Aero Mail
Tiger Praise
I have to start out complimenting you on an above-average issue of MA (August 2009). When I saw the cover coming out of my mailbox, I knew it was going to be an exceptional monthly.
The article on Pat Tritle’s 44-inch-span Tiger Moth biplane was exceptional. I recently purchased a short kit from Pat and built a nice, straight-flying biplane with it.
Pat wasn’t kidding when he said it’s a slow, gentle flyer and almost a perfect trainer. Mine was dangerously tail-heavy on the maiden flight, but due to the design and Pat’s clever interlocking, self-jigging structure, the plane flew nicely and was under complete control.
Once I got it on the ground after an anticlimactic landing, I adjusted the CG and was rewarded with an even better second flight, followed by an even nicer landing. The Moth is rapidly becoming one of my favorite aircraft in my fleet.
The article about foam adhesives was an eye-opener. It’s amazing how little most people know about bonding foam to foam. Even I learned a few things. I did notice that my favorite building adhesive was rated very high in the article.
I almost exclusively use Gorilla Glue fast-drying formula for everything. Of course I also have some Gorilla Glue cyanoacrylate (super glue).
In fact, my Tiger Moth was built using only Gorilla Glue fast-cure.
And even though I did see one or two gigantic planes hanging on their propeller, and an occasional helicopter flying upside down, I’ll have to judge this month’s offering to be pretty good. Not perfect, but pretty good.
We could do with more construction articles and more history on the hobby, especially old antique engines and radios. Keep up the good work.
P.S. I’ve included a photo of my partially finished Tiger Moth. Since the photo was taken, I’ve finished the paint, logos, and lettering, installed a scale pilot, and completed the wing wire rigging.
Samuel L. Will via e-mail
Allegheny Flightline
Yesterday afternoon at a little-known RC field tucked away at the base of the Allegheny Mountains in a town called Covington, Virginia, a young man by the name of Darius soloed not once but three times. Darius is a bright young man who holds at least two associate degrees from the local community college. He started learning to fly RC maybe two years ago and yesterday he finally made it.
I tell you this because I read in the monthly magazine how fortunate some clubs are to have nice flying fields. This club is flying in a field with a river no more than 20 yards away from them and trees around the other three sides. On Sunday we have maybe three or four at the field to fly, and that is about the size of this club.
Dave does most of the mowing and furnishes the gas. There are times when Bob helps if his job allows. These guys do all the maintenance on the mower and buy all the parts. The RC fuel at times is donated by one of the members. No one ever complains about anything coming out of their pocket. They have been doing this for years, as your member records will show.
These guys have taught, on a volunteer basis, kids in the schools, give regular programs at the local library, and do programs for the scouts for their merit badge, all at their expense. Although they have tried, not many in this area are interested in RC flying, so those that are just keep chugging along.
I tell you this only to ask you to pass this along to let others know that RC flying is a great hobby and even though you may have to sacrifice, it has a big payoff. One young man who came through this field is flying for the Air Force. Another got his degree in aeronautical engineering and was working for an aircraft company the last time I heard. Thanks much for your time and we do enjoy Model Aviation.
Bill Riley via e-mail
Trip Across America
I made a trip across from Florence, Arizona to Texas to Michigan to Washington, D.C., to North Carolina, back through Tennessee, and home, looking for different places to fly. I took a trailer with eight airplanes, from IMAC to small electrics.
I was so disappointed that so many fields were members-only; they would not even talk to you if you were not going to join their club, with dues of $100 or more plus an initial fee of $50 or more, and that is ridiculous. I am an AMA member and an AMA instructor at our club in Florence, Arizona. Our dues are $20 per year with no initial fee. We welcome all flyers at no charge and you don't have to join the club.
We have a 600 ft by 100 ft paved runway, lots of shade, and plenty of parking. In Lubbock, Texas, they were accommodating and friendly and I met a lot of individuals who were very nice. My hat is off to a farmer in Michigan who had his own grass runway in excellent shape and said to fly any time you wanted as long as I was an AMA member — that's the way it should be.
So sad, as it could have been a lot better trip. Clubs should take into consideration members who are traveling. Thanks, MA.
Hilton David Lantz via e-mail
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
