Aero Mail continued on page 153
July 2008 7
It’s a Two-Piece Golden Era
In the May 2008 issue, on page 21 the caption
reads that the wing is one-piece. It looks on the plan
that since it has a center loaded carbon fiber spar
tube that the wing could be built to split in two.
This would make transportation and storage much
more convenient. What do you think?
Roth Heyes
via E-mail
Good call; must have been an editorial glitch.
You will note that the construction article reads, “It
is not necessary to cement the wing halves together.
It is much easier to
store and transport
two separate wing
halves. The
mounting pegs and
nylon bolts will align and secure the wings to the
fuselage, and the spar is more than strong enough to
prevent them from folding.”
Yes, the composite spar is permanently attached
only to the right wing. The builder can just slide them
together at the field and bolt them to the fuselage as usual. The two pegs and the bolts
easily secure them.
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
That Model Looks a Lot Like ...
Mr. Fred Randall, referring to your Golden Era 60 in the new Model Aviation: Its
“lines” do not appeal to me, perhaps because I built a Victor Stanzel Baby Shark CL
model back in the 40s and liked its slimmer lines better.
But aside from that, your drafting of this model on ModelCad3000 is about the
best I have ever seen. Were I to make a guess, I would say that you are an old time
draftsman, with all the skills of yester-year plying them with new technology. And I
would definitely rule out 20 year old whiz kids. Am I even close?
As good as you are I still have my own failings to comprehend. That leaves me
with a question: On plate 2, top view of the stabilizer/elevator, what is the faint
center-line depicting just aft of the separation line between them? It could be the
center line of the hinge line ... but no other views indicate the method of hinging.
Again my thanks for doing such a superior job of drafting!
Charles H. “Jerry” Burk
Arlington, Texas
You are not going to believe this; I also built a Stanzel Baby Shark! The kit
consisted mostly of sheets and blocks of balsa, a real “do it yourself” project. The
Stanzel Tiger Shark kit is still available.
Go to this site: http://kirn.hypermart.net/dale04.htm. About halfway down you will
see a Baby Shark (and other Stanzel models). A real nostalgia trip!
Thank you for your kind words about my drafting. I am not now, and never have
been a “draftsman.” I have drawn lots of architectural drawings for myself for house
additions and the like, and I have designed planes as far back as 1941. My job during
my working years involved electronics, and I did many schematic drawings.
I love drawing, and love using CAD programs. My designs all tend to be shaped
the way the GE60 is, because that’s the way I like them. I’ve designed a biplane,
which uses the same fuselage and tail, and is convertible from mono to biplane. It is
seen on the May MA cover in unfinished form, as it was when the cover picture was
taken. It is the nose of the biplane that is sticking into the picture from the left.
In answer to your question, if you are referring to the broken line just aft of the
stabilizer, elevator junction, it is the place where the balsa piece must be beveled to
permit movement after hinging.
It is also on the aileron and the rudder diagrams where I erroneously used a
different type of line. I wish you were around to check the plans out before I
submitted them!
My current project, now in CAD is an RC trainer that is convertible from fuel to electric and back (I guess for people that have a hard
time making decisions). And, no I am
definitely not a 20 year old whiz kid. Thanks
for your letter, and keep ’em flying!
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Futaba 7C 2.4 FASST
Specification Clarification
In our review of the Futaba 7C FASST
radio-control system in the April issue, the
author indicated (in a sidebar) that the system
was best suited for aircraft ranging from 2 to
16 pounds.
That was based on which aircraft the
author felt the receiver and servo package
suited best (because of the receiver
specifications and number of available
channels). It was not meant to indicate that the
system is capable of controlling only models in
that size range.
As with any equipment used in a model, you
must select the size and capabilities that best
match each particular aircraft and pilot’s style
of performance wishes.
The 7C 2.4 GHz FASST transmitter is
capable of controlling any size of model a pilot
wants to fly. The author regrets the confusion
and has tested the transmitter with an indoor
10-ounce foamie and a 27%-scale Aerobatics
model, both with remarkable success.
—MA staff
The Storch and Other Modelers
Just a quick note to say I enjoyed your
[Doug Crumley’s] article on the Fieseler Fi-
156 Storch in the February 2008 Model
Aviation.
I am a third-year sport RC airplane flyer
with a young family. Therefore, I have no time
and resources for this type of scale building.
However, I have a few persons like you in my
local club able to build great, scale airplanes.
It makes it fun to go to the field on the
weekends. Anyway, good luck on your
building and keep up the great work.
Drew Shattuck
Bristow, Virginia
This is to thank you for the well written
article about the Storch kit that you did for the
February ’08 issue of Model Aviation. If you
are not retired it makes me wonder if your
days have more than 24 hours in them?
I have a real appreciation for competitive
events. I know that building scale models will
take up much of the time that most
competitors in other events would use for
practice and competition.
Roy Glenn
Southampton, New Jersey
You don’t know me. I am just an old man
from S.W. Indiana that has been an AMA
member since 1993. I love scale RC but I fly
sport electric, it’s a lot easier and a lot lessforgiving. I always read anything that is in MA
about scale. No matter if it’s RC, control line,
free flight, it makes no difference to me as long
as it’s scale.
Your [Doug Crumley’s] article in the
March 2008 MA [“2007 US Scale Masters
Championships”] is by far the best Scale
competition article I have ever read. To hear
what the competitor is going through was a
wonderful idea, and you really pulled it off.
Again keep up the great work and Keep ’em
Flying!
Jim Block
Evansville, Indiana
Stahlwerk Success Story
Ellis Grumer’s latest plane, the Stahlwerk
from the recent [January 2008] Model
Aviation, was successfully flown by Rick
Hengeveld this spring. Just a touch of down
trim was all it needed. After about two
minutes, Rick was rolling and looping it with
ease at half throttle (a larger than
recommended power plant was used).
Rick was able to slow it down until it
hovered in the light breeze (probably only 5-7
mph). The landing was beautiful—power on,
wheel landing, taxied back to the flight line.
And that’s with a non-steering skid.
Aero Mail
Continued from page 7
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
The tail number 94 3/4 is his age. Ellis
won 1st and 2nd in Scratch-built Sport
category. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a
pile of 3/16 sticks on his workbench
tomorrow night! I hope I can still wield a
knife when I’m his age.
For more information on Ellis and his
Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society flying
club, visit: www.lvrcs.com.
Andy Kunz
via E-mail
As Seen in Model Aviation
My name is Phil Alvirez (aka misspelled
as Phil Alvarez, aka Phil Alvriez). I enjoy
reading Model Aviation and learn a lot from
it. I read every page, and I believe that
many do the same. Here is an example:
When I went to the Toledo Show this
year, I brought with me some photos of my
models, with the purpose of showing to
vendors so they could understand my needs
better. Among them, there was my model
Colibri that Paul Bradley showed in his
Small-Field Flying column of the April
issue of Model Aviation.
To my surprise, when I showed the
photos to one of the vendors, someone in
the crowd said, “That’s the plane in the
magazine!” This happened several times.
Then, when I was showing them to the
owner of Sonic-Tronics, a gentleman that
was with him said, “That’s the Colibri!”
and asked me how I spell it. So I told him,
“Col-eeh-breeh,” with accent on the last
syllable.
If people recognize an airplane, and even
remember its name from an article, it means
that they not only read the magazine, they
re-read it to the point that they memorize it,
although they may not take the time to tell
you so. Paul Bradley’s column is an
example. Keep up the good work!
Phil Alvirez
Windsor, Canada
A Picture of the Future
My wife took this picture of my son Leo
Nordell at our local club field last week. Leo
is 1 year and 7 months old and is mimicking
papa in all he does.
Notice Leo’s membership tag that he finds
very important to wear at the field. Leo is on
his second year as a member of Wintonbury
Flying Club in Bloomfield CT. WFC has
recently been appointed as a Gold Leader
Club and we hope our son will learn and
enjoy flying at WFC as much as his father
does.
We hope that by sharing this picture with
all AMA members that it will show that the
next generation enjoys flying as much as
we do, with a little encouragement.
Ola Nordell
via E-mail
Words From a Survey Prize Winner
Wow, thank you for MA magazine. It is
utterly fantastic; without question the best
available in the arena. I subscribe to a
number of the “trade rags” to find out about
new products and see neat pictures—but the
only reviews I trust are from MA.
I have asked myself more than once, “If
their product is so great, why haven’t I seen
it in MA? I think I’ll hold back on that
purchase for a little while.”
I would also like to sincerely thank you
for two truly admirable aspects of MA: one,
you cover civic duty/charitable activities
frequently and with genuine respect.
Ignorance of civic duty is (in my opinion) a
dangerous problem in America today.
And two, you cover older (and
sometimes passed) people who might
otherwise be overlooked. Just because their
heyday may be behind them does not mean
they should be ignored.
MA is a magazine of the very highest
caliber. I am honored to have participated in
your survey and done my part to make it
just that much better. Bravo, and thanks
again!
Geogrey Sides
via E-mail
Frequently Given Kudos
I want to thank Bob Aberle and the
Model Aviation staff for your Frequently
Asked Questions column in the May issue.
On page 81 there is a picture of clothespin
clamps. I followed the picture using
Gorilla Glue to fasten them and my
problem was solved.
At 75 and three strokes my left hand
shakes randomly when I try and do
something delicate. It is important to me
that you know how much your picture has
helped. Again thank you!
George Ralph
via E-mail
Horsepower Definition
I enjoyed Lee Estingoy’s article on the
Supras [“The E-Soaring Advantage” in the
May issue] but the definition of 1
Horsepower is not correct. When I went to
school, it took only 745.7 watts (rounded
to 746 watts). At least that was 60 years
ago. Maybe they have changed it by now.
Bill English
via E-mail
For the sake of speed, many experts
round up to 750, as Lee did. In our case,
we goofed and saw the one number for the
wrong one and printed 756. We sincerely
regret the error. MA
—MA staff
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 7,153,155
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 7,153,155
Aero Mail continued on page 153
July 2008 7
It’s a Two-Piece Golden Era
In the May 2008 issue, on page 21 the caption
reads that the wing is one-piece. It looks on the plan
that since it has a center loaded carbon fiber spar
tube that the wing could be built to split in two.
This would make transportation and storage much
more convenient. What do you think?
Roth Heyes
via E-mail
Good call; must have been an editorial glitch.
You will note that the construction article reads, “It
is not necessary to cement the wing halves together.
It is much easier to
store and transport
two separate wing
halves. The
mounting pegs and
nylon bolts will align and secure the wings to the
fuselage, and the spar is more than strong enough to
prevent them from folding.”
Yes, the composite spar is permanently attached
only to the right wing. The builder can just slide them
together at the field and bolt them to the fuselage as usual. The two pegs and the bolts
easily secure them.
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
That Model Looks a Lot Like ...
Mr. Fred Randall, referring to your Golden Era 60 in the new Model Aviation: Its
“lines” do not appeal to me, perhaps because I built a Victor Stanzel Baby Shark CL
model back in the 40s and liked its slimmer lines better.
But aside from that, your drafting of this model on ModelCad3000 is about the
best I have ever seen. Were I to make a guess, I would say that you are an old time
draftsman, with all the skills of yester-year plying them with new technology. And I
would definitely rule out 20 year old whiz kids. Am I even close?
As good as you are I still have my own failings to comprehend. That leaves me
with a question: On plate 2, top view of the stabilizer/elevator, what is the faint
center-line depicting just aft of the separation line between them? It could be the
center line of the hinge line ... but no other views indicate the method of hinging.
Again my thanks for doing such a superior job of drafting!
Charles H. “Jerry” Burk
Arlington, Texas
You are not going to believe this; I also built a Stanzel Baby Shark! The kit
consisted mostly of sheets and blocks of balsa, a real “do it yourself” project. The
Stanzel Tiger Shark kit is still available.
Go to this site: http://kirn.hypermart.net/dale04.htm. About halfway down you will
see a Baby Shark (and other Stanzel models). A real nostalgia trip!
Thank you for your kind words about my drafting. I am not now, and never have
been a “draftsman.” I have drawn lots of architectural drawings for myself for house
additions and the like, and I have designed planes as far back as 1941. My job during
my working years involved electronics, and I did many schematic drawings.
I love drawing, and love using CAD programs. My designs all tend to be shaped
the way the GE60 is, because that’s the way I like them. I’ve designed a biplane,
which uses the same fuselage and tail, and is convertible from mono to biplane. It is
seen on the May MA cover in unfinished form, as it was when the cover picture was
taken. It is the nose of the biplane that is sticking into the picture from the left.
In answer to your question, if you are referring to the broken line just aft of the
stabilizer, elevator junction, it is the place where the balsa piece must be beveled to
permit movement after hinging.
It is also on the aileron and the rudder diagrams where I erroneously used a
different type of line. I wish you were around to check the plans out before I
submitted them!
My current project, now in CAD is an RC trainer that is convertible from fuel to electric and back (I guess for people that have a hard
time making decisions). And, no I am
definitely not a 20 year old whiz kid. Thanks
for your letter, and keep ’em flying!
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Futaba 7C 2.4 FASST
Specification Clarification
In our review of the Futaba 7C FASST
radio-control system in the April issue, the
author indicated (in a sidebar) that the system
was best suited for aircraft ranging from 2 to
16 pounds.
That was based on which aircraft the
author felt the receiver and servo package
suited best (because of the receiver
specifications and number of available
channels). It was not meant to indicate that the
system is capable of controlling only models in
that size range.
As with any equipment used in a model, you
must select the size and capabilities that best
match each particular aircraft and pilot’s style
of performance wishes.
The 7C 2.4 GHz FASST transmitter is
capable of controlling any size of model a pilot
wants to fly. The author regrets the confusion
and has tested the transmitter with an indoor
10-ounce foamie and a 27%-scale Aerobatics
model, both with remarkable success.
—MA staff
The Storch and Other Modelers
Just a quick note to say I enjoyed your
[Doug Crumley’s] article on the Fieseler Fi-
156 Storch in the February 2008 Model
Aviation.
I am a third-year sport RC airplane flyer
with a young family. Therefore, I have no time
and resources for this type of scale building.
However, I have a few persons like you in my
local club able to build great, scale airplanes.
It makes it fun to go to the field on the
weekends. Anyway, good luck on your
building and keep up the great work.
Drew Shattuck
Bristow, Virginia
This is to thank you for the well written
article about the Storch kit that you did for the
February ’08 issue of Model Aviation. If you
are not retired it makes me wonder if your
days have more than 24 hours in them?
I have a real appreciation for competitive
events. I know that building scale models will
take up much of the time that most
competitors in other events would use for
practice and competition.
Roy Glenn
Southampton, New Jersey
You don’t know me. I am just an old man
from S.W. Indiana that has been an AMA
member since 1993. I love scale RC but I fly
sport electric, it’s a lot easier and a lot lessforgiving. I always read anything that is in MA
about scale. No matter if it’s RC, control line,
free flight, it makes no difference to me as long
as it’s scale.
Your [Doug Crumley’s] article in the
March 2008 MA [“2007 US Scale Masters
Championships”] is by far the best Scale
competition article I have ever read. To hear
what the competitor is going through was a
wonderful idea, and you really pulled it off.
Again keep up the great work and Keep ’em
Flying!
Jim Block
Evansville, Indiana
Stahlwerk Success Story
Ellis Grumer’s latest plane, the Stahlwerk
from the recent [January 2008] Model
Aviation, was successfully flown by Rick
Hengeveld this spring. Just a touch of down
trim was all it needed. After about two
minutes, Rick was rolling and looping it with
ease at half throttle (a larger than
recommended power plant was used).
Rick was able to slow it down until it
hovered in the light breeze (probably only 5-7
mph). The landing was beautiful—power on,
wheel landing, taxied back to the flight line.
And that’s with a non-steering skid.
Aero Mail
Continued from page 7
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
The tail number 94 3/4 is his age. Ellis
won 1st and 2nd in Scratch-built Sport
category. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a
pile of 3/16 sticks on his workbench
tomorrow night! I hope I can still wield a
knife when I’m his age.
For more information on Ellis and his
Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society flying
club, visit: www.lvrcs.com.
Andy Kunz
via E-mail
As Seen in Model Aviation
My name is Phil Alvirez (aka misspelled
as Phil Alvarez, aka Phil Alvriez). I enjoy
reading Model Aviation and learn a lot from
it. I read every page, and I believe that
many do the same. Here is an example:
When I went to the Toledo Show this
year, I brought with me some photos of my
models, with the purpose of showing to
vendors so they could understand my needs
better. Among them, there was my model
Colibri that Paul Bradley showed in his
Small-Field Flying column of the April
issue of Model Aviation.
To my surprise, when I showed the
photos to one of the vendors, someone in
the crowd said, “That’s the plane in the
magazine!” This happened several times.
Then, when I was showing them to the
owner of Sonic-Tronics, a gentleman that
was with him said, “That’s the Colibri!”
and asked me how I spell it. So I told him,
“Col-eeh-breeh,” with accent on the last
syllable.
If people recognize an airplane, and even
remember its name from an article, it means
that they not only read the magazine, they
re-read it to the point that they memorize it,
although they may not take the time to tell
you so. Paul Bradley’s column is an
example. Keep up the good work!
Phil Alvirez
Windsor, Canada
A Picture of the Future
My wife took this picture of my son Leo
Nordell at our local club field last week. Leo
is 1 year and 7 months old and is mimicking
papa in all he does.
Notice Leo’s membership tag that he finds
very important to wear at the field. Leo is on
his second year as a member of Wintonbury
Flying Club in Bloomfield CT. WFC has
recently been appointed as a Gold Leader
Club and we hope our son will learn and
enjoy flying at WFC as much as his father
does.
We hope that by sharing this picture with
all AMA members that it will show that the
next generation enjoys flying as much as
we do, with a little encouragement.
Ola Nordell
via E-mail
Words From a Survey Prize Winner
Wow, thank you for MA magazine. It is
utterly fantastic; without question the best
available in the arena. I subscribe to a
number of the “trade rags” to find out about
new products and see neat pictures—but the
only reviews I trust are from MA.
I have asked myself more than once, “If
their product is so great, why haven’t I seen
it in MA? I think I’ll hold back on that
purchase for a little while.”
I would also like to sincerely thank you
for two truly admirable aspects of MA: one,
you cover civic duty/charitable activities
frequently and with genuine respect.
Ignorance of civic duty is (in my opinion) a
dangerous problem in America today.
And two, you cover older (and
sometimes passed) people who might
otherwise be overlooked. Just because their
heyday may be behind them does not mean
they should be ignored.
MA is a magazine of the very highest
caliber. I am honored to have participated in
your survey and done my part to make it
just that much better. Bravo, and thanks
again!
Geogrey Sides
via E-mail
Frequently Given Kudos
I want to thank Bob Aberle and the
Model Aviation staff for your Frequently
Asked Questions column in the May issue.
On page 81 there is a picture of clothespin
clamps. I followed the picture using
Gorilla Glue to fasten them and my
problem was solved.
At 75 and three strokes my left hand
shakes randomly when I try and do
something delicate. It is important to me
that you know how much your picture has
helped. Again thank you!
George Ralph
via E-mail
Horsepower Definition
I enjoyed Lee Estingoy’s article on the
Supras [“The E-Soaring Advantage” in the
May issue] but the definition of 1
Horsepower is not correct. When I went to
school, it took only 745.7 watts (rounded
to 746 watts). At least that was 60 years
ago. Maybe they have changed it by now.
Bill English
via E-mail
For the sake of speed, many experts
round up to 750, as Lee did. In our case,
we goofed and saw the one number for the
wrong one and printed 756. We sincerely
regret the error. MA
—MA staff
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 7,153,155
Aero Mail continued on page 153
July 2008 7
It’s a Two-Piece Golden Era
In the May 2008 issue, on page 21 the caption
reads that the wing is one-piece. It looks on the plan
that since it has a center loaded carbon fiber spar
tube that the wing could be built to split in two.
This would make transportation and storage much
more convenient. What do you think?
Roth Heyes
via E-mail
Good call; must have been an editorial glitch.
You will note that the construction article reads, “It
is not necessary to cement the wing halves together.
It is much easier to
store and transport
two separate wing
halves. The
mounting pegs and
nylon bolts will align and secure the wings to the
fuselage, and the spar is more than strong enough to
prevent them from folding.”
Yes, the composite spar is permanently attached
only to the right wing. The builder can just slide them
together at the field and bolt them to the fuselage as usual. The two pegs and the bolts
easily secure them.
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
That Model Looks a Lot Like ...
Mr. Fred Randall, referring to your Golden Era 60 in the new Model Aviation: Its
“lines” do not appeal to me, perhaps because I built a Victor Stanzel Baby Shark CL
model back in the 40s and liked its slimmer lines better.
But aside from that, your drafting of this model on ModelCad3000 is about the
best I have ever seen. Were I to make a guess, I would say that you are an old time
draftsman, with all the skills of yester-year plying them with new technology. And I
would definitely rule out 20 year old whiz kids. Am I even close?
As good as you are I still have my own failings to comprehend. That leaves me
with a question: On plate 2, top view of the stabilizer/elevator, what is the faint
center-line depicting just aft of the separation line between them? It could be the
center line of the hinge line ... but no other views indicate the method of hinging.
Again my thanks for doing such a superior job of drafting!
Charles H. “Jerry” Burk
Arlington, Texas
You are not going to believe this; I also built a Stanzel Baby Shark! The kit
consisted mostly of sheets and blocks of balsa, a real “do it yourself” project. The
Stanzel Tiger Shark kit is still available.
Go to this site: http://kirn.hypermart.net/dale04.htm. About halfway down you will
see a Baby Shark (and other Stanzel models). A real nostalgia trip!
Thank you for your kind words about my drafting. I am not now, and never have
been a “draftsman.” I have drawn lots of architectural drawings for myself for house
additions and the like, and I have designed planes as far back as 1941. My job during
my working years involved electronics, and I did many schematic drawings.
I love drawing, and love using CAD programs. My designs all tend to be shaped
the way the GE60 is, because that’s the way I like them. I’ve designed a biplane,
which uses the same fuselage and tail, and is convertible from mono to biplane. It is
seen on the May MA cover in unfinished form, as it was when the cover picture was
taken. It is the nose of the biplane that is sticking into the picture from the left.
In answer to your question, if you are referring to the broken line just aft of the
stabilizer, elevator junction, it is the place where the balsa piece must be beveled to
permit movement after hinging.
It is also on the aileron and the rudder diagrams where I erroneously used a
different type of line. I wish you were around to check the plans out before I
submitted them!
My current project, now in CAD is an RC trainer that is convertible from fuel to electric and back (I guess for people that have a hard
time making decisions). And, no I am
definitely not a 20 year old whiz kid. Thanks
for your letter, and keep ’em flying!
Fred Randall
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Futaba 7C 2.4 FASST
Specification Clarification
In our review of the Futaba 7C FASST
radio-control system in the April issue, the
author indicated (in a sidebar) that the system
was best suited for aircraft ranging from 2 to
16 pounds.
That was based on which aircraft the
author felt the receiver and servo package
suited best (because of the receiver
specifications and number of available
channels). It was not meant to indicate that the
system is capable of controlling only models in
that size range.
As with any equipment used in a model, you
must select the size and capabilities that best
match each particular aircraft and pilot’s style
of performance wishes.
The 7C 2.4 GHz FASST transmitter is
capable of controlling any size of model a pilot
wants to fly. The author regrets the confusion
and has tested the transmitter with an indoor
10-ounce foamie and a 27%-scale Aerobatics
model, both with remarkable success.
—MA staff
The Storch and Other Modelers
Just a quick note to say I enjoyed your
[Doug Crumley’s] article on the Fieseler Fi-
156 Storch in the February 2008 Model
Aviation.
I am a third-year sport RC airplane flyer
with a young family. Therefore, I have no time
and resources for this type of scale building.
However, I have a few persons like you in my
local club able to build great, scale airplanes.
It makes it fun to go to the field on the
weekends. Anyway, good luck on your
building and keep up the great work.
Drew Shattuck
Bristow, Virginia
This is to thank you for the well written
article about the Storch kit that you did for the
February ’08 issue of Model Aviation. If you
are not retired it makes me wonder if your
days have more than 24 hours in them?
I have a real appreciation for competitive
events. I know that building scale models will
take up much of the time that most
competitors in other events would use for
practice and competition.
Roy Glenn
Southampton, New Jersey
You don’t know me. I am just an old man
from S.W. Indiana that has been an AMA
member since 1993. I love scale RC but I fly
sport electric, it’s a lot easier and a lot lessforgiving. I always read anything that is in MA
about scale. No matter if it’s RC, control line,
free flight, it makes no difference to me as long
as it’s scale.
Your [Doug Crumley’s] article in the
March 2008 MA [“2007 US Scale Masters
Championships”] is by far the best Scale
competition article I have ever read. To hear
what the competitor is going through was a
wonderful idea, and you really pulled it off.
Again keep up the great work and Keep ’em
Flying!
Jim Block
Evansville, Indiana
Stahlwerk Success Story
Ellis Grumer’s latest plane, the Stahlwerk
from the recent [January 2008] Model
Aviation, was successfully flown by Rick
Hengeveld this spring. Just a touch of down
trim was all it needed. After about two
minutes, Rick was rolling and looping it with
ease at half throttle (a larger than
recommended power plant was used).
Rick was able to slow it down until it
hovered in the light breeze (probably only 5-7
mph). The landing was beautiful—power on,
wheel landing, taxied back to the flight line.
And that’s with a non-steering skid.
Aero Mail
Continued from page 7
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
The tail number 94 3/4 is his age. Ellis
won 1st and 2nd in Scratch-built Sport
category. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a
pile of 3/16 sticks on his workbench
tomorrow night! I hope I can still wield a
knife when I’m his age.
For more information on Ellis and his
Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society flying
club, visit: www.lvrcs.com.
Andy Kunz
via E-mail
As Seen in Model Aviation
My name is Phil Alvirez (aka misspelled
as Phil Alvarez, aka Phil Alvriez). I enjoy
reading Model Aviation and learn a lot from
it. I read every page, and I believe that
many do the same. Here is an example:
When I went to the Toledo Show this
year, I brought with me some photos of my
models, with the purpose of showing to
vendors so they could understand my needs
better. Among them, there was my model
Colibri that Paul Bradley showed in his
Small-Field Flying column of the April
issue of Model Aviation.
To my surprise, when I showed the
photos to one of the vendors, someone in
the crowd said, “That’s the plane in the
magazine!” This happened several times.
Then, when I was showing them to the
owner of Sonic-Tronics, a gentleman that
was with him said, “That’s the Colibri!”
and asked me how I spell it. So I told him,
“Col-eeh-breeh,” with accent on the last
syllable.
If people recognize an airplane, and even
remember its name from an article, it means
that they not only read the magazine, they
re-read it to the point that they memorize it,
although they may not take the time to tell
you so. Paul Bradley’s column is an
example. Keep up the good work!
Phil Alvirez
Windsor, Canada
A Picture of the Future
My wife took this picture of my son Leo
Nordell at our local club field last week. Leo
is 1 year and 7 months old and is mimicking
papa in all he does.
Notice Leo’s membership tag that he finds
very important to wear at the field. Leo is on
his second year as a member of Wintonbury
Flying Club in Bloomfield CT. WFC has
recently been appointed as a Gold Leader
Club and we hope our son will learn and
enjoy flying at WFC as much as his father
does.
We hope that by sharing this picture with
all AMA members that it will show that the
next generation enjoys flying as much as
we do, with a little encouragement.
Ola Nordell
via E-mail
Words From a Survey Prize Winner
Wow, thank you for MA magazine. It is
utterly fantastic; without question the best
available in the arena. I subscribe to a
number of the “trade rags” to find out about
new products and see neat pictures—but the
only reviews I trust are from MA.
I have asked myself more than once, “If
their product is so great, why haven’t I seen
it in MA? I think I’ll hold back on that
purchase for a little while.”
I would also like to sincerely thank you
for two truly admirable aspects of MA: one,
you cover civic duty/charitable activities
frequently and with genuine respect.
Ignorance of civic duty is (in my opinion) a
dangerous problem in America today.
And two, you cover older (and
sometimes passed) people who might
otherwise be overlooked. Just because their
heyday may be behind them does not mean
they should be ignored.
MA is a magazine of the very highest
caliber. I am honored to have participated in
your survey and done my part to make it
just that much better. Bravo, and thanks
again!
Geogrey Sides
via E-mail
Frequently Given Kudos
I want to thank Bob Aberle and the
Model Aviation staff for your Frequently
Asked Questions column in the May issue.
On page 81 there is a picture of clothespin
clamps. I followed the picture using
Gorilla Glue to fasten them and my
problem was solved.
At 75 and three strokes my left hand
shakes randomly when I try and do
something delicate. It is important to me
that you know how much your picture has
helped. Again thank you!
George Ralph
via E-mail
Horsepower Definition
I enjoyed Lee Estingoy’s article on the
Supras [“The E-Soaring Advantage” in the
May issue] but the definition of 1
Horsepower is not correct. When I went to
school, it took only 745.7 watts (rounded
to 746 watts). At least that was 60 years
ago. Maybe they have changed it by now.
Bill English
via E-mail
For the sake of speed, many experts
round up to 750, as Lee did. In our case,
we goofed and saw the one number for the
wrong one and printed 756. We sincerely
regret the error. MA
—MA staff