Radio Control: Electrics
THE MID-AMERICA Electric Fun-Flys are really two meets combined on one weekend to look like one big Michigan E-meet. This year's meet(s) were July 12-13, and were sponsored by the Electric Flyers Only, Inc. and Ann Arbor Falcons. CDs were Ken Myers and Keith Shaw. Each is well-known and well-regarded within the Electric community, and each is a club president. This meet has been growing steadily and had 75 pilots with more than 280 aircraft this year. It is structured as a fun-fly with simple events and judging categories. Ken and Keith wrote about the affair, and they boasted of having something new and unique this time: great weather both days! I received a carefully constructed surprise package a few weeks after the meet. It included a videotape that I dutifully watched as instructed. This tape contained highlights of the meet, beginning with a walk along the flightline, with attendees being instructed to say "Hi, Bob," as the camera passed by.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S column will cover one meet announcement and some neat new products and other technical stuff seen at the 1997 KRC Electric Fly. The San Diego Mid-Winter Electrics is a meet sponsored by the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego and is scheduled for February 13-15, 1998. Scheduled activities include funfly events, F5B exhibition flying, Speed 400 Pylon, Scale exhibition, and AULD (All Up, Last Down). There will be dealer booths, a Saturday banquet, and a tour of the Aerospace Museum. For more info contact the club Web site at www.sefsd.org or Russ Schuppner at [email protected] or phone (619) 469-2820.
Radio Control: Electrics
Amazing and very much appreciated - that's what the slow but steady growth in Ni-Cd battery technology over the last two-plus decades has been. My first floundering E-flights occurred 1972-73 - when just about nothing for E-power was available at any hobby shop, including batteries. This was a time of "do it all yourself" with a struggle! I remember struggling to rewind Radio Shack and other toy motors to make them (somewhat) more suitable for the flight task at hand. And I recall the exasperation of trying to fit unwilling gears and a suitable prop to them. Then there was the small, light, homemade super-regen receiver and Adams actuator. And I still see myself trying to power the whole works with an old receiver pack comprised of four button cells that had to be charged overnight in classic manner. (There was no such thing as high-rate charging then.)
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S topics include information on a commercial version of the End of Charge Beeper, an End of Charge Beeper upgrade, and some comment on tiny E-RC. The End of Charge Beeper (March 1997 column) was being considered as a potential product. (The EOCB is a simple device used in conjunction with your present motor battery charger to audibly signal when the charger has shut down.) I'm happy to announce the availability of a ready-built version. The product name is Lil Beep! and is available from New Creations R/C, Box 496, Willis TX 77378; Tel.: (409) 856 4630. The price is $19.95.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S discussion covers two meet announcements, some varied Electric products and supplier info, NEAC, follow-up on the Large Pack Slow Charger, and more on the EOCB. Joe Beshar is CD of The Exclusively Electric Fly In hosted by the Old Time Eagles on May 16, 1998 at the club field in Hope NJ. This is a gathering for the promotion of all kinds of Electric-powered models. The club welcomes all participants, spectators, and vendors. Prizes and surprises are planned. Plan on charging from your car and bring your own food for the day. For more info, contact Joe at 198 Merritt Drive, Oradell NJ 07649; Tel.: (201) 261-1281, Fax: (201) 261-0223. Tim McDonough of the Knights of the Air RC club announces the second Land of Lincoln Electric Fly June 13-14 in Springfield IL. Last year's meet drew attendance from seven states, and based on my own experience with good E-meets, I'd expect to see several more states represented this year. Contact Tim at 127 S. Oaklane Rd., Springfield IL 62707; E-mail: [email protected].
