Micro-Flying - 2004/08

82 MODEL AVIATION
GREETINGS, fellow enthusiasts of the
small, light stuff. I am just getting back in the
saddle after a computer crash and a trip to the
Weak Signals’ Toledo show and the
Perrysburg Electric River Fliers (PERF)
Indoor RC Invitational held in conjunction
with the show. Bowling Green University’s
Perry Field House, the school’s indoor
football facility, was the site of the flying
session.
For those who weren’t there but assumed
that by April it would be getting warm in
Toledo, guess what? We drove through
snow, ice, and the bitterest cold wind I can
imagine. For those who did not have a
transport box for the lightweight models, the
trip from the vehicle to the field house was a
serious matter. Wings folded and parts went
flying.
Once inside the building, the fellowship
was super. I couldn’t take in so many neat
models. I’ll write more about the flying
session later in this column.
Browsing the crowded show, I met with
old friends from across the country and
checked out the vendors for neat new micro
stuff. In general, the show is moving toward
the community of large and powerful
models, and there was an abundance of
larger-sized ARFs.
There would be much to drool over if we
could just power our models with a 2 or
Dave Robelen
M i c r o - F l y i n g
Route 4, Box 369, Farmville VA 23901; E-mail: [email protected]
A partial view of the pits at the PERF Indoor RC Invitational shows the number of people who attended.
Bob Aberle’s Playboy Senior replica is designed to compete in the Old Timer Climb and
Glide event at this year’s NIRAC Championships.
Senior statesman John Worth has fun on
the floor at Bowling Green University’s
Perry Field House.
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:28 pm Page 82
more horsepower gas-fueled engine. There
were certainly vendors with offerings that
targeted the modelers who follow this column,
but they were in the minority.
FMA Direct showed a nifty package
system that included a five-channel
microreceiver, two PS-20 servos, a special
low-voltage ESC, and a Li-Poly battery
cell. The whole package weighed
approximately 1 ounce. By my standards,
that is progress. I saw at least one of these
systems flying a 6-ounce model with a
GWS power unit, and it was very peppy.
Check FMA’s advertisements or visit
its Web site at www.fmadirect.com for
more specifics and current pricing.
Dynamic Web Enterprises (DWE) at
www.smallrc.com was busy showing its
growing line of equipment and model
products. I noted ARF models as well as
laser-cut balsa kits. The selection of power
units was on the increase, with several
Gary Jones high-ratio drive units that
appeared nicely made.
One model in the DWE booth that
caught my eye was the DWEb. Built by
Scott Christensen of Sig Manufacturing,
the model was especially cute and nicely
made. The photo will give you an idea of
the general size and shape of this exquisite
little pusher. Scott would not comment on
whether Sig or DWE would be producing a
kit. He’s a bit of a politician.
Incredible projects that could have been
borrowed from a museum for the occasion
filled the display tables. If there was one
common characteristic, it was the size of
the aircraft. Nearly all of those beauties
August 2004 83
A number of manufacturers contributed to
the variety of door prizes at the Indoor RC
Invitational.
This exquisite little pusher—the DWEb by Scott Christensen of Sig Manufacturing—is
especially cute and nicely made.
The author designed this 16-inch-wingspan Mini Sport micro model.
Dave Platt’s lovely Taube (dove) has detailed structure and rigging. This smooth,
graceful aircraft flies at a leisurely pace.
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:29 pm Page 83
were huge. There were no indoor or micro
models in evidence.
I suggest we get busy and correct that
situation for 2005. I will build something if
you will, and we can have better
representation.
The absence of micro aircraft at the show
didn’t take away from the quality of models
Saturday night at Bowling Green. There were
some truly neat projects on tables and in the
air, including the Taube by master builder
Dave Platt.
One picture doesn’t do it justice, but
check out the detailed structure and rigging.
The miniature engine looks ready to crank
up and run. The Taube was a smooth and
graceful flier; it was lovely as it lapped the
building at a leisurely pace.
Bob Aberle, Model Aviation’s new
technical editor, came with a replica model
of the Playboy Senior that was designed to
compete in the Old Timer Climb and Glide
event at the National Indoor Remotecontrolled
Aircraft Council (NIRAC)
Championships in June in Waterford,
Michigan.
This sweet airplane had the new FMA
low-voltage system coupled with a GWS
low-voltage drive and was quite swift in
flight. Bob mentioned that the model would
be published on the RC MicroFlight Web
site at www.rcmicroflight.com, so keep an
eye out for it. I rarely build from someone
else’s designs, but this one is quite tempting.
One of the founding fathers of indoor and
micro aircraft (and RC in general), John
Worth, was seen flying one of the slowest
micro models I have seen in a long time.
Although the airplane looked simple from a
distance, even a casual perusal corrected that
thought.
I understand that this model was
designed—and possibly built—by Henry
Pasquet. Henry is well known for his cuttingedge
creations in the field of incredibly small
and light aircraft. It was inspiring to see John
having fun on the floor. He has seen several
more birthdays than I have, and it just
doesn’t show.
A partial view of the L-shaped pit area
gives you an idea of the quantity of models
and owners present at Bowling Green.
I made a significant observation relating
to the indoor flying scene. The organizers of
the gathering—the PERF—had set modest
figures for the weight, wing loading, and
power of the models that could be flown.
The result was an enjoyable flying session of
well-matched models. I didn’t feel as though
I had to keep an eye out constantly or put my
models under a table.
Too many groups have to deal with
people bringing their park flyer-sized models
into smaller facilities and having them
ricochet off the walls and an occasional
skull. How long will it be before there is
serious damage to a facility or a messy
injury? It would be super if those who need
to switch to lighter models would make the
move before something nasty happens.
I had my say; if someone would like to
rebut, I will work it into this column.
As shown in the photo, a number of
manufacturers contributed to the excellent
selection of door prizes. Thanks to each of
you.
A special thank you goes out to the PERF
club, who organized the indoor session and
ran it like a finely tuned watch. Be ready for
next year.
I have a new project to report. I designed the
Mini Sport for the light magnetic control
systems that are becoming abundant, along
with one of the standard drives (KP-00).
Made almost entirely from 1⁄32 sheet balsa, it
is a great model to consider when you want
to transfer your micro gear from a stick
model to a more realistic machine.
The performance is lively, with loops,
rolls, stall turns, and indescribable
whifferdils being normal. With a 230 mAh
Li-Poly cell, the model will stay airborne for
20 minutes if you can hold the transmitter
that long.
Some of the specifications include:
wingspan, 16 inches; length, 12.5 inches;
weight, 26 grams; drive, KP-00 with a U-80
propeller; and controls, RFFS-100. DWE is
considering kitting this one. If it strikes your
fancy, let the company know.
The remaining space is reserved for those
who might have written and even sent a
picture or two. Maybe next time?
See you at the field. MA
84 MODEL AVIATION
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