From Frank Scott and Michael Smith, McCook Squadron, Dayton, Ohio

OK Skysters, get your Bill Warner designed Sky Bunnies ready for the big memorial SKY BUNNY MASKed LAUNCH.  This is now OPEN TO EVERYONE as a world-wide Fun-Fly. Post your times, photos, videos, and tales of adventure (and mis-adventure!) online, try the McCook Facebook Page or the FAC-GHQ Facebook Page!

As you all know, we chose to cancel/postpone the upcoming June 6-7 McCook Field Aero Squadron contest at Muncie due to the threat and logistic complications arising from the Covid 19 infection. We intended the final activity at this contest to be a Mass Launch of Sky Bunnies in tribute to the memory of Bill Warner.

June 07, 2020 at Twin Towers Park between Fairborn and Yellow Springs Ohio. Please be on site and ready no later than 3:30 PM EDST for the actual launch at 4:00PM EDST.

NOTE:  You can get the Sky Bunny Kit from Peck Polymers click HERE.

Ed Novak reports a decision to CANCEL the scheduled contest at Durham Field (CT) on 14 June.

The latest FAC Rule Book is now online.  There are very minor changes, all in red text.

• One of the “biggest” changes that there is now no minimum wingspan for Simplified Scale (so your Dimers now qualify for Simplified – although you cannot fly the same model in both events at the same contest).
• Polyspan and similar tissue-like films are permitted, however “plastic” coverings are still prohibited. (You can use mylar – but you must cover it with tissue.)
• A clarification on undercambered airfoils for Scale models – they are permitted where the original had undercamber.  They are prohibited where the full scale never had it – and prohibited in Dime, regardless of the original configuration.
• Phantom Flash – minimum weight for “normal” events is 5g.  Lighter ARE permitted, if the CD announces a “master” class event without weight restrictions.  Both events can be run in one contest.
• Goodyear Races now permit “designed and built for”, not just “flown”.

That’s it!  Download the new rules RIGHT HERE (or on the Rules page above on the menu).

EDITOR:  Do NOT post nominations here.  Read the message and send via email

I’m the Chair of the National Free Flight Society, (NFFS), Model of the Year Committee. I am very interested in finding out which designs or innovations impressed you most in 2019. We are looking for innovation, an excellent design or craftsmanship, and/or a stellar contest record. Models in consideration shall have been built and demonstrated recently, not in decades past.

We have an excellent committee of expert modelers who will select the winners. The winners will be widely publicized, and also displayed in the NFFS Symposium. The Symposium will be published and delivered this summer. It will be available through NFFS.

I would like nominations in Scale, FAI Outdoor, AMA Outdoor, and AMA/FAI Indoor. Or some technology, technique or device that is revolutionary.

Any modeler of any country is free to make a nomination or receive the award.

Send your nominations to me at tum25@bellsouth.net. My name is Dohrman Crawford.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Dohrman Crawford

Today, I stumbled upon this article written by our own Dennis Norman and published in the AMA’s Model Aviation magazine in 2016.  It is full of interesting history and is good reading for new members and older members, alike.

http://modelaviation.com/flying-aces

Muncie and Geneseo – and probably other flying sites – have been hit with very wet conditions this year.  FAC’er Tom Hallman sent in this “video of a modeler and equipment”.  It’s not far from the truth…

Fly when you can!  I’m sure I won’t be the only one at the non-Nats with untested planes!

–george

Due to interminable rain and wetter than usual conditions of the field, CD Pat Murray has postponed the annual McCook Squadron contest at Muncie.  Scratch this weekend (8/9 June) and pencil in next weekend (15/16 June – yeah, that’s Father’s Day) .

See you there – bring all your big ships!

–george

Steve Neill in California has started a new FAC Squadron.  He is calling the group the Ventura Model Aviators and has been assigned Squadron #50.  He has just a handful of members right now and is looking for more.  If you are a modeler in the area, just let him know!

Check out their web site – it looks like a good one!

https://theventuramodelaviators.home.blog/

The Contest Input Form is ACTIVE!

After a couple of hiccups (and back-burner naps), the Add Contest Page is active.  Thanks to IT Guru, Rick Pendzick, we have a way for you CDs to submit your local events.  Two important things will happen when you do this:  1) your contest will be logged on the FAC Contest Calendar (see the Calendar HERE) and 2) FAC members in the “local” area will be notified of an upcoming contest via email.  That email will contain all relevant contest information – AND – a Google Maps routing to the contest location!

CDs – PLEASE USE THIS FORM!  Find it HERE (also on the above menu under FAC Contests).

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE BAD LINK BEFORE – IT HAS BEEN FIXED

Tom Hallman has assembled another great selection of FAC photos for the 2019 calendar. You can find it in his FAC CafePress site – and all profits go to the FAC! You can see all of the monthly photos below.

ORDER HERE: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacescalendar.357265555