Weekend Update
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President - DCEF
Jun 1, 2026, 10:54:19 PM (3 days ago) Jun 1
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Hi All,
Flight Awareness: Stand 25' back from the Runway to allow for a Safety Margin and so all Pilots have a clear visual perspective. All turns from the Runway shall be away from the Pits. (Always fly to the west of the Runway over D6) The prevailing wind directs the Flight Pattern. (North Wind effects a Left Pattern and South Wind effects a Right Pattern at BFP) Call out Take-Offs, Landings, and any Maneuvers that could affect another Flyer. Use common sense if performing an unusual Flight Plan or Maneuver. Communicate with others if flying large or fast aircraft. Try to stay north of Key Grab (E/W road) so as not to interfere with the gliders.
Weekend Update: The Balloon Fiesta Park is OPEN this week. BFP is OPEN to flying this weekend. I haven't heard from Susan yet these last few days. Suffice it to say, she has had a lot on her plate lately. I do know from talking to Sarah that the above is true and we should all be good!
BFP Weekly Forecast: Weather Underground 10 Day
Daily Reminders: Don't forget to visibly hang your Gate Card from your rearview mirror while you are at the Park. Check the 2 Runway Barriers/Signs for center position with the signs facing out to block each end of the Runway. Do respect the Balloonists if they are up and give them full airspace. Watch for and avoid other park users. Refrain from flying in the airspace above them. Remember that the airspace over the Golf Training Center (Driving Range) is a NO FLY ZONE. Clean up your Area (cigarettes/trash) or Crash Site (all pieces/parts) when you're finished, as well as all broken prop blades. If you see a broken prop, even if it is not yours, please pick it up and throw it away. Thanks.
Unless everyone agrees otherwise, AIRCRAFT may NOT be flown in or from the Infield (D7 between the Blue Awning and the Runway) while others are using the Runway.
It is OK to fly from the Pits only IF:
A. You are alone, just you and your plane.
B. Everyone else agrees, understands, and is doing the same.
As soon as anyone goes to fly from the Runway, Infield Flying and any Infield Agreement STOPS. Even if you are already flying, land safely or move to the Runway. MICROS may use the Infield to the north or south of the North Blue Awning when the Runway is occupied and there is agreement with everyone flying. However, remember that BFP is primarily for bigger, faster planes because of its fantastic Runway and grass. Please keep these little wonders well behind the Runway and NOT over any Pilot. Refer to Protocol.
YES! THIS SATURDAY!!
Gary Kyle's "No, I'm Not Dead, Yet" Memorial/D' Day Warbird Rally: Saturday Morning, June 6th. Umm, D Day. BFP. Warbirds. Any period.
Bring your own food/drink/shade/chairs. The whole idea is to have fun flying while remembering the brave souls and fighting aircraft starting back in a big, bad war 112 years ago. ...And a few more in between.
Los Lunas Indoor Flying: Friday Night Indoor Flying, sponsored by the Belen Area Radio Controllers (BARC), has moved to the Los Lunas Senior High School Gym on the 1st and 3rd Friday from 6-10pm of every month.
1776 Emilio Lopez Rd., Los Lunas, 87031. Check attached map for entry.
I25 to Los Lunas Main Street. East on Main, then 1st left on Emilio Lopez Road. North to Los Lunas High School. Take 1st entrance to the East side of the building. Follow the blue line on the map. The handicap parking area is where you will park if you need to use the elevator to come up to the gym. These doors will NOT be open. You will need to call me (John) and I will come down and let you in. If you can carry your stuff up 13 steps with 3 landings breaking them up, then you can park in the Park Here area and up the steps to that open door.
If you should happen to arrive and the main gate is closed, please call me and I will open it for you.
There are chairs available in the gym, but you will have to bring your own table or just use an extra chair or 2. We will have to get out any chairs we use and return them when we leave.
You must be an AMA member to fly for insurance reasons. So, don't forget your AMA card.
Thanks,
John (505) 975-0321
Cumberland Heights Presbyterian Church Indoor: Yes! This Thursday. Confirmation from Neal a little while ago.
When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Heights Cumberland Presybyterian Church
8600 Academy Rd NE (SE corner of Moon and Academy)
Park/Enter on North end along Academy Rd.
What: Anything that fits in the gym: airplane, drone, heli.
Note: AMA required (sign-up sheet requires your AMA number)
Cheers,
Greg Rullman
President
Duke City Electric Flyers
Crash of the Week: Had a plane go in today. My little red rocket, Yak-130 #5. Everything good on 2 prior flights. Fast pass. Pull straight up to ~300'. Uh-oh! Power cut. No controls. Slows down. Flips over. Straight in from 300'! I checked controls all the while and lowered the throttle bringing it back up just in case. Nothing. It was like all power was gone. Well, nuts!!
On the tear down, I took things slow. Remembering the flight, while tearing things apart to inspect, save, or throw out, I found the throttle and rudder leads pulled out of the Rx. The Rx was also pulled about 3" forward of it's mount, as was the ESC. That would kinda mean they were still plugged into the Rx, but not necessarily. Besides the power outage happened way before the crash.
Now, the battery ejected forward after the nose hit first and things went their own ways. The nose was also detached and out in front. It would make sense that this sudden jerk unplugged the 2 leads as they both travel to the ESC and the forward bay - Throttle to ESC and Rudder Y'd to Nose Gear steering. To me, it looked like the crash caused the unplugging. So, why did the system quit up high?
I thought maybe the ESC fried the BEC, and caused the blackout. Checked it with a new battery. 5.2 V on the throttle plug. Hmmm... Note: I haven't checked it with the old battery, but I think I will as it is bent bad but possibly still capable of delivering current.
Then I thought, did the Throttle become unplugged after that last torque roll? If you've ever seen this jet torque roll, you'll know it's pretty violent. Plugged everything back into the Rx. Everything worked like normal. Rx light solid. ESC beeped normal. Fan actually still ran very smooth. All controls working. The servo plugs are even really difficult to get in and out. OK, then... !
So, 507 flights (yes, I keep a logbook) on 5 different Yaks all with the same Rx, 3 different fans and 2 different Speed Controls. This story doesn't have a result. Sorry. This is one of those crashes where I may never know.
What I wanted to instill on you is to be methodical. Don't let emotions take over. Remember the flight itself and maybe the initial setup/turn on procedure. Look at the crash site. Etch in your mind where things ended up. Pick up ALL the pieces. This can be hard, as some parts can be quite small and broken. But, they are all indicators of what happened. Check equipment for proper voltages, mechanical integrity, etc. You become your own NTSB. Taking your time, being thorough, remembering the moment can all help put the accident back together again. And... most of the time, you will know immediately what the heck happened.
Except sometimes! I know I will be mulling this one over and over and over...
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