TIMPA

SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOC. LAUNCH SCHEDULE

To print click on= 2018 SARA launch schedule

TIME TO RENEW MEMBERSHIPS

It’s that time of year, time to renew your TIMPA membership. Click on blue heading 2018 RenewalForm and you will get a printable version you can fill out and mail in. Or you can bring it to the field and give it to Fred. Be sure to contact him first to be sure he is out there. Also, make sure to have your 2018 AMA card with you!

TIMPA IS 20 YEARS OLD!

Back in July of 1995, the efforts of Mike Osier, John Clarke, Jerry Beals, Bruce Dusenberry, and architects Bob Cousins and Kip Merker paid off when the City of Tucson awarded TIMPA the lease to the land we currently occupy. Through the tireless work of these gentlemen and the generosity of Sundt Construction, Calmat Asphalt, and a flying site improvement grant from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, TIMPA was able to create a world class R/C flying site out of a scrubby, old cotton farm. Twenty years later, TIMPA is still considered one of this country’s premier flying sites. Here’s to another 20 years!

Lithium Battery Safety

Lithium battery safety is a subject that can never be stressed enough, even after all these years of battery progress and an impressive safety record within our hobby. Because you cannot see inside a LiPo there is no way to inspect for internal damage or defects that could eventually ruin your day. Always remember, unlike NiCad and NiMh batteries, LiPo batteries are more sensitive to overcharging. Also, overcharging one or more of the cells during the charging process is possible if you do not properly balance LiPo battery packs. Thankfully, all of today’s quality LiPo chargers are capable of balance charging.

The following are the AMA’s suggestions for safe LiPo battery practices:

• Store and charge in a fireproof container; never in your model.
• Charge in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch over the charging process. Never leave the charging process unattended.
• In the event of damage from crashes, etc, carefully remove battery to a safe place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could erupt into flame and after sufficient time, to ensure safety, should be discarded in accordance with the instructions which came with the batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage, regardless of how slight.
• Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having a fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur in using selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set. Never attempt to charge Lithium cells with a charger which is not specifically designed for charging Lithium cells. Never use chargers designed for only NiCad/NiMh batteries.
• Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging and remove them to a safe place outside as they could erupt into flames.
• Most important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE UNATTENDED OVERNIGHT. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.
• Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.

DESERT HEAT!

Another weekend of great weather makes for a spectacular Desert Heat rocket launch. While it got a bit warm during the afternoon, it cooled off nicely for the night launch. This is a spectacle that you have to see! The sights, sounds, and smells approach sensory overload. See the pics on the TIMPA Facebook page (follow the link above).

Cub Scout Aviation Day Camp

Local Cub Scouts braved the heat this weekend, coming out to TIMPA and having a blast taking their turn at flying R/C airplanes.  Eldon Callen, John Gonzalez, Mike Balog, Dave Binns, Steve Steward, and Daniel Kelly manned the buddy boxes and cycled 65 Cub Scouts through the flight line, giving them an opportunity to try their hand at flying a Hangar 9 Alpha 60, a Hobbico NexSTAR and a Sig Sr. Kadet.  Other activities included model rocketry, pneumatic paper rockets, plastic water bottle rockets, Frisbee golf, and the classic Space Derby.  About mid-morning, Fred Thompson thrilled everyone with a demo flight of his giant scale Extra 330. Check out the photos on the TIMPA Facebook page.

ROCKETS!

Wow! Another spectacular Desert Heat hosted by TIMPA and put on by the Southern Arizona Rocketry Association. The attendance was outstanding, the awesome weather drew hundreds of people out to the TIMPA field to watch rockets ranging from a few inches long to over 10 feet tall blast off into the clear skies over Picture Rocks!  It seemed an equal amount of people participated in launching rockets in this open event.  The Saturday evening Night Launch was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend. Check out TIMPA’s Facebook page for pictures.

Jet Rally Draws Impressive Crowd

2014 Tucson Jet Rally draws an impressive crowd!  Both spectators and pilots turned out in mass to enjoy the beautiful weather and the sights, sounds and smells of turbine powered R/C aircraft burning up the sky.  Thirty five pilots brought over 60 aircraft and helped raise $1000 for the AMA’s Ryan Sherrow Scholarship Fund. Use the Facebook button above to go to the TIMPA Facebook page and see all the photos taken at the event.

WARBIRD RACES!

Here are the results from another great day at the races!  In the Bronze Class Bert Mitchell took first, Scott Kelly second and Gregg Breitegan third.  In Silver Dan Kelly came in first with Ethan Hughes in second and John Mangino in third.  In Gold, the fastest class, Chris Corbitt took first, Gary Porter second, and Steve Stewart third.  Check out the pics on Facebook.  A big thanks goes out to the workers who made the race possible.  The racers thank you all!

Congrats! TIMPA’s youngest member solos!

On Sunday, January 19, 2014, the 10 year old grandson of Dave Binns, Corbyn, made his solo flight under the supervision of Head Flight Instructor Steve Steward. Thanks to the training sessions from John Gonzalez, Dan Kelly, Joseph Goldsworthy and Ed Julia, Corbyn was able to master the skills of flying RC models. By the way, he is the youngest member of TIMPA. More photos can be seen on TIMPA’s Facebook page.