Letters to the Editor
SkyCrawler Motor Update
Since the publication of my SkyCrawler article in the May issue of Model Aviation, Hobby Lobby has informed me that they have been overwhelmed with orders for the Speed 480 motor that I recommended to use in that model.
I was not aware of it at that time, but because the gearbox changes the rotation direction of the motor, the motor timing is off. This results in very short life for the motor, and a lot of arcing of the brushes, which gives the brushes a very short life.
I admit that I am now on my second motor in the original SkyCrawler prototype, but I thought that was just normal since I had so many flights on it.
I was informed that by rotating the rear housing 1/4 to 5/16 of an inch, the timing would be corrected for opposite rotation. There are just two screws that hold the rear housing in place, and by marking with a white marker before rotating the housing, you can easily do this modification.
I did it, and it's true that the motor runs a little faster and there is no visible arcing of the brushes anymore.
Thanks!
Clark Salisbury 671 E. 2160 N. North Logan, UT 84341
Kids are Elsewhere
This letter is in regards to the recent article [Eloy Marez's "Electronics" column] in the March issue of Model Aviation concerning "Where are the kids?"
In the club to which I belong it seems that the older guys have no tolerance for kids, much less anyone else. In fact they do a better job at chasing people away from this hobby than attracting ones who may be interested in taking up this hobby.
These guys treat this hobby as more of a business than what the hobby is supposed to be, and that is fun and relaxing—so I thought. These guys have to realize that it's only a hobby; it's supposed to be enjoyable. It's very unappealing to see grown men act in such a way that it takes all the enjoyment out of the hobby.
And that's why we don't see the kids at the field in my opinion. So I say to these ones, "Get a life."
Concerned Hobbyist
Convention 2001/Flying Sites
Regarding the AMA/IMS show and the loss of flying sites, I was disappointed like others due to the lack of participation by the major manufacturers at the Pasadena [CA] show. The show was very different from what it was in the past. To me it was part show and part swap meet.
Where were the helicopters? I only saw three, and I had planned to buy one at the show. Where were the ARFs [Almost Ready to Flys]? I consider myself a sport flier, never been in a flying contest, just do this because I enjoy building and flying.
We here in California have a major problem, and that is the loss of flying sites. The large schoolyard down the street from my home, where I have been flying gliders for many years, has been taken over by soccer players.
There is a new sign posted on the fence; the first thing is that model airplane flying is not allowed, then shooting arrows and hitting golf balls, etc. The soccer team has put up its goalposts and signs, and are telling me to keep out—the field belongs to them.
The same thing is true for the other field that I have used for many years. The soccer teams are trying to push us out. At first they only wanted to use the field once in a while, which we agreed to. Now they need it more and more often, for months at a time. I have a feeling that they hope we just give up and then they can have the field all the time.
The police were called one time because of a noise complaint. When we asked where the phone call came from, the police officer told us the phone call came from a party who lives approximately five miles away from the field. The officer saw no noise problem and left.
Let's face it! They want us out. Is there any need to talk about Mile Square Park? Three golf courses in one park! Over 60 in...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
