Wind 13/Temp 57. One contestant was in attendance. John Matos drew event "Mail Plane".

Wind 11/Temp 65. Six contestants participated. The event drawn was Spot Touch and Go's.

1st place: Dale Wheeler
2nd place: Luis Gongalez
3rd place Steve Johnson
4th place: Joe Buie

Futaba 6EX, 7C and TM-7 Service Advisory-

This service advisory affects only owners of the Futaba TM-7 module and 6EX and 7C FASST systems. Each FASST transmitter contains a unique eight digit identification code, programmed at the factory to identify the respective transmitter and to allow a receiver to be paired only to that radio’s signal. Recently we have learned that a very small number of the TM-7 modules, and 6EX and 7C FASST systems were incorrectly coded with a common code number during the manufacturing process. These units were subsequently sold prior to our awareness of the situation.

If two or more units, utilizing this common identification code, were to be in use simultaneously, they may cause interference with one another. Please note: Units which utilize the correct identification code will not be affected by these units.

We’re extremely confident that this is not a widespread problem. We know of only one instance in the United States. However, to give you peace of mind that your system is not affected, we will soon be setting up test stations at participating hobby shops throughout the country where you will be able to go to determine -- within a matter of minutes -- whether or not your transmitter is affected, at no charge to you. Or, if you prefer, you may send it in to our service center we will analyze it for you at no charge. If any problem is found, it will be replaced. We will gladly pay the postage for returning the unit and sending it back to you.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Futaba Service Center at: 217-398-0007 or via email at: service@futaba-rc.com. Our staff is available to you Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm U.S. Central Standard Time.

Precautionary Measures and Information-

1) As with all radio control equipment, we strongly suggest that you pre-flight your aircraft thoroughly prior to flying. When flying at a location with other FASST owners, prior to flying we suggest that all pilots briefly activate their systems simultaneously to check for any interaction between units. If any interactions should occur, do NOT fly. Return the unit to the Futaba Service Center for immediate replacement.

2) Each time that your transmitter is turned on, it is imperative that you allow the FASST system an adequate amount of time to thoroughly boot-up completely before shutting down the transmitter. We recommend allowing the system at least five (5) seconds prior to turning off the power to the transmitter.

3) If the transmitter and receiver have lost their binding which required them to be re-linked, we recommend returning them to the Futaba Service Center for analysis. This is not expected behavior and should be investigated accordingly.

50 – 15 Fun Fly

Purpose of monthly Abilene R/C Society Club Fun Fly is to promote safety, fun, club membership, camaraderie, and improve general flying abilities. (Laid-back atmosphere with more emphasis on improving flying skills as opposed to end of year bragging rights.)

The name is derived from the weather conditions on the day of each fun fly: afternoon temperature of at least 50 degrees and winds less than 15 knots.

In the “keep it simple” way of doing things, there are only three main rules:

Rule #0: Safety First.

Rule #1 : Have Fun.

Rule #2 : See Rule #1, then Rule #0.

(No one has to participate at any club fun fly, but your not enjoying this great sport if you are not flying.)

Will attempt to have nine monthly fun flies during 2008. First one would be in February. End of year standings would be highest point total. Only top 5 of 9 fun fly scores will be counted towards end of year bragging rights. In other words, your best 5 scores during 2008 will be the ones counted for end of year. (Not everyone will be able to make all fun flies.)

Fun flies will take place the first Sunday following that months club meeting. If not able to hold fun fly on first Sunday, then second Sunday following club meeting. If still not able to hold fun fly on second Sunday of month, then no fun fly for that month. Field to be closed to general flying from 2:30 pm until approx 5 pm on fun fly afternoon.

Pilots meeting and sign up at 2:30 thru 2:45 pm on day of fun fly. Club approved a $1 entry fee for club members and a $5 entry fee for non club members, per club fun fly. It goes without saying that all pilots must be AMA members. At 2:45 pm, event will be drawn to be flown for that afternoon. Fun fly will start by 3:00 pm and run until finished. Should be completed in less than two hours and then general flying will resume.

14 fun fly events available to be used at a fun fly. One event will be drawn at the start of the fun fly and used for it only. Next fun fly, a different event drawn and used. Etc. The list of events will be made public at January meeting, so every pilot can practice any or all of the events in advance.

For this year, club determined aircraft limited to stick type, or trainer type, aircraft with tricycle landing gear.

First through ninth place would be determined for each event flown. Scoring is 100 pts for 1^st, 81 pts for 2^nd, 64 pts for 3^rd, 49 pts for 4^th, 36 pts for 5^th, 25 pts for 6^th, 16 pts for 7^th, 9 pts for 8^th, 4 pts for 9^th, and 1 point for 10^th. Tenth place and beyond would receive 1 point for competing in fun fly. This will even out the scoring, insuring no ties at the end of fun fly season. A fun fly afternoon with less than 10 entries would still have scoring start at 100 pts for 1^st, 81 pts for 2^nd, etc.

At end of year, each pilots 5 highest points earned through out the fun fly year will determine places 1^st through 7^th. They will be awarded the fun fly pot, along with bragging rights for 2008. The fun fly pot will be dispersed at last club meeting of year on December 4, 2008.

The fun fly pot will be awarded as follows on Dec 4:

First place finisher to get 20% of fun fly pot.

Second place finisher to get 18% of fun fly pot.

Third place finisher to get 16% of fun fly pot.

Fourth place finisher to get 14% of fun fly pot.

Fifth place finisher to get 12% of fun fly pot.

Sixth place finisher to get 10% of fun fly pot.

Seventh place finisher to get 8% of fun fly pot.

Remaining 2% to go to club treasury.

(If this results in non-even whole dollar amounts to finishers, prize will be rounded down to next lower whole dollar amount. Any fun fly pot change left over will go to club treasury.)

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50-15 Fun Fly Events

1) Limbo - Set the ribbon at one height with two pylons, one set south of ribbon at 100’ and another set north of ribbon at 100 ‘ . Fastest 5 passes under ribbon, with out missing a pylon, wins first place.

2) Timed flight without timers - The pilot places plane at start/finish line. At "Go", takes off, flies, and then must land and cross finish line in exactly "n" seconds (e.g.: 150 seconds). Time stops when plane crosses finish line and engine dies. Pilot with elapsed time closest to goal wins first place.

3) Dixie Death - The pilot places plane at start/finish line . Time starts when plane crosses start line. Take off, do three rolls, three loops, and three spins (any order), and land. Time stops when plane crosses finish line and engine dies. Fastest time wins first place.

4) Touch & Go’s - The pilot places plane at start/finish line. Time starts when plane crosses start line. Fly normal traffic pattern, around two pylons placed 200 feet apart, do 6 toucn and go's. On 7th touch (landing), time stops when plane crosses finish line and engine dies. Fastest time wins first place.

5) Bomb Drop - Bomb in a paper cup rubber banded to the plane. Drop it on the spot. Closest wins first place. If time permits, may do this twice with closet hit counting.

6) Taxi around pylon course - Four pylons set in a line on the runway spaced at least 100 feet apart. Pilot gets engine running, sets it to idle, places aircraft at start/finish line, sets transmitter on ground. Starter gives the "Go", pilot picks up transmitter, steers aircraft around the pylons (sort of a figure-8 path) then crosses finish line. Time starts when plane crosses start line. Time stops when plane crosses finish line and engine dies. Best time wins first place.

7) Climb-N-Glide - Take off, climb high, reduce engine to idle. Timing starts. “Glide” around and land at the 2 ½ minute mark. Time stops when plane comes to complete stop on runway. You cannot use any timing device or have a helper mark time for you, just your good judgment. Score 150 points for perfect 2 ½ minutes. Loose 1 point for each second greater than or less than 2 ½ minutes. Example, you glide and land and your time is 1 min 34 seconds. Your score is 94 points. Example: you glide and land with a time of 3 min 21 seconds. Your score is 201. Scoring is closest to 150. First is closest to 150. Second is second closest to 150. Third is third closest to 150, etc.

8) Spot Landing or Spot Touch & Go’s - Mark a spot on the runway, fly 10 passes around pylons, trying to touch and go on spot. Most number of hits in shortest amount of time, wins first place. On tie number of hits, shortest time wins. Time starts when plane crosses start line. Time stops when plane comes to complete stop across finish line and engine dies.

9) Takeoff, Loop, Touch & Go, Roll, Spot Landing - Just what it says! Done for time. Time starts when plane crosses start line. Time stops when plane comes to complete stop across finish line and engine dies. Time stops when plane comes to complete stop across finish line and engine dies.

10) Carrier takeoff and landing – Carrier deck of 150’ length will be defined on runway. Plane will be placed on downwind end of deck. Time starts on take off roll. 20 second penalty if not airborne before reaching end of deck. Shoot two touch and goes on carrier deck. Then land on carrier deck and come to complete stop before rolling into ocean. 20 second penalty for hitting stern of ship and/or rolling off deck when landing. Fastest time wins first place.

11) Slow takeoff - A balloon barrier at the end of the runway. The timer starts when plane

begins to roll, and stops when plane becomes airborne. Plane not to stop once take off roll begun. 20 second penalty if it does stop. Plane must clear the balloon barrier or it is disqualified. Plane’s take off roll to be relatively straight down runway. Longest timed takeoff from a dead stop wins.

12) ETA - Draw times from a hat. Flyer removes watch, starts engine, and takes off. Pilot estimate’s his time and lands... Judging time starts when plane crosses start line. Time stops when plane comes to complete stop. Closest to actual time drawn wins.

13) Black Jack – Squares about 25’ X 25’ will drawn on each side of runway. Squares will be numbered A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, & 2. Time will start when plane crosses start line. Pilot takes at least three attempts at touch and go’s on squares to get a score of 21. (Possible to hit 21 in just two passes.) If pilot busts 21, 60 second penalty added to time. Time stops when plane crosses finish line and comes to complete stop with engine dead. Scoring is fastest time to score 21 wins and down. Tie scores will be based on fastest times to that score, starting from a score of 21 on down and finishes with the times of those that bust. First square that at least two wheels touch count for that pass.

14) Mail Plane- A piece of masking tape is stuck to the edge of the starters table (or some other fixture in the pits). The pilot has plane idling at start/finish line, transmitter and plane being held by spotter. At "Go" command, time starts as pilot runs to retrieve the tape, then runs to plane and sticks the tape on the plane (anywhere he prefers). Then runs back to spotter to retrieve transmitter, taxis plane to takeoff position, takes off, flies one normal flight pattern circuit, that includes one loop and one roll, past ends of runway, lands, crosses start/finish line, shuts engine down, hands transmitter back to spotter, runs out to retrieve tape, then runs back to pit fixture and sticks the tape back to stop the clock. Fastest time wins first place.