Control Line: Aerobatics
It's been 10 years since the first Vintage Stunt Championships. The spirit of the event has grown, as has the number of days (from one to four), but a new venue has surfaced with equal potential to achieve legend status: This Labor Day weekend there will be a contest/gathering at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) site in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) has been invited to work with the EAA and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) to run a major event; the thrust will be to coordinate the EAA and AMA youth programs with a Control Line Stunt theme.
Control Line: Aerobatics
IT'S BEEN SOME time since I discussed specific building techniques, but this has been a productive winter season so I have some things to share with you. As you go through each adventure with new airplanes, it seems that there is always a new procedure to learn or an old one to releam. One major lesson I've had to repeat this year is easy enough to start with: Don't ever say "that's good enough"; it will come back to burn you later. I just finished repairing the control system on my last airplane; I skimped on time and put in the bearings with tubes. This time, a combination of reasons - vibration, poor work, etc.- led to the pushrod bearing at the bellcrank egging out.
Control Line: Aerobatics
At this year's Nationals (Nats), PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) will host an Intermediate event to be run in conjunction with Beginner. It will mark the first time for this spectrum of skill levels in competition. The emphasis will be on helping everyone learn; many "name" fliers have already volunteered to mentor the contestants. Everyone is invited to come, participate and enjoy, and be part of the future. As I write this column, the Winter Olympics is in full swing. Watching competitors in the various events is thrilling, but as individuals we can learn by observing the methods and mental exercises that contestants use to prepare themselves for their moment in the sun. Figure skaters work on their programs; then, prodded by their coaches, they come back and repeat the less-than-perfect parts. Speed skaters are observed in dry practice; that is, going through the precise form and body positions required in certain parts of the race. I saw several downhill skiers mentally going through the sequence of turns to get themselves set for their runs.
Control Line: Aerobatics
THE WEATHER IS changing, and I'm looking forward to a great flying season. Old airplanes are repaired and flyable, and the new one is awaiting trim colors. Propellers and lines, fuel and pipes are all ready to test; only one ingredient is not quite prepared, and that's me. Many of you probably spent the winter building, generally indoors, without getting much exercise, and there's the problem. Not until you get out and work hard in a long practice session do you realize that you need some preparation. Worse yet, with our models, we Aerobatics fliers may get tired and shorten practice, when we actually need more.
Control Line: Aerobatics
This month I'll talk about problems that can arise when checking out a new airplane or engine. I used the word or because you are looking for trouble if you attempt to do both at the same time. Sure, it's been done, and will be in the future, but it certainly isn't the most-desirable situation. Use an engine system (whatever one you like) -including an engine, propeller, tank, and exhaust unit (tuned or muffled) -that you know is checked out and working reliably! Having that baseline will prevent a situation from which you can't recover, such as the engine stopping in an attitude that will cause the untrimmed model to crash.
