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Cool video: flying robots build a tower
These robotic quadcopters reminded us of a swarm of bees, working together to build a giant tower out of prefabricated foam blocks. Bridget Borgobello of Gizmag explains, Each quadrocopter is fitted with custom electronics and onboard sensors to allow for precision vehicle control, whilst also providing the opportunity for pre-programmed flight paths, which could include arcs and spirals. CLICK HERE».
CLICK HERE for a link to the technical details (for Gary)

SFDRCM 2011 Christmas Party Pictures

Click picture above to see album

The 2011 Christmas Party was held December 11. A great turnout of over 60 members and family nicely filled the room at the Monrovian Restaurant. We were in the upstairs banquet room, nicely decorated and bright, with a bar for those that wanted to partake. After an hour of members socializing and browsing the raffle items, president Ray opened the meal with an invocation. The Monrovian staff served an excellent holiday turkey meal, with all the trimmings. The coin bank guessing contest was won with scientific precision by Gary Stevens, guessing within 29 cents. Raffle tickets were drawn with the assistance of our young attendees. Over $1500 worth of gifts were distributed. Gift swaps among winners were encouraged so winners got what they or their spouse) wanted. All in all a festive and memorable event to cap a very successful and enjoyable year.

CLICK HERE TO SEE LIST OF RAFFLE PRIZES

WELCOME TO THE SANTA FE DAM RC MODELERS
Join now - enjoy all of 2012

We welcome you to the world of radio control aircraft. Our club is located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California. The mountains make a beautiful backdrop to our flying site.

We host many events and welcome beginners, experienced flyers, families and the public. 

We have monthly meetings with refreshments and raffles. We have a legendary Christmas party, float flys at beautiful Santa Fe Dam Recreation area, BBQs, night flying and swap meets. Our emphasis is recreation and social events. We support our neighboring City of Hope Medical Center, and the American Red Cross. We do educational outreach to schools and organizations.

 Look around our website, new things are added every day.

FAA Notice Expected Early in New Year

We are now just weeks away from the release of the FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) which may come as early as mid January. The NPRM will provide a 90-120 day public comment period to allow interested parties to comment on the proposed rule and to make constructive suggestions toward improving the regulation. Once the rule is published AMA will be providing suggestions and guidance for responding to the NPRM. This will be your opportunity to weigh in on the issue. It is also very likely the AMA will organize a parallel congressional campaign to once again draw attention to our concerns.

CLICK HERE FOR AMA ARTICLE

First RC Tablet Magazine Launches

RC Pilot Magazine is the first tablet only RC magazine, launching January first. It is available only for iPad and Android tablet devices. It features videos and interactive content not available in a print or on-line publication. For a sample edition go to www.rcpilot.com from your tablet and download the app.

Valentines Day Coming

Guys! Let that special lady know that you care (and protect your flying privledges) with a nice diamond gift! Here are some affordable jewels with diamond accents.
CLICK HERE for the deal, good through Jan 29th

 COMING EVENTS

March 2012 - FLOAT FLY
Feb 8 2012 Meeting

 Trainers For Sale

RC Airplane - 4ch trainer - complete - fuel, radio, starter, glow! $120

Goldberg Eagle 2 partially assembled, Futaba Radio, engine $100 

Alpha 60, Evo motor, Spektrum $250 OBO

RCM 40, OS, Flight Box, tools, fuel, P-51,  $250

Airmaster 40T w fuel, flight box $100

Hobbico Trainer, .46, flight box $100

Tower Trainer 40 RTF, w Flight Box, Buddy, Box, Real Flight $200

RCM Trainer 40, Magnum XLS 40, Hitec Laser 6

$185   

Click the picture for a YouTube video of this vintage AeroCar driving to the airport and going for a flight!

Choosing the Right Electric Power System

NEW LINK -What does KV mean?

Those of us with nitromethane in our veins may be a more than a little puzzled with the variety of electric motors, batteries and speed controls avaiable. We know that electric performance equals and exceeds that of glow engines. All but one of the pattern planes at this years Nationals were electric.

So, how do we figure out which motor and which battery and which prop will get our Bluebird Special flying the way we expect it to? If it calls for a nitro .46, we can drop in any brand of engine in that range that fits, use the same fuel we always use and know what to expect. Not so with electric. Not only do the numbers on the motors have little consitency, we are told that the same motor has a very different character with a variety of batteries, and an ever bigger variety of props. Current draw, mAh, kV, amps, watts, turns - we just want to fly, not engineer a power plant!

Below are some links to articles that intend to get our electrons in the air successfully with satisfactory equipment that performs as we would like. The basics are not that hard, a little reading won't hurt us. And like all things aeronautic, don't be afraid to copy what has worked for someone else!!

ELECTRO-ACTIVE - Glow to Electric Conversion Tips

The best article I have found is in Fly RC magazine, by Tom Hunt. Click HERE

HERE  is a long and linked discussion from RC Universe. Mostly very helpful. One important point is that electric motors like big props and matching the size of the prop to the plane is one of the first steps in selecting  power system.

 Popular T-28 on 24" Sea Plane Supply Floats

They have a wide variety of CNC cut floats for all size RC planes from micro and Slow Stick to 48". Click picture above to go to www.seaplanesupply.com. Slow Stik conversion puts battery in compartment in large float for low CG.