Radio Control: Helicopters
SCALE FASCINATION. Have you ever noticed how people are attracted to a scale model? Time and time again, I've seen people crowd around a model that looks like a real machine and seemingly ignore the look-alike, pod-and-boom types. I'm not sure what causes this magnetic attraction, but one thing is for certain: people, whether they are modelers or non-modelers, are attracted to scale models. On the Radio Control Helicopter scene, scale machines seem to be making a comeback. Those of you who started flying in the last seven years may not realize that before the 1975 stick-and-bubble revolution (led by Dieter Schluter and his Heli Baby), nearly all the machines on the market were scale. The only non-scale machines that come to mind were those manufactured by Du-Bro.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WEIGHTED BLADES. In the September 1984 issue, I discussed the AMA's adoption of the FAI rule governing metal-weighted rotor blades. I shared my views with you and asked for reader response. I received over 30 letters and numerous phone calls on the subject. I've decided to publish portions from two of the letters. These individuals had different reasons for writing, but both exhibited genuine thought and feeling on the subject. The first letter is from Dr. Cyrus Stow from Conyers, GA: "It appears to me that three separate points are inherent in the safety rule: 1) No metal tail/main rotor blades; 2) No knife-edge leading edges on same; 3) No metal on same beyond two inches of root attachment.
Reno 1984 Nats: RC Helicopters
HOT, high, Reno, Nevada. Months before the competition, there were numerous horror stories concerning the high altitude and even higher density altitude. While there's no question that Reno is high and that it was indeed very hot, there also was no question that the altitude caused little problems for our RC choppers. Some of the entrants used higher-nitro-fuel to compensate for the small power loss of their motors, but most competitors just flew their machines stock. The only fatality due to the density altitude was Jose Picazo's beautiful Hirobo Iroquois. The altitude proved too much for the gas-engine powering this large model, and it refused to lift-out of ground effect; a real shame, as this model came second in static points.
Radio Control: Helicopters
FELICITATIONS! Even though this is the January issue, you will be receiving it in December. I thought it might be appropriate to wish you all a Super Holiday Season and a Happy, Healthy 1985. I hope you guys all found what you were looking for under your tree! This month's column will cover the U.S. Helicopter team selection competition and some new products of interest. U.S. Helicopter team selection. On September 22 and 23, the New Jersey RC Helicopter Society and the Monmouth Model Airplane Club co-hosted the U.S. team selection contest for the upcoming RC Helicopter World Championships, to be held in 1985 in London, Ontario, Canada.
Radio Control: Helicopters
FASCINATING. I'm one of those people who really enjoys model aircraft. It doesn't matter what type, I'm fascinated by all of them. As such, I'm usually inclined to read a model magazine from cover to cover. If you do the same thing, you may have noticed page 127 of the January issue of Model Aviation. It contained the up-to-the-minute FAI World Records. I noticed there are six record categories for Radio Control Helicopters. The following are what I believe to be current records, as published in the January issue (I've converted metric values to our system).
