Radio Control: Soaring
TOLEDO. That modeler's mecca where the annual throngs gather to see the latest from manufacturers and modelers was again-for the 30th year-the place to be, during the first week in April. One column can't begin to cover it all; however, those models and ideas which seemed to be the focus of a lot of attention are presented this month.
Radio Control: Soaring
RECORDS. Maybe it was the long winter that set five fliers in motion when the good weather finally came. Cabin fever can make one do weird things. Long Sailplane flights, while not necessarily in the same category as wind, do, however, seem to be more common shortly after the snow blower gets mothballed for the summer. Check out these flights: On May 2, Dean Landreth and Bob Champine tested their planes for the record trials which were to take place over the upcoming weekend. Bob had a flight which lasted nearly six hours-just for practice-and landed just after sunset.
Radio Control: Soaring
COMPUTER people, pay attention! Chuck Anderson of Tullahoma, TN has sent in a letter-too long for a reprint here-but worth more than merely a mention. Pictures of Chuck and his models have appeared in this column a few times. A while back, he showed a couple of winglet designs; these were at the 1982 AMA Nationals (see Model Aviation, November 1982). The letter from Chuck was more of a description of programs for airfoil plots designed for the Commodore 64 computer that will be a future MA article. Printing can be done on a Gemini 10X or an Epson FX, and the airfoil samples included in the letter are as smooth as any modeler could hope for or require. Three plots are being made available for anyone who has a need for them.
Radio Control: Soaring
PROBABLY the easiest way to run a contest that extends beyond your own club's boundaries is to let the Post Office do your legwork. I don't know if I would assign them any task as responsible as timing, running the impound area, or retrieving towlines, since their department is hard to find on weekends and holidays, but as a Contest Director's sidekick, they can fit right in the scheme of certain events. (I'm referring to postal contests.) While not a new idea at all, the Pinellas Soaring Association (PSA) is, however, adding a new dimension to such an event. Their contest, which started off on a rather low key a couple of years ago, has become almost a World-class affair for no more than the cost of postage. This year, eight teams from seven countries participated in what is a sign of things to come.
Radio Control: Soaring
OVERCROWDED. In reporting any of the major contests such as the Nats or the F3B Finals, there's never enough space to cover each and every new idea in one article. The events during 1984 were no exception. Back at the Reno Nats, all of the good ideas weren't being displayed just on the flying field. As mentioned in the Nats report back in the December issue, some of the industry's manufacturers had set up their wares in the Reno Convention Center/AMA Headquarters site. Bob Martin displayed not only his line of sleek kits, which includes slope and aerobatic types, but also replacement fuselages for the old standby birds: Wanderer, Aquila, Oly II and Paragon.
