Electro-Lite
THE PLANE called the Electro-Lite was developed as a test bed for a new and very efficient motor. The author had the privilege of working with Hand Fasola, designer of the Hytork 48 motor, during its initial testings. The motor used on the Electro-Lite is the V.L. Products "VL-101 Flight System." It is composed of a Hytork 48 motor, a charge plug/switch and a battery pack. The system weighs 2 1/4 ounces and generates approximately 4 ounces static thrust. The VL-101 system is now in production and available. For information contact: VL Products, 7023-D Canoga Ave., Canoga Park, Ca. 91303. This particular plane was built to evaluate the motor/battery combination for endurance-type flying. The plane, which weighs four ounces and has an area of 150 sq. in., performed so well that only about three of the flights ever landed without the dethermalizer bringing it down (3- to 4-minute average).
Altair
THE ALTAIR DESIGN was originally laid out in 1966 as a 1/2A Gas Model. The performance and consistency of this plane convinced me that it should be built in several sizes. The B-C version was then built and had 950 sq. in. area with a weight of 35 ounces. Its performance did not let me down. I decided for Class A an .09 version would be ideal. It is large enough to see but small enough for easy transporting and, as I have found in the past, this size airplane is just about ideal for ROW flying. The last size built is the one presented in this article. It can be powered with engines ranging from .15 to .23. It has 575 sq. in. and weighs 24 ounces. I do not fly these planes in a lot of contests, but they fly without adjustment whenever called upon for competition. All four sizes were flown at the Nats one year and, though none won a first, all four brought home trophies.
