Letters to the Editor
Addendum
A drawing was inadvertently left out of Bob Kopsick's "Universal Slow Charger" feature, published in the September 2000 Model Aviation. The drawing is included on page 60 of this issue.
Apologies for the error.
MA Staff 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302
Newcomer Information
I was reading online the Model Aviation "On the Fly" section of the May 2000 issue.
I am reminded of my younger times when I started in the ham radio hobby. The hobby was largely promoted with events and "hands on" sessions, with lots of publications about the subjects, to which I subscribed, trying to find the basic help I needed at the time—basic information for a newcomer. After I found a few of those publications that printed very good chapters of basic information, I decided to stay with them and canceled the others. After I did so, the publications disappeared from the market, and left me with a very bad taste.
During that time I invested a good amount of money in acquiring the elements; to make it short, I have my garage with antennas, cables, a few almost-new radios, boxes of material, and a wife asking me, "When are you going to get rid of that junk?"
I got into aviation when I was 17 years old, and even though I am early retired from being a navigator, I am still playing with airplanes. I'm new in this hobby and I'm afraid to end my days with the same feeling of being invited by shows, raffles (I got some glue that I never used), stickers, pictures; but when it comes to getting into the hobby with my model it becomes a suffering experience trying to find basic information about it. I tried a few model aviation publications and none of them comes with this kind of help for us (newcomers). Let's say aerodynamics, building techniques, flying techniques, some easy-to-build models, how to start and stay healthy with the new hobby, how to do this and that, etc. You know what I mean!
It would be a very interesting project if somebody took his/her knowledge and experience and published a section in your magazine about these topics—just basic orientation for us, the newcomers. I'll be very interested, like many others, in applying those articles in building my enjoyment with this exciting new entertainment for myself and my grandchild, who is six and very interested in airplanes.
Ivan Cifuentes Cupertino, California
Pattern Thoughts
I do not know of a better successor to Rick Allison for the subject column than Eric Henderson. I read his columns in K-Factor for four reasons: his technical knowledge, knowledge of the sport overall, enthusiasm for competition and for the sport, and a marvelous ability to articulate the aforementioned in writing. Expanding his audience to the AMA readership should serve sport RC and RC Pattern.
I have been a beginning Pattern flier for about six years. I haven't been able to break out of the (now) Sportsman class. It's not (entirely) because of lack of ability on my part. In the last six years, I've changed jobs, bought and sold a house, and have been blessed with a son. In addition, our club lost its field for the better part of a year. My last contest was in 1996 at Arcola, VA, and in that case I skipped the second day due to other commitments.
With many demands on my time, and the fact that I've got to build what I fly in order to manage cost, columns like Rick's and Eric's are what keep the "embers glowing." I know I'm not alone. I believe there are many "dormant" Pattern fliers who, like me, still have the equipment and the interest, but are just not able to participate for one of any number of reasons.
I think the "RC Aerobatics" column will not only serve to generate new interest in Pattern, but will also serve to keep many Pattern fliers like me from "giving up."
Finally, just a follow-on to Eric's first column: I agree that Pattern pilots do not fly too much with the "Sunday fliers." But a little contact between a Pattern flier and an aspiring Pattern flier can go a long way.
At the 1996 Arcola, VA contest, I mustered the nerve to ask Dean Pappas to call maneuvers for me. He graciously accepted, and went far beyond what was necessary in discussing with me what I could do to improve. He is another one of those whose enthusiasm is infectious, and one contact had a lasting effect.
Pat Hoff Gaithersburg, Maryland
What's Next?
I am a 30-year member and subscriber to Model Aviation. I was totally dismayed by the appearance of an ad for "Nutritional supplements from Green Tree Vitamins for Life Health Center" in the June 2000 issue.
I feel strongly that AMA should confine its advertisers only to those that have products or services that directly deal with our hobby. I have discussed this with many fellow AMA members and they all agreed that this practice should cease immediately.
Tom Shaw Westwood, New Jersey
Letters to the Editor
NASA Correction
The August 2000 issue contained an incorrect listing on page 162 for the Secretary-Treasurer for the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA). NASA's Secretary/Treasurer is Bonnie Rediske, 128 Darnley Dr., Moon Township, PA 15108.
Feeling Silly
I've been modeling for 40 years. I was just reminded that anyone can make a simple mistake that will drive you crazy and make you feel silly.
I had just obtained a new MDS .48 and put it in a new Sig Something Extra. I could never seem to get the engine to settle down and run consistently.
The first thought was that the fuel had gone bad; nope. Then it had to be a plugged fuel line; nope. Weather conditions? Nope. Bad karma? Possibly. Not enough break-in time? Nope. (I had run half a gallon of fuel as the manufacturer had recommended.)
All of this was driving me batty. The solution came after another failed attempt to fly with a poor-running engine.
The engine quit when the model had just taken off; I pulled too hard on the sticks to "float" the airplane down, and stalled it! The resulting crash was in front of about five club members, so a post mortem was called for. Nobody came up with any new insights, so home I went.
The damage was minimal, but required that I remove the fuel tank. The long-sought-after answer appeared when I pulled on the tank: it came out minus the end stopper and fuel lines. I had forgotten to tighten the small screw that held the fuel end cap on!
Well, was I relieved. Then I felt stupid.
When I was at the final stages of construction, I must have put the tank together for a trial fit and finished for the night. The next time I installed the tank I had forgotten to check the stopper for proper seal. As a result, the engine would pressurize the tank, the tank would not hold that pressure, and the result was an engine that would never run the same twice.
I have since passed on my story of woe to my club members, and am happy to report there were no "I told you so"s. It just goes to show that model fliers are best buddies in the world. This is how you feel silly, but come back to the basics. Check everything twice!
David Bell Monroe, Washington
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
