Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08) ---- History In The Making ----

[jdracing3]

Very nice!

[Murocflyer]

Thanks! Check this out:

http://www.vintauri.com/wings-across-america-2008/

Frank

[Murocflyer]

The SQuiRT is now back in IL with pilot #335a, Gino S.

We have 4 IL pilots and then we will be with Don W, pilot #338. Don will be our first IN pilot and our 45th state.

I'll post pics when I get the chance. I apologize on falling behind with them.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

How is that title for a television news story?

Check it out: http://www.abc57.com/news/local/Hist...155856255.html

Great job by pilot #339, Terry R and his South Bend RC Club club-mates to help promote model aviation.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

Here is Kent's (#347) flight summary. And one heck of a summary it is.
Frank

	Quote:
	I picked up the airplane from Chuck H at the metro park in Waterville Ohio at 12:30 PM on Friday June 29th 2012. We chatted for at least 1/2 hour about his adventures with SQuiRT. I drove right over to my brother's house to show him the airplane. Here I was, with the holy grail of radio control airplanes. The Stanley cup of a model aircraft. The places this airplane has been are simply incredible. All captured in a wooden crate. One of our members snickered that it was a coffin. I was certainly going to make sure that wasn't going to happen on my watch. I left my brother's house at 3:30 PM and was home in 5 minutes. It had been a warm and muggy day and at 4:00, a storm came through the area that knocked out electrical power to thousands of homes across the country. The storm was over by 4:30 PM. I did not get a feel for how much damage the storm had done until I drove to the golf course. Craig told us he was closing the golf course and I can understand why, with sticks and trees being knocked over on the course. It got fairly calm, and since the flying field was only 5 minutes away, off to fly SQuiRT I went. Nobody at the field. Put the fence back up that the 80 mph winds had knocked over. Chuck had told me the batteries were charged, so I put squirt together and flew her. What a delight! It has been awhile since I have flown a rudder only airplane. I do fly a radian sail plane but the wingspan is a lot bigger than squirt. After the third 6 minute flight (toggle the trainer switch when you start your flight to start the 6 min. timer) I was confident I could get SQuiRT out of any unforeseen situation. I went home and charged the three battery packs with my thunder power charger. All three packs put in 550 milliamps each. Saturday June 30 2012 6:00 PM. Back out to the field I went with 10 mph winds or less. Empty field again. SQuiRT was meant to be flown, and I had three freshly charged battery packs. We have not had any rain for over 30 days. Our fine Bermuda grass is almost none existence. SQuiRT had absolutely no problem rising off the ground. Landing is a little tricky, you must blip the throttle to keep her from landing on her nose. Someone has taken the DX 6i transmitter and set a mixer to let the rudder stick work the rudder with the ailerons stick. If you usually steer with your left hand as you apply the throttle, this will work out great. If you usually put in some cross control with your ailerons and rudder during cross wind situations, you will be pleasantly surprised that it is not going to work. SQuiRT has no ailerons. Three more battery packs charged. Again, 550 milliamps put back in. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't find the lost power problems Chuck was having up in Monroe. Sunday July 1 2012. Things are starting to heat up. Over 100° F. I am starting to believe in global warming. Usually, we will have a few days in July and August that are this hot, but not this early. I went out to the field in the evening as the temperature started to drop a little. Finally, pilots at the field. I put SQuiRT's box on the table and everyone gathers around to take a look. Harold M, Terry H, my Brother Alan C and his wife Marva and myself took turns flying SQuiRT. Everyone was marveled as they looked through the black and red logbook. Albuquerque New Mexico January 1, 2010 and here we are Defiance Ohio July 1, 2012. History is being made and SQuiRT keeps right on flying. Three flights. Monday July 2 2012. Back to work, another hot day, lo and behold Jody S, and Siggi K are at the field. Both of them a little apprehensive about flying this monumental airplane. I assured them that I would be all right with them to release their fears. Three more flights. Three more 550 put back in. Wednesday July 4 2012. When I sent out the e-mail explaining to the club members that SQuiRT would be available to fly July 4 and July 5 at 5:30 PM. I had no idea that the wind would be blowing so strongly. A few of the members who had already flown squirt balked at flying her again in the strong winds. Kris P showed up and I assured him he would be fine flying in 20 miles per hour winds. He did not use up the whole 6 minutes, but brought SQuiRT down in one piece. Only one flight, and one battery pack charged for the night. Thursday July 5, 2012 5:30 PM. All summer long, our club, Defiance Prop Floppers 2866 get together on Thursday evenings. When the weather is just right we sometimes have at least 15 members that show up at the field. This night was no exception. Charlie S, Bill L, Jim P, Bill C, Richard S, Chris C and Ron S took turns flying SQuiRT for six flights. Richard S is our most senior member and it put a smile to my face to see him fly SQuiRT. He is one of the last original members of the Propfloppers that flew free flight and control line back in the fifties and sixties. 6 flites for a total of 19 flights. FridaySaturday too hot to think or go outside! 106°during the day and 91°at 11:00 PM. Sunday July 8 2012 will be my last chance to fly SQuiRT. Frank G is a radio control hero. On behalf of all the Prop Floppers, we want to thank you Frank, for letting us fly your airplane SQuiRT. When we made the connection in 2008, I thought you were a little crazy to let total strangers fly your airplane. To me, it has been an honor and privilege. I can see a huge responsibility of the 346 pilots who passed the torch of SQuiRT behind me in the log book. My hope is that the rest of the pilots in front of me has the skill, desire, knowledge, and passion to get your airplane back home to you. Good luck Frank and happy flying, 2 more flights for a total of: 21 Total Flights at Defiance Prop Flopper Field Prop Flopper President, Kent C Monday, July 9 2012. I am passing SQuiRT onto Tim N. We are meeting at the turnpike exit in Sandusky Ohio at 6 PM. Tim, I hope you have as much pleasure as I have had flying SQuiRT.

Kent also had two local papers run articles on the WAA-08 adventure. Way to go Kent!

[Murocflyer]

I just sent out my Wings Across America (WAA-08) 2012 Summer Update. If you did not get it, please let me know. I think you will like this one; it is very informative and covers a lot of information about this year and post WAA-08 events.

Thanks,

Frank

[Murocflyer]

It's offical. Pilot #355 has the SQuiRT. We are now in our 47th state.

Good luck on your flight Andy!

Frank

[superstocktx]

Cool!! Don't guess it will make it to Hawaii tho, but would be cool if the funds were there to ship it over and back again

[Murocflyer]

I was honored to be a guest on The Crash Cast on Sunday. I had a great time chatting about RC, life in general, and our WAA-08 adventure.

If you'd like to learn more about any of that or listen to some more great podcasts, click here: http://thecrashcast.com/

I never knew how much work goes on behind the scenes in making of a podcast. Mike and his team makes it look easy.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by superstocktx
	Cool!! Don't guess it will make it to Hawaii tho, but would be cool if the funds were there to ship it over and back again

We almost had her there. If you listen to the podcast (link posted above) it explains the details on that.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

The WAA-08 adventure gets a mention on AMA's home page and blog.

http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/ama...cross-the-u-s/

Frank

[superstocktx]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Murocflyer
	The WAA-08 adventure gets a mention on AMA's home page and blog. http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/ama...cross-the-u-s/ Frank

[Murocflyer]

Thanks! It great that the good folks at the AMA took time to post that article. It sure is great to see our pilot's enthusiasm and them taking the time to take the SQuiRT around their local historical places.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

WAA-08 pilots,

Please check your email. I have some very interesting news for you. You will not want to miss this email.

Frank

[Murocflyer]

I have some more great news.

Dan S of Locust Grove, GA has volunteered to be our WAA-08 Ambassador at SEFF 2013.
He already has some great things planned for the SQuiRT.

When SEFF gets near, I'd like to get a list together of WAA-08 pilots attending so we can all get in on a group photo. I know some folks missed out last time she was there.

I'll keep everyone posted as things develop. Most likely we'll be talking via email since that seems to be the best way to keep in touch. Not everyone has a forum account.