150 MODEL AVIATION
The Scale Contest Board ratifies an emergency rules proposal affecting CL Scale
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Also included in this column:
• CL Scale at the Northwest
CL Regionals
• Versatile flight stand
• Reader needs help with
electric power
This great-looking flight stand
is meant primarily for RC
fliers but can be put to good
use for CL and FF.
Left: Mike Potter’s turboprop XB-47D. He is known for the many
unique models he has taken to the Northwest Regionals.
Below: Mike MacCarthy (Santa Rosa CA) won Precision Scale at
the Northwest Regionals flying a firefighting Grumman S-2.
THE SCALE Contest Board ratified an emergency rules-change
proposal that will have an impact on all CL Scale flying. The
change revises the table that specifies what the pull test should be
for all CL Scale models at various weights and line lengths.
There is also a table that lists lap times for various line lengths,
assuming the model’s speed to be 60 mph.
Every CL Scale modeler should go to the AMA Web site—
www.modelaircraft.org—and download a copy of this rules
change. The download will provide you with all the details and
the reasons for the modifications. That information is too
extensive for me to include here.
The Northwest Control Line Regionals, hosted by the Eugene
Prop Spinners, was a great success in 2007, as it has been in past
years. The contest was held Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27)
and for the second year at the Eugene Airport.
The good weather and spacious airport site allowed the use of
seven circles and drew 86 entrants who participated in 202
categories. According to the event directors, contestants and
spectators had a great time. Relevant to this column are the Scaleevent
results and the fact that Precision Scale was contested.
Craig Bartlett reported that the Precision event had four
entries, Sport Scale had two, and, surprisingly, Profile Scale had
only one. Precision competitors Mike MacCarthy, Don Chandler,
Leonid Derbarmdiker, and Mike Potter were also the Sport and
Profile entrants.
Mike MacCarthy won Precision flying a Grumman S-2
firebomber turboprop variant equipped for a fire-retardant drop. It
had working bomb-bay doors and dropped an orange-colored
powder, simulating a fire-retardant material. Two O.S. .25 engines
10sig5.QXD 8/22/07 2:36 PM Page 150
still included,
there are no scoresheets. I looked on the
NASA Web site (www.nasascale.org),
where all the CL Scale scoresheets can be
found, and saw that there were none for
the Precision event.
I’m not sure where a club would stand
if it included Precision Scale in a future
contest. Would it have to get special
permission from AMA, as it would for any
other nonsanctioned event?
The Scale Contest Board has made a
great mistake in voting against retaining
the Precision category. CL Designer Scale
was supposed to have been “The Ultimate
Event,” but how can it compare to
Precision, which is judged “up close and
personal” in all categories, when
craftsmanship is judged up close in
Designer and all other judging is done at
15 feet? Besides, the Designer event has
not proven to have any better participation
than Precision.
And what difference does it make if a
model was built from a kit and had great
external detail added or built from scratch
as a Designer airplane with great external
detail? You never see the inside structure
of the completed model.
I can’t help but believe that the
Precision event was dropped because of
the type of stringent rules by which the
models were to be judged and the time it
took to judge such a model correctly.
It’s a shame that the Precision event
was eliminated in favor of Designer,
which has proven to be no better for
participation. Doing away with Precision
also eradicated a step that could have been
used to get to the Designer event. Instead
we have nothing between the Sport and
Designer categories to encourage Scale
modelers to continue on to better things.
In addition, you might wonder why
Fun Scale and Team Scale have been
added to the Competition Regulations.
Although they may be fun to fly, have
they added significantly to the challenge
of building a Scale model as the Precision
event did?
A flight stand can be used for a number
of things. The primary purpose of the one
shown this month is to hold your model
for testing and flight preparation.
Marty Rosenbaum made the stand
shown in the photo. It measures 23 inches
wide, 36 inches high, and 6 inches deep
when folded for storage. The 6-inch-deep
measurement allows it to be stored in
small spaces and transported easily to the
field.
Marty finished the stand with one coat
of sanding sealer and one coat of Minwax
Helmsman Spar Urethane. All joints are
glued and screwed for greater strength.
The table allows you to keep all your
equipment in one place at the field and
work at table height.
Although the stand is primarily for RC,
there is no reason why the CL flier can’t
use it as a field-equipment stand. And
removing the model-cradle attachments
provides a nice workbench for Outdoor
and Indoor FFers—especially for those
small models that are flown in gymlike
areas.
The flight stand is aimed at the modelairplane
flier, but its mobility and size
appear to be great for use as a handy
workbench for chores around the house.
The two platforms provide ample space
for tools. I have even used it alongside the
barbecue grill for holding the food to be
cooked. Perhaps you can find other uses
for this versatile item.
If you are interested in this greatlooking
and useful stand, contact Marty at
68 Lakewood Ave., Monticello NY
12701; Tel.: (845) 866-4296; E-mail:
martys40s@Verizon.