Eye Safety. Ocean County Modelers. OCM: A Gold Level Leader Club. By-Lines & Fly-Lines. by Brett Ohnstad

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1 OCM: A Gold Level Leader Club By-Lines & Fly-Lines P.O. Box 569, Lakehurst, NJ June 2018 by Brett Ohnstad I was sitting at my workbench pondering the idea of the senses and what it would be like to live without one of them. Now I am not talking about my sense of style, or my common sense, or even my sixth sense. Rather I am thinking about the five basic senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight. Of these five senses, I would think that most people would be most set back if they lost their sight. It s not that the other senses aren t all important, but I believe that I could still drive my car if I should lose my sense of humor, granted it wouldn t be as much fun. Although there appear to be no statistics kept on the number and types of eye injuries that occur each year in the RC community, we can use information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and OSHA to get an idea of what the risks are for the general public. The BLS states that there are several major contributors to eye injuries in the workplace, which include: Flying objects. More than half of eye injuries are caused by flying or falling objects. Improper equipment operation is responsible for more than 30% of eye injuries. Contact with chemicals causes some 20% of eye injuries. Eye Safety Many injuries could have been avoided or reduced had it not been for poor choices of eye protection, improper fit, or even lack of awareness for the need for eye protection. OSHA reports that a majority of the injuries occur with people who are not wearing eye protection or are wearing improper or poorfitting eye protection a statistic we would expect if eye protection is in fact working. How does this relate to the RC pilot? There are plenty of dangers at home and at the field that you should look into for eye safety. If you work with chemicals such as glues, solvents and fuels, you are exposed to potential chemical contact with your eyes. If you read your material safety data sheets on the particular products that you use, you will have an idea of what to do in an emergency. Working with power tools such as sanders or high-speed rotary tools are other obvious times to wear eye protection because of dust and small material that these tools can send flying into the air. Charging batteries for your model can also pose a potential risk in that an old or damaged battery can leak, outgas, or even explode. Even testing an engine, be it gas or electric, can have the potential to damage your eyes. Tiny debris kicked up by the propeller blades could easily cause damage to the eye. Fuels can spray from the muffler. The blade could even become a projectile if it is damaged or dislodged from the model (tighten that propeller nut please). see Eye Safety, page 2

2 Page 2 Club Officers PRESIDENT Edward Hollema Ehhol@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Joseph Acquisto Jwa1956@aol.com TREASURER Tom Moore Tmoore1801@aol.com SECRETARY Jam Rabii Rabii@biology.rutgers.edu SAFETY OFFICER Tony Riccio ARiccio1@yahoo.com NEWSLETTER EDITOR Sue Fevola ocmrc@yahoo.com Eye Safety, from page 1 At the field you are exposed to a wide range of potential dangers caused by the weather and by other pilots. It is all too easy for an insignificant propeller strike to result in a pebblesized missile being launched in your direction while your focus is on your airplane. When we are flying combat the rule is that everyone needs to have on a helmet, but safety glasses should also be worn. And don t think that indoor flying is any safer because of the smaller size and slower speed. I have seen several instances of micro helicopters, Vapors, and other feather-weight models flown in close proximity to my fellow pilots with a number of unintentional head shots and body blows. Fortunately, no injuries have occurred, but I think that it would be wise to have eye protection. Again, when you are focused on your airplane, it is easy to lose track of others in your vicinity. It's not just physical items that can damage your eyesight. When staring up into space, you have to be wary of the damage sunlight can have on your eyes. Believe it or not, you can just as easily damage your eyes on a cloudy day as you can on a sunny day. This is because a large, white cloud can bounce more of the sun s energy back to your retina than an azure sky, especially if the cloud is in direct sunlight, resulting in something akin to snow blindness. Not only do sunglasses protect against damage from light and ultraviolet rays, they can help by reducing eyestrain giving you longer, more comfortable flying times. The sunglasses can also work as your first line of defense for general eye safety. What type of safety glasses should you use? Although wearing any kind of protection at all can be better than no protection, OSHA recommends wearing safety glasses that have passed safety testing and, as such, are labeled as Z87. These glasses are tested by having a ¼-inch BB shot at them at 100 mph and have had a one-point, pointed weight dropped from four feet without breaking the lens. Prescription safety glasses only need to pass a lower level safety test to be used as safety equipment/ however if they are strong enough to pass the higher test reading, they are then labeled at Z87+. Keep in mind that polycarbonate lenses are much more impact resistant than glass or plastic lenses as the latter two can shatter; however, they are more prone to scratches if they do not have a scratch-resistant coating. If possible, find a set of safety glasses that also offer protection for sunlight for total eye protection. Still don t think you need eye protection? Reread this article, but this time, try it with your eyes closed. (Reprinted from Anoka County Radio Control Club, Minnesota0

3 Page 3 Minutes of OCM Meeting on May 23, 2018 President Ed Hollema called the meeting to order at 6:00pm, at Wiskow Field, following the Pledge of Allegiance. SECRETARY S REPORT: Secretary Jam Rabii reported that the 2018 membership total stands at 99, which includes 90 paid members and 9 junior members. Two new members have been added to the club roster since the last meeting. Approximately 46 members attended the meeting tonight, a number which is significantly higher than our average attendance when we meet in the Manchester Township Building. TREASURER S REPORT: Treasurer Tom Moore reported that the club had a balance of $6,730 at the beginning of the March 28 th meeting. Taking into account our revenues (membership dues and the OCM Auction profits) and our expenditures, today s balance stands at $3,997. SAFETY REPORT: Tony Riccio indicated that there were no safety issues at the field to report. He encouraged the members to be vigilant when getting ready to fly, by checking their models to make sure everything is in order before take-off. FIELD REPORT: Ed reported on the work that was done during the last field maintenance day, including the application of topsoil, grass seed, and rolling of the field. The field is in very good condition now as the result of the hard work done by the members who volunteered their time and effort. OLD BUSINESS: Ed Hollema reported that the OCM Board had met with the Jackson Township Attorney s representative to iron out details of a new lease for the club. The new lease was presented to the Township Council and, following two readings of the ordinance describing the lease, it was unanimously approved by the Council members on May 22 nd at a meeting which was attended by Ed Hollema and Jam Rabii. Ed reported that a new replacement AED had been ordered and received but not placed in the shed as yet. We are waiting to purchase a sturdy gang box to hold both the new AED and the First Aid Kit. Ed indicated that the large storage container was emptied and cleaned up. Old and unusable items that had been in storage for a long time were discarded. The container is now easily providing space for the new zero-turn mower and the two older mowers that have now been refurbished. Ed thanked one of our members, Kevin McGill, who is an electrician by trade and who did all the new wiring for the generator, providing power to the container, the small shed and the area see Minutes, page 4

4 Page 4 Minutes, from page 3 of the picnic tables. Kevin was kind enough to donate all the necessary electrical supplies to the club. Ed reported that a charging station for airplane batteries is being planned next to the small shed at the field. Within the next couple of weeks, Ed will be asking for knowledgeable members who are willing to help him to rebuild at least one of the doors to the storage container. Ed indicated that in part due to the other projects undertaken at the field, re-graveling the parking area and replacing the old fence next to it will be postponed until probably next season, in order to allow the club s treasury to be replenished. Ed reviewed the 2018 club events, past and future, and asked each coordinator for a report. Mike Cook reported on the OCM Auction held on April 28 th at the Manchester Township municipal Complex. Although not a large event, the auction was very successful and provided the club with $364 income, after expenses. Mike thanked those who volunteered their help for the auction, particularly Rich Hresko who did a great job as the auctioneer. Mike also indicated that he is now starting to work on the Community Day that is scheduled for September, Sal Piu was not present at the meeting, but Ed reported that the Pattern Contest, which had been scheduled for May 19 th, was canceled due to heavy rain and that Sal does not plan to reschedule it for this year. Steve Lew reported on a successful presentation at the Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library in New Egypt and Bill Bollard reported on the Youth Diversity STEM Expo 2018 held at McGuire AFB. Danny DiTursi reported on the preparation for the June 2 nd OCM Electric Fun Fly. He needs volunteers to help with various aspects of the event. There is a landing fee of $5 for anyone wishing to fly during the Electric Fun Fly and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Drawing for a raffle prize, which is an E-flite Maule BNF airplane, will take place during the Fun Fly. The cost of a raffle ticket is $10. Tickets were available at the meeting tonight and many were bought by the members present. There was no new business. Carl Wagenblast won the first drawing for the 50/50 ($53) and John O Donnell took the second drawing for a Tenergy TDR Robin Pro FPV Drone, which was generously donated by one of our club members, John Victor Jacobson. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00PM. Submitted by Jam Rabii, OCM Secretary E-Flite Maule BNF

5 Page 5 Warbirds over Chenango Bridge June 23, 2018 Chenango Bridge Airport, NY Come fly your warbird from a full scale private airport. Nice close cut grass runway with wide open flying area. All size and type warbirds welcome. Anything from military gliders to turbine jets. No Landing Fee. Current AMA or MAAC required. Current turbine waiver required for turbines. RV camping sites available, no hook-ups. Early arrival on 6/22 OK after noon. Overnight hangar storage available for 6/22. Registration open at 8:00am. Electric flying starts at 9:00am. Wet fuel starts at 10:00am. Pre-register at Visit: Airport Rd., Chenango Bridge, NY This is the newly-created battery charging station, using generator power, located on the exterior of the small shed. The work was done by OCM member, Kevin McGill. Questions For You to Ponder Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when the bad guy throws a revolver at him? Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? Why is it that those plastic bags will never open from the end on your first try? OCM Meeting Wednesday July 25th 6:00pm Wiskow Field (weather permitting)

6 Page 6 Springtime All-Electric Float Fly photos by Carl Parducci he Pine Barren Modelers held a float fly T Saturday, April 21st at Deerhead Lake in Forked River. All electric, open to planes and boats. There was a large turnout in spite of a very windy and rather cold day. "Beavers" seemed to be the favorite plane to fly but many others too, and lots of boats of all kinds. Some members of OCM were present, including myself as observers. [Editor s note: Looks like the only thing missing are the white caps.] Wind and Cold Didn t Stop These Guys see Float Fly, page 7

7 Page 7 Float Fly, from page 6

8 Page 8 Electric Fun Fly story and photos by Sal Piu F riday, June 1st, several members arrived at 9:00am at the field to spend over two hours to cut the grass, clean up the field, and overall prepare for the electric fun fly event scheduled for the next day. Saturday, June 2 nd, members arrived early, 8:00am, despite conflicting weather forecasts, to get the remaining opening-day items ready for hosting this event. We held a pilot s meeting at 9 am, and immediately commenced flying. More members and guests arrived later in the morning, yielding a total of 17 AMAregistered pilots, and more than 20 models in the pit. Thanks to Bob Micelli and Judy Headley, burgers, hotdogs, and drinks were offered to all at nominal prices. The OCM raffle of an E -Flite Maule BNF electric ARF was held and Joe Yuhasz won it! Even though rain was forecasted to arrive in the middle of the afternoon, the rain never materialized. The heat and humidity, however, did come and the event was done by 2:30 pm! I would like to thank everyone that helped prepare for the event on Friday, as well as help running the event on Saturday, as this event could not have happened without your help! Considering the crazy weather predictions anticipated for this event I felt that it went off rather successfully! see Electric, page 9

9 Electric, from page 8 Page 9

10 Page 10 JACKSON HOBBY SHOP LEASE EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER GREAT BARGAINS 20% off All Nitro Fuel All Plane ARFs and RTF All Airplane Hardware All Electronics (power panels, starters) (items in case) All Electric Motors, Electronic Speed Control & accessories for Planes All Ready to Run Boats All Rockets & Accessories All Plastic Models & accessories Tools Accessories All Radio Gear 30% off All Wood Plane Kits (not ARFs & RTF) All Wooden Boat Kits All Car Parts (not cars) & 40% off All Nitro Engines & Gas Engines (incl. parts) All Boat Hardware All Trains & Accessories 50% off All Craft Kits & Supplies All Heli Parts (not helis) STORE STOCK ONLY NO RETURNS NO SALE ON CONSIGNMENT ITEMS JACKSON HOBBY SHOP 2275 W. COUNTY LINE RD (RT 526), JACKSON (IN BENNETTS MILL PLAZA)