Oakland Cloud Dusters
Free Flight from the San Francisco Bay Area and Beyond

Upcoming!

April 01, 2024 11:00 AM • Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City
April 26, 2024 8:00 AM • Waegell Field
May 04, 2024 8:00 AM • Alameda Naval Air Museum
  • December 21, 2018 9:50 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    OCD Members and Friends,

    It is with great sadness that I have to report that former OCD President and Member Truman Cross passed away on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018. He is survived by his caring partner and wife Irina.

    No memorial service is planned, as was his wish.

    Truman was very instrumental in keeping OCD members Stuart Bennett (deceased) and David Baker (deceased) active in club activities and Fun Fly sessions at our Mowry Small Field flying site in Newark and flying competitively at Waegell Field in Rancho Cordova.

    Although not having been active the last few years, he will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and appreciated his dry wit. He always signed off his phone and email conversations with "Peace".

    Peace Be With You My Friend,

    Fred T.

    2018-2019 OCD President


  • December 20, 2018 11:36 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    Below is the Kiwi Cup flyer for the FAI events at the Isaacson Winter Classic/Kiwi Cup.  The section for the AMA classes is undergoing final review and will be out shortly.   In the past as part of the AMA events we have had from time to time some special AMA events with large monetary prizes or that went over to the Monday.  There are no planned special AMA events like that this year but we do expect to have a choice of AMA events similar to previous years.


    Isaacson Winter Classic and Kiwi World Cup

    Lost Hills, California, 9-11 February 2109

     

    Kiwi Cup FAI events

    America’s Cup

    Kiwi - New Zealand World Cup! F1A, B, C, P & Q

    7 round Schedule: Saturday 9 Feb, Reserve day Monday 11 February 2019

    1               8:00am–9:00am
    2               9:00am–10:00am
    3 - 7          on the hour, to 3pm; Round One Max: 240 seconds, all others 180.
    Fly-Off Schedule:
    First fly-off - 6 minute max.
    F1A               3:30pm–3:40pm          F1C/P/Q          4:00pm–4:10pm
    F1B               3:45pm–3:55pm            Additional rounds to be announced
     No official time keepers provided - fliers help. Official flight line by class, no poles assigned.
     Jean Batten Awards
    For highest placing lady flier in each of  F1ABCPQ and F1GHJS
    Grand Master Award
    For best performance in F1ABC or Q  by a sportsman over 75
    Kiwi F1G, H, J* & S – Sunday 10 February 2019
    *F1J - contingent on pre-entries (4 minimum)
    Round one, 8:00 AM ‘Champagne Flyoff’ Time to the ground. Round Schedule:
    Rounds 1-5, two minute max.
    1   8:00am–8:45am
    2   9:00am–9:45am
    3   9:45am–10:30am
    4   10:30am–11:15am
    5   11:15am–12:00pm
    Fly-Offs will begin at 12:15 noon and finish by 3:00.
     At 3:00, any remaining ties will be broken by using Champagne Flight Times
     Kiwi World Cup F1E - Monday 11 February 2019
     
    10am-3pm. Five one hour rounds. On Holloway Hill. Peter Brocks, Event Director
    FAI Events Pre-Entry on SEN and pre-Registration Fri. 8 February 9AM to 3 PM
    Additional contest information http://sen.faifreeflight.org/index.php/fab-feb-information-2019
    FAI Classes entry form for the Fab Feb contests :https://goo.gl/forms/6Alq4pz827eNomdn1
    You do not pay until you are at Lost Hills.  The Pre-Entry will tell you how much and includes other Fab Feb FAI Events – the North American Cup, California F1E Cup and Maxmen International
    Entry Fees:
    "Kiwi" World Cup events $30
    All others, $20.00 - includes one event.
    Additional events $5.00 ($10 World Cup) each.
    CD Roger Morrell 1916 B Gates Ave., Redondo  Beach, CA 90278e-mailr_morrell@yahoo.com

    In memory of our dear friends, Bob and LaVera Isaacson

  • November 26, 2018 10:38 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    LOST HILLS FREE FLIGHT MODEL AIRFIELD ASSOCIATION

    It is once again time to renew our membership to the LHFFMAA. Dues for 2019 will remain at $20/year, however to renew for $20 you must send your renewal form and check in by January 15, 2019.

    On-field renewals throughout the year and the subsequent continual need to update AMA records is another really time consuming job. Therefore in order to encourage early membership renewal, all renewals made after January 15, 2019 and all renewals made on the field will be $25. The two year discount renewal is still $35, except, as noted, if it is made after January 15, 2019 or made on the field; then it will revert to $40/2 years ($25 + $15).

    Juniors 19 years old and under will receive free Lost Hills membership. However, juniors must be a member of AMA.
There is also a yearly family discount rate for two adults living in the same house for $35. The family discount for two years is $65 ($35 + $30). The family discount after January 15th or made on the field for two years is $80 ($50 + $30).

    It is more cost effective for you to renew your membership by mail and prevents a rush at registration table. Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated.

    Note: Quite a few members paid for two years last year so don’t send dues if you have already paid for 2019. Please look on the web site to verify your status. WWW.LHFFMAA go to 2019 membership.

    Make checks payable to LHFFMAA and mail to: Brian VanNest, 2346 Cheyenne Drive Bishop, CA 93514

    Applying for or Renewing Lost Hills Free Flight Membership

    Name________________________________________________

    Address_____________________________________________

    City, State___________________________________________

    Zip/Postal Code___________________________________

    Country_____________________________________________

    AMA_________________________________________________

    Phone #_____________________________________________

    E-mail address_____________________________________

    MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO LHFFMAA

    SEND TO

    BRIAN VAN NEST

    2346 CHEYENNE DRIVE

    BISHOP, CA 93514

    bisheatF1A@aol.com

  • November 26, 2018 10:23 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    2018 flying season came to a close and the trophies for the year found their recipients. 

    For OCD Club Trophies, click here

    For NCFFC Gold & Silver Trophies, click here

    Congratulations to the winners! 

  • November 25, 2018 7:57 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    The Northern California Free Flight Council (NCFFC) awarded several perpetual trophies at a year-end dinner each year. I remember Hal Woods winning the Wicker Trophy for C Gas and Doug Galbreath and Ken Oliver dueling for F1J.

    At a business meeting in 2001 it was proposed by Roger Simpson, et al, to change the NCFFC trophy arrangement to one reflecting then-current modeler's interest and possibly attracting fliers from Oregon and SoCal. Big Al's contest at Lost Hills would be part of the contest schedule. The three events for a Gold series would be the mini-FAI events and the three for the Silver series would be HLG/Catapult, P-30, and 1/2A Gas. All the then-current trophies were to be stored at Bill Vanderbeek's warehouse. The Gold trophies were Silver plated cups and the Silver trophies were large wooden plaques. The cost for the, trophies was born equally by the three NCFFC clubs. The cost for engraving the trophies each year was to come out of NCFFC treasury. (Prior to this trophy winners were "punished" by having to engrave their own trophies and some were not getting engraved.)

    The points schedule to determine the event winners was patterned after the America's Cup with 25 points for first, 20 for second, etc., and bonus points for six or more entries in an event. The best four contest results would be totaled. Mike McKeever was the first Points Guy and relinquished the job to me in 2010.

    The F1J trophy and F1G trophy have both disappeared. The F1H trophy plate was put on a separate plaque and awarded to Mike McKeever who won it every year since inception. The F1J event was replaced by something we called Open Power which is a gas class for A through D engines. The trophy for Open Power came from the NCFFC collection at Vanderbeek's warehouse, The F1G event was replaced by Open Rubber which is for any rubber event other than P-30 that has a three-flight total. (This excludes F1B and F1G.) The F1H event was replaced by a new class called Electric. This class includes event times from E-36, E-20, A Electric, B Electric, and F1S. It excludes the F1Q event.

    In 2009 the P-30 mass launch event was held and the points, per America's Cup rules, were added to the P-30 scores. In 2013 a mass launch for HLG/Cat was held, and the points were added to the regular HLG/Cat scores in the manner of the P-30 mass launch. Shortly thereafter a Gollywock mass launch was instituted. The Gollywock point score was added to the Open Rubber point score. Recently we hold an E-36 mass launch and those scores go into the electric event. Contest results and a point summary are kept on the OCD web site, Oaklandclouddusters.org, and is open to all.

    The meaning of "Gold and Silver" may have changed since 2001 as have some of the events. Currently the Gold event series consists of Open Rubber, Open Power, and Electric. The Silver series, unchanged since 2002, consists of HLG/Cat, P-30, and 1/2A Gas. A change in Open Rubber for 2018 will the mass launch of Small Old Time Rubber models which includes Gollywock.

    Dick Douglas - Points Guy


    For 2018 NCFFC Gold & Silver Trophies, click here

  • October 31, 2018 10:38 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    Contest results, Gold & Silver and OCD standings updated. 

  • April 22, 2018 10:51 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    Dear Cloud Dusters, 

    It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our club member and friend Frannie Firestone Masterman. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.


  • April 22, 2018 10:35 PM | Web Master (Administrator)
    Pictures courtesy of Tom Faith. Thank you Tom!


    Click here for the pictures

  • April 21, 2018 1:26 AM | Web Master (Administrator)

    Pres Fred meets and greets and then we had lunch.  Entries were Prime Rib, Chicken, Salmon, and Pasta.  During dessert, Fred opened the meeting. 

    The OCD started in 1937 so this is the 81st year.  Back when the club started there were stringent requirements to become a club member.  Some of the requirements were to have a minimum time in about six events.  Fred brought trophies won by Jim Tangney showing scores needed to join OCD as a full member.

    Bill Vanderbeek is the 2018 Mentorship Award Winner.  The Mentorship award was created in 2006 by Jon Davis. He wrote: "To honor and recognize the aero modeler who has best embodied the mentoring spirit in the sport of free flight model aviation."  Jon had a special perpetual trophy created for the award; he made the multi-wood base and commissioned a custom brass sculpture of a young boy holding a model glider ready to be tossed into the air.  Bill was recognized for the mentoring of Chinmay Jaju (2008 and 2010 Jr FAI FF Team, F1P) and his generous financial support of the USA Junior FAI free flight teams through the years.

    We will also take a moment to remember the OCD members who left us this past year.  They are Lynn Price, Bill Langenberg, and Frannie Masterman.  They will be missed.

    Fred then listed accomplishments of OCD members in 2017.

     OCD members who placed in the top 10 at the 2017 Nats:

    • ·         Mulviihill; Bud Romak, 8th
    • ·         Moffett; Bud Romak, 5th, and Bill Vanderbeek; 8th
    • ·         Dawn Unlimited; Bud Romak, 5th
    • ·         Hand Launch Glider; Ken Bauer; 1st and Tim Batiuk, 4th
    • ·         Hand Held Catapult; Ken Bauer; 1st and Tim Batiuk, 4th
    • ·         F1A; Ken Bauer; 2nd
    • ·         F1H; Ken Bauer; 1st
    • ·         ROW; Bill Vanderbeek; 3rd
    • ·        

    OCD members who placed in the top ten in the America’s Cup competition.

    • ·         F1A; Ken Bauer; 8th
    • ·         F1Q; Ben Tarcher, 7th
    • ·         F1H; Ken Bauer; 3rd
    • ·         F1S; Ben Tarcher; 7th
    • ·         F1E; Dave Parsons,4’th and Fred Terzian, 5th
    •  

    OCD members who placed in the top 10 in the National Cup competition.

    • ·         Small Nostalgia Power; Glenn Schneider, 4th
    • ·         Large Nostalgia Power; Glenn Schneider, 1st
    • ·         Glider; Tim Batiuk, 1’st and Ken Bauer; 4th
    • ·         Nostalgia Rubber; Bud Romak; 6th

    2017 OCD Awards

    Points for these awards are given at each of the six contests at Waegell Field and two at the Lakeville field.

    OCD Catapult.  This event goes back to the 1938 California state fair and OCD has been flying it ever since then.  It uses a 9-foot pole and 40 grams of rubber to launch gliders.  The 2017 winner is Tim Batiuk.

    Stuart Bennett Open Rubber trophy.  This event is for rubber powered models with a wing span of 30-inches or less or 150-square inches or less.  The 2017 winner is a tie between John Pratt and Paul Masterman.

    Joe Foster P-30 trophy.  The P-30 event is for rubber-powered models that have a wingspan of 30-inches or less and less than 10-grams of rubber.  The 2017 winner is Paul Masterman.

    Don Foote trophy.  The Don Foote trophy goes to the winner of OCD’s annual NorCal contest accumulating both high trophy points and high flight times. The 2017 winner is Glenn Schneider.

    Bob Critchlow trophy for Hand Held Catapult. This event uses a 9-inch loop of rubber on a stick to launch small gliders.  The 2017 winner is Tim Batiuk

    OCD Junior Champion trophy.  An OCD Junior is a person who is 18 years old or younger as of July 1 of the competition year.  The Junior is either a relative of an OCD member, or sponsored by one.  This year no OCD Junior had a score, so no winner.

    The Getsla Trophy goes to the overall high point flyer and is the OCD Club Champion.  The 2017 OCD Champion is Tim Batiuk.

    The David Lloyd trophy.  The David Lloyd trophy has been awarded since 1946 and goes to the OCD member that best exemplifies the spirit of modeling where members help members. David Lloyd provided transportation to contests.  Members at the November meeting vote on the winner with no discussion or advertising.  The votes are collected by the Sergeant-at-Arms and, by tradition, the winner is revealed at the Awards Dinner. The winner is under the tape.  The winner is Fred Terzian.

    At this point President Fred “tapped the gavel” and presented the OCD officers for 2018.  President is Fred Terzian.  Fred continued with Ben Tarcher as VP and Safety Officer, Bill Vanderbeek as treasurer, and Dick Douglas as Sergeant-at-Arms and Secretary.

    Thank you all for coming and drive safely.

  • January 24, 2018 10:06 PM | Web Master (Administrator)

    OCD member Manuel Cisneros shows how to make an inexpensive and lightweight rotary DT timer in this tutorial

    DT timers come in many shapes, sizes, and price-points. A multi-function FAI timer can cost over $100 but a bit of aluminum tubing and some cotton clothes line will run you about $1.

    The steps described in the tutorial show how to make Rotary DT Timers for about $3 in about 5 minutes.


    Thank you Manuel!

Check out the Upcoming Events page, for a listing of meetings and contests.  Please register for the event in order to receive a timely email reminder.  The reminder email will also contain any last minute information which may be helpful.

The site also manages the membership.  With your paid membership, you can access the members-only section.  As a member, you will be able to:

  • View & update your member information
  • View the names and contact information of other members
  • View club contest scores and overall standings
  • Purchase free-flight items at-cost (Badge Timers and FAI rubber)
  • Access members-only plans

The cost of membership is $15 for 12 months.  Individuals under the age of 19 (AMA Juniors and Seniors) are free, subject to verification.

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