Modeling Spoken Here
Bob Hunt Aeromodeling Editor
... technology does not have a reverse gear ...
It seems that electric-powered model-airplane flight has been "the coming thing" for the last couple of decades. I can tell you that it is no longer the coming thing; it's here right now!
The pioneers of electric-powered flight had a vision of a clean, quiet, safe, and powerful source of propulsion for model airplanes. The clean and quiet aspects were a given from the start. The "safe" part has had its ups and downs—as in any learning process—but is on the road to being fully achieved in the near future. The power aspect—to me, at least—has been the most interesting part.
Let's be honest. The earliest electric power packages were anemic. I can remember watching electric-powered sailplane-type models struggle mightily to achieve even a modest rate of climb. They were not very impressive. Being an aficionado of high performance in all types of motor sports, my outlook on power has always been that the only correct amount is "way too much." (Want to go for a ride on my 160-horsepower Suzuki Hayabusa?)
Of course there are applications in which ultimate horsepower is not the deciding factor in choosing a propulsion source. Indoor and park flying require the quiet and clean aspects as much or more than brute-force power. Electric power can now be contoured to provide almost any type of output to achieve specific results for indoor or outdoor needs.
We are fully cognizant here of the advances in electric power in the past few years, and we also realize that monumental strides are being made in this field on an almost hourly basis. There are a few technical problems to overcome still, especially in battery technology and safety. It is important to remember that technology does not have a reverse gear; it will always get better. Sometimes it progresses slowly and sometimes it does so quickly, as is currently the case with electric modeling development.
MA Technical Editor Bob Aberle is particularly aware of the advantages of electric modeling and is always reminding me of the potential that it has to increase our enjoyment of the hobby/sport. He has impressed on me the need for us to become even more proactive in presenting the best that electric modeling has to offer.
In August 2002 we produced an electric-modeling theme issue. The membership/reader response was overwhelmingly positive, and we've decided to produce another such issue.
What formed the nucleus of this collection of articles was avid electric modeler Joe Beshar's (former AMA District II vice president and present AMA flying-site coordinator for the eastern region) suggestion that we prepare an article that would make it easier for the average modeler who wants to try electric modeling to choose the proper motor-and-battery combination for a given size of model. Bob Aberle was presented with this challenge, and in his normal overachieving fashion, he went far beyond Joe's original thought to produce a document that should answer myriad technical electric-modeling questions. I know it has done that for me. Bob's article is so detailed and far-reaching in scope that we have had to break it into two parts, the first of which is included as the centerpiece of this issue. The second part will be published next month.
For you park-flier types who also like to build, we present a construction feature about a great little RC biplane design by MA "Micro-Flying" author Dave Robelen. His Big Punkin reminds me of the fabulous free-flight sport models of the 1960s that were designed by the legendary Keith Laumer.
I am particularly pleased to be able to present a construction feature article about Mike Palko's landmark electric-powered CL Precision Aerobatics (Stunt) model: the Silencer. This is only Mike's second electric CL model, but with it he placed a credible sixth place in the Advanced Stunt event at last year's Nats. To my knowledge, this is the first electric-powered CL Stunt model flown in competition at a Nats. I cannot express in words how proud I am of Mike for his accomplishment. As a brief aside, it is important to note that Jason Shulman flew an electric-powered model to win the FAI RC Aerobatics event at the 2004 Nats!
I can remember the days when CL was flown in fields and parks in urban areas. Modern attitudes toward noise pollution put an effective stop to that practice in most localities. Electric CL and electric RC park flying are viable ways to allow us to safely and courteously demonstrate modeling to the masses at these local parks and fields once more.
There are an ever-increasing number of dedicated electric-modeling events. Perhaps the largest such fun-fly in the world is the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair, which has grown steadily in the past few years to be the major showcase for all types of electric-modeling ideas, products, and designs.
This year Mother Nature threw a spitball curve at the NEAT gathering with a deluge from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan. Not only was the event washed out after only a day and a half, but there were serious issues of property loss and personal danger.
The organizers and many of the participants pitched in to help those in need. They saved numerous cars and trailers from being swamped, but many others were not so fortunate. This is a story not only about modeling, but about the nature of modelers as caring human beings.
Even though the event was severely abbreviated, we reasoned that this story needed to be told. Thanks to past AMA Executive Director John Worth for chronicling it for us.
An electric event that did not have to worry about foul weather was the JR Indoor Electric Festival. This gathering was held in early November 2004 at the Four Seasons Golf Dome in Columbus, Ohio.
On hand to capture the action for us was my "cousin" (not really) Tom Hunt. This is an event that we predict will also grow to become a major electric happening for years to come. There were several new innovations at this year's festival, reinforcing my earlier claim that electric technology is advancing rapidly. I won't steal Tom's thunder by discussing them here.
Rounding out the all-electric issue is a technical review of West Mountain Radio's Computer Battery Analyzer — a battery load-testing device that, in Bob Aberle's words, "can apply realistic load currents to simulate more closely what electric motors consume in flight." Again, technology is expanding in all directions to make electric modeling more viable, safer, easier, and more fun than ever before.
Have you tried electric modeling yet? Now may be the time to get on board for what is quickly becoming one of the major aspects of our great hobby/sport. It's shaping up to be an exciting albeit quiet ride.
You can reach me by:
- Phone: (610) 614-1747
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083
I'll read your letters by the glow of electric light, however ... MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
