118 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
THIS MONTH I will cover events and new
products coming on line. Many are in the
midst of their building seasons and are in
search of new tools to make the job easier and
safer. The first topic this month is one of the
major Soaring events in the world.
Visalia is a small bedroom community in the
Central Valley of California and home to a
contest simply known as “Visalia” to the
Soaring world. Home of one of the largest
model contests in the United States, Visalia is
a contest, an event, a Soaring nirvana, and the
must-attend gathering of the year.
October 2-3, 2004, the Central Valley
Radio Control club (CVRC) put on the 31st
edition of the Fall Soaring Festival. A total of
257 pilots posted scores, with 175 in Open, 12
in Two-Meter, 60 in RES (Rudder-Elevator-
Spoiler), and 10 in the Youth class.
The shape of the Dremel Moto-Tool has
been changed. It’s nice to hold but is
incompatible with other accessories.
Shown is the nerve center of the CVRC Fall Soaring Festival in Visalia, California.
Beyond the barn is the launch area; to the right is the landing area.
This is a small portion of the vendor and contestant area at Visalia.
In addition to the contest, many vendors
take part in a miniature trade show. From
Electrics to Soaring goodies, almost anything
you need to sustain the habit for a while is
available. The vendor space is a great
common area to renew friendships and visit
with those you only get to see once a year.
Even the infamous Gordy Stahl is there each
year, spreading his philosophy and manning
the Volz servo booth.
Motor homes abound, with many arriving
as much as a week early to get prime parking
spots. Some of these vehicles become
minicompounds, with food and drink
available to anyone who walks by.
The CVRC has this fine-tuned contest
down to a science. Everything runs smoothly
and efficiently. Seven total rounds of thermal
precision duration are flown, with four rounds
Saturday and three rounds Sunday. Four
winches are used and kept busy both days.
With 257 pilots flying seven rounds, and a
few relaunches, more than 1,900 launches
take place. This is an incredible number, with
very few problems.
Even with Saturday’s rounds, the contest
ends at roughly 3 p.m., which leaves plenty
of time for a Hand Launch contest and Slow
Stik combat. Sunday features the great
raffle. Activities conclude at approximately
3 p.m., allowing those who must travel to
get an early start.
Top honors in Open at this contest went
to Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kindrick. The finishing order in Two-Meter
was Edgar Vera, Bobby McGowan, and
Daryl Perkins. The RES class was headed
up by Joe Wurts, Joe Nave, and John
Erickson. In the Youth class, the order was
Cody Remington, Casey Adamczyk, and
Manny Gomez. Overall top honors went to
Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kendrick.
Mark your calendars for the first full
weekend in October. Visalia is an event to
attend. You will not be disappointed and
will definitely put this contest on the top of
your list.
The AMA Convention was held January 9-11
in Ontario, California. This was the second
year at the new venue. Attendance was up, in
part because of the relentless rain that kept
people from the flying fields, I’m sure.
Pure Soaring-type businesses have
diminished throughout the years. I can
remember that in the peak years of the event
there were 20 or more Soaring-related vendors
in attendance. This year only two booths had
thermal aircraft—Hobby Club and Soaring
Specialties—and those were imported models.
I think it is sad that the fiberglass-bagged
sailplanes are the exception and not the rule. It
seems as though everything is going the way
of the molded models that are imported from a
variety of sources. I guess that is just the
reality of the financial situation for the
industry.
Without question, the item that generated
the most interest was the new Futaba 14MZ
radio. It has 14 channels, is all digital, and all
with 2048 resolution. This is twice the
resolution that is currently available on the 9Z.
The 14MZ has two separate internal
One of two screens for selecting wing types on the Futaba 14MZ.
The second screen covers flying-wing aircraft.
This is the opening screen on the 14MZ. You can upload a .jpg
picture of your airplane for selection.
processors for maximum efficiency and
reliability. A custom Futaba processor directs
all functions dedicated to flight control. Input
for general operating tasks, such as setup and
programming, is processed by Microsoft
Windows CE.
The HVGA screen features crystal-clear
640 x 240-pixel resolution. It uses
transflective technology (layered transparent
and reflecting surfaces) in addition to
adjustable backlighting and contrast for easy
visibility—even in direct sunlight.
Navigation is either by a touch screen or a
navigation wheel.
The radio is synthesized with a unique
system for selecting the frequency. Each
receiver has a specific code number. Going to
a screen in the menu, the code for that
receiver is entered. (Two receivers per model
can be entered.) Then the transmitter and
receiver can “talk” to each other. Another
screen allows the frequency to be selected.
Once it’s chosen, the receiver automatically
changes to that frequency.
Other features that fall into the “cool”
category include Lithium batteries, a compact
Flash Card for entering pictures of your
models for selection, and audio files. For
sailplanes, an audible countdown timer can
be entered with prompts for landing
preparation. For the aerobatic fliers, the
sequences can be recorded and played back
when prompted. This is a great feature for
practice.
There is not enough space here to go into
all of the 14MZ’s great features. For
sailplanes the software is incredible. As can
be seen in the photo, virtually every wing
type is provided. The screen shown is one of
two for the wing types. The first screen
covers nearly every possible configuration of
a Thermal Duration sailplane. The second
screen covers flying-wing type aircraft. Once
the wing type is selected, a screen appears to
allow you to select the tail type.
The system is extremely easy to program.
I played with it for approximately 30 minutes
and was able to go through all of the steps
necessary to program a typical Thermal
Duration glider. Additionally, I reviewed the
aerobatic menus, and everything was easy to
find and program. I did all of this without the
aid of a manual.
I hope to have my system and have some
experience with it by the time this is printed.
Further preliminary information is available
at www.14mz.com.
Everyone needs the appropriate tools to
make construction tasks easier and safer. The
cornerstone of my supply is the Dremel
Moto-Tool. I keep two available at all times,
each chucked with a different-size collet.
Through the years I have owned a couple
of the battery-operated Dremels and have had
less-than-favorable results using them. That
has changed. Dremel has joined the Lithiumbattery
trend and now offers a 10.8-volt tool
that comes extremely close to the service
ability of the plug-in version.
I purchased one of the 10.8-volt Dremels
at the AMA show and charged it when I
arrived home, before I unpacked. The next
day I put it to work and found that it is just
the ticket for almost every modeling task.
The maximum rpm is 10,000, and, as I
noted, it is close to the performance of the
standard tool. The downside to the Lithium
unit is that it does not fit into other Dremel
accessories; e.g., the router attachment and
drill press. The new tool has an oval shape
that fits the hand nicely. I can’t figure out
why it is not made to be functional with
existing attachments. I will follow up with
Dremel and report back.
The tool has a three-light indicator for
battery status. The Dremel representative
recommended charging after one light drops
off. I used the tool extensively and forgot that
it was powered by a battery because of the
power and long life on a charge. When I
noticed it was down to two lights, I charged
it.
During use, the tool can be stalled but
immediately shuts off. Turning the switch off
and waiting a second or two makes it
operational again. Dremel has a winner with
this one.
I thank the people who took the time to send
me E-mails after the initial column. It seems
that several out there are building full-scale
airplanes. The crossover knowledge from
modeling to full scale sure makes building
easier. I cannot imagine someone
constructing an airplane without having some
modeling experience.
If there is something you would like
covered in this column, please shoot me an Email.
If you have products you want to have
mentioned, don’t hesitate to contact me. In
the meantime, I will flow with current events
and trends as they become known to me.
The next column will cover the Southwest
Classic, new information on the Futaba
14MZ, and whatever I get from you. I will
also provide a brief update on the RV-7
project. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 118,120,122,124
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 118,120,122,124
118 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
THIS MONTH I will cover events and new
products coming on line. Many are in the
midst of their building seasons and are in
search of new tools to make the job easier and
safer. The first topic this month is one of the
major Soaring events in the world.
Visalia is a small bedroom community in the
Central Valley of California and home to a
contest simply known as “Visalia” to the
Soaring world. Home of one of the largest
model contests in the United States, Visalia is
a contest, an event, a Soaring nirvana, and the
must-attend gathering of the year.
October 2-3, 2004, the Central Valley
Radio Control club (CVRC) put on the 31st
edition of the Fall Soaring Festival. A total of
257 pilots posted scores, with 175 in Open, 12
in Two-Meter, 60 in RES (Rudder-Elevator-
Spoiler), and 10 in the Youth class.
The shape of the Dremel Moto-Tool has
been changed. It’s nice to hold but is
incompatible with other accessories.
Shown is the nerve center of the CVRC Fall Soaring Festival in Visalia, California.
Beyond the barn is the launch area; to the right is the landing area.
This is a small portion of the vendor and contestant area at Visalia.
In addition to the contest, many vendors
take part in a miniature trade show. From
Electrics to Soaring goodies, almost anything
you need to sustain the habit for a while is
available. The vendor space is a great
common area to renew friendships and visit
with those you only get to see once a year.
Even the infamous Gordy Stahl is there each
year, spreading his philosophy and manning
the Volz servo booth.
Motor homes abound, with many arriving
as much as a week early to get prime parking
spots. Some of these vehicles become
minicompounds, with food and drink
available to anyone who walks by.
The CVRC has this fine-tuned contest
down to a science. Everything runs smoothly
and efficiently. Seven total rounds of thermal
precision duration are flown, with four rounds
Saturday and three rounds Sunday. Four
winches are used and kept busy both days.
With 257 pilots flying seven rounds, and a
few relaunches, more than 1,900 launches
take place. This is an incredible number, with
very few problems.
Even with Saturday’s rounds, the contest
ends at roughly 3 p.m., which leaves plenty
of time for a Hand Launch contest and Slow
Stik combat. Sunday features the great
raffle. Activities conclude at approximately
3 p.m., allowing those who must travel to
get an early start.
Top honors in Open at this contest went
to Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kindrick. The finishing order in Two-Meter
was Edgar Vera, Bobby McGowan, and
Daryl Perkins. The RES class was headed
up by Joe Wurts, Joe Nave, and John
Erickson. In the Youth class, the order was
Cody Remington, Casey Adamczyk, and
Manny Gomez. Overall top honors went to
Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kendrick.
Mark your calendars for the first full
weekend in October. Visalia is an event to
attend. You will not be disappointed and
will definitely put this contest on the top of
your list.
The AMA Convention was held January 9-11
in Ontario, California. This was the second
year at the new venue. Attendance was up, in
part because of the relentless rain that kept
people from the flying fields, I’m sure.
Pure Soaring-type businesses have
diminished throughout the years. I can
remember that in the peak years of the event
there were 20 or more Soaring-related vendors
in attendance. This year only two booths had
thermal aircraft—Hobby Club and Soaring
Specialties—and those were imported models.
I think it is sad that the fiberglass-bagged
sailplanes are the exception and not the rule. It
seems as though everything is going the way
of the molded models that are imported from a
variety of sources. I guess that is just the
reality of the financial situation for the
industry.
Without question, the item that generated
the most interest was the new Futaba 14MZ
radio. It has 14 channels, is all digital, and all
with 2048 resolution. This is twice the
resolution that is currently available on the 9Z.
The 14MZ has two separate internal
One of two screens for selecting wing types on the Futaba 14MZ.
The second screen covers flying-wing aircraft.
This is the opening screen on the 14MZ. You can upload a .jpg
picture of your airplane for selection.
processors for maximum efficiency and
reliability. A custom Futaba processor directs
all functions dedicated to flight control. Input
for general operating tasks, such as setup and
programming, is processed by Microsoft
Windows CE.
The HVGA screen features crystal-clear
640 x 240-pixel resolution. It uses
transflective technology (layered transparent
and reflecting surfaces) in addition to
adjustable backlighting and contrast for easy
visibility—even in direct sunlight.
Navigation is either by a touch screen or a
navigation wheel.
The radio is synthesized with a unique
system for selecting the frequency. Each
receiver has a specific code number. Going to
a screen in the menu, the code for that
receiver is entered. (Two receivers per model
can be entered.) Then the transmitter and
receiver can “talk” to each other. Another
screen allows the frequency to be selected.
Once it’s chosen, the receiver automatically
changes to that frequency.
Other features that fall into the “cool”
category include Lithium batteries, a compact
Flash Card for entering pictures of your
models for selection, and audio files. For
sailplanes, an audible countdown timer can
be entered with prompts for landing
preparation. For the aerobatic fliers, the
sequences can be recorded and played back
when prompted. This is a great feature for
practice.
There is not enough space here to go into
all of the 14MZ’s great features. For
sailplanes the software is incredible. As can
be seen in the photo, virtually every wing
type is provided. The screen shown is one of
two for the wing types. The first screen
covers nearly every possible configuration of
a Thermal Duration sailplane. The second
screen covers flying-wing type aircraft. Once
the wing type is selected, a screen appears to
allow you to select the tail type.
The system is extremely easy to program.
I played with it for approximately 30 minutes
and was able to go through all of the steps
necessary to program a typical Thermal
Duration glider. Additionally, I reviewed the
aerobatic menus, and everything was easy to
find and program. I did all of this without the
aid of a manual.
I hope to have my system and have some
experience with it by the time this is printed.
Further preliminary information is available
at www.14mz.com.
Everyone needs the appropriate tools to
make construction tasks easier and safer. The
cornerstone of my supply is the Dremel
Moto-Tool. I keep two available at all times,
each chucked with a different-size collet.
Through the years I have owned a couple
of the battery-operated Dremels and have had
less-than-favorable results using them. That
has changed. Dremel has joined the Lithiumbattery
trend and now offers a 10.8-volt tool
that comes extremely close to the service
ability of the plug-in version.
I purchased one of the 10.8-volt Dremels
at the AMA show and charged it when I
arrived home, before I unpacked. The next
day I put it to work and found that it is just
the ticket for almost every modeling task.
The maximum rpm is 10,000, and, as I
noted, it is close to the performance of the
standard tool. The downside to the Lithium
unit is that it does not fit into other Dremel
accessories; e.g., the router attachment and
drill press. The new tool has an oval shape
that fits the hand nicely. I can’t figure out
why it is not made to be functional with
existing attachments. I will follow up with
Dremel and report back.
The tool has a three-light indicator for
battery status. The Dremel representative
recommended charging after one light drops
off. I used the tool extensively and forgot that
it was powered by a battery because of the
power and long life on a charge. When I
noticed it was down to two lights, I charged
it.
During use, the tool can be stalled but
immediately shuts off. Turning the switch off
and waiting a second or two makes it
operational again. Dremel has a winner with
this one.
I thank the people who took the time to send
me E-mails after the initial column. It seems
that several out there are building full-scale
airplanes. The crossover knowledge from
modeling to full scale sure makes building
easier. I cannot imagine someone
constructing an airplane without having some
modeling experience.
If there is something you would like
covered in this column, please shoot me an Email.
If you have products you want to have
mentioned, don’t hesitate to contact me. In
the meantime, I will flow with current events
and trends as they become known to me.
The next column will cover the Southwest
Classic, new information on the Futaba
14MZ, and whatever I get from you. I will
also provide a brief update on the RV-7
project. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 118,120,122,124
118 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
THIS MONTH I will cover events and new
products coming on line. Many are in the
midst of their building seasons and are in
search of new tools to make the job easier and
safer. The first topic this month is one of the
major Soaring events in the world.
Visalia is a small bedroom community in the
Central Valley of California and home to a
contest simply known as “Visalia” to the
Soaring world. Home of one of the largest
model contests in the United States, Visalia is
a contest, an event, a Soaring nirvana, and the
must-attend gathering of the year.
October 2-3, 2004, the Central Valley
Radio Control club (CVRC) put on the 31st
edition of the Fall Soaring Festival. A total of
257 pilots posted scores, with 175 in Open, 12
in Two-Meter, 60 in RES (Rudder-Elevator-
Spoiler), and 10 in the Youth class.
The shape of the Dremel Moto-Tool has
been changed. It’s nice to hold but is
incompatible with other accessories.
Shown is the nerve center of the CVRC Fall Soaring Festival in Visalia, California.
Beyond the barn is the launch area; to the right is the landing area.
This is a small portion of the vendor and contestant area at Visalia.
In addition to the contest, many vendors
take part in a miniature trade show. From
Electrics to Soaring goodies, almost anything
you need to sustain the habit for a while is
available. The vendor space is a great
common area to renew friendships and visit
with those you only get to see once a year.
Even the infamous Gordy Stahl is there each
year, spreading his philosophy and manning
the Volz servo booth.
Motor homes abound, with many arriving
as much as a week early to get prime parking
spots. Some of these vehicles become
minicompounds, with food and drink
available to anyone who walks by.
The CVRC has this fine-tuned contest
down to a science. Everything runs smoothly
and efficiently. Seven total rounds of thermal
precision duration are flown, with four rounds
Saturday and three rounds Sunday. Four
winches are used and kept busy both days.
With 257 pilots flying seven rounds, and a
few relaunches, more than 1,900 launches
take place. This is an incredible number, with
very few problems.
Even with Saturday’s rounds, the contest
ends at roughly 3 p.m., which leaves plenty
of time for a Hand Launch contest and Slow
Stik combat. Sunday features the great
raffle. Activities conclude at approximately
3 p.m., allowing those who must travel to
get an early start.
Top honors in Open at this contest went
to Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kindrick. The finishing order in Two-Meter
was Edgar Vera, Bobby McGowan, and
Daryl Perkins. The RES class was headed
up by Joe Wurts, Joe Nave, and John
Erickson. In the Youth class, the order was
Cody Remington, Casey Adamczyk, and
Manny Gomez. Overall top honors went to
Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kendrick.
Mark your calendars for the first full
weekend in October. Visalia is an event to
attend. You will not be disappointed and
will definitely put this contest on the top of
your list.
The AMA Convention was held January 9-11
in Ontario, California. This was the second
year at the new venue. Attendance was up, in
part because of the relentless rain that kept
people from the flying fields, I’m sure.
Pure Soaring-type businesses have
diminished throughout the years. I can
remember that in the peak years of the event
there were 20 or more Soaring-related vendors
in attendance. This year only two booths had
thermal aircraft—Hobby Club and Soaring
Specialties—and those were imported models.
I think it is sad that the fiberglass-bagged
sailplanes are the exception and not the rule. It
seems as though everything is going the way
of the molded models that are imported from a
variety of sources. I guess that is just the
reality of the financial situation for the
industry.
Without question, the item that generated
the most interest was the new Futaba 14MZ
radio. It has 14 channels, is all digital, and all
with 2048 resolution. This is twice the
resolution that is currently available on the 9Z.
The 14MZ has two separate internal
One of two screens for selecting wing types on the Futaba 14MZ.
The second screen covers flying-wing aircraft.
This is the opening screen on the 14MZ. You can upload a .jpg
picture of your airplane for selection.
processors for maximum efficiency and
reliability. A custom Futaba processor directs
all functions dedicated to flight control. Input
for general operating tasks, such as setup and
programming, is processed by Microsoft
Windows CE.
The HVGA screen features crystal-clear
640 x 240-pixel resolution. It uses
transflective technology (layered transparent
and reflecting surfaces) in addition to
adjustable backlighting and contrast for easy
visibility—even in direct sunlight.
Navigation is either by a touch screen or a
navigation wheel.
The radio is synthesized with a unique
system for selecting the frequency. Each
receiver has a specific code number. Going to
a screen in the menu, the code for that
receiver is entered. (Two receivers per model
can be entered.) Then the transmitter and
receiver can “talk” to each other. Another
screen allows the frequency to be selected.
Once it’s chosen, the receiver automatically
changes to that frequency.
Other features that fall into the “cool”
category include Lithium batteries, a compact
Flash Card for entering pictures of your
models for selection, and audio files. For
sailplanes, an audible countdown timer can
be entered with prompts for landing
preparation. For the aerobatic fliers, the
sequences can be recorded and played back
when prompted. This is a great feature for
practice.
There is not enough space here to go into
all of the 14MZ’s great features. For
sailplanes the software is incredible. As can
be seen in the photo, virtually every wing
type is provided. The screen shown is one of
two for the wing types. The first screen
covers nearly every possible configuration of
a Thermal Duration sailplane. The second
screen covers flying-wing type aircraft. Once
the wing type is selected, a screen appears to
allow you to select the tail type.
The system is extremely easy to program.
I played with it for approximately 30 minutes
and was able to go through all of the steps
necessary to program a typical Thermal
Duration glider. Additionally, I reviewed the
aerobatic menus, and everything was easy to
find and program. I did all of this without the
aid of a manual.
I hope to have my system and have some
experience with it by the time this is printed.
Further preliminary information is available
at www.14mz.com.
Everyone needs the appropriate tools to
make construction tasks easier and safer. The
cornerstone of my supply is the Dremel
Moto-Tool. I keep two available at all times,
each chucked with a different-size collet.
Through the years I have owned a couple
of the battery-operated Dremels and have had
less-than-favorable results using them. That
has changed. Dremel has joined the Lithiumbattery
trend and now offers a 10.8-volt tool
that comes extremely close to the service
ability of the plug-in version.
I purchased one of the 10.8-volt Dremels
at the AMA show and charged it when I
arrived home, before I unpacked. The next
day I put it to work and found that it is just
the ticket for almost every modeling task.
The maximum rpm is 10,000, and, as I
noted, it is close to the performance of the
standard tool. The downside to the Lithium
unit is that it does not fit into other Dremel
accessories; e.g., the router attachment and
drill press. The new tool has an oval shape
that fits the hand nicely. I can’t figure out
why it is not made to be functional with
existing attachments. I will follow up with
Dremel and report back.
The tool has a three-light indicator for
battery status. The Dremel representative
recommended charging after one light drops
off. I used the tool extensively and forgot that
it was powered by a battery because of the
power and long life on a charge. When I
noticed it was down to two lights, I charged
it.
During use, the tool can be stalled but
immediately shuts off. Turning the switch off
and waiting a second or two makes it
operational again. Dremel has a winner with
this one.
I thank the people who took the time to send
me E-mails after the initial column. It seems
that several out there are building full-scale
airplanes. The crossover knowledge from
modeling to full scale sure makes building
easier. I cannot imagine someone
constructing an airplane without having some
modeling experience.
If there is something you would like
covered in this column, please shoot me an Email.
If you have products you want to have
mentioned, don’t hesitate to contact me. In
the meantime, I will flow with current events
and trends as they become known to me.
The next column will cover the Southwest
Classic, new information on the Futaba
14MZ, and whatever I get from you. I will
also provide a brief update on the RV-7
project. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 118,120,122,124
118 MODEL AVIATION
Darwin Barrie, 4316 W. Rickenbacker Way, Chandler AZ 85226; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SOARING
THIS MONTH I will cover events and new
products coming on line. Many are in the
midst of their building seasons and are in
search of new tools to make the job easier and
safer. The first topic this month is one of the
major Soaring events in the world.
Visalia is a small bedroom community in the
Central Valley of California and home to a
contest simply known as “Visalia” to the
Soaring world. Home of one of the largest
model contests in the United States, Visalia is
a contest, an event, a Soaring nirvana, and the
must-attend gathering of the year.
October 2-3, 2004, the Central Valley
Radio Control club (CVRC) put on the 31st
edition of the Fall Soaring Festival. A total of
257 pilots posted scores, with 175 in Open, 12
in Two-Meter, 60 in RES (Rudder-Elevator-
Spoiler), and 10 in the Youth class.
The shape of the Dremel Moto-Tool has
been changed. It’s nice to hold but is
incompatible with other accessories.
Shown is the nerve center of the CVRC Fall Soaring Festival in Visalia, California.
Beyond the barn is the launch area; to the right is the landing area.
This is a small portion of the vendor and contestant area at Visalia.
In addition to the contest, many vendors
take part in a miniature trade show. From
Electrics to Soaring goodies, almost anything
you need to sustain the habit for a while is
available. The vendor space is a great
common area to renew friendships and visit
with those you only get to see once a year.
Even the infamous Gordy Stahl is there each
year, spreading his philosophy and manning
the Volz servo booth.
Motor homes abound, with many arriving
as much as a week early to get prime parking
spots. Some of these vehicles become
minicompounds, with food and drink
available to anyone who walks by.
The CVRC has this fine-tuned contest
down to a science. Everything runs smoothly
and efficiently. Seven total rounds of thermal
precision duration are flown, with four rounds
Saturday and three rounds Sunday. Four
winches are used and kept busy both days.
With 257 pilots flying seven rounds, and a
few relaunches, more than 1,900 launches
take place. This is an incredible number, with
very few problems.
Even with Saturday’s rounds, the contest
ends at roughly 3 p.m., which leaves plenty
of time for a Hand Launch contest and Slow
Stik combat. Sunday features the great
raffle. Activities conclude at approximately
3 p.m., allowing those who must travel to
get an early start.
Top honors in Open at this contest went
to Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kindrick. The finishing order in Two-Meter
was Edgar Vera, Bobby McGowan, and
Daryl Perkins. The RES class was headed
up by Joe Wurts, Joe Nave, and John
Erickson. In the Youth class, the order was
Cody Remington, Casey Adamczyk, and
Manny Gomez. Overall top honors went to
Larry Jolly, Daryl Perkins, and Keith
Kendrick.
Mark your calendars for the first full
weekend in October. Visalia is an event to
attend. You will not be disappointed and
will definitely put this contest on the top of
your list.
The AMA Convention was held January 9-11
in Ontario, California. This was the second
year at the new venue. Attendance was up, in
part because of the relentless rain that kept
people from the flying fields, I’m sure.
Pure Soaring-type businesses have
diminished throughout the years. I can
remember that in the peak years of the event
there were 20 or more Soaring-related vendors
in attendance. This year only two booths had
thermal aircraft—Hobby Club and Soaring
Specialties—and those were imported models.
I think it is sad that the fiberglass-bagged
sailplanes are the exception and not the rule. It
seems as though everything is going the way
of the molded models that are imported from a
variety of sources. I guess that is just the
reality of the financial situation for the
industry.
Without question, the item that generated
the most interest was the new Futaba 14MZ
radio. It has 14 channels, is all digital, and all
with 2048 resolution. This is twice the
resolution that is currently available on the 9Z.
The 14MZ has two separate internal
One of two screens for selecting wing types on the Futaba 14MZ.
The second screen covers flying-wing aircraft.
This is the opening screen on the 14MZ. You can upload a .jpg
picture of your airplane for selection.
processors for maximum efficiency and
reliability. A custom Futaba processor directs
all functions dedicated to flight control. Input
for general operating tasks, such as setup and
programming, is processed by Microsoft
Windows CE.
The HVGA screen features crystal-clear
640 x 240-pixel resolution. It uses
transflective technology (layered transparent
and reflecting surfaces) in addition to
adjustable backlighting and contrast for easy
visibility—even in direct sunlight.
Navigation is either by a touch screen or a
navigation wheel.
The radio is synthesized with a unique
system for selecting the frequency. Each
receiver has a specific code number. Going to
a screen in the menu, the code for that
receiver is entered. (Two receivers per model
can be entered.) Then the transmitter and
receiver can “talk” to each other. Another
screen allows the frequency to be selected.
Once it’s chosen, the receiver automatically
changes to that frequency.
Other features that fall into the “cool”
category include Lithium batteries, a compact
Flash Card for entering pictures of your
models for selection, and audio files. For
sailplanes, an audible countdown timer can
be entered with prompts for landing
preparation. For the aerobatic fliers, the
sequences can be recorded and played back
when prompted. This is a great feature for
practice.
There is not enough space here to go into
all of the 14MZ’s great features. For
sailplanes the software is incredible. As can
be seen in the photo, virtually every wing
type is provided. The screen shown is one of
two for the wing types. The first screen
covers nearly every possible configuration of
a Thermal Duration sailplane. The second
screen covers flying-wing type aircraft. Once
the wing type is selected, a screen appears to
allow you to select the tail type.
The system is extremely easy to program.
I played with it for approximately 30 minutes
and was able to go through all of the steps
necessary to program a typical Thermal
Duration glider. Additionally, I reviewed the
aerobatic menus, and everything was easy to
find and program. I did all of this without the
aid of a manual.
I hope to have my system and have some
experience with it by the time this is printed.
Further preliminary information is available
at www.14mz.com.
Everyone needs the appropriate tools to
make construction tasks easier and safer. The
cornerstone of my supply is the Dremel
Moto-Tool. I keep two available at all times,
each chucked with a different-size collet.
Through the years I have owned a couple
of the battery-operated Dremels and have had
less-than-favorable results using them. That
has changed. Dremel has joined the Lithiumbattery
trend and now offers a 10.8-volt tool
that comes extremely close to the service
ability of the plug-in version.
I purchased one of the 10.8-volt Dremels
at the AMA show and charged it when I
arrived home, before I unpacked. The next
day I put it to work and found that it is just
the ticket for almost every modeling task.
The maximum rpm is 10,000, and, as I
noted, it is close to the performance of the
standard tool. The downside to the Lithium
unit is that it does not fit into other Dremel
accessories; e.g., the router attachment and
drill press. The new tool has an oval shape
that fits the hand nicely. I can’t figure out
why it is not made to be functional with
existing attachments. I will follow up with
Dremel and report back.
The tool has a three-light indicator for
battery status. The Dremel representative
recommended charging after one light drops
off. I used the tool extensively and forgot that
it was powered by a battery because of the
power and long life on a charge. When I
noticed it was down to two lights, I charged
it.
During use, the tool can be stalled but
immediately shuts off. Turning the switch off
and waiting a second or two makes it
operational again. Dremel has a winner with
this one.
I thank the people who took the time to send
me E-mails after the initial column. It seems
that several out there are building full-scale
airplanes. The crossover knowledge from
modeling to full scale sure makes building
easier. I cannot imagine someone
constructing an airplane without having some
modeling experience.
If there is something you would like
covered in this column, please shoot me an Email.
If you have products you want to have
mentioned, don’t hesitate to contact me. In
the meantime, I will flow with current events
and trends as they become known to me.
The next column will cover the Southwest
Classic, new information on the Futaba
14MZ, and whatever I get from you. I will
also provide a brief update on the RV-7
project. MA