RC, CL, and full-scale
aircra were the stars at the
Compton CA airport when
EAA Chapter 96 presented a
combined air show. Careful
barrier positioning protected
the crowd.
At last, a source for those triangular rubber
pieces that prevent your knife from rolling o
the table! They come in a pack of 50.
More on the great pencil grips
I may not be able to set up a smooth
landing, but writer’s block will never
be a problem as long as readers
continue sending fresh updates on
aeromodeling safety. For instance, Roger
Hoover had some hot information on
the topic that would not die, which
is the problem of how to keep hobby
knives from rolling off the workbench
and impaling feet.
When I last discussed this issue, there
was no dependable source for those
rubber triangle pieces that slip over the
handle. Some art or offi ce-supply stores
occasionally carry them, usually in a bin
by the cash registers. Roger found out
that they are called pencil grips, and he
located a good source for them. They
were inexpensive, so I ordered a batch.
A package of 50 is more than I
needed, so after grabbing a couple for
the workbench and my wife’s craft table,
I took the bag to the local club meeting.
Modelers can act like locusts when there
are free goodies, and it was almost too
late before I remembered that I had not
taken a photograph to show all of you!
New rule: picture fi rst, share second.
These rubber triangles are the best
solution to the rolling-knife problem.
They help me grip the handle, and the
bright colors make the tool easier to
fi nd on my workbench. Be the one in
your club who brings a bag to the next
meeting, and share them with your
friends. Is this the last we will hear about
the pencil grips? I bet not.
Combo Air Show Kudos
I love air shows, and the smaller ones
seem to be the most fun. Chapter 96
of the EAA puts on a fi ne event at the
Compton, California, airport each year.
This year, it featured a glider giveaway
fl ight area for the kids, in a hangar
full of half-built aircraft. I enjoyed the
ambiance and built beginner models all
day, while chatting with people who had
never seen a model being constructed.
What a cool place
to hang out!
On the
fl ightline, next
to the full-scale
airplanes, were
RC modelers
and a bunch of
CL pilots. The
EAA staff laid
out a CL circle
front and center.
The “Ukies”
roared around
all day while an
assortment of RC models wowed the
crowd. From my spot in the hangar, it
appeared as though the RC aircraft were
passing through the CL circle. This was
only an optical illusion, but it was so
disconcerting that I had to walk out to
the fl ightline to check.
The EAA planners were delighted
to have so many model airplanes and
helicopters on their fi eld. They made the
CL circle bulge into the spectator area so
that more people could get a closer look
at the models. The safety coordinator
was accustomed to manned aircraft, and
was pleased at how close the models
seemed to be while maintaining a morethan-
adequate distance from people.
The Knights of the Round Circle and
the Circle Burners combined forces for
this show, and gave spectators some
handle time on a “real” model! The RC
fl iers did likewise with some park fl yer
trainers, to the delight of the eager kids
in the crowd.
The modelers were in fi ne spirits—
greeting the spectators and joking
around—but they also were all business
about air show safety. I watched
equipment, barriers, and layouts being
checked and double-checked before the
show opened.
The pit and model display area was
next to the barrier so people could
see the airplanes being prepped and
fueled. This was a great way to promote
our hobby, and a fine example of how
cooperation and careful preparation can result in an excellent event.
Mass Launch
Our hobby has a fascinating way of combining opposites. Famous author and modeler Bill Hannan sent me a photograph that illustrates this phenomenon.
He is an accomplished builder, but chose to make a beginner-type model. Today, we have access to ultramodern designs and materials, but Bill’s airplane is an antique design constructed with authentic “period” techniques. RC equipment has become more reliable, ultralightweight, and affordable, yet this airplane is a FF model.
A group of modelers around the world individually participate in a mass-launch event called the Memorial International Mass-Launch of Cloud Tramps (MIMLOCT). The pilots use the Internet to connect with each other, and launch models at the same moment all over the world to celebrate Charles Hampson Grant’s contributions to the development of our hobby. August 4 was the 2012 launch.
We have plenty of time to construct and trim a Cloud Tramp for next year’s event, if that sounds fun to you. I think it’s a marvelous tradition, even if it is slightly off topic.
Wing Flies into Danger
I love to hear from modelers about safety topics or anything else. Usually these messages come via email, but this month there were a couple of actual paper letters, and one was hand-written!
Dave Cleveland wrote about his big RC Sport model, and how he started the leaf-blower engine prior to a trip to the airfield. The wing was detached and leaning against the wall, but when the slipstream started blowing, it motivated the wing to get in on the action. The “action” turned out to be a propeller-shaped gash in a wingtip, and postponement of the flying trip.
Dave was sad that his airplane was damaged, but I’m glad he took the time to write about it and share his hard-earned wisdom. Plan ahead on a run-up and consider what might happen when the propeller starts moving. As Dave Cleveland learned, even if the model is well secured, other objects could be affected.
Antique model designs and Internet mass launches? Sounds like fun! Airplanes and photo by Bill Hannan.
Lost In Bad Translation
I’m still collecting good pieces of
advice for “Mike’s List,” and one of them
is from a young modeler who reminds us
to read the instructions. This seems to be
hard for some pilots, apparently because
of an ego issue with admitting that we
might not know everything.
Modern instruction booklets are
sometimes packed with useless warnings
designed to prevent lawsuits. Information
about how to use the product is buried
in some fine print about wearing safety
glasses while installing the decals. This
makes me skip over everything, when I
should be paying more attention to the
relevant parts.
A little indoor biplane recently arrived
from an online dealer and proved my
point. It came with an “Employ Explain
Book” that was more entertaining than
the model.
This aircraft is designed for living
room flight and it was tough to imagine
what harm it could do, but, by golly, the
manufacturer spent two pages warning
me in Chinese and English of possible
disasters. The book admitted that, “The
glider with beautiful line is very and
light, which is only 9g heavy.”
Some of the translations such as
“assembly batteries in the case with
safe interval,” were confusing. I’d like to
follow the manufacturer’s advice, but
what the heck does that mean?
The final line was slightly easier to
understand: “Make sure the glider is full
of electricity and it is normal after fly
adjustment. Then you can control our
biplane.”
Today, much of our hobby equipment
is imported. Some companies, such as
the one that made that biplane, use
computer-generated translations that
cannot handle technical terms. It is
possible that some crucial point could get
lost in a blizzard of fractured syntax. This
is a good reason to be careful, and ask an
experienced friend for consultation when
in doubt.
The little infrared model contains
a non-removable LiPo battery, which
could cause trouble if stored in a pile
of modeling stuff. This could be the
scenario if a pilot gets bored with the
model.
One day, the tiny, neglected cell
might decide to create some excitement
while buried in flammable kit boxes,
magazines, and balsa. This is not mentioned in the so-called “Employ Explain Book,” but it should be! When I am all done with the model, I’ll strip the components and store the battery in a safe container or properly dispose of it.
Steaming Into Peril
I share this last story with embarrassment. It proves that I am either the best or worst choice as safety columnist, depending on your point of view.
I am not a coffee drinker, so, naturally, the job of club-meeting-coffee-bringer has been mine for years. No one complains about the brew, because to do so is to volunteer for the position. I also bring a pot of hot water for tea or hot chocolate drinkers.
The teapot that boils the water holds slightly more than the vacuum jug used for transportation, so I usually swish the leftover liquid around in the coffee flask as a last rinse before filling it with java.
My “day job” involves servicing industrial boilers, so I am familiar with the concept of latent heat, which is the power that makes a steam locomotive pull a freight train.
On a recent coffee-making night, I forgot about latent heat, but the hot water remembered. When I poured boiling water into the jug and began to shake it, the lid closed. Agitating the water released a cloud of steam energy, and with the lid shut, it was channeled at high velocity through the spout and onto my hand.
I was so stunned that I couldn’t think of any exotic words! I knew better than this, and I usually remove the lid before rinsing. Trapping the steam inside gave it more power, and I have the second-degree burn to prove it. Dumb!
For statistical purposes, would this be considered a modeling accident or a kitchen mishap? It illustrates that many of our hobby accidents do not involve aircraft. I was too embarrassed to tell my coworkers about what a yutz I was, but I know that my secret is safe with all of you.
SOURCES:
MIMLOCT
www.mikedparker.karoo.net
Amazon (pencil grips)
http://amzn.to/Ny5E3X
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/11
Page Numbers: 87,88,89,90
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/11
Page Numbers: 87,88,89,90
RC, CL, and full-scale
aircra were the stars at the
Compton CA airport when
EAA Chapter 96 presented a
combined air show. Careful
barrier positioning protected
the crowd.
At last, a source for those triangular rubber
pieces that prevent your knife from rolling o
the table! They come in a pack of 50.
More on the great pencil grips
I may not be able to set up a smooth
landing, but writer’s block will never
be a problem as long as readers
continue sending fresh updates on
aeromodeling safety. For instance, Roger
Hoover had some hot information on
the topic that would not die, which
is the problem of how to keep hobby
knives from rolling off the workbench
and impaling feet.
When I last discussed this issue, there
was no dependable source for those
rubber triangle pieces that slip over the
handle. Some art or offi ce-supply stores
occasionally carry them, usually in a bin
by the cash registers. Roger found out
that they are called pencil grips, and he
located a good source for them. They
were inexpensive, so I ordered a batch.
A package of 50 is more than I
needed, so after grabbing a couple for
the workbench and my wife’s craft table,
I took the bag to the local club meeting.
Modelers can act like locusts when there
are free goodies, and it was almost too
late before I remembered that I had not
taken a photograph to show all of you!
New rule: picture fi rst, share second.
These rubber triangles are the best
solution to the rolling-knife problem.
They help me grip the handle, and the
bright colors make the tool easier to
fi nd on my workbench. Be the one in
your club who brings a bag to the next
meeting, and share them with your
friends. Is this the last we will hear about
the pencil grips? I bet not.
Combo Air Show Kudos
I love air shows, and the smaller ones
seem to be the most fun. Chapter 96
of the EAA puts on a fi ne event at the
Compton, California, airport each year.
This year, it featured a glider giveaway
fl ight area for the kids, in a hangar
full of half-built aircraft. I enjoyed the
ambiance and built beginner models all
day, while chatting with people who had
never seen a model being constructed.
What a cool place
to hang out!
On the
fl ightline, next
to the full-scale
airplanes, were
RC modelers
and a bunch of
CL pilots. The
EAA staff laid
out a CL circle
front and center.
The “Ukies”
roared around
all day while an
assortment of RC models wowed the
crowd. From my spot in the hangar, it
appeared as though the RC aircraft were
passing through the CL circle. This was
only an optical illusion, but it was so
disconcerting that I had to walk out to
the fl ightline to check.
The EAA planners were delighted
to have so many model airplanes and
helicopters on their fi eld. They made the
CL circle bulge into the spectator area so
that more people could get a closer look
at the models. The safety coordinator
was accustomed to manned aircraft, and
was pleased at how close the models
seemed to be while maintaining a morethan-
adequate distance from people.
The Knights of the Round Circle and
the Circle Burners combined forces for
this show, and gave spectators some
handle time on a “real” model! The RC
fl iers did likewise with some park fl yer
trainers, to the delight of the eager kids
in the crowd.
The modelers were in fi ne spirits—
greeting the spectators and joking
around—but they also were all business
about air show safety. I watched
equipment, barriers, and layouts being
checked and double-checked before the
show opened.
The pit and model display area was
next to the barrier so people could
see the airplanes being prepped and
fueled. This was a great way to promote
our hobby, and a fine example of how
cooperation and careful preparation can result in an excellent event.
Mass Launch
Our hobby has a fascinating way of combining opposites. Famous author and modeler Bill Hannan sent me a photograph that illustrates this phenomenon.
He is an accomplished builder, but chose to make a beginner-type model. Today, we have access to ultramodern designs and materials, but Bill’s airplane is an antique design constructed with authentic “period” techniques. RC equipment has become more reliable, ultralightweight, and affordable, yet this airplane is a FF model.
A group of modelers around the world individually participate in a mass-launch event called the Memorial International Mass-Launch of Cloud Tramps (MIMLOCT). The pilots use the Internet to connect with each other, and launch models at the same moment all over the world to celebrate Charles Hampson Grant’s contributions to the development of our hobby. August 4 was the 2012 launch.
We have plenty of time to construct and trim a Cloud Tramp for next year’s event, if that sounds fun to you. I think it’s a marvelous tradition, even if it is slightly off topic.
Wing Flies into Danger
I love to hear from modelers about safety topics or anything else. Usually these messages come via email, but this month there were a couple of actual paper letters, and one was hand-written!
Dave Cleveland wrote about his big RC Sport model, and how he started the leaf-blower engine prior to a trip to the airfield. The wing was detached and leaning against the wall, but when the slipstream started blowing, it motivated the wing to get in on the action. The “action” turned out to be a propeller-shaped gash in a wingtip, and postponement of the flying trip.
Dave was sad that his airplane was damaged, but I’m glad he took the time to write about it and share his hard-earned wisdom. Plan ahead on a run-up and consider what might happen when the propeller starts moving. As Dave Cleveland learned, even if the model is well secured, other objects could be affected.
Antique model designs and Internet mass launches? Sounds like fun! Airplanes and photo by Bill Hannan.
Lost In Bad Translation
I’m still collecting good pieces of
advice for “Mike’s List,” and one of them
is from a young modeler who reminds us
to read the instructions. This seems to be
hard for some pilots, apparently because
of an ego issue with admitting that we
might not know everything.
Modern instruction booklets are
sometimes packed with useless warnings
designed to prevent lawsuits. Information
about how to use the product is buried
in some fine print about wearing safety
glasses while installing the decals. This
makes me skip over everything, when I
should be paying more attention to the
relevant parts.
A little indoor biplane recently arrived
from an online dealer and proved my
point. It came with an “Employ Explain
Book” that was more entertaining than
the model.
This aircraft is designed for living
room flight and it was tough to imagine
what harm it could do, but, by golly, the
manufacturer spent two pages warning
me in Chinese and English of possible
disasters. The book admitted that, “The
glider with beautiful line is very and
light, which is only 9g heavy.”
Some of the translations such as
“assembly batteries in the case with
safe interval,” were confusing. I’d like to
follow the manufacturer’s advice, but
what the heck does that mean?
The final line was slightly easier to
understand: “Make sure the glider is full
of electricity and it is normal after fly
adjustment. Then you can control our
biplane.”
Today, much of our hobby equipment
is imported. Some companies, such as
the one that made that biplane, use
computer-generated translations that
cannot handle technical terms. It is
possible that some crucial point could get
lost in a blizzard of fractured syntax. This
is a good reason to be careful, and ask an
experienced friend for consultation when
in doubt.
The little infrared model contains
a non-removable LiPo battery, which
could cause trouble if stored in a pile
of modeling stuff. This could be the
scenario if a pilot gets bored with the
model.
One day, the tiny, neglected cell
might decide to create some excitement
while buried in flammable kit boxes,
magazines, and balsa. This is not mentioned in the so-called “Employ Explain Book,” but it should be! When I am all done with the model, I’ll strip the components and store the battery in a safe container or properly dispose of it.
Steaming Into Peril
I share this last story with embarrassment. It proves that I am either the best or worst choice as safety columnist, depending on your point of view.
I am not a coffee drinker, so, naturally, the job of club-meeting-coffee-bringer has been mine for years. No one complains about the brew, because to do so is to volunteer for the position. I also bring a pot of hot water for tea or hot chocolate drinkers.
The teapot that boils the water holds slightly more than the vacuum jug used for transportation, so I usually swish the leftover liquid around in the coffee flask as a last rinse before filling it with java.
My “day job” involves servicing industrial boilers, so I am familiar with the concept of latent heat, which is the power that makes a steam locomotive pull a freight train.
On a recent coffee-making night, I forgot about latent heat, but the hot water remembered. When I poured boiling water into the jug and began to shake it, the lid closed. Agitating the water released a cloud of steam energy, and with the lid shut, it was channeled at high velocity through the spout and onto my hand.
I was so stunned that I couldn’t think of any exotic words! I knew better than this, and I usually remove the lid before rinsing. Trapping the steam inside gave it more power, and I have the second-degree burn to prove it. Dumb!
For statistical purposes, would this be considered a modeling accident or a kitchen mishap? It illustrates that many of our hobby accidents do not involve aircraft. I was too embarrassed to tell my coworkers about what a yutz I was, but I know that my secret is safe with all of you.
SOURCES:
MIMLOCT
www.mikedparker.karoo.net
Amazon (pencil grips)
http://amzn.to/Ny5E3X
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/11
Page Numbers: 87,88,89,90
RC, CL, and full-scale
aircra were the stars at the
Compton CA airport when
EAA Chapter 96 presented a
combined air show. Careful
barrier positioning protected
the crowd.
At last, a source for those triangular rubber
pieces that prevent your knife from rolling o
the table! They come in a pack of 50.
More on the great pencil grips
I may not be able to set up a smooth
landing, but writer’s block will never
be a problem as long as readers
continue sending fresh updates on
aeromodeling safety. For instance, Roger
Hoover had some hot information on
the topic that would not die, which
is the problem of how to keep hobby
knives from rolling off the workbench
and impaling feet.
When I last discussed this issue, there
was no dependable source for those
rubber triangle pieces that slip over the
handle. Some art or offi ce-supply stores
occasionally carry them, usually in a bin
by the cash registers. Roger found out
that they are called pencil grips, and he
located a good source for them. They
were inexpensive, so I ordered a batch.
A package of 50 is more than I
needed, so after grabbing a couple for
the workbench and my wife’s craft table,
I took the bag to the local club meeting.
Modelers can act like locusts when there
are free goodies, and it was almost too
late before I remembered that I had not
taken a photograph to show all of you!
New rule: picture fi rst, share second.
These rubber triangles are the best
solution to the rolling-knife problem.
They help me grip the handle, and the
bright colors make the tool easier to
fi nd on my workbench. Be the one in
your club who brings a bag to the next
meeting, and share them with your
friends. Is this the last we will hear about
the pencil grips? I bet not.
Combo Air Show Kudos
I love air shows, and the smaller ones
seem to be the most fun. Chapter 96
of the EAA puts on a fi ne event at the
Compton, California, airport each year.
This year, it featured a glider giveaway
fl ight area for the kids, in a hangar
full of half-built aircraft. I enjoyed the
ambiance and built beginner models all
day, while chatting with people who had
never seen a model being constructed.
What a cool place
to hang out!
On the
fl ightline, next
to the full-scale
airplanes, were
RC modelers
and a bunch of
CL pilots. The
EAA staff laid
out a CL circle
front and center.
The “Ukies”
roared around
all day while an
assortment of RC models wowed the
crowd. From my spot in the hangar, it
appeared as though the RC aircraft were
passing through the CL circle. This was
only an optical illusion, but it was so
disconcerting that I had to walk out to
the fl ightline to check.
The EAA planners were delighted
to have so many model airplanes and
helicopters on their fi eld. They made the
CL circle bulge into the spectator area so
that more people could get a closer look
at the models. The safety coordinator
was accustomed to manned aircraft, and
was pleased at how close the models
seemed to be while maintaining a morethan-
adequate distance from people.
The Knights of the Round Circle and
the Circle Burners combined forces for
this show, and gave spectators some
handle time on a “real” model! The RC
fl iers did likewise with some park fl yer
trainers, to the delight of the eager kids
in the crowd.
The modelers were in fi ne spirits—
greeting the spectators and joking
around—but they also were all business
about air show safety. I watched
equipment, barriers, and layouts being
checked and double-checked before the
show opened.
The pit and model display area was
next to the barrier so people could
see the airplanes being prepped and
fueled. This was a great way to promote
our hobby, and a fine example of how
cooperation and careful preparation can result in an excellent event.
Mass Launch
Our hobby has a fascinating way of combining opposites. Famous author and modeler Bill Hannan sent me a photograph that illustrates this phenomenon.
He is an accomplished builder, but chose to make a beginner-type model. Today, we have access to ultramodern designs and materials, but Bill’s airplane is an antique design constructed with authentic “period” techniques. RC equipment has become more reliable, ultralightweight, and affordable, yet this airplane is a FF model.
A group of modelers around the world individually participate in a mass-launch event called the Memorial International Mass-Launch of Cloud Tramps (MIMLOCT). The pilots use the Internet to connect with each other, and launch models at the same moment all over the world to celebrate Charles Hampson Grant’s contributions to the development of our hobby. August 4 was the 2012 launch.
We have plenty of time to construct and trim a Cloud Tramp for next year’s event, if that sounds fun to you. I think it’s a marvelous tradition, even if it is slightly off topic.
Wing Flies into Danger
I love to hear from modelers about safety topics or anything else. Usually these messages come via email, but this month there were a couple of actual paper letters, and one was hand-written!
Dave Cleveland wrote about his big RC Sport model, and how he started the leaf-blower engine prior to a trip to the airfield. The wing was detached and leaning against the wall, but when the slipstream started blowing, it motivated the wing to get in on the action. The “action” turned out to be a propeller-shaped gash in a wingtip, and postponement of the flying trip.
Dave was sad that his airplane was damaged, but I’m glad he took the time to write about it and share his hard-earned wisdom. Plan ahead on a run-up and consider what might happen when the propeller starts moving. As Dave Cleveland learned, even if the model is well secured, other objects could be affected.
Antique model designs and Internet mass launches? Sounds like fun! Airplanes and photo by Bill Hannan.
Lost In Bad Translation
I’m still collecting good pieces of
advice for “Mike’s List,” and one of them
is from a young modeler who reminds us
to read the instructions. This seems to be
hard for some pilots, apparently because
of an ego issue with admitting that we
might not know everything.
Modern instruction booklets are
sometimes packed with useless warnings
designed to prevent lawsuits. Information
about how to use the product is buried
in some fine print about wearing safety
glasses while installing the decals. This
makes me skip over everything, when I
should be paying more attention to the
relevant parts.
A little indoor biplane recently arrived
from an online dealer and proved my
point. It came with an “Employ Explain
Book” that was more entertaining than
the model.
This aircraft is designed for living
room flight and it was tough to imagine
what harm it could do, but, by golly, the
manufacturer spent two pages warning
me in Chinese and English of possible
disasters. The book admitted that, “The
glider with beautiful line is very and
light, which is only 9g heavy.”
Some of the translations such as
“assembly batteries in the case with
safe interval,” were confusing. I’d like to
follow the manufacturer’s advice, but
what the heck does that mean?
The final line was slightly easier to
understand: “Make sure the glider is full
of electricity and it is normal after fly
adjustment. Then you can control our
biplane.”
Today, much of our hobby equipment
is imported. Some companies, such as
the one that made that biplane, use
computer-generated translations that
cannot handle technical terms. It is
possible that some crucial point could get
lost in a blizzard of fractured syntax. This
is a good reason to be careful, and ask an
experienced friend for consultation when
in doubt.
The little infrared model contains
a non-removable LiPo battery, which
could cause trouble if stored in a pile
of modeling stuff. This could be the
scenario if a pilot gets bored with the
model.
One day, the tiny, neglected cell
might decide to create some excitement
while buried in flammable kit boxes,
magazines, and balsa. This is not mentioned in the so-called “Employ Explain Book,” but it should be! When I am all done with the model, I’ll strip the components and store the battery in a safe container or properly dispose of it.
Steaming Into Peril
I share this last story with embarrassment. It proves that I am either the best or worst choice as safety columnist, depending on your point of view.
I am not a coffee drinker, so, naturally, the job of club-meeting-coffee-bringer has been mine for years. No one complains about the brew, because to do so is to volunteer for the position. I also bring a pot of hot water for tea or hot chocolate drinkers.
The teapot that boils the water holds slightly more than the vacuum jug used for transportation, so I usually swish the leftover liquid around in the coffee flask as a last rinse before filling it with java.
My “day job” involves servicing industrial boilers, so I am familiar with the concept of latent heat, which is the power that makes a steam locomotive pull a freight train.
On a recent coffee-making night, I forgot about latent heat, but the hot water remembered. When I poured boiling water into the jug and began to shake it, the lid closed. Agitating the water released a cloud of steam energy, and with the lid shut, it was channeled at high velocity through the spout and onto my hand.
I was so stunned that I couldn’t think of any exotic words! I knew better than this, and I usually remove the lid before rinsing. Trapping the steam inside gave it more power, and I have the second-degree burn to prove it. Dumb!
For statistical purposes, would this be considered a modeling accident or a kitchen mishap? It illustrates that many of our hobby accidents do not involve aircraft. I was too embarrassed to tell my coworkers about what a yutz I was, but I know that my secret is safe with all of you.
SOURCES:
MIMLOCT
www.mikedparker.karoo.net
Amazon (pencil grips)
http://amzn.to/Ny5E3X
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/11
Page Numbers: 87,88,89,90
RC, CL, and full-scale
aircra were the stars at the
Compton CA airport when
EAA Chapter 96 presented a
combined air show. Careful
barrier positioning protected
the crowd.
At last, a source for those triangular rubber
pieces that prevent your knife from rolling o
the table! They come in a pack of 50.
More on the great pencil grips
I may not be able to set up a smooth
landing, but writer’s block will never
be a problem as long as readers
continue sending fresh updates on
aeromodeling safety. For instance, Roger
Hoover had some hot information on
the topic that would not die, which
is the problem of how to keep hobby
knives from rolling off the workbench
and impaling feet.
When I last discussed this issue, there
was no dependable source for those
rubber triangle pieces that slip over the
handle. Some art or offi ce-supply stores
occasionally carry them, usually in a bin
by the cash registers. Roger found out
that they are called pencil grips, and he
located a good source for them. They
were inexpensive, so I ordered a batch.
A package of 50 is more than I
needed, so after grabbing a couple for
the workbench and my wife’s craft table,
I took the bag to the local club meeting.
Modelers can act like locusts when there
are free goodies, and it was almost too
late before I remembered that I had not
taken a photograph to show all of you!
New rule: picture fi rst, share second.
These rubber triangles are the best
solution to the rolling-knife problem.
They help me grip the handle, and the
bright colors make the tool easier to
fi nd on my workbench. Be the one in
your club who brings a bag to the next
meeting, and share them with your
friends. Is this the last we will hear about
the pencil grips? I bet not.
Combo Air Show Kudos
I love air shows, and the smaller ones
seem to be the most fun. Chapter 96
of the EAA puts on a fi ne event at the
Compton, California, airport each year.
This year, it featured a glider giveaway
fl ight area for the kids, in a hangar
full of half-built aircraft. I enjoyed the
ambiance and built beginner models all
day, while chatting with people who had
never seen a model being constructed.
What a cool place
to hang out!
On the
fl ightline, next
to the full-scale
airplanes, were
RC modelers
and a bunch of
CL pilots. The
EAA staff laid
out a CL circle
front and center.
The “Ukies”
roared around
all day while an
assortment of RC models wowed the
crowd. From my spot in the hangar, it
appeared as though the RC aircraft were
passing through the CL circle. This was
only an optical illusion, but it was so
disconcerting that I had to walk out to
the fl ightline to check.
The EAA planners were delighted
to have so many model airplanes and
helicopters on their fi eld. They made the
CL circle bulge into the spectator area so
that more people could get a closer look
at the models. The safety coordinator
was accustomed to manned aircraft, and
was pleased at how close the models
seemed to be while maintaining a morethan-
adequate distance from people.
The Knights of the Round Circle and
the Circle Burners combined forces for
this show, and gave spectators some
handle time on a “real” model! The RC
fl iers did likewise with some park fl yer
trainers, to the delight of the eager kids
in the crowd.
The modelers were in fi ne spirits—
greeting the spectators and joking
around—but they also were all business
about air show safety. I watched
equipment, barriers, and layouts being
checked and double-checked before the
show opened.
The pit and model display area was
next to the barrier so people could
see the airplanes being prepped and
fueled. This was a great way to promote
our hobby, and a fine example of how
cooperation and careful preparation can result in an excellent event.
Mass Launch
Our hobby has a fascinating way of combining opposites. Famous author and modeler Bill Hannan sent me a photograph that illustrates this phenomenon.
He is an accomplished builder, but chose to make a beginner-type model. Today, we have access to ultramodern designs and materials, but Bill’s airplane is an antique design constructed with authentic “period” techniques. RC equipment has become more reliable, ultralightweight, and affordable, yet this airplane is a FF model.
A group of modelers around the world individually participate in a mass-launch event called the Memorial International Mass-Launch of Cloud Tramps (MIMLOCT). The pilots use the Internet to connect with each other, and launch models at the same moment all over the world to celebrate Charles Hampson Grant’s contributions to the development of our hobby. August 4 was the 2012 launch.
We have plenty of time to construct and trim a Cloud Tramp for next year’s event, if that sounds fun to you. I think it’s a marvelous tradition, even if it is slightly off topic.
Wing Flies into Danger
I love to hear from modelers about safety topics or anything else. Usually these messages come via email, but this month there were a couple of actual paper letters, and one was hand-written!
Dave Cleveland wrote about his big RC Sport model, and how he started the leaf-blower engine prior to a trip to the airfield. The wing was detached and leaning against the wall, but when the slipstream started blowing, it motivated the wing to get in on the action. The “action” turned out to be a propeller-shaped gash in a wingtip, and postponement of the flying trip.
Dave was sad that his airplane was damaged, but I’m glad he took the time to write about it and share his hard-earned wisdom. Plan ahead on a run-up and consider what might happen when the propeller starts moving. As Dave Cleveland learned, even if the model is well secured, other objects could be affected.
Antique model designs and Internet mass launches? Sounds like fun! Airplanes and photo by Bill Hannan.
Lost In Bad Translation
I’m still collecting good pieces of
advice for “Mike’s List,” and one of them
is from a young modeler who reminds us
to read the instructions. This seems to be
hard for some pilots, apparently because
of an ego issue with admitting that we
might not know everything.
Modern instruction booklets are
sometimes packed with useless warnings
designed to prevent lawsuits. Information
about how to use the product is buried
in some fine print about wearing safety
glasses while installing the decals. This
makes me skip over everything, when I
should be paying more attention to the
relevant parts.
A little indoor biplane recently arrived
from an online dealer and proved my
point. It came with an “Employ Explain
Book” that was more entertaining than
the model.
This aircraft is designed for living
room flight and it was tough to imagine
what harm it could do, but, by golly, the
manufacturer spent two pages warning
me in Chinese and English of possible
disasters. The book admitted that, “The
glider with beautiful line is very and
light, which is only 9g heavy.”
Some of the translations such as
“assembly batteries in the case with
safe interval,” were confusing. I’d like to
follow the manufacturer’s advice, but
what the heck does that mean?
The final line was slightly easier to
understand: “Make sure the glider is full
of electricity and it is normal after fly
adjustment. Then you can control our
biplane.”
Today, much of our hobby equipment
is imported. Some companies, such as
the one that made that biplane, use
computer-generated translations that
cannot handle technical terms. It is
possible that some crucial point could get
lost in a blizzard of fractured syntax. This
is a good reason to be careful, and ask an
experienced friend for consultation when
in doubt.
The little infrared model contains
a non-removable LiPo battery, which
could cause trouble if stored in a pile
of modeling stuff. This could be the
scenario if a pilot gets bored with the
model.
One day, the tiny, neglected cell
might decide to create some excitement
while buried in flammable kit boxes,
magazines, and balsa. This is not mentioned in the so-called “Employ Explain Book,” but it should be! When I am all done with the model, I’ll strip the components and store the battery in a safe container or properly dispose of it.
Steaming Into Peril
I share this last story with embarrassment. It proves that I am either the best or worst choice as safety columnist, depending on your point of view.
I am not a coffee drinker, so, naturally, the job of club-meeting-coffee-bringer has been mine for years. No one complains about the brew, because to do so is to volunteer for the position. I also bring a pot of hot water for tea or hot chocolate drinkers.
The teapot that boils the water holds slightly more than the vacuum jug used for transportation, so I usually swish the leftover liquid around in the coffee flask as a last rinse before filling it with java.
My “day job” involves servicing industrial boilers, so I am familiar with the concept of latent heat, which is the power that makes a steam locomotive pull a freight train.
On a recent coffee-making night, I forgot about latent heat, but the hot water remembered. When I poured boiling water into the jug and began to shake it, the lid closed. Agitating the water released a cloud of steam energy, and with the lid shut, it was channeled at high velocity through the spout and onto my hand.
I was so stunned that I couldn’t think of any exotic words! I knew better than this, and I usually remove the lid before rinsing. Trapping the steam inside gave it more power, and I have the second-degree burn to prove it. Dumb!
For statistical purposes, would this be considered a modeling accident or a kitchen mishap? It illustrates that many of our hobby accidents do not involve aircraft. I was too embarrassed to tell my coworkers about what a yutz I was, but I know that my secret is safe with all of you.
SOURCES:
MIMLOCT
www.mikedparker.karoo.net
Amazon (pencil grips)
http://amzn.to/Ny5E3X
