TCAF would like to introduce a new pilot mentoring program to help new members learn to fly.

New Pilot Mentoring Program

Getting started in radio controlled airplanes can be an exciting and rewarding hobby however crashing your new plane is not how anyone wants to start out.

Whether you want to start with electric, glow power models, or gliders, Tulip City Air Force, a Holland based AMA sanctioned club would like to help new pilots get their wings.*

Mentors will assist with:**

• Checking new planes before their first flight to ensure airworthiness.
• Teaching model aviation principals and operation based on years of experience.
• Assist during those first critical flights to ensure the plane is flying like it should be.
• Provide flight training using ‘buddy boxes’ during flights. (TCAF members own them for most radio systems)

For more information regarding our club or feel free to contact us at tcaf_holland@yahoo.com or use the Club Officers and Contacts page to call our President.

* TCAF does not provide models, new pilots must have their own.

** New pilots must join the Academy of Model Aeronautics and Tulip City Air Force to participate.

Bix had a little show in tell at the last Tulip City Airforce Meeting. He recently purchased the AR.Drone Parrot. The Parrot is controlled via an iPod touch or iPhone via wifi. It was incredible. The Parrot was as stable as can be thanks to 4 blades and gyro’s. The AR.Drone Flies for 10-12 minutes on the included 3cell 1000mah lipo . There is a built in camera that streams live to the iPod screen. For more information check out http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/usa/ Thanks for sharing Bix!

Several great pictures taken by Rich Moore’s son while at the field October 15 and 16.

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Hello Fellow Fliers,

This is a reminder about the November meeting next week Tuesday 9th
at the Park Township Hall, 1464 Ottawa Beach Rd. Repeat, that’s
Tuesday not our usual day earlier, better to not mention that day so
there is no confusion. Bring your wallet! There will be some
modeling items available for sale donated by a former club member
Larry Waters. Items will be broken up into small units to keep the
price as reasonable as possible…proceeds will go into the club
coffers. If any of you have something you can part with to donate to
the sell please feel free to bring it to the meeting.

We have another new member joining the club, Geoff, Williams.
Hopefully he can join us at the meeting so we can have an opportunity
to meet him as flying time grows short at the field. Aaron met him
out at the field the other day, said he flew well and shouldn’t
require training. Aaron posted Geoff’s picture on the website.

Speaking of the field the weather this past month has been phenomenal.
For my interest with thermal gliders it has been the best 30 days of
the year. Since the corn has been picked the combination of exposed
earth, cool nights and rapidly warming days has provided exception
lift opportunities. I have had a number of long flights with my hand
launch glider. Many of my flights have ranged from 7 minutes to my
current record of 21 minutes, 37 seconds. There is also the advantage
of an easy walk to go get your plane when it lands off the field.
Fortunately I have only had on major trek out there this year to
retrieve a little combat foamie. I hope others have taken the
opportunity to get out and fly this past October it has been pretty
quiet the days I have been there. That is to say not many pilots at
the field…not quiet just because I either fly without motors or use
electric power. That I call peaceful.

Please go to the website for details of the meeting Tuesday. There is
a link to click for directions provided by MapQuest to Park Township
Hall. To find our site type in http://www.TulipCityAirForce.com

See you at the meeting Tuesday and don’t forget if you would like to
get your membership paid up and out of the way before the end of the
year this is a good opportunity Tuesday.

Regards,

Larry Weller – Vice President Tulip City Air Force

Please help me welcome our newest club member Geoff Williams. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the field last night. He was flying his nitro powered Avistar.

Get out and enjoy the last few weeks of our flying season. The field is in great shape, the corn is down and the air is ripe for punching holes through.