Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
IN THE WORLD OF fixed-wing RC aircraft, one of the most-appealing segments is the Scale aerobatics machine. Starting with the Citabrias, Zlins, and Pitts Specials, through the current crop of Sukhois, Extras and Giles 202s, these aircraft have the lines, looks, and performance that attract a wide range of folks. You'll find scale aerobats in all sizes - from tiny .049-powered models to the fire-breathing giants that are pushed to the edge at the Tournament of Champions and for any size and budget in between. Building and flying these machines is the focus of this new column. Of course, there is already a great Scale column in Model Aviation, and the Precision Aerobatics column enjoys a long history and one of the best writers in RC. But Scale Aerobatics is a specialized segment of the hobby, halfway between the Scale and Pattern groups - not exactly being in step with either, and often getting lost in the shuffle.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
FOR MANY of us, this is the "nonflying" season of the year. That means it's time to be busy working on next year's dream model and/or giving current models a thorough inspection in preparation for a fun-filled 1998. Whichever is the case for you, I hope you're enjoying it! Mailbox: With a bimonthly column I have twice as much time to collect mail and input from readers. Here are a few samples: Brad Shepherd (Victoria TX) sent several nice shots of his 1/5-scale Stephens Akro from the Linck Models kit. Brad says it's a hot contender in the MinImac event (a class of IMAC-International Miniature Aerobatics Club - competition for the smaller-size models and engines) with a Saito .50 in the nose, though this combination offers slightly less than "unlimited" vertical.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
WHENEVER YOU gather with fellow modelers, you hear many opinions on many subjects. Sometimes meetings result in the collection of valuable information that makes your modeling life simpler or better, and other times the primary value is entertainment. Often you don't know which is which! Two subjects that apply to Scale Aerobatics types have been on my mind lately (mostly because of listening in on conversations, real and "cyber"): gyros and scale flying. Gyroscopic stabilizers (gyros) have become all the rage in recent years, in "pure" Scale models and in Scale Aerobatics. Single gyros on the yaw axis are used on Scale aircraft to reduce the pilot's rudder workload. Dual gyros - one each on pitch (elevator) and yaw (rudder) channels - have been installed on IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatic Club) - type airplanes to greatly reduce the effort required to perform torque rolls.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
CORRECTION: I was informed by an IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatic Club) official that the group had voted to ban gyros from competition, but that was not the case. The official IMAC position remains the same as before; the current Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) rulebook does not address gyros at all. Before you go out and buy a pair of piezo gyros though, you should know that some of the IMAC officers and Contest Directors (CDs) are against the use of gyros in IMAC contests, and they will be banned at several events. Keep that in mind if you intend to install the devices.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
I received three letters concerning my use of the inaccurate (if commonly used) term weathervane in my April column, to describe the yawing that occurs during crosswind maneuvers. In this case the discussion was about crosswind landings. My favorite was from Bob Zajichek of Issaquah, Washington. Excerpts follow: "Although I can't consider myself an outstanding RC pilot, I had 25 years military flying - mostly carrier aircraft. One of my pet peeves in the almost eight years I've struggled with RC flight has been the consistent misuse of the terms weathervaning or weathercocking by students and instructors!
