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 LSFS Gordon Buckland hit it out of the park with his Masters coverage. Photos 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!
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 others at 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 issue of Model Aviation.
What many authors don't realize is that when they give setup advice, 90% of the readers interpret the information to mean they can improve their flying with the radio. We know that the right setup for the individual will make the maneuvers easier and improve the 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 and 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 ensure our fun doesn't come to a grinding halt.
As evidenced by the strength of AMA today, the organization has always had great leadership. In my opinion, today's team seems particularly well-suited to 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, do not know all the facts, and do not understand the full extent of efforts that may have already been implemented. It seems to never fail—when people ask, listen, and learn, they universally develop more respect for the organization and often 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 them that AMA is about a lot more than "just insurance" and how essential members are to our flying future.
With that thought—I'm going flying. Thank you, AMA!
Eric Meyers Horizon Hobby
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
