Aero Mail - 2007/07

Correction
In the section about Jet Catapult Scale in Gene Smith’s May 2007 FF Sport column, a
sentence read, “The scores were in the mid-1970s, so the best flights were roughly 20
seconds.” It should have read that the scores were in the mid-70s.
Our apologies for the error.
—MA staff
It’s About Time!
I just wanted you to know what a wonderful cover picture that was on the April 2007
Model Aviation. The “A Tuskegee Airman Flies Again” story about Col. Alexander
Jefferson was a long overdue tribute.
What a great group of guys and what all they did for our country. I’m just sorry it took
so long to give these guys their due reward. Thank you for running the picture and story.
Steve Phelps
Port Clinton, Ohio
Nice Pitch!
I just finished reading your article on how to
build a pitch gauge [in the May MA]! What a wellwritten
article!
Everything was explained clearly and completely,
and the pictures easily clarified any items that
weren’t totally obvious from the text. I am also a
mechanical engineer and appreciate the science
behind how things work.
While I have no plans to build a pitch gauge, I
just wanted to compliment you on a job very well
done! Both the construction and the writing were
excellent. They both follow the KISS principle
(Keep It Simple, Stupid).
Model Aviation should send a copy of your article
to some of their other contributors as an example of
how to write an article. Don’t ever assume the
reader knows what the author knows!
Gary Rieck
via E-mail
More High-Tech Stuff, Please!
I have started my comment many times but was inspired add my two cents after reading
Don Martin’s well-said remarks regarding what little coverage to RC helicopter members
that your magazine provides.
Your magazine is undoubtedly a great resource for an established group of fixed-wing
fliers (a group which I clearly am not part of), but the hobby has taken off in other
directions of modeling that you seemingly have chosen to ignore.
With all the hype out there today of the high-tech electronics and gadgetry specifically
for the RC helicopter modeler, coupled with the ballooning growth in the numbers (and
investment) of the entire RC helicopter industry, one might assume that a notable magazine
such as Model Aviation would have captured its members’ interest with editorial coverage
long ago.
A member since 1999, I have come to understand the origin of model flying as being
primarily fixed wing, but coverage of this subject is of little interest to me. Come on guys,
get with it please. Your members deserve a broader representation of modeling.
Richard P. Masso
via E-mail
Helicopter School
First I’d like to say how much I’m enjoying the [Mark Fadely] heli column in MA. He’s
doing a great job! Very up to date and in touch with what’s going on in helis today.
In his first column he made the observation that RTF E-helis are bringing young people
into the hobby. Since reading that, I’ve had some experience with that very thing at work.
I’m a junior high school teacher, and somehow word has gotten out around school that
I’m into helicopters. So students have been showing up in my room wanting to talk helis,
fly helis, work on helis, etc.