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is the advisor for the North Penn Model Aviation Club (NPMAC). He shared:
“In 2003, NPMAC was formed to teach the fundamentals of aviation through radio-controlled modeling, to promote an interest in aviation through group projects and activities, and to increase knowledge of physics and engineering through model building and flying.
“Since its inception, the club has received start-up grants, as well as model aircraft donations, from the local community, participated in elementary school outreach events, hosted annual fun-fly events that attract local RC pilots and community members, collaborated with local community flying groups, successfully built and flew autonomous drones, and has been recognized by AMA for its efforts in promoting youth in model aviation.
“The club primarily operates fixed-wing aircraft but also dabbles with drones and helicopters during its weekly meetings. Members use ready-to-fly airplanes and ones manufactured using laser-cutting and other processes.
“Recently, the club became official through the AMA as a Model Aviation Student Club (MASC). No experience is needed to be a member, but enthusiasm for learning and curiosity is a must.”
The NPMAC Winter Blues RC Fun-Fly
NPMAC holds an indoor modeling event every year as a fundraiser for the club. The Winter Blues RC Indoor Fun-Fly was held February 26, 2022, in the high school’s huge 175 x 105-foot double gym. Mike, as the event director, his students, and staff did a wonderful job of organizing and running this event.
Tables and chairs were set up and provided for everyone to use. Dedicated time slots were available for open flying, 3D, helicopters/multirotors, and micro aircraft. The event ran smoothly, and I had plenty of time to fly my models during the posted time slots.
I was impressed by several micro aircraft at the event. Tyler Moyer had a beautiful 1919 Avro 534 Baby ultramicro aircraft built from the Stevens AeroModel laser-cut kit. The model has a 16-inch wingspan and weighs 1.4 ounce. It uses a Spektrum brick and a ParkZone Ultra Micro P-51 brushed motor and gear drive.
Mike Cross flew his great-flying Cartoon Scale Dr.1 that he built from Gordon Johnson’s plans. John Pruszkowski brought several beautiful models, including a Sawn Craft F-4D Skyray and Gloster Javelin. He also had a Microaces Scrappee Patriot II that flew well.
A foam aircraft carrier called the U.S.S. VOICHECK was set up for everyone to practice their carrier landing skills. I had fun launching my carbon-fiber stick model off of the carrier and flying my 1/72-scale Corsair around the gym.
This is a great event that is all about having fun. I am already looking forward to attending next year!
Oleg Ladynsky’s 192 mg Airplane
Oleg Ladynsky set out to build a model with a flying weight of less than 200 mg. He succeeded with an incredible 2.5-inch wingspan model that weighs 192 mg ready-to-fly with a 3 mAh LiPo cell. The completed
airframe, with all of its gear, weighs only 46 mg. The Tonaco receiver weighs a mere 12 grams.
The heart and soul of this project lies in the propeller, motor, and gear drive. The molded carbon-fiber propeller is 20mm, with a 14mm pitch. The single-phase brushless motor, gear drive, and propeller weigh 13 mg and put out 105 mg of thrust.
As a person who loves to build cutting-edge models, I know the effort that went into building this amazing aircraft.
SOURCES:
NPMAC
www.northpennmac.org
