Aero Mail - 2011/05

May 2011 7
Aero Mail
March Magic
Just had a chance to check out this month’s Model Aviation
[the March 2011 issue] and have to give it all 10 thumbs up!
Page by page it just builds like a piece of movie music,
one article topping the next.
Our own LSF5 Gordon Buckland hit it out of the park
with his Masters coverage. Photos that make you feel like
you were there (I was so I know).
The article updating us on the FAA proposed rules,
photos of members’ new planes, the article on chargers ... it
just doesn’t quit!
And the soaring column is really in the groove, this time covering one of our
young phenoms Cody Remington. I’m fortunate to have flown with him just after he
popped out of his mom’s womb ... okay maybe a few years after that, but I swear he
had a TX in his hands instead of a pacifier.
Great young man, one of a few that Denver’s soaring club has produced by the
way. I’ve flown with him in Denver and Muncie over the past few years and am proud
to consider him one of my friends in the hobby. He’s had some excellent mentors in
Skip and Jim as well as the others on his club field.
There’s an excellent review of the Airtronics TX and photo after photo of cool
aircraft, pilots and flying fields.
Check it out ... I did.
Gordy Stahl
via e-mail
Better Flying Through Setup
I’m writing to compliment John Glezellis’s most recent scale-aerobatics column in
[the February 2011] Model Aviation.
What many authors don’t realize is that when they give setup advice, 90% of the
readers interpret the information to say that they can improve their flying with the
radio. We know that the right setup for the individual will make the maneuvers easier
and improve their learning curve, but of course, they still have to possess the skills to
perform the maneuvers in the first place.
You’d be amazed by how many people in the sport will spend half a summer
programming their radio before thinking about how they’re flying the airplane.
However, John did a nice job succinctly explaining the proper sequence of travel
and expo adjustments in the context of adjusting the controls to suit the person’s
immediate comfort/skill level—then the pilot can start effectively working toward the
goal of better flying.
Dave Scott
Shawano, Wisconsin
Industry Support
For those of us involved in the sport of aviation—whether for fun or business, the threat
of Government intervention has been, and will be, one that needs to be taken seriously. It’s
no exaggeration to think that, in the name of the greater good, bureaucrats could change our
hobby as we know it, in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, we have the AMA—driven by what could be claimed as its most capable
team of experts ever—working to insure our fun doesn’t come to a grinding halt.
As evidenced by the strength of AMA today, the organization has always had great
leadership. But in my opinion, today’s team seems particularly well-suited toward
anticipating the issues we will face in the future. In fact, the more I discover about AMA
actions and plans, the more confidence I have in the current direction and leadership.
Understandably, I still find modelers who are critical of the AMA. The reasons are
almost always the same: guys are unaware of the comprehensive nature of the situation,
know all the facts, and full extent of efforts that may have already been implemented. It
seems to never fail—when guys ask, listen and learn, they universally develop more respect
for the organization and turn their opinion around.
I wholeheartedly support the AMA and ask that you do so also. In our society,
organizations—as a whole—are under siege these days. So the situation is mutual—just as
modelers need a powerful AMA more than ever, the AMA needs a strong, cohesive, and
supportive membership. Spread the good word about AMA with your flying buddies and
newcomers—tell ’em that AMA is about a lot more than “just insurance” and how essential
they are to our flying future.
With that thought—I’m going flying. Thank you, AMA! MA
Eric Meyers
Horizon Hobby
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