Reno 1984 Nats: RC Soaring
DEAR BOSS: You probably think I'm enjoying the heck out of this assignment. Well, you're partly right. After all, this is Reno, the city that claims to keep more light bulbs lit than any other city in the world. First off, let me say that, for the selection of a Nationals Headquarters, the troops at the AMA should be commended. The RC Soaring site, however, is another story. Headquarters is at the city's convention center, and that package is a first-class affair. The image to the public is most professional, and every AMA member can be proud. This is a far cry from some crowded old derelict hangar, such as we have experienced in the past. And the barracks for contestant housing that were usually a part of that hangar package are contrasted by some pretty fine hotels, here.
Radio Control: Soaring
CROSS-COUNTRY NEWS. Make that great cross-country news. Just as this column was being put together, an announcement came from Andy Keil (South Africa) that a formal proposal is being made to hold the first International F3H cross-country event. Scheduled for November 17-23, 1985, the event would use the provisional F3H rules which aren't too unlike the current AMA version. (They were printed in the October 1984 "Competition Newsletter," RMcM.) Why not a World Championship instead of an International Contest? The current F3H rules were just accepted by the FAI in December of 1983 and, therefore, must be tried and proven ("Provisional" status) before receiving official status. The International level of competition is a step in raising the event to World class.
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.
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
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.
