Flying for Fun - 2001/01
SINCe MY LAST few columns have focused on exotic or
historical aspects of the hobby, this month I’ll include some
“nuts-and-bolts” items.
Although some of you may be aware of all these little tricks,
some of you may not be. Most of what I will discuss are not my
ideas, but are things I have observed and borrowed from others.
In some instances, I have forgotten the source.
Flying for Fun
LAST MONTH'S column featured photos and a brief report on the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design/Build/Fly electric cargo event held here in Wichita in May. As I mentioned, this event is for aeronautical-engineering students from around the world. The objective this year was to design and build a model capable of lifting 10-24 regulation softballs and flying a closed course. The softballs were an interesting design consideration in that they were not just for weight, but
Flying for Fun
Italian team pilot Luca Friggeri with its entry at the AIAA Design/Build/Fly event. Has Graupner 3450 motor with Graupner gearbox, Menz 21 x 10 propeller. A MEASURED RESPONSE: It has long been said among columnists that the best way to measure if anyone is reading what you write is to make a mistake. If that is true, this column has quite a few readers. In the May issue I wrote a short review about the FMA (Fred Marks and Associates) Direct Co-Pilot device, but I did not include an address since the company advertises extensively in the magazines.
Flying for Fun
Mail brings information to the modeling press about new products directed at the readers' varied interests. Some of the product announcements are widely distributed to try for free "plugs," and are usually deferred to the "new products" sections of the magazines. However, some new products are of such interest, and of sufficient novelty, that they merit hands-on trials and subsequent reports. Through the years, new products such as FabriKote, Koverall, MonoKote, Ceconite R/C, Solartex, cyanoacrylate adhesives, Davis diesel conversions, etc. were subjects of modeling magazine articles, although some products do not work successfully in our hands and are never written about.
Flying for Fun
And Now, a Commercial Message: It is inappropriate for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) to endorse particular products or to publish product reviews. (Those functions are well-covered by other publications anyhow.) However, column writers can report on what we perceive to be useful items (and sources). I'm on the lookout for anything that will add to the fun of flying, such as the following. More "Back Then" Stuff: I'd like to share personal recollections, featured in my April 1991 column, from the 1948 National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats):
