The Inside Loop-2011/08

6 MODEL AVIATION
Attending events has
allowed me to meet
some of the top
pilots from around
the world...
Editor Jay Smith
[email protected]
ompetition is defined as the act or
process of competing and
competitive is someone inclined,
desiring, or suited to compete. These words and
thoughts of what draws someone to compete
came to mind when I attended my first
Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2011.
This was its 100th Anniversary and 95th
running of the race (no racing took place during
World War II). It is estimated that more than
350,000 people were on hand to see Dan
Wheldon take the lead when JR Hildebrand
slammed into the wall on the final turn.
Although I had never been to the
Indianapolis 500 before, I have attended several
races including the Daytona 500,
Gatornationals, and 12 Hours of Sebring. Each
was exciting for different reasons—Don Garlits
broke the speed record of 272 mph in 1986 and
I got to sit in A.J. Foyt’s Porsche 962 after he
won at Sebring in 1985.
Being the editor of Model Aviation and
working here at the AMA and at the
International Aeromodeling Center (IAC)
allows me to attend several flying competitions.
Although they may not draw the crowds that
auto racing does, they are certainly exciting
whether you are a pilot or a spectator.
Attending these types of events has allowed
me to meet some of the top pilots from around
the world and see firsthand some of their design
and setup methodology. Getting to talk to
Quique Somenzini about how to become a
better pilot or chatting with Frank Beatty about
his experiences in designing and flying CL
models are a couple of examples that come to
mind.
By the time you read this, the 85th Nats will
be taking place here in Muncie, Indiana. The
outdoor Nats begin on June 25 and run through
August 11. If you have the drive to compete or
just want to learn from those in attendance, the
Nats covers several of the different disciplines
of modeling. For more information on the
specific dates and events taking place, please
visit our website.
We sent veteran Top Gun reporter, Stan
Alexander, to cover the 23rd yearly invitational,
which took place from April 27 to May 1. It
was held at a new site called Paradise Field at
the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in
Lakeland, Florida.
Top Gun brings out the best Scale
competitors and is truly international with some
in attendance traveling from as far as Germany,
Italy, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and
Australia. At this event you will find models of
aircraft from all eras of aviation, including
World War I, World War II, Golden Age, and
the modern jet age.
Even if you don’t want to compete, maybe
you have considered designing your own
airplane. With that in mind we have an article
with an overview on designing in CAD by
David Walker. It is a basic overview of the
process and tools available; we will follow it up
with a more in-depth article in the future.
Once you are familiar with CAD, there is no
limit to the aircraft you can model, whether
your interest is RC, FF, or CL.
The Inside Loop
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Rob Kurek
Director of Publications
Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256, extension
231 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays); Fax: (765)
281-7907
Contributing Editors
Mark Smith
Executive Vice President
Staff
(765) 287-1256 | www.modelaircraft.org
Fax: (765) 289-4248
Advertising Representative
Mark Lanterman, Airborne Media, 7414
Burton Dr., Liberty Township OH 45044
(513) 755-7494
Model Aviation is an official publication of The Academy
of Model Aeronautics, Inc., an associate member of the
National Aeronautic Association (NAA). NAA is the
official U.S. representative of the Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing
body for sport aviation, and represents the U.S. at FAI
meetings. NAA delegated to the AMA supervision of FAIrelated
aeromodeling activities such as record attempts,
competition sanctions, and selection of U.S. teams for
World Championships. (ISSN 0744-5059, USPS 087-930
Publications Agreement No. 40688541) is owned
exclusively by The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc.,
a nonprofit organization, and published monthly at 5161
E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302. Periodical rate
postage paid at Muncie IN and at additional mailing
offices. Canadian return address: Station A, PO Box 54,
Windsor ON N9A 615
Account Executive Yolanda Jones
Administrative Assistant Lisa Johnson
Assistant Editor Jennifer Orebaugh
Communications Specialist Ashley Rauen
Copy Editor Rachelle Haughn
Director of Design/Production Carla Kunz
Editor Jay Smith
Graphic Designer Sarah Shaw
Multimedia Editor Chad Budreau
Production Associate Vickie Wilson
Senior Editor Elizabeth Helms
Stan Alexander
Bob Angel
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Lee Estingoy
Mark Fadely
Dave Garwood
Dave Gee
Greg Gimlick
John Glezellis
Jim T. Graham
Donald Grissom
Jim Hiller
Louis Joyner
John Kagan
Rich Lopez
Joe Malinchak
Dennis Norman
Dean Pappas
Richard L. Perry
Mike Riggs
Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
Red Scholefield
Gene Smith
Joe Wagner
Editors Emeritus Bob Hunt
Michael Ramsey
Technical Editor Bob Aberle
C
This month’s construction article is on Bob
Gialdini’s Eclipse, which was the first
Precision Aerobatics (Stunt) model to win the
AMA Nats with an installed muffler. Michael
Schmitt and Allen Brickhaus helped bring this
1965 winner back to life and made plans for us
in the process.
For readers looking for flight instruction
and tips, we have a great article from Dave
Scott. Building off years of experience in RC
instruction, he has provided us with
information to improve our procedure and
rudder turns, focusing on good control inputs
that reduce the need for corrections altogether.
Having attended Dave’s flight school, I can
attest to the fact that his instruction methods do
indeed work and we look forward to printing
more of his articles in the future.
If you are interested in getting kids involved
in flying, while possibly adding another flying
site in your area, then check out “Starting
School Clubs” by Dick Streetman. Drawing off
40 years as a teacher and administrator in both
public and private schools, Dick provides much
useful information that could help your club be
successful in working with schools.
We are heading into a busy season here at
the AMA with many great events taking place
and we look forward to bringing you event
coverage through the rest of the year. Although
we certainly can’t cover all of them, if there’s
one you would like to see in our magazine,
please let me know. MA
Executive Director Dave Mathewson
CFO/Treasurer Doug Holland
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