Aerobatics 2003/12

THE 2003 AMA Radio Control Aerobatics
Nationals open contest held July 13-18 was
my ninth consecutive Nationals attendance,
the eighth at the AMA Headquarters site in
Muncie, Indiana, and my 11th total in 21
years. This was to be my second one as the
Model Aviation columnist covering the
event. A new transmission, two oil leaks, a
leaking power-steering box, and one bent
16-inch rim later, we were on our way.

Radio Control Aerobatics - 2004/06

THIS MONTH I’LL begin on a more
technical note. Included are a series of
excerpts from Dave Lockhart, who wrote an
interesting note about two-stroke and fourstroke
engines. Dave is a top-of-the-line FAI
pilot who has been flying competitively for
at least 15 years. His observations are
informative, and he presents several less
obvious angles that might not crop up unless
you are a serious competitor.

Testing your engine’s performance

What really goes on with engines when they are tearing
around the skies? I have always wondered. Have you?
For more years than I want to reveal, I have read
the various “engine columns” of my heroes, many of whom I
consider to be legends in their own time. When I was asked
to do “The Engine Shop,” I was uncertain whether I could
meet their levels of excellence and technical knowledge about
things such as metallurgy. I was sure I couldn’t replicate their
efforts.

Radio Control Aerobatics - 2008/09

WE HAVE LOST a great RC Aerobatics (Pattern) pilot and
competitor. I received a note from Bob Lee, letting me know that
Kirk Gray passed away June 1, 2008, from a heart attack.
I was shocked because he was only 41 years old. There is
something wrong about people dying who are 20 years younger
than you are; it’s just not the natural order of things.

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