Fiskars' Easy Change Detail Knife Ken Myers describes his discovery of, and usefulness, of this cutting instrument.	The May EFO Flying Meeting Photos and info from the May EFO flying meeting.
Ready for the Scale Nats! Joe Hass describes his vintage Great Planes "Fun Force" ZERO.	Thoughts on V-Tails Ned Watts shares what he's learned from an article on full-scale planes with V-Tails. His source is quoted.
Tick Alert Ken Myers discusses the tick problem and presents CDC important information about them.	Sanyo Eneloop Low Self Discharge NiMH Info John Julian provides a bit of history and some useful information about Eneloop batteries.
The Fancy Foam Flip-Flop Joe Hass reviews this plane with photos.	Subscribing to the Ampeer Ken Myers tells how to subscribe and unsubscribe from the Ampeer.
The Upcoming Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-in 2023 Event Announcement.	39th Annual Mid-America Electric Flies 2023 Event Announcement.
Upcoming E-vents	Send Ken email

Fiskars' Easy Change Detail Knife By Ken Myers      My wife, Chris, sews and she's really good at it.      I mention that because, when we are out, we spend quite a bit of time in the notions department of places like Joann Fabric and Crafts, Michaels Craft Store and even Walmart.      On a recent trip to one of those stores, I spotted the Fiskars' Easy Change Detail Knife. I actually spotted the #11 blade sticking out of it first. I said, "Hmmm, what have we here?"      Like most modelers, I've used the X-Acto #2 handle with the #11 blade for a lot of my model cutting chores.      Over the decades, there have been many hints and tips, in the various model airplane magazines, about how to keep the cylindrical #2 handle, with its pointy #11 blade, on the workbench and not stuck in your big toe.      The Fiskars' knife handle is triangular in shape. It doesn't roll. It is easy to grip and do some very fine cutting. It literally takes only seconds to change out the blades with it special release and capture lever at the end of the handle.      My grip is not what it used to be, and it is very easy for me to grip this knife handle when making fine detail cuts.      My X-Acto #2 handle, with its #11 blade, has now been regulated to the flight box for quick cuts at the flying field.      My workhorse workbench cutter is now this Fiskars' product.      I can't figure out why it took over 65 years for me to find it and try it.      I mentioned this knife handle to Keith at the last EFO flying meeting. It turns out that we both keep a sharp #11 blade at the ready by... no not strapping them, but replacing them often. When purchased in packs of 50 or 100, #11 blades are really not worth taking the time to resharpen. Return to "What's In This Issue" The May EFO Flying Meeting      Unfortunately, there was no April 2023 EFO meeting, either virtual or a flying meeting.      The last few weekends in April brought rain and high winds to southeastern Michigan on the weekends!      While the May flying meeting was originally scheduled for May 6, it was postponed, because of the weather, to Saturday, May 13. The weather still. wasn't the best day for flying, but it wasn't as bad as April.      It misted for several hours in the early morning. There was a pretty heavy and dark cloud cover until well into midday. Fortunately the winds were down and the friends were out!!!      Denny Sumner and Larry Markey immediately put the Midwest RC Society Solar Charging Station to work.      Roger Wilfong set up his flight/field box and planes. It is a very unique and useful box. Really cool Roger!      Pete Foss and Denny Sumner caught up on the winter's happenings near Denny's 4-Star.      Keith Shaw shared the details of his new, light weight, LiFePO4 charging battery with Pete. Keith noted that it is a lot easier on the "old shoulders" with this one.      Roger helped as Pete and Carolynn prepared Pete's big flying bird.      These are a couple of photos of that majestic bird flying. Pete even did a loop with it.      Keith is ready for his first flight of the day with his sort of wing warpping flying wing.      Denny returns after a successful flight. It's Dreamer Time!      Keith Shaw's progress on his version of the Dreamer biplane was chronicled in previous Ampeers through the late winter and early spring.      Today was the day we all got to see it fly, and it was well worth the wait.      It has the ability to be quite a docile flyer or extremely aerobatic. It is also extremely handsome and easy to see in its black and school bus yellow color scheme.      A couple of ground shots, and yes the pit area grass is a bit long and full of dandelions!      Keith prepares the Dreamer for Takeoff!      While the weather wasn't perfect, it was a great day at the flying field. What a wonderful time catching up with all of our friends! Return to "What's In This Issue" Ready for the Scale Nats! From Joe Hass via email      I won the Great Planes "Fun Force" ZERO at last years Mid-Am. On a lark I dove into it.      Things were certainly different in 2005, the copyright date.      Our techniques and material are so much different (and better).      I had to reach into my stash of parts and bag of tricks to finish it.      It was fun reading the Castle Creations instruction sheet for the brushed motor Pegasus 35 (yes I had a new one) and see it was rated for 10 cells. Oh wait. That wasn't 42 volts with LiPos but 12.5 volts with Nicads.      Futaba servos and a TACTIC receiver completes the equipment.      Assuming it survives the test flights I will have it at Keith's Birthday Party and Mid-AM. Joe Hass 248-321-7934 Return to "What's In This Issue" Thoughts on V-Tails From Ned Watts via email      Ned wrote regarding the article in the April 2023 Ampeer. The article referenced is titled, "Design Process: V-Tails" and appears to have been published about 8 months ago. KM      There is a reference in the April Ampeer to V-tails. Anyone considering incorporating a V-tail into a model design should read Barnaby Wainfan's article on the subject in a recent Kit Planes issue.      I have several V-tail model sailplanes that seem to fly just fine. However, after reading the article, I would never design one that way.      A fair reading of the article would suggest that there are almost no situations where the V tail will be an advantage, and there are inherent disadvantages that will be present in every case.      Mr. Wainfan's credentials appear to be ahead of those lacking an aero engineering degree coupled with extensive experience in the field. Ned Return to "What's In This Issue" Tick Alert By Ken Myers      The blood sucking arachnid known as a tick is more than just bothersome, it can spread some serious diseases.      Unfortunately, their habitat includes the types of places we spend a lot of time, the long grass in and around our flying fields.      Here is some useful information, from the CDC, regarding these pesky threats to our health and wellbeing. Return to "What's In This Issue" Sanyo Eneloop Low Self Discharge NiMH Info From John Julian via email Ken,      I found the article in Ampeer about Sanyo informative.      I think many modellers would be particularly interested in what happened to the Sanyo Eneloop Low Self Discharge NiMH cells which are widely used in receiver and transmitter packs.      Here's what I have gleaned from snippets on the Internet.      At the time of the acquisition, Sanyo manufactured Eneloops at their original factory in Japan and also at a second factory in Malaysia. A number of Japanese brands opened manufacturing facilities in Malaysia to take advantage of the significantly lower labor costs and (it is rumoured) more relaxed regulations around worker rights and environmental protection.      I am fairly sure the premium Sanyo label Eneloop and all the Eneloop Pro line were made in Japan while the consumer grade and rebadged Eneloops came from Malaysia.      To the best of my knowledge when Panasonic acquired Sanyo, they kept the "Sanyo Eneloop" branding initially rather than change to Panasonic because of its established brand recognition. However there was some Japanese anti-trust law that meant they had to keep the Japanese Eneloop plant operating although they moved most of the manufacturing to Malaysia. The story seems to be that the Eneloop Japan factory produces the premium cells, especially the Pro line, while Malaysia accounts for the consumer stuff which is lower capacity. These days all the cells are now sold under the Panasonic Eneloop brand.      My testing of Eneloop and Eneloop Pro AA cells gives them a realistic capacity of about 1800-1850mAh and 2300-2400mAh respectively. The claimed value is 1900 and 2450mAh which is reasonable as I test at realistic currents for model use rather than the very low current manufacturers use to maximise their capacity claims.      My understanding is that different regions of the world get slightly different formulations to optimise the performance/cost expectations in different markets with the premium ones coming from Japan and the rest from Malaysia but I have never seen anything authoritative on this.      Now it gets interesting. It is known that Panasonic produce Eneloops as OEM for other labels and there has always been a persistent rumour that some parts of the world get the highest quality Japanese made Pro cells under different brand names. I have tested both ALDI and IKEA LADDA low cost NiMH cells. Both are pretty decent and am fairly certain the IKEA LADDA cells we get in Australia (and I believe in the US and Europe) are actually just Eneloop Pros with a different label and a much lower price! They are labelled 2450mAh and normally test out at around 2400mAh and are certainly far better than other generic and house brand LSD NiMH cells on the market. I use the IKEA 2450mAh AAs in everything around the house and in my transmitter packs and they perform excellently. Cheers John Return to "What's In This Issue" TThe Fancy Foam Flip-Flop From Joe Hass via email      This is my second Fancy Foam Flip-Flop.      I bought my first after seeing Roger (Wilfong KM) fly his at Ultimate.      It is EPP. On the original, the black reinforcement tape on the edges of the side frames didn't run the entire length. I also didn't realize that it was to be doubled up. The longer tape really stiffens the side frames making them much more durable.      I suggest that if you order a kit you ask for longer tape      I used the recommended motor and prop. 3S 650 LiPo. Built with Foam Tac including using Foam Tac as the hinges.      I added Dubro Micro Pushrod Guides (#923) to keep the pushrods from bending. Painted with Tamiya paint.      I found it interesting that duct tape worked well as a mask, but the paint must be applied quickly after the tape is positioned.      The black stripes were done with a paint stick.      I have an idea on how to get the name on it but need to visit my sign expert.      If I land upside down after getting disoriented I just take off inverted.      The rudder is very powerful. It hovers well too. It takes off of grass or snow easily.      Lots of fun! Joe Hass 248-321-7934 PS I added the name graphics. I couldn't get the lettering to stick to the EPP so I mounted them on pieces of .010 white plastic and used Foam Tac to adhere the plastic to the EPP. Return to "What's In This Issue" Subscribing to the Ampeer From Bob Gardner via email Hi Ken,      I have enjoyed many issues of your Ampeer, but I have not found a way to subscribe. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place.      Can you help? Thanks, Bob Gardner Hi Bob,      Thanks for letting me know that you read the Ampeer.      I've added you to my email notification list. You should receive an email that the latest version has been posted sometime between 14th and 20th of the month. Welcome aboard, And thanks, Ken      For anyone interested in receiving an email notification, once a month, just send me an email asking to be added and I'll add you to my list. You can unsubscribe in the same way, just let me know via email.      Please use kmyersefo@mac.com or kmyersefo@theampeer.org. Return to "What's In This Issue" The Upcoming Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-in 2023      The Balsa Butchers are hosting the "Keith Shaw Birthday Party Electric Fly-In", for the 21st year, at their field near Coldwater, MI. The event takes place on Saturday, June 3, 2023. It is a one day event.      The event consists of Open Electric Flying with a "Special Guest of Honor Theme", Happy Birthday Keith Shaw [June 6].      Enjoy a day with the "Pioneering Master of Electric R/C Flight". 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday. NO LANDING FEE! Donations for field maintenance and lunch appreciated.      For additional information contact; Contest Director: Dave Grife - E-mail: grifesd@yahoo.com or Phone: 517-279-8445 Please e-mail or call with any questions.      The field will be open for guests to fly on Sunday as well. Return to "What's In This Issue" 39th Annual Mid-America Electric Flies 2023 & FREE Open Air Swap Meet, Saturday ONLY (See Swap Meet Note at the end of this announcement.) AMA Sanctioned Event (Proof of AMA membership required to fly - Sorry MAAC membership is no longer accepted) Saturday, July 8 & Sunday, July 9, 2023 Hosted by the: Ann Arbor Falcons, Electric Flyers Only and The Midwest RC Society The 7 Mile Rd. Flying Site, Salem Twp., MI, is Provided by the: Midwest R/C Society Contest Directors are: Ken Myers phone (248) 669-8124 or email kmyersefo@mac.org Website for updates: theampeer.org for updates & info Keith Shaw (734) 973-6309 Flying both days is at the Midwest R/C Society Flying Field - 7 Mile Rd., Salem Twp., MI Registration: 9 A.M. Saturday Event Flying from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Saturday Open Flying 10 A.M. Until You Leave Sunday (Open Flying Saturday after the Event & All Day Sunday There are NO SCHEDULED EVENTS on Sunday, just open electric flying) No Pilot Landing Fee Donations will be gladly accepted No Parking Donation Will Be Requested from Spectators or Those Participating in Saturday's Open Air Swap Shop Donations to Midwest will be gladly accepted from Spectators and Open Air Swappers Awards on Saturday Only! Best Scale Most Beautiful Best Mini-Electric Best Multi-motor Best Sport Plane Foam Flurry for NCM aircraft CDs' Choice Planes Must Fly To Be Considered for Any Award Plaques for the winner in each category The Field is Open for Open Flying All Day Friday Night Flying Possible, Weather Permitting, Friday & Saturday Nights Field Lunch is provided to pilots and friends (hot dogs, chips, water or pop) Available on Saturday Field Dinner is provided (Burgers, Brats on Saturday evening for Pilots & Their Guests) Come and join us for two days of fun and relaxed electric flying. The NCM (Not Conventional Materials) Event      Traditionally, model aircraft airframes have been mostly constructed from balsa wood, plywood, spruce, and fiberglass. For the purposes of this meet, NCM airframes are mostly constructed from not conventional materials i.e.; sheet foam, foam board, cardboard, block foam, foam insulation material, etc. Foam Flurry for NCM aircraft:      This is a true event. It is based upon the all up/last down event of early electric meets. Any NCM aircraft may be used (no ARF types). Power systems are limited to a maximum of 3S (no paralleling) LiPo batteries or 4S maximum, no paralleling, for A123 packs. All planes qualifying for this event will launch at the same time, and the last one to land will be declared the winner. VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR 2023 - THE FLYING FIELD ENTRANCE TO THE MIDWEST FLYING FIELD CHANGED FOUR YEARS AGO! The old entrance to the Midwest RC Society flying field is permanently closed!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE IT!!! This what the flying field entrance looks like. Please Drive SAFELY      The field entrance is on the north side of Seven Mile Road about 1.5 Miles west of Currie Rd.      Entrance is on the north side of Seven Mile Road about 1.6 Miles west of Currie Rd.      The address is 7621 Seven Mile Road, Northville, MI 48167. The entrance is through a private residence drive and out past the barn. Directions from Google Maps to the flying field.      To locate the Midwest R/C Society 7 Mile Rd. flying field, site of the Mid-America Electric Flies, look near top left corner of the map, where the star marks the spot, near Seven Mile Road and Currie Rd.      Because of their convenient location and the easy drive to the flying field, the Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn Express in Wixom, MI have been added to the hotels' listing. They are only 10 miles northeast of the field and located near I-96 and Wixom Road. See the map-hotel .pdf for more details. The Open Air Swap Meet - Saturday ONLY      There is a designated area for swappers. Please check-in at the event registration table before setting up. Someone from registration will point out where you may set up. Bring your own table(s) and chair(s).      There is no swap meet fee on Saturday. A donation to the Midwest RC Society for the use of their flying field would be greatly appreciated. Return to "What's In This Issue" To Reach Ken Myers, you can land mail to the address at the top of the page. My E-mail address is: KMyersEFO@theampeer.org EFO WEB Site