The Inside Loop - 2010/12

6 MODEL AVIATION
Have fun; go fly!
Editor Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
ittle by little I’m learning the history
of elements that make model aircraft
work. For instance, I don’t know
who invented the gyro, but I do remember
my week at Space Camp (don’t laugh)
where I sat in a contraption and spun in
every direction until my eyes and my lunch
popped out.
Not knowing, or remembering, how a
device came to be doesn’t mean that it’s not
appreciated. I do know that the lessons
learned from that multi-axis trainer helped
create the elements that make helicopters
work so well today. You’ll find out in this
issue of MA just how much they can help
aircraft too.
This isn’t to say that we should totally
rely on technology to do our bidding. For
goodness sakes, doing such a thing has
tremendous backlash potential.
Just look at what happened to the
inventor of the Segway, Jimi Heselden; he
died while riding his gyro-stuffed
transportation system. It’s true, look it up! I
don’t own one, but I think the Segway is
amazing—especially the off-road version
that a friend of mine, John Zankl, lets me try
now and then.
Where one gyro in a helicopter was
good, today three gyros working together is
exponentially so. Take a look at our
coverage of the IRCHA Jamboree by Mark
Fadely. Of note is not just how many
electric helicopters there are compared with
engine-powered variants, but also that the
whirling mechanics have lost a lot of parts.
Flybarless systems are all the rage and
poised to dominate the world of RC
helicopters. Of course this means that the
expense of our giant weed whackers
increases a little (for a time).
Aside from that negative, the positives
are easier-to-fly machines (yes, a little
learning is involved to understand the
technology), more powerful machines
because the mechanical drag is lowered,
longer flight times also for said reason, plus
the flybarless systems are known to help a
pilot perform even more aggressive
aerobatics than before.
This forward leap reminds me of a
discussion not that long ago about foamies
(loose talk, not in print), which at the time
were a sacred break in the tradition of model
building. After putting my tube of Ambroid
down and building one, it became very clear
to me how a lighter wing loading, high
power-to-weight ratio, and giant control
surfaces could enhance my appreciation for
aeromodeling.
However, if tradition is more your thing
(not that that’s at all bad), I’d like to thank
my Sensei Guru of RC sport, Dick Sarpolus,
for his simply beautiful G-FAST giant-scale
construction project. As Dick mentions in
his article, it’s all about having fun!
It’s fun that he has, and the giant Moki
1.80 cu. in. glow engine stuffed into the
The Inside Loop
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Account Executive Yolanda Jones
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Editor Michael Ramsey
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Stan Alexander
Bob Angel
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Lee Estingoy
Mark Fadely
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Dean Pappas
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front end of his G-FAST helps. That engine
is literally bulletproof in the sport arena and
the least expensive glow-fuel-burning engine
of its type. It will run on anything, but it
really likes 0%-nitro fuel.
The high-aspect-ratio wing of the GFAST
has me appreciating the lines of the
model most. As do the Q-40 racers flown in
AMA and FAI competition that have a
similar slick look, the G-FAST can really
scoot but slows to a crawl for landing.
Have a close look at the wing
construction method used for this design.
MA Editor Emeritus Bob Hunt pioneered
the Lost Foam technique, and our look at it
is merely a hint of how brilliant a marriage
of foam and wood can be.
If you really want to impress your
friends at the flying field, make deadstraight
takeoffs and landings against a
crosswind. Did you feel that? The entire
aeromodeling community shuddered at the
thought of such an accomplishment.
The pilot skill set required for such a
feat is equal to a doctorate-level degree.
Thanks to Ben Lanterman; he has an idea
that will help you obtain that skill set with
an honorary-level effort.
His mission was to achieve straight
takeoffs, and this editorial staff believes
that the trick will work for landings as well,
provided that the pilot finds the centerline
of the runway again.
Ben’s trick includes melding his
experience learning to fly a helicopter with
the needs of becoming a better airplane
pilot. It is possible. I’m going to go try it
now.
Have fun; go fly! MA
Interim Executive Director Joyce Hager
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