Control Line: Combat
AMA asked me to be Combat correspondent and, since I can chew the fat with the best of you, I said that I would give it a try. I don't know what you expect by reading words about Combat, so let me say that I'm not an expert on anything. If you guys want all kinds of juicy secrets, I have none. Will you share yours? I'd like to know about your failures as well as your successes. Pictures tell it best. I think it is a good idea to define things so that we all start from a common level of understanding. What is Combat to you? To me, the total involvement of Combat is more than just flying Combat. Combat is flying, and also people, places, ideas and things, rules, and experiences. Best of all, Combat is happiness. First, the flying is certainly a prerequisite for, if you don't build a Combat plane, and if you don't enter a Combat contest, then you do not belong among Combat flyers. Also you Combat flyers are better flyers if you participate in all Combat flying events; i.e. 1/2A, FAI, Slow, and Fast.
Control Line: Combat
IN THE FIRST column we talked about what Combat consists of: flying, people, places, ideas and things, rules, experiences, and happiness. I have saved the best for last. Combat consists of belonging to MACA! MACA stands for Miniature Aircraft Combat Association. Combat is included in other groups, but this is the only organization which is all Combat: Combat first, last and foremost. This organization is your voice, collectively with others, speaking up for Combat. How do we do it? With a very excellent newsletter! The MACA N/L is a monthly publication edited by Bill Allen and Tom Southern. It is the communication vehicle for the competition Combat flier nationwide. It contains your words for others to read, technical reviews and critiques of products on the market. It contains advertisements of specialty equipment, a swap shop, contest reports and helpful hints. The newsletter alone is worth the price of membership to MACA. But wait, there's more from MACA.
Nats Control Line: Combat
IT WAS a great pleasure to be involved in Combat at the 1976 Nats. As an official, a photographer, and a contestant, I was able to gain a fair perspective of this fantastic game. Combat at the Nats continues to be the most exciting event of all; the enthusiasm, the concentration, and the absolute desire to win are always a part of the personalities of the contestants. The teamwork and action show it too. FAI Combat was first on the schedule and the weather was good. There were 42 entries. Considering the newness of this event in the U.S., I'd say MACA has done a creditable job of promoting this style of foreign Combat.
