Volume 51, Issue 7
The R/C Flyer
Next Meeting – July 9th, 2026
CLUB CHIT
by Fitz Walker Members,
Summer is here and in full form. Fortunately, through the valiant efforts of some of our club members, we now have restored the canopy back to its full size. Just in time to protect our delicate skin from the brutal sun. A big thanks to all who helped (you know who you are).
July 2026
Still no news of note on any future development, so let’s hope it stays that way for a long while.
Reminder to bring any projects or show & Tell to the meetings.
-Fitz
MAY MINUTES
by Rex Beck
A May newsletter was not sent out so the May minutes are printed for information.
May JSCRCC Meeting Minutes held 5-14-26 (6:30 PM)
Meeting Location Gilruth Center, Mars Room
Members Present 11 (V.P. Mike Laible was absent)
Prez Fitz Walker began the meeting at 6:40, making a motion to approve the April Minutes, which were accepted. Fitz introduced new member, Kevin Walters, who works at SAIC.
Membership Charlie Teixeira reported we now have 42 active members, & 102 guests. Those who have not submitted renewals have been dropped from the roster, and unless they’re on the guest list, they no longer have access on the JSC security gate list.
Treasurer Report Bill Courtright reported our Welby Balance is $5,720.60, plus two $25 renewal checks received during the meeting. Invoices for Texas Outhouse continue at $118.46/mo. Fitz announced he’s back in the SAIC office, so can easily escort the Port-O-Can people when necessary.
Safety Report Joe Schmidt reported no current Safety issues.
Old Business See April Minutes in May Newsletter.
New Business Fitz suggested we make plans to install the 2nd half of the Canopy on Sunday, May 24th (weather permitting), before the extreme hot weather arrives. Five (5) people in the meeting volunteered to help,
but Fitz will send out an email to all members who may want to participate.
The 2nd half Canopy is still in the shed, and we only need about $200 for tubing, The tubing should be cut to same lengths as the existing canopy, and it is best to cut them at the field with Jerry’s saw. Mike has dimensions, and we need his expertise for purchasing the tubing and on-site assembly.
Joe Schmidt has agreed to haul off the damaged (bent) tubing still remaining on the ground, next to the shed.
Bids for JSC’s AFP for leasing 183.7 acres at Exploration park will close on May 15th. We hear that Vaugn Construction, Texas A&M (possibly as lead developer), and several others have submitted to this 2nd solicitation 2.0. Approvals and awards could take 3-6 months to approve. The best link to view this is “APF for Exploration Park at JSC –SAM.gov.”
Saverio Gaudiano reported still NO response from Harris County or the Park Admin. Staff, regarding our request for a new flying field at Challenger 7 Memorial Park. Looks like a dead issue, so our only salvation is to keep flying at JSC, until any Exploration Park construction shuts us down.
Show & Tell:Fitz discussed the maiden of his Tony Ray model 1:6 scale de Havilland Tiger Moth on May 10th. It flew OK, but had an aileron trim problem, which he corrected at home.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
Future Business The June 11th meeting will be held at 6:30 PM at the Gilruth Center, Mars Room on 2nd floor.
Upcoming Events: Texas City will be scheduling a Pattern event, but not scheduled yet.
6/13 – Boat Float at Sylvan Rodriguez Park at FM 2321/Hwy 3.
JUNE MINUTES
by Rex Beck
June JSCRCC Meeting Minutes (DRAFT), held 6-11-26 (6:30 PM)
Meeting Location Gilruth Center, Mars Room, 2nd floor
Members Present 9 (Charlie Teixeira & Joe Schmidt were absent)
Prez Fitz Walker began the meeting at 6:40 by saying the May minutes could not be approved, since the June Newsletter was not published this month. Mike promised to include the May and June Minutes in the July Newsletter.
Membership Charlie Teixeira reported via email we now have 43 active members, & 106 guests.
Treasurer Report Bill Courtright reported our Welby Balance is $5,561.63. Invoices for Texas Outhouse continue at $118.46/mo. Bill stated we got charged $24.00 for a cleaning fee this month, which they did not do.
Safety Report We thank James Lemmon and Orlando for repairing the mesh panels on some of the flight boxes. New zip ties were installed to pull the mesh panels back in place.
Old Business See May Minutes next month in July Newsletter.
New Business Fitz suggested we make plans to install the 2nd half of the Canopy on Friday, June 19th (Juneteenth). Mike has delivered the necessary poles, David Dale will bring his saw, and Mark will bring tiedowns cables from Samanos. Fitz will send out an email to all members, who may want to participate.
Regarding JSC’s AFP (2.0) for leasing 183.7 acres at Exploration Park, Approval
information and Awards status may be announced by mid-July So, for now we keep flying. The best link to view this is “APF for Exploration Park at JSC – SAM.gov.”
Show & Tell: Brian had for sale: Sic Stix-it, Super Solvent CA debonder, and a CBA battery tester. Also showed a test board comparing adhesion of covering to BalsaRite, Cover Grip and Stix-it.
Orlando presented his Flite Test FT-22 Raptor build, a unique design that uses only elevons for control, with no separate ailerons, rudder, or elevator. Built from plans using Walmart foam board and cardboard for the fuselage and wings, the airplane is powered by a 2300KV pusher brushless motor, a 30A ESC, and an OVONIC 3S 1300mAh battery.
For the maiden flight, Orlando started with a 6x4.5 two-blade propeller, then switched to a 6x5 three-blade propeller to gain more thrust. The FT-22 flew successfully on its first flights,
showing predictable handling and stable performance with its elevon-only control setup.
The aircraft still feels somewhat underpowered during vertical climb acceleration, so Orlando plans to continue testing different motor and propeller combinations to improve performance.
The FT-22 was a rewarding build and a reminder that experimentation is one of the most enjoyable parts of the RC hobby.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
Future Business
The July 9th meeting will be held at 6:30 PM at the Gilruth Center, Mars Room on 2nd floor.
Upcoming Events: 7/27 Texas City Pattern event.
7/11 – Boat Float at Sylvan Rodriguez Park at FM 2321/Hwy 3.
WHAT’S UP AROUND THE CLUB
by Mike Laible
Last month the newsletter simply slipped my mind. So I hope you enjoy some updates on B17 build and fly-ins I have attended. Here we go.
I may have reported on this before but I purchsed B17 crew member STL 3D print files. I then talked Fitz into printing them for me. Just recently I got all the crew members painted and weathered. They don’t look bad. I love the co-pilot reaching up.
This is the cockpit fully loaded. Took the liberty to move the navigator into the cockpit. Nice touch.
Below is the rear fuse crew door. Made the door out of two layesr of air condition tape. Simulated the handle and hinges using a thick line of tulip glue. Once its painted I will paint a simulated window where the cutout is.
All the windows and guns in place
Tail gunner ready for action. In closing she is all masked off and ready for paint. Here we go!!!!!
Had a great time at Bomber June event. Tom Altmyer even flew his cub and mustand. Nice time. Below are the planes that I took. All planes were flying great and came home with all the same pieces.
Above a morning fly by. Below are father son (Bohanans) flying full scale P-51 and Corsair. A special treat on Saturday.
Heh wait, I did not come home with all the same pieces. I had one extra one – a plaque. B-25 took multi honors.
Now for the WACO event. I guess I bit off more than I can chew. Came in from a four day trip to the beach and drove to waco early in the morning. I was tired but got everything set up and flew B-25. In afternoon was feeling really tired but flew the 24 anyway. Wind was a bear, changing constantly. Took off and everything great then all of a sudden cross wind from my back about 10 mph gusting to 15.
For the life of me I was confused on what rudder direction to hit and ended up over the tall grass and did a wing tip slide, SAFE.
OK, to wrap it up. The wing tip slide was the first B24 flight. Flew it 3 more times. Look what I found when taking apart!!!!! Sheeting and inside rib cracked. WOW – lucky. Bottom line, if I’m tired do not fly. Mental clarity is a must when flying the big birds.
So till next time, safe landings and hope to see you flying.
Godspeed, Mike
WACO bomb drops
Flying bombers with Jimmy Cowman Preparing for take off.
We took honors.
Upcoming Events
6/4-6, warbirds, Bomber field, Monaville, TX
6/19-20, Waco big bird, Waco, TX
6/26-27, Bayou City Warbird, Scobee, Katy, TX
7/10-11, warbirds over Louisiana, Larks, Sulfur, LA
8-31/9-1, warbirds summer sizzle, Livingston, TX
8/13-15, warbirds, Sharks, Shreveport, LA
10/2-3, warbirds, Space city, Katy, TX
Club Officers
President: Fitz Walker 817-797-9192 (Cell) flying_fitz@yahoo.com
Vice-President: Mike Laible
Treasurer: Bill Courtright
Secretary: Rex Beck
Committees
Membership: Charlie Teixeira
713-542-0987 (Cell) mrlaible@sbcglobal.net
713-253-0895 (Cell) b2crtrt@comcast.net
832-628-9473 (Cell) kingsrex@aol.com
281-642-4557(Cell)
Safety Officer: Joe Schmidt 281-300-1211(Cell)
Instructors
Fixed:
Tom Altmyer: 713 591 2859
Mike Laible: 713-542-0987
James Lemon: 832-385-4779
Fitz Walker 817-797-9192
Larry Ammons 832-385-3374
Gary Wilkerson
Heli & Fixed:
Brian Campopiano: 832-524-9590 (Cell)
Russell Bear: 281-757-3251
The R/C Flyer
Articles and Want Ads may be submitted to the Editor, Mike Laible at mrlaible@sbcglobal.net
To get the newsletter via e-mail go to http://www.jscrcc.com/ and click on the "Subscribe to Newsletter". Once you have subscribed, you will automatically receive a confirmation email that you must reply to get the newsletter each month. After you confirm you are on the newsletter email list. If you have any questions concerning the web site, e-mail Mike Laible at mrlaible@sbcglobal.net
Club Homepage
http://www.jscrcc.org