Model Airplanes

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Two pilots recently set a new altitude world record for gliders.

A glider is an aircraft that does not have an engine. They are pulled into the air by powered airplanes and then released. They are designed to ride warm, rising air to gain altitude.

The Perlan II glider reach an altitude of 15,902 meters on September 3. The two pilots flew their aircraft above mountains in southern Argentina. The pilots beat the earlier world record for gliders by 441 meters.

The pilots hope the ability of their plane to reach the edge of outer space will influence young people to follow careers in science and engineering.

Reaching new heights

The glider was pulled into the air by a small plane. At about 3,000 meters, the plane released the connecting cable and started looking for strong updrafts of air, called the mountain waves, to take them higher.

According to chief pilot Jim Payne it took eleven flights to reach the altitude record.

“Basically, we take steps of certain amount of altitude and airspeed, gather data, analyze that data and if those data conform to our theory and the model we have for the airplane – then we can safely go on to the next step.”

A glider flight

Article source: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/powerless-aircraft-sets-altitude-record/4029085.html

The Balloonfest is hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Lycoming County and goes from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Look for only a slight chance of showers after noon, with mostly sunny conditions and a summery high of 84, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Dubbed as a one-day show, rain or shine, the event will see a chance of rain of 20 percent, with a light and variable wind.

Tonight should be partly cloudy, with a low of 63 — but not until later in the evening — so conditions will be near perfect for viewing night performances.

Balloon launches take place early this morning and again around 5 p.m. or so, said Sandy Spencer, Rotary member.

During the mid-afternoon, visitors will see a tethered balloon, which offers rides.

The thrills continue with air show performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and a night air show — an AeroShell Aerobatic Team and a Team Fastrax night jump — with a laser light show to follow.

The family friendly show includes helicopter rides, all-terrain vehicle drag races, BMX performances, model airplanes, a magician, puppets, vendors selling crafts, and exhibits, according to Sandy Spencer, a coordinator and Rotarian.

There are no pets, firearms or alcoholic beverages permitted. Lawn chairs are allowed.

Among the sponsors are the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Energy Aviation, Inflection Energy, Lamar Advertising, Eyewitness News, Backyard Broadcasting, Lycoming Engines, Superior Plus Energy Services, Genetti Hotel, Cleveland Brothers, Halliburton and Williams.

For those wanting to see the nice late summer weather continue into Sunday, the forecast is equally

Article source: http://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2017/09/balloonists-skydivers-and-stunt-planes-in-eastern-lycoming-county-skies-today/

The Viet Nam War was raging and the U.S. military was testing airplanes that could pack a big punch in close quarters warfare. After testing several aircraft as in-flight cannon platforms officials experimented with a C-130. That’s where young USAF electronics technician, Mark Banus, came into the picture.

“There was a shortage of C-130’s, so they got an original AC-130A from a museum, outfitted it with eight guns and took it to Viet Nam for testing.” Known as the Spectre Gunship, it was like a fire-breathing dragon.

Mark’s main job was to maintain the avionics and side-looking infrared radar (SLR) equipment.

“I was also a part-time brass shoveler,” he laughs. “At 6,000 rounds a minute from each gun there were a lot of shell casings that we didn’t want to fall into enemy hands.”

The final evaluation showed that Spectre had three times the combat effectiveness of previous test aircraft.

Along the way Mark met and married Meg, his wife of 51 years.

“I was stationed in Biloxi and I was the only one among my friends who had a car – a ’57 Ford hard-top convertible.”

His friends had been invited to a student nurses’ pool party in Gulfport and asked Mark to drive them.

“You want me to drive you to a party, drop you off and leave? I think not!”

Mark joined the party and met a student nurse named Meg from New Orleans. They have

Article source: https://www.villages-news.com/planes-cars-boats-villager-seldom-stops-moving/

After 31 years in business, Niagara Hobby Craft Mart has closed its doors.

The store displayed elaborate, working model trainsets and sold slot cars, dollhouses, miniatures, model airplanes and other pastime products.

It was known for its restored 1949 train caboose parked out front. That caboose is now listed for sale on SterlingRail.com for $85,000.

For more than three decades, the Cheektowaga store had been a destination for model train lovers, dollhouse builders and hobbyists of every stripe. But, like many independent hobby stores, it faced stiff competition from big box stores and internet sellers such as Amazon and eBay. Those pressures, along with children’s changing tastes in entertainment, gave the store an uphill battle.

Longtime customers lamented the loss of Niagara Hobby, sharing memories on social media of a place that seemed to transport them back to a simpler time. Cheektowaga Councilmember Alice Magierski said Niagara Hobby would be missed as a place to find unique, traditional gifts.

“This is a great loss to Cheektowaga, not only of a business but as a symbol of history,” Magierski said.

A note on the store’s website thanked Niagara Hobby’s employees, business partners and customers.

“Perhaps, you may see us again,” the note reads, without any indication of where or how the company might resurface. Owner John S. Kavulich declined to comment.

It’s just the latest in a long line of retailers that have fallen victim to the digital age. The latest example was iconic music store Record Theatre, which had been walloped when music customers turned to digital

Article source: http://buffalonews.com/2017/09/13/niagara-hobby-craft-mart-closed/

September 23, 1905 – 112 years ago

Santa Fe Railroad will build to connect Eureka and Willits. No extension north to Portland will result in a savings of $7 million to Santa Fe.

At an early hour last Sunday morning Pleasant View, the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Shelford, located about one mile east of Cloverdale was burned. The house was a large two-story building overlooking the Russian River, and was a popular summer resort for caring for about 60 guests. The fire started in the back of the building and the cause is unknown. Only a small amount of furniture, including the piano, was saved. Even the shrubbery around the house and yard was destroyed. The barn was saved. It is estimated that the loss will reach $8,000. The house was protected to the extent of $3,000. Mr. Shelford will rebuild.

September 14, 1967 – 50 years ago

The weekend air show and fly-in at the Cloverdale Airport attracted a crowd estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000 people. More than 300 airplanes were checked in during the two-day event. The second annual event featured aerobatics, bomb dropping competition, sport landing competition, sky diving demonstrations and other events almost continually Saturday and Sunday. One of the hits, for many at the air show, was the radio-controlled model airplane. However, the little plane turned into the only air show casualty when it crashed Sunday during its demonstration.

Farmers in Sonoma County may be able to develop income producing recreational projects with Farmers Home Administration supervised

Article source: http://www.sonomawest.com/cloverdale_reveille/opinion/columns/through-the-years-in-the-reveille/article_24dd71b8-9a3c-11e7-93d7-f35363089ad9.html