Modeling Spoken Here - 2005/05

YOU KNOW, I think I finally “get it.” I’m a
traditional “lifer”-type modeler who was
brought up and nurtured in this great
hobby/sport by another lifelong modeler: my
father James A. Hunt. Dad, by the way,
started building model airplanes when
Admiral Richard Byrd flew over the North
Pole (which was in 1926)!
All of my dad’s friends and almost
everyone who worked in his machine design
and building firm were also model builders,
and these are the influences that were
instrumental in forming my outlook on and
opinions about modeling.
Note that I referred to them all as “model
builders.” To me, this pastime has been all
about the package of designing, building, and
flying model airplanes. And I’m sure that if
you read this column regularly, you’ve read
all of this from me before on many occasions.
Many of you who, for whatever reason, do
not build model airplanes have often asked
why I don’t seem to fully embrace those who
choose not to build model airplanes in the
same manner I do those who build and fly.
The first two paragraphs might go a ways
toward answering that question.
The thing is, even though I choose to build
my own models, I really don’t have anything
at all against those who choose not to build. I
believe—as so many have said about a variety
of interest areas—that “There’s room for
everybody.” I just never fully understood why
some people don’t even opt to give modelbuilding
a try even once. I just didn’t “get it.”
My other passion in life is motorcycles—
very high-performance motorcycles. I used to
race bikes in the late 1960s and early 1970s,
but for many years now I’ve just enjoyed
riding them for pleasure. (My brother James
C. Hunt was a nationally known and
successful Amateur Enduro racer.)
I have no desire to tinker with my
motorcycles or add aftermarket doodads
(well, maybe just a few ... ), and I certainly
have no desire to build my own bike. In fact, I
have had a certain disdain for those “chopper”
reality shows on cable television, on which
they build a new show bike each week. Yuk,
who needs that?
I just want to punch the start button on my
Hayabusa and head for the Poconos (the
southern slopes of which start roughly five
minutes north of where I live) whenever I
have the chance, to get in some quality seat
time piloting my own personal two-wheeled
rocket ship. It’s very relaxing—at least the
moments in between the terrifying fear parts
are.
While preparing a talk for the Valley
Forge Signal Seekers club banquet recently, I
was trying to come up with a speech that
would explain the reason why some like to
build and fly and some prefer only to fly.
Many clubs are grappling with this issue
because sometimes the two factions don’t
seem to get along as well as they might.
Out of nowhere, the analogy of my biking
preferences hit me square in the face. It was
so obvious that I’d missed it for years. On
one hand I was somewhat looking down my
nose at those who, in one of my chosen
sports, didn’t construct their own stuff, while
in my other interest area I was disdaining
those who built their own machinery. Wow,
did I feel like a hypocrite with that revelation!
I finally “got it”; I finally fully understand
the reason why some people in this
hobby/sport prefer the sport or flying aspect
more. They simply enjoy just flying the same
way I prefer to just ride. Yeah, I know, I
should have come to this epiphany much
sooner. What can I say? Sometimes I’m just
not too bright.
I’ll still prefer to build and fly my own
models, but I have a renewed respect for and
understanding of “the other half” and the
genuine enjoyment they get from just flying.
If it’s anything like the feeling I get from
motorcycling, then I know it’s totally
fulfilling.
But hey, I still can’t convince myself to
watch those “chopper” shows.
It’s no secret that electric-powered modeling
is on the increase. If you have attended any of
the recent modeling consumer shows, you
know that that is an accurate statement. What
you might not know is how fast and dramatic
this increase in electric-flight activity has
become and how much new technology has
emerged in a short amount of time. Don’t
worry; it caught us at MA a bit off-guard as
well.
MA Technical Editor Bob Aberle has been
telling me for the past few years that this
renaissance in electric power was coming,
and that was one of the major reasons why he
was added to the staff. His technical
awareness in this area is well documented,
and he continually reminds me of the need for
AMA and MA to stay current and hopefully
even take a leadership position in keeping
modelers informed and educated about what
is here now and what is coming down the
pike very soon.
Believe me, it can be a steep learning
curve for those who are just now getting
involved in electric flight. Our goal is to
make that learning curve a bit easier.
To that end, we have had to make some tough
decisions. We have decided to strike out on a
new path with new, and hopefully fresh, ideas.
One of the changes we decided to make is in the
column reporting on the world of electric flight.
Outgoing RC Electrics columnist Bob
Kopski has been a shining beacon of light for
the electric-power contingent for more than 20
years. His landmark articles about electric
power in MA many years back were certainly
the catalyst that brought many of the initial
electric enthusiasts into the fold.
The decision to make a change in our
electric-column reporting was not because of
anything that Bob did wrong. He has been an
exemplary columnist in every respect. We
just felt that a different perspective might
allow us to move in some new directions
more quickly and efficiently.
To be precise, we are not just adding one
new perspective. In light of the amazing
amount, and diversity of, material that needs
to be covered, we have decided to break the
electric column into two distinctly different
categories.
In the next two months we will be
bringing onboard Greg Gimlick and Red
Scholefield as alternating columnists in this
field. Essentially, Greg will handle everything
from the battery connector to the airplane side
of things, and Red will handle everything
from the connector to the battery side.
Greg’s duties will be to keep us informed
about new electric airplane designs and kits,
new motors and motor technology, speed
controls, and anything else he can think of
that may enhance the electric-powered
model-flying experience.
Red’s job will not be as much fun,
perhaps, but is certainly necessary in this
current environment (no pun intended ... ) of
battery safety and application concerns. Red’s
background is in battery engineering and
production, so he’s the perfect choice to
author this column.
Along with our two new electric
columnists, Dave Robelen and Paul Bradley
will continue their respective specialty
columns: “Micro-Flying” and “Small-Field
Flying.” Their writings concentrate on
micro/indoor flying and the popular parking
lot/backyard flying. The total of four electricpower
columnists will add a new dimension
to our regular MA technical reporting.
If I’m at home building, you can usually get
in touch with me at (610) 614-1747. If I’m
out flying—or riding—leave a voice-mail
message. You can also opt to “construct” an
E-mail message and send it to bobhunt@map
isp.com. For those of you who still prefer the
snail-mail route, my address is Box 68,
Stockertown PA 18083. MA