Free Flight: Indoor
( We are out of microfilm solution. Erv Rodemsky's film is the preferred blend, but his remaining supply of raw nitrocellulose is contaminated. Other sources are being investigated, but this means a ground-zero start and months of testing to prove out any new formula. Recent changes in United States laws concerning hazardous chemicals now make it almost impossible for individuals and businesses to buy these chemicals as raw materials. Japanese-produced nitrocellulose (the primary chemical in Erv's film) is under import ban, because of legal action by a US competitor. Several of our top fliers are very low on film solution, and will probably be out by next year's World Championships.
Free Flight: Indoor
FINALLY! Thanks to faithful scribe Ken Johnson, we have the following report. Ken has continued to report each biweekly session since Steve Brown's 64:54 unofficial flight last September. "Yes, we did fly on June 15, at the Tustin Hangar, but everything was rather quiet after the session of June 1, 1997. On that day, a historic event took place: Steve Brown of the Tustin Group set a national and world Indoor microfilm record of 60:01.
Free Flight: Indoor
INTERNATIONAL POSTAL MEET: Sixty-five entrants from eight countries flew in nineteen sites in this contest. Larry Coslick and other fliers from St. Louis scheduled the contest to cover the time from January 1-March 31, 1977. The abbreviated results below include the traditional award winners plus the high time from each country. The fudge factors were rounded to four significant digits and the corrected time was rounded to 1/10 second. Standing, Country, Time, Ceiling (ft), Fudge Factor, Time First Overall: Collins, Walt, USA, 438, 8.166, 2.101, 920.2 First USA: Van Gorder, Walt: USA, 528, 17.91, 1.734, 915.3 First International: Danjo, Akihiro, Japan, 527, 24.23, 1.594, 839.9 Second USA: Clem, Jim, USA, 519, 23, 1.618, 839.5 Third USA: Brocks, Peter, USA, 390, 8.166, 2.101, 819.3 Mzik, Larry, USA, 485, 20, 1.682, 815.9 Platt, Bob, USA, 386, 8.166, 2.101, 810.9
Free Flight: Indoor
THE AMA RECORD Application Form: CDs and fliers listen up! When your model makes a record-breaking flight, many details of the flight must be entered on the AMA record application form. Some of the information is furnished by the CD, and the rest by you. A three-view of the model with all pertinent dimensions must accompany the record application, unless the model is a faithful replica of a published model design or the model was built from a commercial kit. CDs: The most important factors of the model-size, weight (if applicable), and other parameters especially defined by the rules, and the flight time, is the responsibility of the Contest Director. From a practical standpoint, the CD or a designated representative must satisfy himself that the model meets all points of the rule before it is flown. The CD has the responsibility to ensure that timers of the flight are familiar with the timing requirements and that their watches are accurate.
Free Flight: Indoor
DICK GANSLEN: Many Indoor fliers will remember Dick Ganslen, who was active for many years until a fall from a ladder resulted in severe injuries that required a long recuperation. He died in late May, 1995. Dick was also a physiologist and world-renowned pole-vault authority-an All-American in the pole vault and the triple jump. (he last competed in his mid or late 60s.) He wrote articles and books on the mechanics of the pole vault; aerodynamics of pole vault, discus, and javelin flight; psychology of sports; and physiology and pharmaceutical applications in sports skills.
