Gary Shaw ARFSBLESSINGS OR BURDENS summer days behind us winter months lurking just around corner its time year us decide return old projects pick out something new begin construction dream machine thats hiding closet past few seasons Whether its jet helicopter quarter-scale model glider choices have become varied making up mind can difficult youre like enjoy flipping through model magazines pass time youll no doubt have noticed trend toward advertising ARF Almost Ready Fly RTF Ready Fly aircraft Theyre attractive aircraft seem fit bill modelers number reasons theyre easy build especially have lack building knowledge space time tools As project winter fall limited-building-time category seriously considering ARFuntil read letter veteran flier Art Grabow Everett Washington current trend bobby shifting more toward prebuilt airplanes commonly known ARFs have no problem As matter fact have recommended few new people coming sport reason have done because very little time spent putting together Nothing will discourage somebody quicker spending lot time building seeing creation re-kit itself reason Im writing article because have horror story about ARF recently acquired noname manufacturer needed recovered very bad way Im thankful did hadnt needed would flying very unsafe airplane stripped covering off what saw really shocked wood used inferior quality would work Now horror part ribs spars leading edge partially glued making some very weak joints reglue rest joints joining wing halves together plans made no mention fiberglassing center way its assembled would courting disaster fuselage broken two separate places repair job best break leading edge stabilizer other about halfway between tail trailing edge wing top fuselage pieces wood missing cure glue small thin piece wood over location sand down looked right holes body formers glued sides airplane just really poor workmanship ARF retailed $110 flown right out box end result would have disastrous plan buying ARF suggestion buy well-established manufacturer Dont try save few bucks buying unknown-name kit looking possible model examine very carefully going able see everything can tell lot looking tank / / . - ftJJIh compartment fuselage looks decent hopefully rest model built correctly Remember covering can hide lot defects Having read Arts review decided make few calls veteran modelers know conduct somewhat poll intent see could find others experienced problems ARFs similar what Art found What found startled meof 10 calls made purchased ARFs half informed similar quality problems found Although complaints centered around faulty hinges rest involved poor covering material poorly joined wing halves wing broke flight fire walls pulling loose due poor glue joints and/or mixture poor-quality materials fact regarding case faulty hinges post mortem revealed drop glue partially bonded flight surfaces foamlike covering material inside trailing edge nutshell hinges werent glued anything substancejust foam As would think after few flights flutter set hinges pulled loose aircraft crashed Unfortunately modelers involved two models built side-by-side both flown same day Both went home pieces As two individuals purchased models theyve returned remains manufacturer asked reimbursed damages Whether get money back will answered time although wouldnt too optimistic Im told itll long time before either modeler buys another ARF Are bad Can trust what get answers no yes cases Although found several December1996 53 - -K Antenna Systems itiers very Parachutes Data/Video Links Loggers GUI Cockpit Display Software Modems rnal Auto Pilots lete Ground Stations Tracking Antennas complete source tor reliable accurate affordable wireless data acquisition products Only trom Aero Telemetry leader portable telemetry technology Military commercial racing applications Fully integrated systems available tar immediate delivery tram $1195 httpI/wwwIainvtcurn/ae encountered poor quality think its fair mention majority spoke avoided headaches because thoroughly checked aircraft before purchase before flying tugged hinges examined construction Although several make corrections before flying took time check out work avoid some pitfalls Its still true get what pay deal seems too good good trueit probably Pessimism reality judge Art raised another good point letter suggested maybe AMA would like consider developing way review ARFs quality control hopes quality safety issues could improved Although support suggestion theres no doubt would monumental undertaking Perhaps AMA Safety Committee should review issue effort help prevent and/or curb substandard manufacturing area possible scenario could involve voluntary ARF submission manufacturers AMA review model could obtain sticker-type endorsement deemed airworthy As decide buy new ARFs can bet Ill airworthiness check before launch Until Ill stick built-up kits offer both challenge Im looking well satisfaction knowing did myselfand hopefully right way Until next monthhappy shopping keep batteries charging NICAL INC Largest Stocking Distributor SA$VO Batteries Call Competitive Pricing FREE CATALOG Receiver & Transmitter Packs ops Camcorder Cellular Sealed Lead Acid Lithium & Immediate Delivery om Assemblies nical Support Production Facilities 301 Central Park Drive ord FL 32771 New Location Same Owner Fax 407321 3208 email tnrbattery@aolcom 800-346-0601 Web http//wwwbatterystorecom 54 Model Aviation 4Analog/Digital Inputs erature 32/485 Variometer h/Roll sure ing tude Voltage d o GPS UN-A-I 11 Channe Handhe d Rece e IM BACK mga 1/6 WWll Korean War Modern Day mga po box 56ji add $400 SEE YOUR PILOTS $4500 5000 4000 2244170 2242789 sales tax SENO SASS
Edition: Model Aviation - 1996/12
Page Numbers: 53, 54
Edition: Model Aviation - 1996/12
Page Numbers: 53, 54
Gary Shaw ARFSBLESSINGS OR BURDENS summer days behind us winter months lurking just around corner its time year us decide return old projects pick out something new begin construction dream machine thats hiding closet past few seasons Whether its jet helicopter quarter-scale model glider choices have become varied making up mind can difficult youre like enjoy flipping through model magazines pass time youll no doubt have noticed trend toward advertising ARF Almost Ready Fly RTF Ready Fly aircraft Theyre attractive aircraft seem fit bill modelers number reasons theyre easy build especially have lack building knowledge space time tools As project winter fall limited-building-time category seriously considering ARFuntil read letter veteran flier Art Grabow Everett Washington current trend bobby shifting more toward prebuilt airplanes commonly known ARFs have no problem As matter fact have recommended few new people coming sport reason have done because very little time spent putting together Nothing will discourage somebody quicker spending lot time building seeing creation re-kit itself reason Im writing article because have horror story about ARF recently acquired noname manufacturer needed recovered very bad way Im thankful did hadnt needed would flying very unsafe airplane stripped covering off what saw really shocked wood used inferior quality would work Now horror part ribs spars leading edge partially glued making some very weak joints reglue rest joints joining wing halves together plans made no mention fiberglassing center way its assembled would courting disaster fuselage broken two separate places repair job best break leading edge stabilizer other about halfway between tail trailing edge wing top fuselage pieces wood missing cure glue small thin piece wood over location sand down looked right holes body formers glued sides airplane just really poor workmanship ARF retailed $110 flown right out box end result would have disastrous plan buying ARF suggestion buy well-established manufacturer Dont try save few bucks buying unknown-name kit looking possible model examine very carefully going able see everything can tell lot looking tank / / . - ftJJIh compartment fuselage looks decent hopefully rest model built correctly Remember covering can hide lot defects Having read Arts review decided make few calls veteran modelers know conduct somewhat poll intent see could find others experienced problems ARFs similar what Art found What found startled meof 10 calls made purchased ARFs half informed similar quality problems found Although complaints centered around faulty hinges rest involved poor covering material poorly joined wing halves wing broke flight fire walls pulling loose due poor glue joints and/or mixture poor-quality materials fact regarding case faulty hinges post mortem revealed drop glue partially bonded flight surfaces foamlike covering material inside trailing edge nutshell hinges werent glued anything substancejust foam As would think after few flights flutter set hinges pulled loose aircraft crashed Unfortunately modelers involved two models built side-by-side both flown same day Both went home pieces As two individuals purchased models theyve returned remains manufacturer asked reimbursed damages Whether get money back will answered time although wouldnt too optimistic Im told itll long time before either modeler buys another ARF Are bad Can trust what get answers no yes cases Although found several December1996 53 - -K Antenna Systems itiers very Parachutes Data/Video Links Loggers GUI Cockpit Display Software Modems rnal Auto Pilots lete Ground Stations Tracking Antennas complete source tor reliable accurate affordable wireless data acquisition products Only trom Aero Telemetry leader portable telemetry technology Military commercial racing applications Fully integrated systems available tar immediate delivery tram $1195 httpI/wwwIainvtcurn/ae encountered poor quality think its fair mention majority spoke avoided headaches because thoroughly checked aircraft before purchase before flying tugged hinges examined construction Although several make corrections before flying took time check out work avoid some pitfalls Its still true get what pay deal seems too good good trueit probably Pessimism reality judge Art raised another good point letter suggested maybe AMA would like consider developing way review ARFs quality control hopes quality safety issues could improved Although support suggestion theres no doubt would monumental undertaking Perhaps AMA Safety Committee should review issue effort help prevent and/or curb substandard manufacturing area possible scenario could involve voluntary ARF submission manufacturers AMA review model could obtain sticker-type endorsement deemed airworthy As decide buy new ARFs can bet Ill airworthiness check before launch Until Ill stick built-up kits offer both challenge Im looking well satisfaction knowing did myselfand hopefully right way Until next monthhappy shopping keep batteries charging NICAL INC Largest Stocking Distributor SA$VO Batteries Call Competitive Pricing FREE CATALOG Receiver & Transmitter Packs ops Camcorder Cellular Sealed Lead Acid Lithium & Immediate Delivery om Assemblies nical Support Production Facilities 301 Central Park Drive ord FL 32771 New Location Same Owner Fax 407321 3208 email tnrbattery@aolcom 800-346-0601 Web http//wwwbatterystorecom 54 Model Aviation 4Analog/Digital Inputs erature 32/485 Variometer h/Roll sure ing tude Voltage d o GPS UN-A-I 11 Channe Handhe d Rece e IM BACK mga 1/6 WWll Korean War Modern Day mga po box 56ji add $400 SEE YOUR PILOTS $4500 5000 4000 2244170 2242789 sales tax SENO SASS
