Free Flight: Old Timers
I THINK the fun of using rubber power is the choice of the numerous variables from which to tailor the power to the model, propeller, and desired flight performance. This month's column, with some introductory concepts, may be helpful to you who are not yet expert rubber fliers. Torque is twisting force, and for the purposes of this discussion, torque, power, and energy are the same thing. Torque is easily measured, and if torque is plotted on a graph against turns, a curve results, as shown in Figure 1.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
THE FRAMEWORKS for the Peck-Polymers Convertable and the Ace-Whitman Albatros, two rubber-powered models I have been discussing in recent columns, are shown in the photos. The models have now been covered but have not been flown: We are into our windy season here. I did not use the paper supplied; I much prefer the good stuff that's now sold for about 90¢ a sheet. It's worth it, as it goes on so much better than the cheap stuff (which costs about 30¢ a sheet) that is supplied with most kits.
How to Select an Old-Timer
ELECTRIC-POWERED RC flying is fast growing in popularity, with more and more contests and fun-flys scheduled on club and regional calendars. In 1991 the category was offered for the first time at the AMA National Aeromodeling Championships. (See Frank Korman's fine report in the November 1991 Model Aviation.) The most popular event seems to be Class A Sailplane (event No. 610). This event restricts the battery pack to a maximum of seven Ni-Cd cells. Class A Sailplane was flown at the 1991 Nationals with a 30-second motor run, an 8-minute maximum flight time, and points for landing inside a designated area.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
I'VE BEEN building model planes for more than half a century. I need only a few marks on the paper-or the bench-to build a model. I try to discipline myself to read building instructions when they are provided, but it's hard. Like a jazz musician, I tend to improvise around a basic melody rather than follow the dots. Newcomers are having success with today's better RC kits because these kits include detailed step-by-step instructions, similar to those in the Heathkit electronic kits I used to make. When confronted by most Free Flight kits, newcomers are baffled. "Where are the instructions?" they ask.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
I HAVE much to tell and little space, so each item will be brief. To begin with, two book reviews. First, there is a new Frank Zaic book; no plans and hardly any mention of models, but interesting and entertaining to those of us who have come to admire the person behind all the technical data in these familiar orange books. Frankly Speaking is an informal philosophical autobiography. It is available from Hannan's Runway, Box 210, Magalia, CA 95954 for $6.95 plus $2 postage and handling.
