Modeling Spoken Here - 2003/03

IN THE JANUARY editorial I wrote at
length about the changes that would be in the
offing for Model Aviation editorial content
pertaining to newcomers. This month the first
of those changes appear.
To recap, we have decided to present
virtually every aspect of how to get started
correctly and safely in each aspect of
aeromodeling in as logical a sequence as we
can manage and in as much detail as we can
achieve. This means not only operationaltype
articles, but also construction, basic
preparation, and safety pieces.
The thought is to do this properly one
time, then put the information in a logical and
easily findable manner on the AMA Web site
so that future generations of modelers will
not have to wait for this material to be represented
in the magazine. Once this
monumental task is completed (and it will
take a long time … ), we can again
restructure our goals to move forward as a
complete family of modelers, secure in the
belief that everyone who really wants to be is
included in the fun.
This will only work if we are all willing to
give up a little in the short term so that we
can make major gains for the health and
security of the hobby/sport in the long run. If
we don’t do this now, it will be 10 times as
difficult to do in the future.
The first word in the name of our
organization gives us the direction we need to
go in; we are an “Academy.” If you were to
look up the meaning of the word academy,
you would find the following definitions:
college, conservatory, school, seminary,
university. We are and should remain, among
other things, a teaching organization.
Academies are not made up only of those
who know the subject matter thoroughly
and/or those who teach it; there are always
new “students” entering an academy, and
they are hungry for, and need to be presented
with, basic, intermediate, advanced, and
expert-level information in a format they can
digest and use.
To that end, we start the teaching and the
learning journey. I have asked my old friend
and mentor Bob Aberle to kick things off
with the first article in our “From the Ground
Up” series. His “Introduction to
Aeromodeling” is designed to address
baseline, beginning modelers, making them
aware of the choices available in the world of
model airplanes, where they should start,
what types of modeling opportunities there
are, what items they really need to get started,
safety issues, and other concerns they might
have.
Why are we starting at the entry level? If
we are to truly serve the entire modeling
community, we need to include those who are
just starting out. They need to be able to
“catch up” with the rest of us on at least the
basics. Even moderately advanced articles
may be beyond their grasp, so some baseline
information needs to be established.
In the coming months, Bob will outline
the Radio Control (RC) portion of the sport.
This is the area into which the most new
modelers are coming, and we need to start
here. Bob will cover equipment choices,
frequency and operation safety, the basics of
the batteries we use and their proper
maintenance, equipment installation and
linkages, and more. Armed with this basic and
essential information, the new modeler can
move forward with confidence that no
important steps or issues have been skipped.
Beyond that will be more advanced RC
information, but not before the other types of
modeling get the same treatment of the basics
for those who choose not to fly RC. Control
Line and Free Flight newcomers will get what
they need to make a successful start too.
The plan is to bring each group forward in
concert with the others in knowledge and
understanding. Yes, this will take a lot of time
and space. We could simply give over the
entire magazine to this concept and cut the
time required to achieve our goals, but that
would be unfair to the more advanced
modelers who want and deserve the stimulus
of more advanced subject matter. So we will
continue to try to present a well-balanced
selection of articles for all modelers as we
implement this new program.
All this is fine as far as it goes. It is
nothing new to repackage and re-present basic
information in a magazine every few years.
But what about those who enter the
Bob Hunt Aeromodeling Editor
… no one will be left out or
forgotten.
Photo by Paul Vliet
Modeling Spoken Here
Continued on page 199
March 2003 7
03sig1.QXD 12.19.02 2:11 pm Page 7
Continued from page 7
Aeromodeling Editor
March 2003 199
hobby/sport in the middle of this cycle? They
are essentially entering the theater in the
middle of the movie. Is it necessary for them to
wait another four or five years to see the basic
information they need right now?
We have decided to use one of those new
paradigms I wrote about in the January
editorial to ensure that all available modeling
information is available all the time to all
modelers. We are going to publish the “From
the Ground Up” series on the AMA Web site
so it can be accessed and downloaded to allow
new modelers to catch up quickly. The
material can be updated periodically to reflect
new techniques, methods, materials, and
equipment, but once it is on the Web, there will
really be no need to publish it again in the
magazine.
The result will be an abundance of space in
which new and interesting articles that extend
the frontiers of every aspect of the hobby/sport
can be printed. And we will have been
responsible as an academy, providing the basic
information to all who seek and require it.
That’s a win/win situation.
Want a glimpse of the future of the “From the
Ground Up” series? We have already begun to
assign article subjects to those who we know
are excellent communicators as well as experts
in their particular modeling fields. Bob Aberle
is one of the most knowledgeable people I
know of when it comes to understanding
technical RC issues, and he has a great gift to
be able to convey things technical in terms the
rest of us can understand. The real meat and
potatoes of Bob’s offerings will begin with the
next issue.
I am first and foremost a model builder, and
in the near future I’m going to author a few
pieces about getting started in building,
including how to set up a shop and what tools
are required. Augmenting my efforts will be
Mike Gretz of Sig Manufacturing, who is
preparing an in-depth piece on balsa wood, and
a few other notable model builders who will
write about other interesting building subjects.
My very good and longtime friend—a
brother, really—Dean Pappas is putting the
finishing touches on a comprehensive series of
articles that will form a flight-trimming
cookbook for scratch builders and ARF
(Almost Ready to Fly) enthusiasts alike.
The name for the “From the Ground Up”
series was the brainchild of another good
friend: Paul Vliet. Thanks, Paul. Sometimes
coming up with the right name for something
is the hardest part!
That’s just a brief look into the future. As I
wrote in January, the future is daunting but
exciting. And trust me, no one will be left out
or forgotten.
AMA Director of Publications Rob Kurek
read the preceding and suggested that I add the
fact that education of our membership is a
directive that is in our bylaws and mission
statement.
Need to get in touch with me? I can be reached
by mail at Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083. My
telephone number is (610) 614-1747, and my
E-mail address is [email protected]. MA
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F u l l - S i z e P l a n s
942 Zenith CH 801: .....................................................................$3.75
FF Rubber Scale model by Fineman spans 20 inches
No. 904 Y2K Racer: Sport Electric FF by Charles Fries spans 18 inches ............................... A
No. 905 Buhl Sport Airsedan: RC Scale model by Phillip S. Kent spans 72 inches .............. E
No. 906 Grumman Ag-Cat: Rubber powered FF FAC Giant Scale by Rees spans 36 inches ... C
No. 907 Bristol Brownie: RC Scale by Robelen for geared six-volt Speed 400 spans 44 inches .. C
No. 910 3Quarters: RC sport model by Randolph for Norvel .074 spans 45 inches................... B
No. 911 P-47: RC Scale Electric model by Ryan for Speed 400 spans 31 inches....................... C
No. 912 Simple Simone: CL trainer by Netzeband for glow .15 engine spans 36 inches......... B
No. 916 Piper Malibu Mirage: Rubber-powered Giant Scale by Fineman spans 431/2 inches C
No. 917 Sir Lancelot: RC sport model by Henry for O.S. .61 spans 72 inches ........................... D
No. 918 Skyraider: CL 1/2A Profile by Sarpolus for Norvel BigMig .061 spans 29 inches ......... B
No. 925 Bird-E-Dog: Ernie Heyworth and Ed Lokken’s RC Electric Sport Scale model ......... C
No. 926 JoeCat: RC sport jet by Beshar for Toki .18 DF unit spans 37 inches ........................ C
No. 927 Kairos: CL Stunt model by Dixon for .46-.61 engine spans 58 inches........................ C
No. 928 Beta Blue Chip Racer: Rubber-powered FF Scale model designed by Tom Derber B
No. 929 Dewoitine D.338: Multimotor RC Electric Scale by Mikulasko spans 781/2 inches .... E
No. 930 Westland Lysander: RC Scale model by Baker for .25 spans 56 inches ................. E
No. 931 1959 Ares: Champion RC Aerobatics model by Werwage spans 501/2 inches .......... C
No. 932 Wing400: RC Electric flying wing by Hanley for Speed 400 spans 36 inches ............ B
No. 933 Kepler 450: CL speed-limit Combat model by Edwards for .21-.32 two-stroke ......... A
Plan does not include full-size template shown on page 40 of the August 2002 issue.
No. 934 VariEze: FF Peanut Scale canard by Heckman spans 13 inches .............................. A
No. 935 Classic 320: 1/2A Classic Power design by Pailet for Cyclon .049 or equivalent ....... B
No. 936 Prince: RC sport Pattern model by Robelen for O.S. .25 spans 51 inches................. C
No. 937 Clean Cut: RC sport aerobatic model by Sarpolus spans 90 inches ........................... E
No. 938 Diamond Gem: Compressed-air-powered FF sport model by Ken Johnson............... B
No. 939 Project Extra: RC Scale Aerobatics model by Mike Hurley spans 106 inches **$49.50
No. 940 Cessna No.1: RC Electric Sport Scale by Papic spans 321/2 inchesn B
No. 941 Mooney and Beechcraft Bonanza CL 1/2A profile sport models by Rick Sarpolus B
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