Indoor RaCdhaiom Cpioonnsthriopsl
by John Worth
THE NATIONAL Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC), an
AMA Special Interest Group, organized
and hosted its first national championships
the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2003, at
the huge (240 x 300 x 82-foot) Oakland
Yard Athletics dome in Waterford,
Michigan.
In addition to occasional
demonstrations of various other types of
electric-powered indoor Radio Control
(RC) models, including the smallest of the
small, six events were held. There were
two Scale categories—Sport and Fun—and
Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Cargo, and
Duration.
Awards were given to the top three
finishers in each event, and there were
three special awards: Outstanding
Achievement, sponsored by Air Age, Inc.;
High Point Champion, sponsored by
NIRAC; and Best Scale Model Weighing
Not Over 1.5 Ounces, sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE).
Following the Saturday-night banquet,
which was held inside the dome, three firstever
Indoor RC Hall of Fame awards were
given. Also, Sig and DWE—two major
firms—provided displays, sold model
products, and flew their models in
demonstrations.
Although the number of entrants was
relatively small because a couple of other
national aeromodeling events were
held the same weekend, the quality
of flights by most contestants and
demonstrators was exceptional.
The models’ wide variety
of sizes
and types added interest.
Prominent personalities who got
involved were Scott Christensen, Dan and
Clarence Hurd, Phil Smith, Henry Pasquet,
Joe Malinchak, Doug Ward, Paul Bradley,
Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, and Bob
Aberle.
During the weekend Bob Wilder
attempted to establish a Category III (for
less than 98-foot, 5-inch ceiling height)
Duration record with a Limited-class
model. He made the flight
with his 20-gram (less than
3⁄4 ounce!) original design.
This record category is
limited to two 50 mAh Ni-
Cd batteries. Despite the
meager power, Bob’s large
but light model flew slowly and
majestically to achieve a flight of 9
minutes, 58 seconds.
The flight data was submitted to AMA
for recognition as a record. Bob holds the
record for Free Flight Electric Power
(AMA event 221) in Category I, which has
a ceiling-height limit of 26 feet, 3 inches,
and for Unlimited Indoor RC with a flight
of 4 hours, 47 minutes!
The Cargo and Indoor Electric Duration
events were most interesting because they
included flights to see whose model could
carry the most weight and stay up the
longest, respectively, using AMA-rulesspecified
model and power limits.
Cargo uses a ratio formula using the
payload weight and the model’s weight.
Henry Pasquet won the competition; his
model not only lifted more payload (246
grams) but did it with a lighter basic model
(124 grams). Bob Wilder’s heavier model
(140 grams) lifted a lighter payload (152
grams). Henry’s model had a wing area of
360 square inches, and Bob’s model had
375 square inches.
In the Duration event, which limits
power to six 50 mAh Ni-Cd cells, Bob
Wilder’s model flew for slightly more than
15 minutes to beat third-place finisher
Henry Pasquet’s model which flew for
approximately 71⁄2 minutes. Bob’s model
had 330 square inches of wing area—the
same as Henry’s. Bob’s model weighed 72
grams, and Henry’s weighed roughly
50.
Phil Smith’s Duration model
placed second with the limited
power called for in the event rules.
Later he substituted a
Lithium
This is one of the many indoor RC
models that Henry Pasquet brought to
fly. It shows a lot of FF Indoor heritage!
NIRAC held the inaugural championships at the enormous
Oakland Yard Athletics dome in Waterford, Michigan.
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:03 am Page 46
Polymer battery pack of roughly the same
weight for the Ni-Cd, and the model flew
for more than 26 minutes! Phil let me fly
this airplane for a while, and it was pure
pleasure. It needed only an occasional
nudge of the controls to steer it anywhere
in the building.
Joe Malinchak had the smallest model
in the Scale events—a 1.3-ounce L-4
Grasshopper with authentic World War II
invasion colors—and it earned the most
static points. This three-channel model was
highly detailed, including a complete pilot
(with arms and legs—not just a head and
shoulders).
Following initial power problems, Joe
finally got the motor going properly and
made several excellent flights. He placed
second in the Sport Scale event with his
Grasshopper and won the award for a Scale
model weighing less than 1.5 ounces. Joe
placed second in the Fun Scale event flying
a Curtiss Junior pusher.
Bob Wilder won the NIRAC High Point
January 2004 47
Scott Christensen’s Antoinette features a realistic eight-cylinder replica engine. Also shown is a 16-cylinder replica.
A close-up shot of Bob Wilder’s Cargo
model shows a beautifully undercambered,
high-lift wing.
This trio of attractive WW I molded-foam semiscale models from Sig Manufacturing
comprises (L-R) an Albatros, a Curtiss Jenny, and a Bristol Scout.
Photos by Bob Aberle
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:37 am Page 47
48 MODEL AVIATION
Henry Pasquet’s gear drive shows neat Didel Products propeller
The wheels on Scott Christensen’s Sig Demoiselle rotate slowly mount that allows blades to be changed or replaced.
in flight, and the pilot’s scarf blows in the wind.
NIRAC staff (L-R) Keith Pohlmeyer, Dave Robelen, Bob Wilder,
John Worth, and Bob Aberle made this contest possible.
Because of all the extra detail, Joe received an award for the best
Scale model weighing less than 1.5 ounces.
Joe’s Grasshopper had a complete pilot, seats, control sticks,
and seat belts. The model featured magnetic actuators.
Joe Malinchak brought this 13-inch-span L-4 Grasshopper which
weighs only 1.3 ounces and uses a KP-00 geared motor.
in
G
de
Se
Kav
F
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:12 pm Page 48
Award for his one first-place finish, one
second-place finish, and three third-place
finishes. He received a NIRAC plaque, and
Horizon Hobby donated a GWS P-51
Almost Ready-to-Fly/JR XP662 RC system.
Coming in second for the High Point
Award was Henry Pasquet, who had two
firsts, one second, and a third. The point
system for this award gave Bob the nod
because he placed in five events compared
to Henry’s four. For this, Horizon Hobby
donated a GWS Zero and a JR Quattro RC
system. Henry also received the Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Several contestants flew the new Widget,
which is a 11⁄2-ounce Almost-Ready-to-Fly
design by DWE. Although the Widgets were
slower than other models in the Pylon
Racing event, they flew tighter around the
course most of the time and were ahead of
larger and faster models in several races.
In one race Clarence Hurd got his
Widget off the ground quicker than the other
two models and was in front for several
laps. He lost out when his model hit a pylon,
which ended his flight.
Although the indoor site is quite large,
several Aerobatics entries appeared to have
problems with depth perception when flying
fast and overcontrolled. Therefore, slower
models did better since the pilots seemed
less bothered by any feeling of running out
of space. The fact that the site was domeshaped,
with less horizontal maneuvering
room the higher the flight path, probably
contributed.
Contest Director (CD) Dave Robelen put
up several demonstration flights with his
small (13-inch-span, less-than-1-ounce)
original P-Nut design, during which it flew
fast, was extremely maneuverable, and was
flown precisely.
Most remarkable is that the little model,
featuring a 7:1 geared KP-00 motor, a 51⁄2-
inch-diameter propeller, a Lithium Polymer
cell, and magnetic actuators on rudder and
elevator, did axial rolls and inverted flight
without the benefit of ailerons. Dave is an
exceptional pilot.
The Saturday banquet featured Indoor RC
Hall of Fame presentations to Bob Wilder,
Dave Robelen, and Henry Pasquet. I
sponsored these awards. Those who follow
indoor RC activity probably recognize these
modelers as major contributors to the history
of this segment of model aviation.
Following the presentations, Henry flew
demonstrations of his 4.3-gram
(approximately 1⁄7 ounce), three-channel
model and his roughly 6-inch-span, threechannel
version of a Brigham Young
University-designed MAV (Micro Air
Vehicle) biplane.
Dave Robelen’s place in the Hall of
Fame is well documented, based on the
publication in the past couple of years of his
many original indoor RC designs, his
writings in Model Aviation, and his current
presidency of NIRAC.
Bob Wilder’s series of AMA records for
indoor RC models are also well
documented, and he served as the creator
and first president of NIRAC.
Henry Pasquet’s achievements have been
covered in the modeling press, focusing on
his ultralight indoor RC models which
included the first and only model to fly
successfully with a weight of less than a
gram.
The individual-event awards were as
follows.
Sport Scale (sponsored by Sig
Manufacturing)
1. Scott Christensen (Antoinette)
2. Joe Malinchak (Piper L-4)
3. Bob Wilder (Eindecker)
Fun Scale (sponsored by Sky Hooks and
Rigging)
1. Scott Christensen (Jenny)
2. Joe Malinchak (Curtiss Junior)
3. Doug Ward (Curtiss Junior)
Cargo (sponsored by Balsa Products)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Bob Wilder
3. Clarence Hurd
Indoor Electric Duration (sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises)
1. Bob Wilder
2. Phil Smith
Each of these fine Foam Fun Scale ARF airplane kits
include a “Plug & Fly” Speed 280 motor with Kavan K1
Gold Connectors, SPF Gearbox, APC prop, wheels, scale
decals, hardware, and illustrated instructions.
See your local hobby dealer or visit us at www.sigmfg.com.
Kavan RC is a subsidiary of SIG Manufacturing Company, Inc. • P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Albatros D.V.
Item #KAV6527
Fine Electric Powered Slow/Park Flyers For The Pilot In The Know
Kavan RC
P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Web Site: www.sigmfg.com • Phone: (641)623-5154
Fokker Dr. 1
Item #KAV6525
Sopwith Triplane
Item #KAV6526
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 49
3. Henry Pasquet
Aerobatics (sponsored by FMA Direct)
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Henry Pasquet
3. Bob Wilder
Pylon Racing (sponsored by Castle
Creations)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Clarence Hurd
3. Bob Wilder
Bob Wilder initiated the indoor RC
championships while he was the first
president of NIRAC. The event was
originally scheduled to be held earlier this
year at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New
Jersey, but it had to be relocated and moved
to a different time when the Navy bowed
out because of security concerns affecting
many military installations.
Bob and CD Dave Robelen (who, this
year, became the second NIRAC president)
made arrangements to hold the event in the
Oakland Yard dome a couple of months
later. The change was made on short notice
with the help of Dave Dobrin, who is
activities director at the dome and a local
club leader. (A six-page article about flying
models at the dome was published in the
February 2000 Model Aviation.)
There wasn’t time to avoid conflicts
with model events elsewhere, so attendance
at the inaugural championships suffered;
many likely entrants were previously
committed to other locations the same
weekend.
However, the indoor RC event
proceeded and was initiated successfully—
so much so that planning for the 2004 event
soon followed. At this time, consideration
is being made to expand next year’s event
to three days, to include fun-fly and
competition flying.
This year’s event had a national
presence. Participants were from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, and Iowa, in addition to several
from Michigan. Expected for 2004 is a
contingent from Canada that was previously
committed to attending the AMA Indoor
Free Flight Nationals this year on the same
weekend as the NIRAC championships.
The success of this inaugural event is
attributed to the NIRAC championships
staff: Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, Bob
Aberle, and Keith Pohlmeyer. I was able to
help with the banquet and Hall of Fame
arrangements. Major support was provided
by Bill Conkling, who acted as Dave
Robelen’s assistant; local club members
Ken Meyers, Jack Lemon, Archie
Adamisin, Roger Wolfong, and Rick
Sawicki; and out-of-towners Bill Smead
and Paul Bradley.
An incidental but significant
contribution to the great spirit that prevailed
throughout the weekend was the great food
served at the dome. The snacks each day
and especially the food at the Saturday
banquet, which was arranged by the dome’s
Julie Dean, was of exceptional quality,
reasonably priced, and accompanied by
good service. This historical aeromodeling
weekend took place at a great site.
Noteworthy too was the number of
modelers’ wives who helped add to the
festive atmosphere: Wanda Pasquet,
Marsha Christensen, Joanne Hurd, Sharon
Hurd, Marian Smith, and Cindy Malinchak.
Cindy also flew her Curtiss Junior model at
the event.
Special thanks to the Oakland Yard
Athletics facility and, in particular, Dave
Dobrin, who is not only the manager but is an
active indoor RC modeler. If you are
interested in the Oakland Yard facility, you
can contact Dave at [email protected].
Thanks also to all of the sponsors who
made this contest such a great success.
For detailed information about NIRAC
and event rules, visit the Web site at
www.nirac.org. Congratulations to the
organization on making this historic event
happen.
This first Indoor RC Championships
proved interesting and exciting, and
enthusiastic plans are underway for a bigger
and better event next year. MA
John Worth
4326 Andes Dr.
Fairfax VA 22030
50 MODEL AVIATION
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 46,47,48,49,50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 46,47,48,49,50
Indoor RaCdhaiom Cpioonnsthriopsl
by John Worth
THE NATIONAL Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC), an
AMA Special Interest Group, organized
and hosted its first national championships
the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2003, at
the huge (240 x 300 x 82-foot) Oakland
Yard Athletics dome in Waterford,
Michigan.
In addition to occasional
demonstrations of various other types of
electric-powered indoor Radio Control
(RC) models, including the smallest of the
small, six events were held. There were
two Scale categories—Sport and Fun—and
Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Cargo, and
Duration.
Awards were given to the top three
finishers in each event, and there were
three special awards: Outstanding
Achievement, sponsored by Air Age, Inc.;
High Point Champion, sponsored by
NIRAC; and Best Scale Model Weighing
Not Over 1.5 Ounces, sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE).
Following the Saturday-night banquet,
which was held inside the dome, three firstever
Indoor RC Hall of Fame awards were
given. Also, Sig and DWE—two major
firms—provided displays, sold model
products, and flew their models in
demonstrations.
Although the number of entrants was
relatively small because a couple of other
national aeromodeling events were
held the same weekend, the quality
of flights by most contestants and
demonstrators was exceptional.
The models’ wide variety
of sizes
and types added interest.
Prominent personalities who got
involved were Scott Christensen, Dan and
Clarence Hurd, Phil Smith, Henry Pasquet,
Joe Malinchak, Doug Ward, Paul Bradley,
Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, and Bob
Aberle.
During the weekend Bob Wilder
attempted to establish a Category III (for
less than 98-foot, 5-inch ceiling height)
Duration record with a Limited-class
model. He made the flight
with his 20-gram (less than
3⁄4 ounce!) original design.
This record category is
limited to two 50 mAh Ni-
Cd batteries. Despite the
meager power, Bob’s large
but light model flew slowly and
majestically to achieve a flight of 9
minutes, 58 seconds.
The flight data was submitted to AMA
for recognition as a record. Bob holds the
record for Free Flight Electric Power
(AMA event 221) in Category I, which has
a ceiling-height limit of 26 feet, 3 inches,
and for Unlimited Indoor RC with a flight
of 4 hours, 47 minutes!
The Cargo and Indoor Electric Duration
events were most interesting because they
included flights to see whose model could
carry the most weight and stay up the
longest, respectively, using AMA-rulesspecified
model and power limits.
Cargo uses a ratio formula using the
payload weight and the model’s weight.
Henry Pasquet won the competition; his
model not only lifted more payload (246
grams) but did it with a lighter basic model
(124 grams). Bob Wilder’s heavier model
(140 grams) lifted a lighter payload (152
grams). Henry’s model had a wing area of
360 square inches, and Bob’s model had
375 square inches.
In the Duration event, which limits
power to six 50 mAh Ni-Cd cells, Bob
Wilder’s model flew for slightly more than
15 minutes to beat third-place finisher
Henry Pasquet’s model which flew for
approximately 71⁄2 minutes. Bob’s model
had 330 square inches of wing area—the
same as Henry’s. Bob’s model weighed 72
grams, and Henry’s weighed roughly
50.
Phil Smith’s Duration model
placed second with the limited
power called for in the event rules.
Later he substituted a
Lithium
This is one of the many indoor RC
models that Henry Pasquet brought to
fly. It shows a lot of FF Indoor heritage!
NIRAC held the inaugural championships at the enormous
Oakland Yard Athletics dome in Waterford, Michigan.
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:03 am Page 46
Polymer battery pack of roughly the same
weight for the Ni-Cd, and the model flew
for more than 26 minutes! Phil let me fly
this airplane for a while, and it was pure
pleasure. It needed only an occasional
nudge of the controls to steer it anywhere
in the building.
Joe Malinchak had the smallest model
in the Scale events—a 1.3-ounce L-4
Grasshopper with authentic World War II
invasion colors—and it earned the most
static points. This three-channel model was
highly detailed, including a complete pilot
(with arms and legs—not just a head and
shoulders).
Following initial power problems, Joe
finally got the motor going properly and
made several excellent flights. He placed
second in the Sport Scale event with his
Grasshopper and won the award for a Scale
model weighing less than 1.5 ounces. Joe
placed second in the Fun Scale event flying
a Curtiss Junior pusher.
Bob Wilder won the NIRAC High Point
January 2004 47
Scott Christensen’s Antoinette features a realistic eight-cylinder replica engine. Also shown is a 16-cylinder replica.
A close-up shot of Bob Wilder’s Cargo
model shows a beautifully undercambered,
high-lift wing.
This trio of attractive WW I molded-foam semiscale models from Sig Manufacturing
comprises (L-R) an Albatros, a Curtiss Jenny, and a Bristol Scout.
Photos by Bob Aberle
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:37 am Page 47
48 MODEL AVIATION
Henry Pasquet’s gear drive shows neat Didel Products propeller
The wheels on Scott Christensen’s Sig Demoiselle rotate slowly mount that allows blades to be changed or replaced.
in flight, and the pilot’s scarf blows in the wind.
NIRAC staff (L-R) Keith Pohlmeyer, Dave Robelen, Bob Wilder,
John Worth, and Bob Aberle made this contest possible.
Because of all the extra detail, Joe received an award for the best
Scale model weighing less than 1.5 ounces.
Joe’s Grasshopper had a complete pilot, seats, control sticks,
and seat belts. The model featured magnetic actuators.
Joe Malinchak brought this 13-inch-span L-4 Grasshopper which
weighs only 1.3 ounces and uses a KP-00 geared motor.
in
G
de
Se
Kav
F
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:12 pm Page 48
Award for his one first-place finish, one
second-place finish, and three third-place
finishes. He received a NIRAC plaque, and
Horizon Hobby donated a GWS P-51
Almost Ready-to-Fly/JR XP662 RC system.
Coming in second for the High Point
Award was Henry Pasquet, who had two
firsts, one second, and a third. The point
system for this award gave Bob the nod
because he placed in five events compared
to Henry’s four. For this, Horizon Hobby
donated a GWS Zero and a JR Quattro RC
system. Henry also received the Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Several contestants flew the new Widget,
which is a 11⁄2-ounce Almost-Ready-to-Fly
design by DWE. Although the Widgets were
slower than other models in the Pylon
Racing event, they flew tighter around the
course most of the time and were ahead of
larger and faster models in several races.
In one race Clarence Hurd got his
Widget off the ground quicker than the other
two models and was in front for several
laps. He lost out when his model hit a pylon,
which ended his flight.
Although the indoor site is quite large,
several Aerobatics entries appeared to have
problems with depth perception when flying
fast and overcontrolled. Therefore, slower
models did better since the pilots seemed
less bothered by any feeling of running out
of space. The fact that the site was domeshaped,
with less horizontal maneuvering
room the higher the flight path, probably
contributed.
Contest Director (CD) Dave Robelen put
up several demonstration flights with his
small (13-inch-span, less-than-1-ounce)
original P-Nut design, during which it flew
fast, was extremely maneuverable, and was
flown precisely.
Most remarkable is that the little model,
featuring a 7:1 geared KP-00 motor, a 51⁄2-
inch-diameter propeller, a Lithium Polymer
cell, and magnetic actuators on rudder and
elevator, did axial rolls and inverted flight
without the benefit of ailerons. Dave is an
exceptional pilot.
The Saturday banquet featured Indoor RC
Hall of Fame presentations to Bob Wilder,
Dave Robelen, and Henry Pasquet. I
sponsored these awards. Those who follow
indoor RC activity probably recognize these
modelers as major contributors to the history
of this segment of model aviation.
Following the presentations, Henry flew
demonstrations of his 4.3-gram
(approximately 1⁄7 ounce), three-channel
model and his roughly 6-inch-span, threechannel
version of a Brigham Young
University-designed MAV (Micro Air
Vehicle) biplane.
Dave Robelen’s place in the Hall of
Fame is well documented, based on the
publication in the past couple of years of his
many original indoor RC designs, his
writings in Model Aviation, and his current
presidency of NIRAC.
Bob Wilder’s series of AMA records for
indoor RC models are also well
documented, and he served as the creator
and first president of NIRAC.
Henry Pasquet’s achievements have been
covered in the modeling press, focusing on
his ultralight indoor RC models which
included the first and only model to fly
successfully with a weight of less than a
gram.
The individual-event awards were as
follows.
Sport Scale (sponsored by Sig
Manufacturing)
1. Scott Christensen (Antoinette)
2. Joe Malinchak (Piper L-4)
3. Bob Wilder (Eindecker)
Fun Scale (sponsored by Sky Hooks and
Rigging)
1. Scott Christensen (Jenny)
2. Joe Malinchak (Curtiss Junior)
3. Doug Ward (Curtiss Junior)
Cargo (sponsored by Balsa Products)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Bob Wilder
3. Clarence Hurd
Indoor Electric Duration (sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises)
1. Bob Wilder
2. Phil Smith
Each of these fine Foam Fun Scale ARF airplane kits
include a “Plug & Fly” Speed 280 motor with Kavan K1
Gold Connectors, SPF Gearbox, APC prop, wheels, scale
decals, hardware, and illustrated instructions.
See your local hobby dealer or visit us at www.sigmfg.com.
Kavan RC is a subsidiary of SIG Manufacturing Company, Inc. • P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Albatros D.V.
Item #KAV6527
Fine Electric Powered Slow/Park Flyers For The Pilot In The Know
Kavan RC
P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Web Site: www.sigmfg.com • Phone: (641)623-5154
Fokker Dr. 1
Item #KAV6525
Sopwith Triplane
Item #KAV6526
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 49
3. Henry Pasquet
Aerobatics (sponsored by FMA Direct)
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Henry Pasquet
3. Bob Wilder
Pylon Racing (sponsored by Castle
Creations)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Clarence Hurd
3. Bob Wilder
Bob Wilder initiated the indoor RC
championships while he was the first
president of NIRAC. The event was
originally scheduled to be held earlier this
year at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New
Jersey, but it had to be relocated and moved
to a different time when the Navy bowed
out because of security concerns affecting
many military installations.
Bob and CD Dave Robelen (who, this
year, became the second NIRAC president)
made arrangements to hold the event in the
Oakland Yard dome a couple of months
later. The change was made on short notice
with the help of Dave Dobrin, who is
activities director at the dome and a local
club leader. (A six-page article about flying
models at the dome was published in the
February 2000 Model Aviation.)
There wasn’t time to avoid conflicts
with model events elsewhere, so attendance
at the inaugural championships suffered;
many likely entrants were previously
committed to other locations the same
weekend.
However, the indoor RC event
proceeded and was initiated successfully—
so much so that planning for the 2004 event
soon followed. At this time, consideration
is being made to expand next year’s event
to three days, to include fun-fly and
competition flying.
This year’s event had a national
presence. Participants were from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, and Iowa, in addition to several
from Michigan. Expected for 2004 is a
contingent from Canada that was previously
committed to attending the AMA Indoor
Free Flight Nationals this year on the same
weekend as the NIRAC championships.
The success of this inaugural event is
attributed to the NIRAC championships
staff: Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, Bob
Aberle, and Keith Pohlmeyer. I was able to
help with the banquet and Hall of Fame
arrangements. Major support was provided
by Bill Conkling, who acted as Dave
Robelen’s assistant; local club members
Ken Meyers, Jack Lemon, Archie
Adamisin, Roger Wolfong, and Rick
Sawicki; and out-of-towners Bill Smead
and Paul Bradley.
An incidental but significant
contribution to the great spirit that prevailed
throughout the weekend was the great food
served at the dome. The snacks each day
and especially the food at the Saturday
banquet, which was arranged by the dome’s
Julie Dean, was of exceptional quality,
reasonably priced, and accompanied by
good service. This historical aeromodeling
weekend took place at a great site.
Noteworthy too was the number of
modelers’ wives who helped add to the
festive atmosphere: Wanda Pasquet,
Marsha Christensen, Joanne Hurd, Sharon
Hurd, Marian Smith, and Cindy Malinchak.
Cindy also flew her Curtiss Junior model at
the event.
Special thanks to the Oakland Yard
Athletics facility and, in particular, Dave
Dobrin, who is not only the manager but is an
active indoor RC modeler. If you are
interested in the Oakland Yard facility, you
can contact Dave at [email protected].
Thanks also to all of the sponsors who
made this contest such a great success.
For detailed information about NIRAC
and event rules, visit the Web site at
www.nirac.org. Congratulations to the
organization on making this historic event
happen.
This first Indoor RC Championships
proved interesting and exciting, and
enthusiastic plans are underway for a bigger
and better event next year. MA
John Worth
4326 Andes Dr.
Fairfax VA 22030
50 MODEL AVIATION
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 46,47,48,49,50
Indoor RaCdhaiom Cpioonnsthriopsl
by John Worth
THE NATIONAL Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC), an
AMA Special Interest Group, organized
and hosted its first national championships
the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2003, at
the huge (240 x 300 x 82-foot) Oakland
Yard Athletics dome in Waterford,
Michigan.
In addition to occasional
demonstrations of various other types of
electric-powered indoor Radio Control
(RC) models, including the smallest of the
small, six events were held. There were
two Scale categories—Sport and Fun—and
Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Cargo, and
Duration.
Awards were given to the top three
finishers in each event, and there were
three special awards: Outstanding
Achievement, sponsored by Air Age, Inc.;
High Point Champion, sponsored by
NIRAC; and Best Scale Model Weighing
Not Over 1.5 Ounces, sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE).
Following the Saturday-night banquet,
which was held inside the dome, three firstever
Indoor RC Hall of Fame awards were
given. Also, Sig and DWE—two major
firms—provided displays, sold model
products, and flew their models in
demonstrations.
Although the number of entrants was
relatively small because a couple of other
national aeromodeling events were
held the same weekend, the quality
of flights by most contestants and
demonstrators was exceptional.
The models’ wide variety
of sizes
and types added interest.
Prominent personalities who got
involved were Scott Christensen, Dan and
Clarence Hurd, Phil Smith, Henry Pasquet,
Joe Malinchak, Doug Ward, Paul Bradley,
Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, and Bob
Aberle.
During the weekend Bob Wilder
attempted to establish a Category III (for
less than 98-foot, 5-inch ceiling height)
Duration record with a Limited-class
model. He made the flight
with his 20-gram (less than
3⁄4 ounce!) original design.
This record category is
limited to two 50 mAh Ni-
Cd batteries. Despite the
meager power, Bob’s large
but light model flew slowly and
majestically to achieve a flight of 9
minutes, 58 seconds.
The flight data was submitted to AMA
for recognition as a record. Bob holds the
record for Free Flight Electric Power
(AMA event 221) in Category I, which has
a ceiling-height limit of 26 feet, 3 inches,
and for Unlimited Indoor RC with a flight
of 4 hours, 47 minutes!
The Cargo and Indoor Electric Duration
events were most interesting because they
included flights to see whose model could
carry the most weight and stay up the
longest, respectively, using AMA-rulesspecified
model and power limits.
Cargo uses a ratio formula using the
payload weight and the model’s weight.
Henry Pasquet won the competition; his
model not only lifted more payload (246
grams) but did it with a lighter basic model
(124 grams). Bob Wilder’s heavier model
(140 grams) lifted a lighter payload (152
grams). Henry’s model had a wing area of
360 square inches, and Bob’s model had
375 square inches.
In the Duration event, which limits
power to six 50 mAh Ni-Cd cells, Bob
Wilder’s model flew for slightly more than
15 minutes to beat third-place finisher
Henry Pasquet’s model which flew for
approximately 71⁄2 minutes. Bob’s model
had 330 square inches of wing area—the
same as Henry’s. Bob’s model weighed 72
grams, and Henry’s weighed roughly
50.
Phil Smith’s Duration model
placed second with the limited
power called for in the event rules.
Later he substituted a
Lithium
This is one of the many indoor RC
models that Henry Pasquet brought to
fly. It shows a lot of FF Indoor heritage!
NIRAC held the inaugural championships at the enormous
Oakland Yard Athletics dome in Waterford, Michigan.
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:03 am Page 46
Polymer battery pack of roughly the same
weight for the Ni-Cd, and the model flew
for more than 26 minutes! Phil let me fly
this airplane for a while, and it was pure
pleasure. It needed only an occasional
nudge of the controls to steer it anywhere
in the building.
Joe Malinchak had the smallest model
in the Scale events—a 1.3-ounce L-4
Grasshopper with authentic World War II
invasion colors—and it earned the most
static points. This three-channel model was
highly detailed, including a complete pilot
(with arms and legs—not just a head and
shoulders).
Following initial power problems, Joe
finally got the motor going properly and
made several excellent flights. He placed
second in the Sport Scale event with his
Grasshopper and won the award for a Scale
model weighing less than 1.5 ounces. Joe
placed second in the Fun Scale event flying
a Curtiss Junior pusher.
Bob Wilder won the NIRAC High Point
January 2004 47
Scott Christensen’s Antoinette features a realistic eight-cylinder replica engine. Also shown is a 16-cylinder replica.
A close-up shot of Bob Wilder’s Cargo
model shows a beautifully undercambered,
high-lift wing.
This trio of attractive WW I molded-foam semiscale models from Sig Manufacturing
comprises (L-R) an Albatros, a Curtiss Jenny, and a Bristol Scout.
Photos by Bob Aberle
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:37 am Page 47
48 MODEL AVIATION
Henry Pasquet’s gear drive shows neat Didel Products propeller
The wheels on Scott Christensen’s Sig Demoiselle rotate slowly mount that allows blades to be changed or replaced.
in flight, and the pilot’s scarf blows in the wind.
NIRAC staff (L-R) Keith Pohlmeyer, Dave Robelen, Bob Wilder,
John Worth, and Bob Aberle made this contest possible.
Because of all the extra detail, Joe received an award for the best
Scale model weighing less than 1.5 ounces.
Joe’s Grasshopper had a complete pilot, seats, control sticks,
and seat belts. The model featured magnetic actuators.
Joe Malinchak brought this 13-inch-span L-4 Grasshopper which
weighs only 1.3 ounces and uses a KP-00 geared motor.
in
G
de
Se
Kav
F
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:12 pm Page 48
Award for his one first-place finish, one
second-place finish, and three third-place
finishes. He received a NIRAC plaque, and
Horizon Hobby donated a GWS P-51
Almost Ready-to-Fly/JR XP662 RC system.
Coming in second for the High Point
Award was Henry Pasquet, who had two
firsts, one second, and a third. The point
system for this award gave Bob the nod
because he placed in five events compared
to Henry’s four. For this, Horizon Hobby
donated a GWS Zero and a JR Quattro RC
system. Henry also received the Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Several contestants flew the new Widget,
which is a 11⁄2-ounce Almost-Ready-to-Fly
design by DWE. Although the Widgets were
slower than other models in the Pylon
Racing event, they flew tighter around the
course most of the time and were ahead of
larger and faster models in several races.
In one race Clarence Hurd got his
Widget off the ground quicker than the other
two models and was in front for several
laps. He lost out when his model hit a pylon,
which ended his flight.
Although the indoor site is quite large,
several Aerobatics entries appeared to have
problems with depth perception when flying
fast and overcontrolled. Therefore, slower
models did better since the pilots seemed
less bothered by any feeling of running out
of space. The fact that the site was domeshaped,
with less horizontal maneuvering
room the higher the flight path, probably
contributed.
Contest Director (CD) Dave Robelen put
up several demonstration flights with his
small (13-inch-span, less-than-1-ounce)
original P-Nut design, during which it flew
fast, was extremely maneuverable, and was
flown precisely.
Most remarkable is that the little model,
featuring a 7:1 geared KP-00 motor, a 51⁄2-
inch-diameter propeller, a Lithium Polymer
cell, and magnetic actuators on rudder and
elevator, did axial rolls and inverted flight
without the benefit of ailerons. Dave is an
exceptional pilot.
The Saturday banquet featured Indoor RC
Hall of Fame presentations to Bob Wilder,
Dave Robelen, and Henry Pasquet. I
sponsored these awards. Those who follow
indoor RC activity probably recognize these
modelers as major contributors to the history
of this segment of model aviation.
Following the presentations, Henry flew
demonstrations of his 4.3-gram
(approximately 1⁄7 ounce), three-channel
model and his roughly 6-inch-span, threechannel
version of a Brigham Young
University-designed MAV (Micro Air
Vehicle) biplane.
Dave Robelen’s place in the Hall of
Fame is well documented, based on the
publication in the past couple of years of his
many original indoor RC designs, his
writings in Model Aviation, and his current
presidency of NIRAC.
Bob Wilder’s series of AMA records for
indoor RC models are also well
documented, and he served as the creator
and first president of NIRAC.
Henry Pasquet’s achievements have been
covered in the modeling press, focusing on
his ultralight indoor RC models which
included the first and only model to fly
successfully with a weight of less than a
gram.
The individual-event awards were as
follows.
Sport Scale (sponsored by Sig
Manufacturing)
1. Scott Christensen (Antoinette)
2. Joe Malinchak (Piper L-4)
3. Bob Wilder (Eindecker)
Fun Scale (sponsored by Sky Hooks and
Rigging)
1. Scott Christensen (Jenny)
2. Joe Malinchak (Curtiss Junior)
3. Doug Ward (Curtiss Junior)
Cargo (sponsored by Balsa Products)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Bob Wilder
3. Clarence Hurd
Indoor Electric Duration (sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises)
1. Bob Wilder
2. Phil Smith
Each of these fine Foam Fun Scale ARF airplane kits
include a “Plug & Fly” Speed 280 motor with Kavan K1
Gold Connectors, SPF Gearbox, APC prop, wheels, scale
decals, hardware, and illustrated instructions.
See your local hobby dealer or visit us at www.sigmfg.com.
Kavan RC is a subsidiary of SIG Manufacturing Company, Inc. • P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Albatros D.V.
Item #KAV6527
Fine Electric Powered Slow/Park Flyers For The Pilot In The Know
Kavan RC
P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Web Site: www.sigmfg.com • Phone: (641)623-5154
Fokker Dr. 1
Item #KAV6525
Sopwith Triplane
Item #KAV6526
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 49
3. Henry Pasquet
Aerobatics (sponsored by FMA Direct)
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Henry Pasquet
3. Bob Wilder
Pylon Racing (sponsored by Castle
Creations)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Clarence Hurd
3. Bob Wilder
Bob Wilder initiated the indoor RC
championships while he was the first
president of NIRAC. The event was
originally scheduled to be held earlier this
year at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New
Jersey, but it had to be relocated and moved
to a different time when the Navy bowed
out because of security concerns affecting
many military installations.
Bob and CD Dave Robelen (who, this
year, became the second NIRAC president)
made arrangements to hold the event in the
Oakland Yard dome a couple of months
later. The change was made on short notice
with the help of Dave Dobrin, who is
activities director at the dome and a local
club leader. (A six-page article about flying
models at the dome was published in the
February 2000 Model Aviation.)
There wasn’t time to avoid conflicts
with model events elsewhere, so attendance
at the inaugural championships suffered;
many likely entrants were previously
committed to other locations the same
weekend.
However, the indoor RC event
proceeded and was initiated successfully—
so much so that planning for the 2004 event
soon followed. At this time, consideration
is being made to expand next year’s event
to three days, to include fun-fly and
competition flying.
This year’s event had a national
presence. Participants were from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, and Iowa, in addition to several
from Michigan. Expected for 2004 is a
contingent from Canada that was previously
committed to attending the AMA Indoor
Free Flight Nationals this year on the same
weekend as the NIRAC championships.
The success of this inaugural event is
attributed to the NIRAC championships
staff: Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, Bob
Aberle, and Keith Pohlmeyer. I was able to
help with the banquet and Hall of Fame
arrangements. Major support was provided
by Bill Conkling, who acted as Dave
Robelen’s assistant; local club members
Ken Meyers, Jack Lemon, Archie
Adamisin, Roger Wolfong, and Rick
Sawicki; and out-of-towners Bill Smead
and Paul Bradley.
An incidental but significant
contribution to the great spirit that prevailed
throughout the weekend was the great food
served at the dome. The snacks each day
and especially the food at the Saturday
banquet, which was arranged by the dome’s
Julie Dean, was of exceptional quality,
reasonably priced, and accompanied by
good service. This historical aeromodeling
weekend took place at a great site.
Noteworthy too was the number of
modelers’ wives who helped add to the
festive atmosphere: Wanda Pasquet,
Marsha Christensen, Joanne Hurd, Sharon
Hurd, Marian Smith, and Cindy Malinchak.
Cindy also flew her Curtiss Junior model at
the event.
Special thanks to the Oakland Yard
Athletics facility and, in particular, Dave
Dobrin, who is not only the manager but is an
active indoor RC modeler. If you are
interested in the Oakland Yard facility, you
can contact Dave at [email protected].
Thanks also to all of the sponsors who
made this contest such a great success.
For detailed information about NIRAC
and event rules, visit the Web site at
www.nirac.org. Congratulations to the
organization on making this historic event
happen.
This first Indoor RC Championships
proved interesting and exciting, and
enthusiastic plans are underway for a bigger
and better event next year. MA
John Worth
4326 Andes Dr.
Fairfax VA 22030
50 MODEL AVIATION
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 46,47,48,49,50
Indoor RaCdhaiom Cpioonnsthriopsl
by John Worth
THE NATIONAL Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC), an
AMA Special Interest Group, organized
and hosted its first national championships
the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2003, at
the huge (240 x 300 x 82-foot) Oakland
Yard Athletics dome in Waterford,
Michigan.
In addition to occasional
demonstrations of various other types of
electric-powered indoor Radio Control
(RC) models, including the smallest of the
small, six events were held. There were
two Scale categories—Sport and Fun—and
Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Cargo, and
Duration.
Awards were given to the top three
finishers in each event, and there were
three special awards: Outstanding
Achievement, sponsored by Air Age, Inc.;
High Point Champion, sponsored by
NIRAC; and Best Scale Model Weighing
Not Over 1.5 Ounces, sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE).
Following the Saturday-night banquet,
which was held inside the dome, three firstever
Indoor RC Hall of Fame awards were
given. Also, Sig and DWE—two major
firms—provided displays, sold model
products, and flew their models in
demonstrations.
Although the number of entrants was
relatively small because a couple of other
national aeromodeling events were
held the same weekend, the quality
of flights by most contestants and
demonstrators was exceptional.
The models’ wide variety
of sizes
and types added interest.
Prominent personalities who got
involved were Scott Christensen, Dan and
Clarence Hurd, Phil Smith, Henry Pasquet,
Joe Malinchak, Doug Ward, Paul Bradley,
Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, and Bob
Aberle.
During the weekend Bob Wilder
attempted to establish a Category III (for
less than 98-foot, 5-inch ceiling height)
Duration record with a Limited-class
model. He made the flight
with his 20-gram (less than
3⁄4 ounce!) original design.
This record category is
limited to two 50 mAh Ni-
Cd batteries. Despite the
meager power, Bob’s large
but light model flew slowly and
majestically to achieve a flight of 9
minutes, 58 seconds.
The flight data was submitted to AMA
for recognition as a record. Bob holds the
record for Free Flight Electric Power
(AMA event 221) in Category I, which has
a ceiling-height limit of 26 feet, 3 inches,
and for Unlimited Indoor RC with a flight
of 4 hours, 47 minutes!
The Cargo and Indoor Electric Duration
events were most interesting because they
included flights to see whose model could
carry the most weight and stay up the
longest, respectively, using AMA-rulesspecified
model and power limits.
Cargo uses a ratio formula using the
payload weight and the model’s weight.
Henry Pasquet won the competition; his
model not only lifted more payload (246
grams) but did it with a lighter basic model
(124 grams). Bob Wilder’s heavier model
(140 grams) lifted a lighter payload (152
grams). Henry’s model had a wing area of
360 square inches, and Bob’s model had
375 square inches.
In the Duration event, which limits
power to six 50 mAh Ni-Cd cells, Bob
Wilder’s model flew for slightly more than
15 minutes to beat third-place finisher
Henry Pasquet’s model which flew for
approximately 71⁄2 minutes. Bob’s model
had 330 square inches of wing area—the
same as Henry’s. Bob’s model weighed 72
grams, and Henry’s weighed roughly
50.
Phil Smith’s Duration model
placed second with the limited
power called for in the event rules.
Later he substituted a
Lithium
This is one of the many indoor RC
models that Henry Pasquet brought to
fly. It shows a lot of FF Indoor heritage!
NIRAC held the inaugural championships at the enormous
Oakland Yard Athletics dome in Waterford, Michigan.
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:03 am Page 46
Polymer battery pack of roughly the same
weight for the Ni-Cd, and the model flew
for more than 26 minutes! Phil let me fly
this airplane for a while, and it was pure
pleasure. It needed only an occasional
nudge of the controls to steer it anywhere
in the building.
Joe Malinchak had the smallest model
in the Scale events—a 1.3-ounce L-4
Grasshopper with authentic World War II
invasion colors—and it earned the most
static points. This three-channel model was
highly detailed, including a complete pilot
(with arms and legs—not just a head and
shoulders).
Following initial power problems, Joe
finally got the motor going properly and
made several excellent flights. He placed
second in the Sport Scale event with his
Grasshopper and won the award for a Scale
model weighing less than 1.5 ounces. Joe
placed second in the Fun Scale event flying
a Curtiss Junior pusher.
Bob Wilder won the NIRAC High Point
January 2004 47
Scott Christensen’s Antoinette features a realistic eight-cylinder replica engine. Also shown is a 16-cylinder replica.
A close-up shot of Bob Wilder’s Cargo
model shows a beautifully undercambered,
high-lift wing.
This trio of attractive WW I molded-foam semiscale models from Sig Manufacturing
comprises (L-R) an Albatros, a Curtiss Jenny, and a Bristol Scout.
Photos by Bob Aberle
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:37 am Page 47
48 MODEL AVIATION
Henry Pasquet’s gear drive shows neat Didel Products propeller
The wheels on Scott Christensen’s Sig Demoiselle rotate slowly mount that allows blades to be changed or replaced.
in flight, and the pilot’s scarf blows in the wind.
NIRAC staff (L-R) Keith Pohlmeyer, Dave Robelen, Bob Wilder,
John Worth, and Bob Aberle made this contest possible.
Because of all the extra detail, Joe received an award for the best
Scale model weighing less than 1.5 ounces.
Joe’s Grasshopper had a complete pilot, seats, control sticks,
and seat belts. The model featured magnetic actuators.
Joe Malinchak brought this 13-inch-span L-4 Grasshopper which
weighs only 1.3 ounces and uses a KP-00 geared motor.
in
G
de
Se
Kav
F
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:12 pm Page 48
Award for his one first-place finish, one
second-place finish, and three third-place
finishes. He received a NIRAC plaque, and
Horizon Hobby donated a GWS P-51
Almost Ready-to-Fly/JR XP662 RC system.
Coming in second for the High Point
Award was Henry Pasquet, who had two
firsts, one second, and a third. The point
system for this award gave Bob the nod
because he placed in five events compared
to Henry’s four. For this, Horizon Hobby
donated a GWS Zero and a JR Quattro RC
system. Henry also received the Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Several contestants flew the new Widget,
which is a 11⁄2-ounce Almost-Ready-to-Fly
design by DWE. Although the Widgets were
slower than other models in the Pylon
Racing event, they flew tighter around the
course most of the time and were ahead of
larger and faster models in several races.
In one race Clarence Hurd got his
Widget off the ground quicker than the other
two models and was in front for several
laps. He lost out when his model hit a pylon,
which ended his flight.
Although the indoor site is quite large,
several Aerobatics entries appeared to have
problems with depth perception when flying
fast and overcontrolled. Therefore, slower
models did better since the pilots seemed
less bothered by any feeling of running out
of space. The fact that the site was domeshaped,
with less horizontal maneuvering
room the higher the flight path, probably
contributed.
Contest Director (CD) Dave Robelen put
up several demonstration flights with his
small (13-inch-span, less-than-1-ounce)
original P-Nut design, during which it flew
fast, was extremely maneuverable, and was
flown precisely.
Most remarkable is that the little model,
featuring a 7:1 geared KP-00 motor, a 51⁄2-
inch-diameter propeller, a Lithium Polymer
cell, and magnetic actuators on rudder and
elevator, did axial rolls and inverted flight
without the benefit of ailerons. Dave is an
exceptional pilot.
The Saturday banquet featured Indoor RC
Hall of Fame presentations to Bob Wilder,
Dave Robelen, and Henry Pasquet. I
sponsored these awards. Those who follow
indoor RC activity probably recognize these
modelers as major contributors to the history
of this segment of model aviation.
Following the presentations, Henry flew
demonstrations of his 4.3-gram
(approximately 1⁄7 ounce), three-channel
model and his roughly 6-inch-span, threechannel
version of a Brigham Young
University-designed MAV (Micro Air
Vehicle) biplane.
Dave Robelen’s place in the Hall of
Fame is well documented, based on the
publication in the past couple of years of his
many original indoor RC designs, his
writings in Model Aviation, and his current
presidency of NIRAC.
Bob Wilder’s series of AMA records for
indoor RC models are also well
documented, and he served as the creator
and first president of NIRAC.
Henry Pasquet’s achievements have been
covered in the modeling press, focusing on
his ultralight indoor RC models which
included the first and only model to fly
successfully with a weight of less than a
gram.
The individual-event awards were as
follows.
Sport Scale (sponsored by Sig
Manufacturing)
1. Scott Christensen (Antoinette)
2. Joe Malinchak (Piper L-4)
3. Bob Wilder (Eindecker)
Fun Scale (sponsored by Sky Hooks and
Rigging)
1. Scott Christensen (Jenny)
2. Joe Malinchak (Curtiss Junior)
3. Doug Ward (Curtiss Junior)
Cargo (sponsored by Balsa Products)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Bob Wilder
3. Clarence Hurd
Indoor Electric Duration (sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises)
1. Bob Wilder
2. Phil Smith
Each of these fine Foam Fun Scale ARF airplane kits
include a “Plug & Fly” Speed 280 motor with Kavan K1
Gold Connectors, SPF Gearbox, APC prop, wheels, scale
decals, hardware, and illustrated instructions.
See your local hobby dealer or visit us at www.sigmfg.com.
Kavan RC is a subsidiary of SIG Manufacturing Company, Inc. • P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Albatros D.V.
Item #KAV6527
Fine Electric Powered Slow/Park Flyers For The Pilot In The Know
Kavan RC
P.O. Box 520 • Montezuma, Iowa 50171-0520
Web Site: www.sigmfg.com • Phone: (641)623-5154
Fokker Dr. 1
Item #KAV6525
Sopwith Triplane
Item #KAV6526
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 49
3. Henry Pasquet
Aerobatics (sponsored by FMA Direct)
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Henry Pasquet
3. Bob Wilder
Pylon Racing (sponsored by Castle
Creations)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Clarence Hurd
3. Bob Wilder
Bob Wilder initiated the indoor RC
championships while he was the first
president of NIRAC. The event was
originally scheduled to be held earlier this
year at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New
Jersey, but it had to be relocated and moved
to a different time when the Navy bowed
out because of security concerns affecting
many military installations.
Bob and CD Dave Robelen (who, this
year, became the second NIRAC president)
made arrangements to hold the event in the
Oakland Yard dome a couple of months
later. The change was made on short notice
with the help of Dave Dobrin, who is
activities director at the dome and a local
club leader. (A six-page article about flying
models at the dome was published in the
February 2000 Model Aviation.)
There wasn’t time to avoid conflicts
with model events elsewhere, so attendance
at the inaugural championships suffered;
many likely entrants were previously
committed to other locations the same
weekend.
However, the indoor RC event
proceeded and was initiated successfully—
so much so that planning for the 2004 event
soon followed. At this time, consideration
is being made to expand next year’s event
to three days, to include fun-fly and
competition flying.
This year’s event had a national
presence. Participants were from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, and Iowa, in addition to several
from Michigan. Expected for 2004 is a
contingent from Canada that was previously
committed to attending the AMA Indoor
Free Flight Nationals this year on the same
weekend as the NIRAC championships.
The success of this inaugural event is
attributed to the NIRAC championships
staff: Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, Bob
Aberle, and Keith Pohlmeyer. I was able to
help with the banquet and Hall of Fame
arrangements. Major support was provided
by Bill Conkling, who acted as Dave
Robelen’s assistant; local club members
Ken Meyers, Jack Lemon, Archie
Adamisin, Roger Wolfong, and Rick
Sawicki; and out-of-towners Bill Smead
and Paul Bradley.
An incidental but significant
contribution to the great spirit that prevailed
throughout the weekend was the great food
served at the dome. The snacks each day
and especially the food at the Saturday
banquet, which was arranged by the dome’s
Julie Dean, was of exceptional quality,
reasonably priced, and accompanied by
good service. This historical aeromodeling
weekend took place at a great site.
Noteworthy too was the number of
modelers’ wives who helped add to the
festive atmosphere: Wanda Pasquet,
Marsha Christensen, Joanne Hurd, Sharon
Hurd, Marian Smith, and Cindy Malinchak.
Cindy also flew her Curtiss Junior model at
the event.
Special thanks to the Oakland Yard
Athletics facility and, in particular, Dave
Dobrin, who is not only the manager but is an
active indoor RC modeler. If you are
interested in the Oakland Yard facility, you
can contact Dave at [email protected].
Thanks also to all of the sponsors who
made this contest such a great success.
For detailed information about NIRAC
and event rules, visit the Web site at
www.nirac.org. Congratulations to the
organization on making this historic event
happen.
This first Indoor RC Championships
proved interesting and exciting, and
enthusiastic plans are underway for a bigger
and better event next year. MA
John Worth
4326 Andes Dr.
Fairfax VA 22030
50 MODEL AVIATION
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/01
Page Numbers: 46,47,48,49,50
Indoor RaCdhaiom Cpioonnsthriopsl
by John Worth
THE NATIONAL Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC), an
AMA Special Interest Group, organized
and hosted its first national championships
the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2003, at
the huge (240 x 300 x 82-foot) Oakland
Yard Athletics dome in Waterford,
Michigan.
In addition to occasional
demonstrations of various other types of
electric-powered indoor Radio Control
(RC) models, including the smallest of the
small, six events were held. There were
two Scale categories—Sport and Fun—and
Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Cargo, and
Duration.
Awards were given to the top three
finishers in each event, and there were
three special awards: Outstanding
Achievement, sponsored by Air Age, Inc.;
High Point Champion, sponsored by
NIRAC; and Best Scale Model Weighing
Not Over 1.5 Ounces, sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE).
Following the Saturday-night banquet,
which was held inside the dome, three firstever
Indoor RC Hall of Fame awards were
given. Also, Sig and DWE—two major
firms—provided displays, sold model
products, and flew their models in
demonstrations.
Although the number of entrants was
relatively small because a couple of other
national aeromodeling events were
held the same weekend, the quality
of flights by most contestants and
demonstrators was exceptional.
The models’ wide variety
of sizes
and types added interest.
Prominent personalities who got
involved were Scott Christensen, Dan and
Clarence Hurd, Phil Smith, Henry Pasquet,
Joe Malinchak, Doug Ward, Paul Bradley,
Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, and Bob
Aberle.
During the weekend Bob Wilder
attempted to establish a Category III (for
less than 98-foot, 5-inch ceiling height)
Duration record with a Limited-class
model. He made the flight
with his 20-gram (less than
3⁄4 ounce!) original design.
This record category is
limited to two 50 mAh Ni-
Cd batteries. Despite the
meager power, Bob’s large
but light model flew slowly and
majestically to achieve a flight of 9
minutes, 58 seconds.
The flight data was submitted to AMA
for recognition as a record. Bob holds the
record for Free Flight Electric Power
(AMA event 221) in Category I, which has
a ceiling-height limit of 26 feet, 3 inches,
and for Unlimited Indoor RC with a flight
of 4 hours, 47 minutes!
The Cargo and Indoor Electric Duration
events were most interesting because they
included flights to see whose model could
carry the most weight and stay up the
longest, respectively, using AMA-rulesspecified
model and power limits.
Cargo uses a ratio formula using the
payload weight and the model’s weight.
Henry Pasquet won the competition; his
model not only lifted more payload (246
grams) but did it with a lighter basic model
(124 grams). Bob Wilder’s heavier model
(140 grams) lifted a lighter payload (152
grams). Henry’s model had a wing area of
360 square inches, and Bob’s model had
375 square inches.
In the Duration event, which limits
power to six 50 mAh Ni-Cd cells, Bob
Wilder’s model flew for slightly more than
15 minutes to beat third-place finisher
Henry Pasquet’s model which flew for
approximately 71⁄2 minutes. Bob’s model
had 330 square inches of wing area—the
same as Henry’s. Bob’s model weighed 72
grams, and Henry’s weighed roughly
50.
Phil Smith’s Duration model
placed second with the limited
power called for in the event rules.
Later he substituted a
Lithium
This is one of the many indoor RC
models that Henry Pasquet brought to
fly. It shows a lot of FF Indoor heritage!
NIRAC held the inaugural championships at the enormous
Oakland Yard Athletics dome in Waterford, Michigan.
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:03 am Page 46
Polymer battery pack of roughly the same
weight for the Ni-Cd, and the model flew
for more than 26 minutes! Phil let me fly
this airplane for a while, and it was pure
pleasure. It needed only an occasional
nudge of the controls to steer it anywhere
in the building.
Joe Malinchak had the smallest model
in the Scale events—a 1.3-ounce L-4
Grasshopper with authentic World War II
invasion colors—and it earned the most
static points. This three-channel model was
highly detailed, including a complete pilot
(with arms and legs—not just a head and
shoulders).
Following initial power problems, Joe
finally got the motor going properly and
made several excellent flights. He placed
second in the Sport Scale event with his
Grasshopper and won the award for a Scale
model weighing less than 1.5 ounces. Joe
placed second in the Fun Scale event flying
a Curtiss Junior pusher.
Bob Wilder won the NIRAC High Point
January 2004 47
Scott Christensen’s Antoinette features a realistic eight-cylinder replica engine. Also shown is a 16-cylinder replica.
A close-up shot of Bob Wilder’s Cargo
model shows a beautifully undercambered,
high-lift wing.
This trio of attractive WW I molded-foam semiscale models from Sig Manufacturing
comprises (L-R) an Albatros, a Curtiss Jenny, and a Bristol Scout.
Photos by Bob Aberle
01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 11:37 am Page 47
48 MODEL AVIATION
Henry Pasquet’s gear drive shows neat Didel Products propeller
The wheels on Scott Christensen’s Sig Demoiselle rotate slowly mount that allows blades to be changed or replaced.
in flight, and the pilot’s scarf blows in the wind.
NIRAC staff (L-R) Keith Pohlmeyer, Dave Robelen, Bob Wilder,
John Worth, and Bob Aberle made this contest possible.
Because of all the extra detail, Joe received an award for the best
Scale model weighing less than 1.5 ounces.
Joe’s Grasshopper had a complete pilot, seats, control sticks,
and seat belts. The model featured magnetic actuators.
Joe Malinchak brought this 13-inch-span L-4 Grasshopper which
weighs only 1.3 ounces and uses a KP-00 geared motor.
in
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01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:12 pm Page 48
Award for his one first-place finish, one
second-place finish, and three third-place
finishes. He received a NIRAC plaque, and
Horizon Hobby donated a GWS P-51
Almost Ready-to-Fly/JR XP662 RC system.
Coming in second for the High Point
Award was Henry Pasquet, who had two
firsts, one second, and a third. The point
system for this award gave Bob the nod
because he placed in five events compared
to Henry’s four. For this, Horizon Hobby
donated a GWS Zero and a JR Quattro RC
system. Henry also received the Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Several contestants flew the new Widget,
which is a 11⁄2-ounce Almost-Ready-to-Fly
design by DWE. Although the Widgets were
slower than other models in the Pylon
Racing event, they flew tighter around the
course most of the time and were ahead of
larger and faster models in several races.
In one race Clarence Hurd got his
Widget off the ground quicker than the other
two models and was in front for several
laps. He lost out when his model hit a pylon,
which ended his flight.
Although the indoor site is quite large,
several Aerobatics entries appeared to have
problems with depth perception when flying
fast and overcontrolled. Therefore, slower
models did better since the pilots seemed
less bothered by any feeling of running out
of space. The fact that the site was domeshaped,
with less horizontal maneuvering
room the higher the flight path, probably
contributed.
Contest Director (CD) Dave Robelen put
up several demonstration flights with his
small (13-inch-span, less-than-1-ounce)
original P-Nut design, during which it flew
fast, was extremely maneuverable, and was
flown precisely.
Most remarkable is that the little model,
featuring a 7:1 geared KP-00 motor, a 51⁄2-
inch-diameter propeller, a Lithium Polymer
cell, and magnetic actuators on rudder and
elevator, did axial rolls and inverted flight
without the benefit of ailerons. Dave is an
exceptional pilot.
The Saturday banquet featured Indoor RC
Hall of Fame presentations to Bob Wilder,
Dave Robelen, and Henry Pasquet. I
sponsored these awards. Those who follow
indoor RC activity probably recognize these
modelers as major contributors to the history
of this segment of model aviation.
Following the presentations, Henry flew
demonstrations of his 4.3-gram
(approximately 1⁄7 ounce), three-channel
model and his roughly 6-inch-span, threechannel
version of a Brigham Young
University-designed MAV (Micro Air
Vehicle) biplane.
Dave Robelen’s place in the Hall of
Fame is well documented, based on the
publication in the past couple of years of his
many original indoor RC designs, his
writings in Model Aviation, and his current
presidency of NIRAC.
Bob Wilder’s series of AMA records for
indoor RC models are also well
documented, and he served as the creator
and first president of NIRAC.
Henry Pasquet’s achievements have been
covered in the modeling press, focusing on
his ultralight indoor RC models which
included the first and only model to fly
successfully with a weight of less than a
gram.
The individual-event awards were as
follows.
Sport Scale (sponsored by Sig
Manufacturing)
1. Scott Christensen (Antoinette)
2. Joe Malinchak (Piper L-4)
3. Bob Wilder (Eindecker)
Fun Scale (sponsored by Sky Hooks and
Rigging)
1. Scott Christensen (Jenny)
2. Joe Malinchak (Curtiss Junior)
3. Doug Ward (Curtiss Junior)
Cargo (sponsored by Balsa Products)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Bob Wilder
3. Clarence Hurd
Indoor Electric Duration (sponsored by
Dynamic Web Enterprises)
1. Bob Wilder
2. Phil Smith
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include a “Plug & Fly” Speed 280 motor with Kavan K1
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decals, hardware, and illustrated instructions.
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01sig2.QXD 10/27/03 12:13 pm Page 49
3. Henry Pasquet
Aerobatics (sponsored by FMA Direct)
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Henry Pasquet
3. Bob Wilder
Pylon Racing (sponsored by Castle
Creations)
1. Henry Pasquet
2. Clarence Hurd
3. Bob Wilder
Bob Wilder initiated the indoor RC
championships while he was the first
president of NIRAC. The event was
originally scheduled to be held earlier this
year at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New
Jersey, but it had to be relocated and moved
to a different time when the Navy bowed
out because of security concerns affecting
many military installations.
Bob and CD Dave Robelen (who, this
year, became the second NIRAC president)
made arrangements to hold the event in the
Oakland Yard dome a couple of months
later. The change was made on short notice
with the help of Dave Dobrin, who is
activities director at the dome and a local
club leader. (A six-page article about flying
models at the dome was published in the
February 2000 Model Aviation.)
There wasn’t time to avoid conflicts
with model events elsewhere, so attendance
at the inaugural championships suffered;
many likely entrants were previously
committed to other locations the same
weekend.
However, the indoor RC event
proceeded and was initiated successfully—
so much so that planning for the 2004 event
soon followed. At this time, consideration
is being made to expand next year’s event
to three days, to include fun-fly and
competition flying.
This year’s event had a national
presence. Participants were from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York,
Virginia, and Iowa, in addition to several
from Michigan. Expected for 2004 is a
contingent from Canada that was previously
committed to attending the AMA Indoor
Free Flight Nationals this year on the same
weekend as the NIRAC championships.
The success of this inaugural event is
attributed to the NIRAC championships
staff: Bob Wilder, Dave Robelen, Bob
Aberle, and Keith Pohlmeyer. I was able to
help with the banquet and Hall of Fame
arrangements. Major support was provided
by Bill Conkling, who acted as Dave
Robelen’s assistant; local club members
Ken Meyers, Jack Lemon, Archie
Adamisin, Roger Wolfong, and Rick
Sawicki; and out-of-towners Bill Smead
and Paul Bradley.
An incidental but significant
contribution to the great spirit that prevailed
throughout the weekend was the great food
served at the dome. The snacks each day
and especially the food at the Saturday
banquet, which was arranged by the dome’s
Julie Dean, was of exceptional quality,
reasonably priced, and accompanied by
good service. This historical aeromodeling
weekend took place at a great site.
Noteworthy too was the number of
modelers’ wives who helped add to the
festive atmosphere: Wanda Pasquet,
Marsha Christensen, Joanne Hurd, Sharon
Hurd, Marian Smith, and Cindy Malinchak.
Cindy also flew her Curtiss Junior model at
the event.
Special thanks to the Oakland Yard
Athletics facility and, in particular, Dave
Dobrin, who is not only the manager but is an
active indoor RC modeler. If you are
interested in the Oakland Yard facility, you
can contact Dave at [email protected].
Thanks also to all of the sponsors who
made this contest such a great success.
For detailed information about NIRAC
and event rules, visit the Web site at
www.nirac.org. Congratulations to the
organization on making this historic event
happen.
This first Indoor RC Championships
proved interesting and exciting, and
enthusiastic plans are underway for a bigger
and better event next year. MA
John Worth
4326 Andes Dr.
Fairfax VA 22030
50 MODEL AVIATION
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