Albanian Eagles update by Frederik Tashko

September 2006

On the mid June comes from States my ex student Saimir. He is the first person has flown a RC model in Albania. From 2001 he is following his studies in a University in Detroit for electronics. He has two more years to spend there but is committed to return Albania after accomplished his studies. On this his trip he brought entire his "aviation": an F-4 Corsair, an Fw-180, P-51 Mustang and two P-40, his last work is a ducted fan F-4 Phantom. There are some other small scale electric, scale and fun models. During past month we were several times on the flying site. We had problems to put in flight conditions our yellow "Tiger" trainer. We maid a test bead for a new two strokes 6,5 cc Soviet glow engine and runs it for some 30 minutes. Changed the broken engine mount.

It was e big trouble to fit electronic equipment on. The different connectors, different servos whiles sets, you know. At the end the biggest problem to ensure batteries for the transmitter. We found eight rechargeable Ni Metal Hydride elements 2300 mili Amp hour. We did not know if this could be employed for RC equipment. The pieces in our possession are a normal AA/R6 size cells. This are offered in a normal twin package for 400 lek both.

On it is: Digital Efcell Ni-MH Rechargeable Digital camera Professional 2300mAh-1,2V / AA/R6 Standard Charge 230mA at 15 hrs; Quick Charge 2300mA at 1.2 hrs; On the back side: Up to 1000 cycles 2300 MAh. AA !,2V ER15/51??? We asked for some advice our friend in Scotland. We received throw his expert friend only this: "Okay for receivers if you can get tagged versions to make into packs." Remains the questions: What dos it men underlined: tagged versions? The optimal first charging cycles of use for the new pieces. We it employed on a transmitter and it continue to indicate max from two months. How to control the status of charge of these cells on the receivers??? How to form a pack. It is indicated not to use the solder tool on. If it is possible to use on receivers dos it means that it could be used on the micro motors.

We obtained the permission from military air command to fly on weekends on their heliodrom. The site is situated on the Dajti mountain step. Some 14 km east by road from the center of Tirana. The road there is in good conditions up and down on the hills. It is a well fenced some 300 meters long and 150 wide. There is structured a freshly asphalted road. A little bit narrow but good surface to TO models. I suppose there is a good place to fly ultra lights and may be parachute diving. Even there is far away for a big crowd of spectators but there is a good place for aero show. But we should care for a green strip of 100 to 12 meters. For this we could enter in negotiations air force command. And of course we need to obtain a fund for some leveling works and to buy the seeds for Canadian grass, some fertilizers, and an electric cutting machine with some 100 meters cable.

Finally our trainer arrived at the flying field. We make; two failed TO; to engine stops after TO; two regular flights and one bad landing on a big blackberry shrub. For fortune with minimal damages on undercarriage we eliminated the next day. But we have problems with engine. It have tendency to stop aft TO.

The next week we added to our fleet the splendid scale P-40 It was a dangerous TO. We lost our breathes. It was a miracle Saimir holds it on flight. Later he trimmed it in some way. We enjoyed several paths over the site. He makes three approaches to land. The last was excellent. On the last Inch the model lost its stability. Seem on the minimal speed the trims lost its efficiency or... The touch down deformed back the undercharge. Nothing serious more was identified at the time.

Next time we rules on the tarmac a new P-51 Mustang. It has the same problematic TO as the P-40. But after the first tremors we enjoyed a long beautiful flight. It recalls a realistic WWII image. The final approach to lending was excellent. Flaps down, slow leveling at two fits and. stall. Crawling down the wings central section had e disintegrated structure. I deducted that the pas to the greater loaded wings of the scale fighters for the most flying without engine coaling could bring easy to a stall situations on TO and on the landing. I think it would be obligative to have a flight before with a trainer executing several low passes on high speed over the strip before approaching flight of a scale fighter with high loaded wing.

The experience we accumulated was very precious for us. It would be continued.

We are in process of build a 0.40 trainer with double dihedral wing for better stability. It would be very important for beginners to obtain the first accommodations with the flight. Leaving Saimir left to us most of his equipment. In return he asked to become an acting flying group and to have care of the flying strip. It should obtain a good leveled green surface to aloud facile approach for safe landings. The big problem is we should obtain e transport facility for the club activities. Only one year tax & insurances costs for a wan are some $800. A man in business we know have a van but did not pay this. He uses it only to put out his garbage for a mile around avoiding any entering on the traffic areas.

We are interested to contact Albanians practicing miniature aviation in emigration. I have info about one aero modeler in Swiss and an other in Greece. We are trying to find one young man who returns with his family from emigration in Germany. My friend Vladimir saw on the ferry port a loaded car with an airplane model inside. He left on the car a note with his phone No. Followed a call. It was father of the kid who complained for money spent for his san in RC models. We know only the kid is from Durres rural area but mist his No.

2005

Dear all fellow aeromodelers. There are some new photo shots from our recent activities on our web site at: http://www.albanian-eagles.org

Our latest news: From February I receipted my pension of UKP 40. Now I am 62, my son 7.

From April to June 15 I held some aero modeling classes in two private schools. The program included 7 different paper models and a hot air balloon. I think the boys are very satisfied as are their school directors. It was a positive experience for me and I am trying to set up a curriculum for more younger children. We consider it is very important to start the work with the ages from 8 to 10. At 14 the youth in Albania, in general, addresses its interest to making easy and speculative money. There is nothing for them to to do or interest them in aeromodeling or in other creative work.

I would like it if you could open a discussion about youth involvement in aeromodeling. There is an article by Chas Gardiner in the Nexus RCM&E March 2003. In the same article, next page, he mentioned Albanian Eagles. Even a Tirana UNICEF representation officer from the UK, considered that aero modeling is a luxury for Albanian youth. From other site this office for the last two years is declaring that the Albanian youth did not see their future in Albania, and are trying to run away from this country!!!

As I mentioned before our project "Opening Horizons For Albanian Youth Through Technical Education" is our principal project to help us build a real aero modeling community in our country. We could find the way to develop it but we need help in terms of materials, equipment etc. I think I have made my contribution in this cause by involving myself for the last five years in these efforts without any retribution. As I have no any alternative contribution to my family budget, this become a serious threat to my family stability. This situation can't continue and I am looking for help as we need to find a way to move forward. For the modeling classes at the schools I received a payment of $240 for 22 classes of 2 hours each which is exceptional for a teacher in Albania. This is approximately $5.50 / £3.50 per hour.

It would take half of our resources to purchase a new, more advanced central unit for the computer or to buy a multi system video recorder to watch some tapes we received from America. We don't own any so any help would be very gratefully received.

On May 15-17, the ARC "Eagle" attended the Life Long Learning fair. We arranged a stand of 8 m2. It looked very nice. We prepared several photo slides with model airplane photos. We showed them through a computer and played an interesting video tape about aero modeling on a TV monitor and tape recorder we borrowed.

Our stand attracted a lot of public from all the ages, even the girls shows their interest. All asked where we were situated. When they notice how far away our hangar is ... oo..uuu! It is too far to walk up on the hill. This is our essential handicap to be overcome since we do not all own cars.

We also organised with youth a visit to the Medical Helicopter Corp. Some other models have been assembled for us to fly and enjoy.

Last weekend Friday 5th to Monday 8th I traveled to my origin town Korça, S.E. Albania. I met there my sick mother who has been looked after by my sister from several months. When I was there last August to bring back my wife & son resting there in her native village close to Korça, I touched some people asking for a way to organize the modeling in that beautiful town. The people there are of good traditions. There can be developed good works. There are a lot of good exposed slopes on the hills and mountains around. Some 4 km from the town people can experience free & RC flights on an old airfield. Three weeks ago I received a call announcing a good predisposition to the project. I met there the children education center officer. He was well disposed. He offered a separate room for modeling. He expresses his wish to include the modeling curriculum on the center program. If we could succeed to initiate he can apply to the local government for a small budget to introduce the modeling as a regular class.

They asked even to hold an exhibition during of end November national celebration days. This is a good idea but we are not structured for such trips. We should have our own van for club purposes. Another celebration could be on next spring we can develop. This is the second time we demonstrate such insufficiency. In spring 2003 we were called to exhibit to a youth celebration day on northern city of Shkodra. There to is a good area to develop the aviation sports. I travel with a lines buses but we can't travel with such bus on such roads with models holded down on the baggage compartments. I proposed to come next month as they announce found one or two enthusiasts and a group of youth to keep this project warm. I would show them on practice how to assemble different paper models, simple rubber band models, delta dart and simple 32" wing span light glider. They can experience building and flying this model for three to four months. Then we can meet again for more advanced models and activities.

You are asking about my will to be in England in the near future. It could be interesting to turn back for a visit on the Islands. Te second should be more propitious in aviation terms. But I cant enterprise such trip now as now as the ticket cost is more of UKP 500. I did not think my cousin can repeat his invitation in the near future. My pension did not cover the family expenses. Its was fitted till now by my mom pension of just UKP 70. After 14 years since I return Tirana I never could be able to pay for a vacancy for myself or my family.

On Sunday Mark Russell from Conwy with his friend from Middleton departed for his 33rd trip for Albania. With a Ford Transit he pass through many countries to return after 20 days back to Conwy. This are missionary actions. Last June he brought a big bunch of aviation and A-M magazines donated from his friend to AAC. This time we could receive a video tape about the Royal International Air Tattoo in UK, from another of his friends.

We would like to thank Pete Cripps -167 Duffield Road, Derby DE22 1AJ, England; Tel 44 + 1332 601693 of Buzzflight, www.buzzflight.co.uk who sent to us a kit of his very interesting electric U-control trainer with external suply. This could be a good chois for tranzition of youngsters to the powered models.

We also would like to thank Reg Heath http://www.modelflight.fsnet.co.uk/ for all the help he has given us and once again I thank all our international friends who have helped us get started.

A model club in a country with no model shops is proving to be a big challenge so once again, any help and surplus material and equipment will be most gratefully received.

Best Regards,

Frederik. Albanian Aero Club"Eagle"
NoProfitOrganisation
Po.Box. - K.P. 119 (AEP box 18, LeeChurch).
Tiranë,
Albania.
Telefono ++04 258904 -FREDERIK TASHKO
ftashko@hotmail.com
http://www.albanian-eagels.org

December 2004
FMSG Alling Obb.e.V. Germering, Germany. www.fmsg-alling.de We received from them a small box with the tape we passed for demonstration on LLL Fair, several used E motors, two 8.4 V accupacs as they called batteries, two pairs of blades for a 340 mm folding prop and a charging devise. A 400mA motor we installed on the delta shown on the site pictures to fly it electric. the 550mA motor we plan to include on our next motor glider, a 2.2 m foam wing high plane wit the pusher on the wing ruts and a bamboo can for a tail. The problem is the old 1200 mA batteries stopped down on the zero V and I did not know haw to start their recovery process.