Final scores for the 2006 Aerobatic Nats -- Andre Stockwell

Link to raw scores (pdf)
Link to normalised scores (pdf)

Round About for May 2006 -- Percy Attfield

Link to 40k pdf

LiPo batteries, a cautionary tale by Andre Beukes

Many of you have seen the Hobby Trailer in which I transport my models.

My trailer stands underneath my carport, with the following planes in it:

1. 46% ULTIMATE
2. 40% EDGE 540
3. 120 ULTRA STICK
4. X-CELL PRO IIK HELI
5. 10 L Petrol
6. 2 l Moto 800 Oil
7. 15 L of Morgan Fuel with 15% nitro.

The Ultimate has 2 x expensive lithium polymer packs in it to supply the radio in the plane with power.

Yesterday at approximately lunch time, I decided to start charging all my planes. I first balanced the 2 lithium packs, and then hooked up the chargers as I always do, while the planes is still in the trailer. I went to check on the chargers @ +/- 18H00, and smelled electric fire. After investigating, I found that one of the packs inside the Ultimate burnt. Luckily for me, the only damage I sustained was to the Ultracote that was melted at four different places due to the heat.

Learn from my experience. This time I was very lucky. All my models could have burned, including my trailer. And to top this, my carport is next to my garage, where my 2 cars were parked, and all my other models are stored hanging from the garage roof.

Please charge your LiPo batteries in open space.

I had one of the best lithium polymer packs inside the plane, and I'm using decent chargers, and it still burnt.

These things are volatile. Please handle with care.

Regards

Andre Beukes

2006 Boland R/C power champs

Link to entry form (word DOC).
Contact person Dirk Coetzee 076 471 4617
or opzoek@mweb.co.za

Dirk Meyer acts as chairman of the SAMAA management committee

Joe Coetzer will be out of the country between 3rd and 26th May 2006.
During this time Dirk Meyer will act as chairman of the SAMAA management committee.
You can get hold of Dirk on 031 560 3111 or by email at dirk.meyer@corobrik.co.za

Blinkpan Coal Field Model Air Show -- Morgan Kruger

This info on the event received by email from Morgan:

Die byeenkoms word aan gebied deur Komati Radio Flyers te komati kragstasie Blinkpan.
Ons begin die event op die 03/06/06 en om 09:20 het ons 'n static display van die vliegtuie. Om 09:30 is daar pilots briefing en 10:00 open die flight line en begin ons lekker saam vlieg. Ons is ook besig om te reël vir 'n vlooimark saam met die vliegtuie. Ons aanloopbaan is 900 meter lank en 12 meter breed so dus kan die manne met die jets en gaint scale vliegtuie ook kom saam vlieg. Almal is welkom en vra net 'n naam lys van almal wat wil saam vlieg om ons voorbereiding net vir ons self maklikker te maak.
My sel no: 082 556 8185
Tel/faks :013- 295 3525
E-pos : komatiradioflyers@polka.co.za

Dankie
Morgan Kruger
Komati Radio Flyers.

2006 G2K Jamboree -- John Monk

The 2006 G2K Jamboree was held last Saturday at Gert Nieuwoudt's awesome VMG field. The wind was relatively light and variable as was the lift. This made things nicely interesting. The tasks were one 6 minute and one 3 minute flights within a 20 minute working time. Multiple launches were allowed but only the last two flights counted.

Gert and his club mates had demarcated the field and set up two tents by 08:00. Fred Wittstock was up from Durban for the weekend. Due to a number of cancellations, broken models, F3J practice, sick, kids, etc (thanks to all who contacted me to let me know) we were down to 8 pilots for the day. While this was a small turn-out it makes the matrixing very easy! One slot G2K and one slot G2Kplus or four pilots each.

Pilot's briefing was held a little after 09:00 and at 10:00 the first of six rounds got underway under the able leadership of Cornelius. By after 15:00 despite a reasonably leisurely pace (and a few small breaks for me to capture scores) it was all over.

The various rule changes were discussed afterwards to assess their merits and the final placings were read out.

The top placing pilots were as follows:

G2K
1. Fred Wittstock 4979
2. Rudi King 4590
3. Chris McNeel 4389

G2Kplus
1. Piet Rheeders 4973
2. John Monk 4756
3. Evan Shaw 4384

Congrats to Fred and Piet. Once I have received the floating trophies back from the previous winners (we know who they are:-) they will be handed over to the new winners.

All the prize winners (top two places in each category) agreed to donate their winnings to the F3J team fund. Thanks guys.

Overall I believe a great deal of fun was had by all. Thanks once again to Gert and Cornelius for all their hard work.

A more detailed report with pictures will be posted off to John Lightfoot for inclusion into the Southeaster.

That's all for now

John