Meeting Minutes - Feb. 20, 2005
by Paul Peterson

In attendance:
Peter Campbell, Brian Blalock, Paul Peterson, Paul Pawelsk, Otis Bullock, Roy Birnbrook, Kayleen Birnbrook, Mike Dvorsky, Bob Cannon, Mike Perkins, Arnold Patton

Mike Perkins (http://millenniumflightsystems.com/) gave a presentation about fly-by-wire for general aviation (GA) aircraft. Fly-by-wire aircraft use electronics and servos to control various aircraft systems, instead of mechanical parts or hydraulics. Aircraft that benefit from fly-by-wire include full-scale remote control airplanes and unmanned autonomous airplanes. Mike is developing servos with built-in "triple redundancy", so that if one circuit failed, either of the remaining two would take over.

Bradley University Computer Science Professor Arnold Patton (http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/cs/faculty/patton.html) showed a robot built of LEGO controlled by a Game Boy Advance with circuitry from Charmed Labs (http://www.charmedlabs.com/). He also showed a 4-wheel cross-shaped axle with special tires that allowed four-directional motion with no turning.

Roy showed a BattleBots toy and Kayleen's Aquapet toy (http://www.myaquapet.com/).

Paul Pawelski talked more about getting Servo magazine subscriptions for schools and libraries. Subscriptions may be bought by the club’s funds. We will vote on it on the mailing list. Issues of interest include whether or not to use funds, and if so, how long to provide funds for.

Paul Pawelski talked again about FIRST Robotics in order to keep awareness and interest up.

Paul Pawelski announced that he will not be able to continue as CIRC president because he got a job in Georgia. Vice President Roy will become the new president.

Next meeting: March 20th