There is always something new in our hobby—a trend or
tool or some cool technological development—to keep
us interested. The Toledo Weak Signals RC Expo is a
great place to see the latest inventions, especially all the new
safety-related products that could justify my trip to the show
(and all the money I spent there).
As a semi-prominent member of the media, I wore my press
pass, nametag, and Model Aviation hat. It was humbling that
everyone kept asking, “Now exactly who are you again?”
I’m far from an expert in most areas of this sport, so it’s fun
to admire equipment from other niches. Some products are
specialized, but other items, such as the Sky Limit altitude
limiter from Winged Shadow Systems, are for general use.
This gadget cuts the throttle when a model reaches a preset
altitude or flight time. Electric motors can be turned off, and
gas or glow engines can be throttled to a reliable idle point.
You can also choose to allow or inhibit restarts after reaching
the limit.
It’s difficult to estimate your model’s altitude while in the
air, and none of us want to bust the ceiling of our flying site,
right? This product will show you how high your models
are really flying. If your local flying site is
serious about models staying under the
height limit, then the Sky Limit might be
just what it needs.
Mountain Models had a display of
charming, nostalgia-styled models with high-quality, laser-cut
parts. They were so beautifully designed that I couldn’t resist
buying a couple. These small airplanes are meant for micro-RC
electric, but mine will be upgraded to FF with a CO2 motor.
I told the man in the booth that I’d plug his line of artistically
designed airplanes if he could give me an angle to relate them
to safety. He said, “Well, they’re so small and light that they
don’t hurt as much if they hit you.” Yup, that’s what he said,
and what’s worse is that it worked because here’s the plug!
I think companies such as Mountain Models are great for
our hobby because such appealing kits encourage pilots to
build airplanes. Laser-cut kits go together faster and easier than
old-fashioned cut-out-the-parts models.
A flier who builds his or her own aircraft knows it inside
and out. This makes for a safer aircraft and operator. Part of
me always feels bad for a non-builder pilot, as if he or she
somehow missed out on half the fun.
Even if you don’t build your entire
model, there will probably come a time
when repairs or upgrades require some
soldering. I never have enough hands
to hold all the parts and wires in place
while managing the hot iron. Radical RC
came up with a clever solution.
Napier’s Solder Jig Bench features
laser-cut parts that assemble into a great
holding system for soldering a model’s
wiring harness. The bench has metallic
surfaces and magnetic jigs for complete
flexibility. It is well thought out and
solves the problem of components that
must be secured while you are busy with
a hot soldering iron.
I can’t be the only one who has
damaged a plastic sleeve or melted some
insulation while trying to solder battery
leads. This gadget is a deal at $29. It
holds parts until you are finished using
the iron and can set it down.
A simple but clever item was at the
Sonic-Tronics booth. The company was
displaying some molded plastic wheel
chock/jack stands for midsize model
aircraft. These little beauties keep your
airplane from rolling around and also lift
it for easier access. The booth staff called
them Model Chocks, and said they are
popular.
Hobby People sold me an inexpensive
charger bag for my LiPo batteries. I have
several fire-resistant containers, but at
9 x 11 inches, this envelope was the
right size for my indoor flying systems.
This is an area where shortcuts are not
okay, even for a forgetful guy such as
me. I sometimes have to remind myself
to be cautious and use a fire-resistant
container, even if it is less convenient.
This bag will be handy to take to the
gym on flying night. Please consider
using some sort of protection when
charging your cells. It could make a
difference when things go wrong.
Battery Fires
On the subject of battery fires, Sam
Brauer emailed me about my recent
column on battery fires. He is better
informed than I, and quoted the FAA
instructions for flight attendants dealing
with inflight battery fires on airliners.
They are advised to use a Halon
extinguisher.
Sam and I discussed how, since Halon
is no longer produced, these effective
extinguishers are getting expensive and
rare. He says that water should work fine
on a LiPo fire because of the chemicals
and materials in the pack.
I mentioned that my usefulness drops
to near zero during an emergency, and
a bucket of sand is probably the limit
of technology with which I could be
trusted. Such a bucket, dumped on a
burning battery, may not be as effective
as Halon or water, but would probably
contain and extinguish the problem.
The bottom line for battery fires is
that your best choice is Halon. The next
best is water in an extinguisher bottle.
A third option is sand, which is easiest
to maintain and keep handy, and is
approved for use by panicky guys such
as me.
FPV Response
Another reader took me to task for
my comments on First Person View
(FPV) RC which, until recently, was not
allowed under the AMA Safety Code.
He was courteous, but felt strongly that
AMA should be less restrictive toward
FPV flying, because it represents an
area of technological advancement in
our hobby. The current line-of-sight
limitations and mandatory use of a
buddy-box copilot do not sit well with
some FPV fliers, who can’t fly “their
way” at fields that enforce the AMA
rules.
I was in the room, sitting next to
an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
instructor/pilot, when the AMA Safety
Committee recommended allowing
FPV under those conditions. The group
around that table had so much modeling
experience that I was the newbie with
only 40 years of flying!
They were aware of how fast the
electronics in our models can advance,
and of the need to keep AMA on the
leading edge. Still, our organization has
a process for updating the Safety Code,
and the volunteers took it seriously.
They made their decisions for the
betterment of our sport, and I saw
careful deliberation before the passing
vote. Would you want it any other way?
The reader said that my column
seemed to be “justifying the AMA
rules.” Well, yeah! Of course I support
and encourage adhering to the AMA
Safety Code. Come on, I’m the safety
columnist in Model Aviation magazine,
right? If my personal opinions conflict
with current rules, then I will work
to improve things through the proper
channels. That’s how things get done in
the AMA.
And remember, right now the
government is determining what the
guidelines will be for UAV and drone
operations in our airspace. We want to
be seen as the hobbyists and sportsmen
we are, engaged in recreational,
educational, and competitive model
aviation activities.
Video Contest
To promote that viewpoint, the AMA
Education Committee is holding an
online video contest for all members.
When people use online search
engines for information about our
sport, the results often include a list of
YouTube videos, so this seemed like a
good idea to encourage the right kind
of image.
Grab your camera and make a video
that meets one of the eligible categories,
and then post it online for a chance to
win not just fame, but also a complete
beginner-type RC system!
Video Contest Categories:
• Best youth member 3-D Extreme
• Best beginner’s how-to videos for
RC, park flyers, CL, helicopters, and
FF
• Best Indoor RC video
• Best Indoor FF video
• Best club promotional video
• Best AMA recruiting video, both club
and individual
• Best aeromodeling safety video
Of course, I’m using the safety video
category to justify plugging the contest
here, but any good eye-catching piece
of footage will help move our hobby
forward by inspiring and instructing
other pilots and would-be modelers.
I made a demonstration video, just
to kick things off. You can find it on
YouTube, under my Internet name:
StukaDave. You don’t need a fancy video
recorder. I used a basic camera that my
son, Jeff, gave me. It has only one button
on it, and he thought that with practice,
even I could master the thing.
Make your video, upload it to
YouTube, and then email the link to
the AMA Education Department
to enter. For the safety category, you
might consider demonstrating a proper
preflight inspection, or tell about a closecall
incident and how to avoid it next
time.
Please don’t make any reenactments
that involve actual injuries! That’s what
we’re trying to avoid.
The how-to category should be fun.
We’ve all learned the hard way how not
to do something, and it’s good to be able
to save our friends some grief.
I can’t wait to see the 3-D Extreme
entries. My skills just aren’t up to that
kind of flying, except for brief, accidental
moments just before a crash. It’s great to
see someone with real skills show what
his or her model can do.
The deadline is September 30,
2012. Good luck to all of you amateur
filmmakers, and may the best modelers
win!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
There is always something new in our hobby—a trend or
tool or some cool technological development—to keep
us interested. The Toledo Weak Signals RC Expo is a
great place to see the latest inventions, especially all the new
safety-related products that could justify my trip to the show
(and all the money I spent there).
As a semi-prominent member of the media, I wore my press
pass, nametag, and Model Aviation hat. It was humbling that
everyone kept asking, “Now exactly who are you again?”
I’m far from an expert in most areas of this sport, so it’s fun
to admire equipment from other niches. Some products are
specialized, but other items, such as the Sky Limit altitude
limiter from Winged Shadow Systems, are for general use.
This gadget cuts the throttle when a model reaches a preset
altitude or flight time. Electric motors can be turned off, and
gas or glow engines can be throttled to a reliable idle point.
You can also choose to allow or inhibit restarts after reaching
the limit.
It’s difficult to estimate your model’s altitude while in the
air, and none of us want to bust the ceiling of our flying site,
right? This product will show you how high your models
are really flying. If your local flying site is
serious about models staying under the
height limit, then the Sky Limit might be
just what it needs.
Mountain Models had a display of
charming, nostalgia-styled models with high-quality, laser-cut
parts. They were so beautifully designed that I couldn’t resist
buying a couple. These small airplanes are meant for micro-RC
electric, but mine will be upgraded to FF with a CO2 motor.
I told the man in the booth that I’d plug his line of artistically
designed airplanes if he could give me an angle to relate them
to safety. He said, “Well, they’re so small and light that they
don’t hurt as much if they hit you.” Yup, that’s what he said,
and what’s worse is that it worked because here’s the plug!
I think companies such as Mountain Models are great for
our hobby because such appealing kits encourage pilots to
build airplanes. Laser-cut kits go together faster and easier than
old-fashioned cut-out-the-parts models.
A flier who builds his or her own aircraft knows it inside
and out. This makes for a safer aircraft and operator. Part of
me always feels bad for a non-builder pilot, as if he or she
somehow missed out on half the fun.
Even if you don’t build your entire
model, there will probably come a time
when repairs or upgrades require some
soldering. I never have enough hands
to hold all the parts and wires in place
while managing the hot iron. Radical RC
came up with a clever solution.
Napier’s Solder Jig Bench features
laser-cut parts that assemble into a great
holding system for soldering a model’s
wiring harness. The bench has metallic
surfaces and magnetic jigs for complete
flexibility. It is well thought out and
solves the problem of components that
must be secured while you are busy with
a hot soldering iron.
I can’t be the only one who has
damaged a plastic sleeve or melted some
insulation while trying to solder battery
leads. This gadget is a deal at $29. It
holds parts until you are finished using
the iron and can set it down.
A simple but clever item was at the
Sonic-Tronics booth. The company was
displaying some molded plastic wheel
chock/jack stands for midsize model
aircraft. These little beauties keep your
airplane from rolling around and also lift
it for easier access. The booth staff called
them Model Chocks, and said they are
popular.
Hobby People sold me an inexpensive
charger bag for my LiPo batteries. I have
several fire-resistant containers, but at
9 x 11 inches, this envelope was the
right size for my indoor flying systems.
This is an area where shortcuts are not
okay, even for a forgetful guy such as
me. I sometimes have to remind myself
to be cautious and use a fire-resistant
container, even if it is less convenient.
This bag will be handy to take to the
gym on flying night. Please consider
using some sort of protection when
charging your cells. It could make a
difference when things go wrong.
Battery Fires
On the subject of battery fires, Sam
Brauer emailed me about my recent
column on battery fires. He is better
informed than I, and quoted the FAA
instructions for flight attendants dealing
with inflight battery fires on airliners.
They are advised to use a Halon
extinguisher.
Sam and I discussed how, since Halon
is no longer produced, these effective
extinguishers are getting expensive and
rare. He says that water should work fine
on a LiPo fire because of the chemicals
and materials in the pack.
I mentioned that my usefulness drops
to near zero during an emergency, and
a bucket of sand is probably the limit
of technology with which I could be
trusted. Such a bucket, dumped on a
burning battery, may not be as effective
as Halon or water, but would probably
contain and extinguish the problem.
The bottom line for battery fires is
that your best choice is Halon. The next
best is water in an extinguisher bottle.
A third option is sand, which is easiest
to maintain and keep handy, and is
approved for use by panicky guys such
as me.
FPV Response
Another reader took me to task for
my comments on First Person View
(FPV) RC which, until recently, was not
allowed under the AMA Safety Code.
He was courteous, but felt strongly that
AMA should be less restrictive toward
FPV flying, because it represents an
area of technological advancement in
our hobby. The current line-of-sight
limitations and mandatory use of a
buddy-box copilot do not sit well with
some FPV fliers, who can’t fly “their
way” at fields that enforce the AMA
rules.
I was in the room, sitting next to
an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
instructor/pilot, when the AMA Safety
Committee recommended allowing
FPV under those conditions. The group
around that table had so much modeling
experience that I was the newbie with
only 40 years of flying!
They were aware of how fast the
electronics in our models can advance,
and of the need to keep AMA on the
leading edge. Still, our organization has
a process for updating the Safety Code,
and the volunteers took it seriously.
They made their decisions for the
betterment of our sport, and I saw
careful deliberation before the passing
vote. Would you want it any other way?
The reader said that my column
seemed to be “justifying the AMA
rules.” Well, yeah! Of course I support
and encourage adhering to the AMA
Safety Code. Come on, I’m the safety
columnist in Model Aviation magazine,
right? If my personal opinions conflict
with current rules, then I will work
to improve things through the proper
channels. That’s how things get done in
the AMA.
And remember, right now the
government is determining what the
guidelines will be for UAV and drone
operations in our airspace. We want to
be seen as the hobbyists and sportsmen
we are, engaged in recreational,
educational, and competitive model
aviation activities.
Video Contest
To promote that viewpoint, the AMA
Education Committee is holding an
online video contest for all members.
When people use online search
engines for information about our
sport, the results often include a list of
YouTube videos, so this seemed like a
good idea to encourage the right kind
of image.
Grab your camera and make a video
that meets one of the eligible categories,
and then post it online for a chance to
win not just fame, but also a complete
beginner-type RC system!
Video Contest Categories:
• Best youth member 3-D Extreme
• Best beginner’s how-to videos for
RC, park flyers, CL, helicopters, and
FF
• Best Indoor RC video
• Best Indoor FF video
• Best club promotional video
• Best AMA recruiting video, both club
and individual
• Best aeromodeling safety video
Of course, I’m using the safety video
category to justify plugging the contest
here, but any good eye-catching piece
of footage will help move our hobby
forward by inspiring and instructing
other pilots and would-be modelers.
I made a demonstration video, just
to kick things off. You can find it on
YouTube, under my Internet name:
StukaDave. You don’t need a fancy video
recorder. I used a basic camera that my
son, Jeff, gave me. It has only one button
on it, and he thought that with practice,
even I could master the thing.
Make your video, upload it to
YouTube, and then email the link to
the AMA Education Department
to enter. For the safety category, you
might consider demonstrating a proper
preflight inspection, or tell about a closecall
incident and how to avoid it next
time.
Please don’t make any reenactments
that involve actual injuries! That’s what
we’re trying to avoid.
The how-to category should be fun.
We’ve all learned the hard way how not
to do something, and it’s good to be able
to save our friends some grief.
I can’t wait to see the 3-D Extreme
entries. My skills just aren’t up to that
kind of flying, except for brief, accidental
moments just before a crash. It’s great to
see someone with real skills show what
his or her model can do.
The deadline is September 30,
2012. Good luck to all of you amateur
filmmakers, and may the best modelers
win!
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
There is always something new in our hobby—a trend or
tool or some cool technological development—to keep
us interested. The Toledo Weak Signals RC Expo is a
great place to see the latest inventions, especially all the new
safety-related products that could justify my trip to the show
(and all the money I spent there).
As a semi-prominent member of the media, I wore my press
pass, nametag, and Model Aviation hat. It was humbling that
everyone kept asking, “Now exactly who are you again?”
I’m far from an expert in most areas of this sport, so it’s fun
to admire equipment from other niches. Some products are
specialized, but other items, such as the Sky Limit altitude
limiter from Winged Shadow Systems, are for general use.
This gadget cuts the throttle when a model reaches a preset
altitude or flight time. Electric motors can be turned off, and
gas or glow engines can be throttled to a reliable idle point.
You can also choose to allow or inhibit restarts after reaching
the limit.
It’s difficult to estimate your model’s altitude while in the
air, and none of us want to bust the ceiling of our flying site,
right? This product will show you how high your models
are really flying. If your local flying site is
serious about models staying under the
height limit, then the Sky Limit might be
just what it needs.
Mountain Models had a display of
charming, nostalgia-styled models with high-quality, laser-cut
parts. They were so beautifully designed that I couldn’t resist
buying a couple. These small airplanes are meant for micro-RC
electric, but mine will be upgraded to FF with a CO2 motor.
I told the man in the booth that I’d plug his line of artistically
designed airplanes if he could give me an angle to relate them
to safety. He said, “Well, they’re so small and light that they
don’t hurt as much if they hit you.” Yup, that’s what he said,
and what’s worse is that it worked because here’s the plug!
I think companies such as Mountain Models are great for
our hobby because such appealing kits encourage pilots to
build airplanes. Laser-cut kits go together faster and easier than
old-fashioned cut-out-the-parts models.
A flier who builds his or her own aircraft knows it inside
and out. This makes for a safer aircraft and operator. Part of
me always feels bad for a non-builder pilot, as if he or she
somehow missed out on half the fun.
Even if you don’t build your entire
model, there will probably come a time
when repairs or upgrades require some
soldering. I never have enough hands
to hold all the parts and wires in place
while managing the hot iron. Radical RC
came up with a clever solution.
Napier’s Solder Jig Bench features
laser-cut parts that assemble into a great
holding system for soldering a model’s
wiring harness. The bench has metallic
surfaces and magnetic jigs for complete
flexibility. It is well thought out and
solves the problem of components that
must be secured while you are busy with
a hot soldering iron.
I can’t be the only one who has
damaged a plastic sleeve or melted some
insulation while trying to solder battery
leads. This gadget is a deal at $29. It
holds parts until you are finished using
the iron and can set it down.
A simple but clever item was at the
Sonic-Tronics booth. The company was
displaying some molded plastic wheel
chock/jack stands for midsize model
aircraft. These little beauties keep your
airplane from rolling around and also lift
it for easier access. The booth staff called
them Model Chocks, and said they are
popular.
Hobby People sold me an inexpensive
charger bag for my LiPo batteries. I have
several fire-resistant containers, but at
9 x 11 inches, this envelope was the
right size for my indoor flying systems.
This is an area where shortcuts are not
okay, even for a forgetful guy such as
me. I sometimes have to remind myself
to be cautious and use a fire-resistant
container, even if it is less convenient.
This bag will be handy to take to the
gym on flying night. Please consider
using some sort of protection when
charging your cells. It could make a
difference when things go wrong.
Battery Fires
On the subject of battery fires, Sam
Brauer emailed me about my recent
column on battery fires. He is better
informed than I, and quoted the FAA
instructions for flight attendants dealing
with inflight battery fires on airliners.
They are advised to use a Halon
extinguisher.
Sam and I discussed how, since Halon
is no longer produced, these effective
extinguishers are getting expensive and
rare. He says that water should work fine
on a LiPo fire because of the chemicals
and materials in the pack.
I mentioned that my usefulness drops
to near zero during an emergency, and
a bucket of sand is probably the limit
of technology with which I could be
trusted. Such a bucket, dumped on a
burning battery, may not be as effective
as Halon or water, but would probably
contain and extinguish the problem.
The bottom line for battery fires is
that your best choice is Halon. The next
best is water in an extinguisher bottle.
A third option is sand, which is easiest
to maintain and keep handy, and is
approved for use by panicky guys such
as me.
FPV Response
Another reader took me to task for
my comments on First Person View
(FPV) RC which, until recently, was not
allowed under the AMA Safety Code.
He was courteous, but felt strongly that
AMA should be less restrictive toward
FPV flying, because it represents an
area of technological advancement in
our hobby. The current line-of-sight
limitations and mandatory use of a
buddy-box copilot do not sit well with
some FPV fliers, who can’t fly “their
way” at fields that enforce the AMA
rules.
I was in the room, sitting next to
an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
instructor/pilot, when the AMA Safety
Committee recommended allowing
FPV under those conditions. The group
around that table had so much modeling
experience that I was the newbie with
only 40 years of flying!
They were aware of how fast the
electronics in our models can advance,
and of the need to keep AMA on the
leading edge. Still, our organization has
a process for updating the Safety Code,
and the volunteers took it seriously.
They made their decisions for the
betterment of our sport, and I saw
careful deliberation before the passing
vote. Would you want it any other way?
The reader said that my column
seemed to be “justifying the AMA
rules.” Well, yeah! Of course I support
and encourage adhering to the AMA
Safety Code. Come on, I’m the safety
columnist in Model Aviation magazine,
right? If my personal opinions conflict
with current rules, then I will work
to improve things through the proper
channels. That’s how things get done in
the AMA.
And remember, right now the
government is determining what the
guidelines will be for UAV and drone
operations in our airspace. We want to
be seen as the hobbyists and sportsmen
we are, engaged in recreational,
educational, and competitive model
aviation activities.
Video Contest
To promote that viewpoint, the AMA
Education Committee is holding an
online video contest for all members.
When people use online search
engines for information about our
sport, the results often include a list of
YouTube videos, so this seemed like a
good idea to encourage the right kind
of image.
Grab your camera and make a video
that meets one of the eligible categories,
and then post it online for a chance to
win not just fame, but also a complete
beginner-type RC system!
Video Contest Categories:
• Best youth member 3-D Extreme
• Best beginner’s how-to videos for
RC, park flyers, CL, helicopters, and
FF
• Best Indoor RC video
• Best Indoor FF video
• Best club promotional video
• Best AMA recruiting video, both club
and individual
• Best aeromodeling safety video
Of course, I’m using the safety video
category to justify plugging the contest
here, but any good eye-catching piece
of footage will help move our hobby
forward by inspiring and instructing
other pilots and would-be modelers.
I made a demonstration video, just
to kick things off. You can find it on
YouTube, under my Internet name:
StukaDave. You don’t need a fancy video
recorder. I used a basic camera that my
son, Jeff, gave me. It has only one button
on it, and he thought that with practice,
even I could master the thing.
Make your video, upload it to
YouTube, and then email the link to
the AMA Education Department
to enter. For the safety category, you
might consider demonstrating a proper
preflight inspection, or tell about a closecall
incident and how to avoid it next
time.
Please don’t make any reenactments
that involve actual injuries! That’s what
we’re trying to avoid.
The how-to category should be fun.
We’ve all learned the hard way how not
to do something, and it’s good to be able
to save our friends some grief.
I can’t wait to see the 3-D Extreme
entries. My skills just aren’t up to that
kind of flying, except for brief, accidental
moments just before a crash. It’s great to
see someone with real skills show what
his or her model can do.
The deadline is September 30,
2012. Good luck to all of you amateur
filmmakers, and may the best modelers
win!