How Play Game Whats modeling pleasure sport flying competition perhaps ultimate oxymoron Competition Fun-Flying Virtually survey taken indicates modelers sport fliers column others has beaten up competition fliers pretty heavily recent issues Weve received number letters critical competitive fliers have taken over some clubs and/or flying sites perception contest fliers look down sport modelers second-class citizens unworthy equal time flightline sometimes isunfortunatelyan accurate perception primary interest competition Id like stand up activity can bring tremendous pleasure camaraderie enjoyment testing models future use contests Theres hardly enjoyable activity being out field few other fliers after work weeknight Everyone has new models fly rebuilt models check out new props fuel something interest Maybe interest key word trying get ready big contest coming up cases well flying against other everyone interested other guys models doing working hard get ready watch other does good flight brings shouts appreciationregardless fact next week good-flying model may whip rest us Conversely off-pattern flight out-of-trim condition results shared observations thoughts correct problem cares whether Joe might beat want see model fly well thats Just fill out picture foolish error clumsy bungled flight will bring forth gales laughter sharp-edged verbal harassment will probably have least half us tears eyes laughing hard hopefully rare event disaster strikes model lost damaged real sorrow expressed others group Weve know feeling After can possibly ready time end evening weve flown until its almost too dark see models will much good feeling optimism about upcoming contest contest day well hammering other again now theres relaxed feeling accomplishment Flying contests can fun winning contest can fun pure Rare indeed individual can blend competitive fire sport fliers joy flying things often seem mutually exclusive occasionally someone comes along gets such bang out aeromodeling covers bases Larry Conover like several US FAL teams World Champion 1960 yet also published such pure-sport designs twin-Jetex-powered flying saucer bat-shaped kite whip-trainer sort introduction Control Line ornithopter sailpianes still-kitted Sig Cub trainer As designer builder flier models disciplines few pure enjoyment few practice flights cool evening tough beat equals doesnt compete much anymore has spent countless hours teaching todays youth about modeling project Grandpa Mentor programs phone call letter always reveals still-evident enthusiasmmodeling always fun him after years Another way keep fun having competition have after-hours eventsheld contest after days normal events have concluded Clubs wishing experiment new events new rules existing events can get few fliers together try different things hour two after official flying has ended contest recently attended featured early-evening Team Challenge AMAs newest individual events Catapult Glider organizing club decided try three-person teams competing teams matching fliers against other series mass launchesa variation AULD Up Last Down skeptical about format first thing knew about dozen teams ready go Most interesting though mix fliers involved Junior teams trying beat old guys former national champions national record holders World Championships team members regular fliers too over thoughts improve format next year Competition Sure lots people tried something new everyone involved enjoyed flying often-heard complaint flying competition too much work fun did apply takes idea little time C 0 R N E R How-to issue marks beginning fresh commitment formal how-to-do-it section month will have least tip/technique discussed some detail Ever notice modeler builds great structures weak covering Maybe someone else artist iron brush doesnt build well Still another person may terrific working fiberglass how-tos will aimed enhancement skills begin excellent piece Bob Hatschek music wire Its well written sharp contrasty tightly framed photos tells interesting story provides useful information prototype wed like see other how-tos executed number subjects virtually endless soldering covering working high-tech materials on So have refined particular skill have unique effective way around modeling problem area draft cover letter Rob Kurek Publications Manager outlining solution way can approach how-to 4Jim Haught Managing Editor November 1994 3 enjoyment few practice flights cool evening tough beat gamesmanship laughter kinds carrying onand was