Focus on Competition - 2003/08
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf [email protected]
It does not seem possible that I'm writing an August column right now; it is still early May here in Muncie. We have had quite a bit of warm weather, but now we are in our rainy season. This is slowing some of the major projects we have underway for the International Aeromodeling Center.
Site Improvements
- We are currently installing 35 more RV electrical hookups. These are being placed in the main parking lot of Site 3 (more commonly known as "Stage Center"). The wiring for 18 of the sites has been laid; however, rain has filled the trenches of the other areas, making the project difficult to complete. I'm sure by the time you read this it will be done and in use.
- We are also repaving Site 1 (commonly known as the "L" pad). This area is used mostly for Control Line and was originally paved with very smooth but soft asphalt. The new pavement will be much harder while still being smooth.
- The big project is the construction of a new Control Line pad; this pad will be 460 x 180 feet and will be used primarily for Control Line Racing during the Nationals and the 2004 World Championships. Control Line Scale will also fly from this area during the Nationals. Obviously the pad is also large enough to serve as an RC runway if needed for certain events. The placement of this pad is 50 feet to the north and east of Site 5 (600 x 600-foot grass pad).
- All of our roads and most of the flying areas are being repainted with stripes, lines, or circles as needed. This should give a nice fresh look overall to the site.
We hope that if you joined us for Homecoming this June you had a good time and got to see the improvements firsthand.
For Contest Directors
Please read this. We are still getting many Sanction Applications sent in where the information is not complete. The biggest omission seems to be part seven. This is the page where you are to provide the information to us to use in making up your magazine listing. When this information is missing, your listing will be incomplete. We cannot take the time to call each of you to request this information.
Also, please no longer use the old Sanction Application forms. These are out of date. If the form you have does not have the current sanction fee ($20) on it, it is out of date. New forms are available by calling the Competitions Department or downloading them from the AMA web site.
Personal Note
After a long hiatus (almost 10 years) I'm finally going to start competing again. Instead of my normal RC Soaring, I'll be flying Class I RC Helicopter for the first time. I always found Soaring very relaxing, even when flying in competition. Helicopters are great fun, but I'd not call it relaxing.
In Soaring, I never really worried about how I did, as long as the flights were pretty good. For some reason I find myself wanting to win in helicopters. Maybe it's because I feel I have a chance to win (the events, unlike Soaring, are skill-classed).
In Soaring I flew with many folks who were the absolute top in the events. I learned a lot from them, especially when they would time for me. Did I ever beat them? Nope, not a chance! But I sure had a good time losing and learning.
I've also found out over the years that to be good at flying helicopters you have to practice (true for any sport). I don't mean an hour or two here or there each week; I mean a gallon or two (more probably) each week! Those competing at the top levels will fly much more than that.
So, what are you competing with this year? Please try something. Don't worry about losing; practice and get better. Competition will force you to fly better, and the better you are, the more you will enjoy the sport.
Till next time ... MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
