Control Line: Aerobatics
MANY YEARS AGO, when I started building models, Veco kits and Sterling Ringmasters and Flying Clowns were the popular designs. In those days, the most difficult part for me was the control system; the Veco kits had the best representation of how to do it, and included many of the components. The Veco kits were expensive for the time at $6.95-about double the price of the profile kits, the Ringmaster and the Flying Clown. I recall the mystery of each new airplane's first flights. I thought that was just the way things were: sometimes they flew well, sometimes not. There wasn't much in print about how to trim airplanes, much less the modern technology on the trim devices.
Control Line: Aerobatics
This month I'm going to continue with assembling the typical Stunter, focusing on the wing/fuselage installation. But before I get to that, I thought I'd write a few words on why this is all so important-if not critical-to your latest creation. You might have heard the fervent wish to "build it light and straight." Well, to that I add, "better straight than light (within reason)," and here's why: If an airplane is built correctly, the chances are good that you will be able to trim it to fly reasonably well. An airplane that is out of alignment will never fly to its full potential, with compensating trim fighting the improper alignment. Many times I've let the mindset, "that looks good enough" overcome good sense. Only the correct alignment is acceptable on any model. Any time invested in ensuring that is justified.
Control Line: Aerobatics
Several columns ago, I discussed the value of refinishing a good-flying airplane. I had decided to refinish my number-four Caudron and use it as a test project for the new Brodak butyrate dope. In another previous column, I discussed how to strip the airplane down to bare wood. From there, I started the process of preparing the bare structure. With any refinish, somewhere are areas that require repair prior to recovering. After I block-sanded everything carefully, I restored the surfaces. This is the easiest point in the process to make the lightest repair.
Control Line: Aerobatics
EACH YEAR at this time, I make a pitch for you to get ready to enjoy your flying season by doing a little physical preparation. As I get older, and hopefully a little better, the old bones and muscles creak a bit more. That's telling me that if I want to go out, fly, and enjoy it, I better get to work. While you're young, you can generally push your body and not think about it. However, as you grow older, it's no different from any sport: you have to prepare. Consider the ingredients for flying Stunt. You have to have well-timed fine motor skills, which means strength in your hands and arms. It doesn't take a bodybuilder's regimen to do this-only a periodic light program. For the fine motor skills, I use a hand-grip exerciser that works individual fingers. A music store would have one for guitar players or for those who play other string instruments. With some light weight work on arms and shoulders, that should be sufficient.
Control Line: Aerobatics
On President's Day weekend, the Dallas Model Aircraft Association (DMAA) hosted a Stunt [Precision Aerobatics] Forum and contest. After many years of envying the wonderful forum hosted by the Garden State Circle Burners club, I really looked forward to this inaugural happening. I'd seen several of the Windy Urtnowski tapes on the Garden State Circle Burner forums, enjoyed them, and I recommend them. Chief organizer Tom Niebuhr, with DMAA President Mike Scott, did a superb job of organizing the presentation and keeping the proceedings moving throughout the day. The list of forum topics was varied, ranging from designing a semiscale Stunter, to designing a Stunt paint scheme, to various construction tips and tools. Since I can't recount all of the presentation, I'll pass on some of the tips that I thought were of value.
