Radio Control: Helicopters
THEY WON! Congratulations to the 1991 U.S. Helicopter team. They just came in first place at the World Championships held in Australia. Team member Wayne Mann finished second, followed by Curtis Youngblood in third and Robert Gorham came in sixth. Mann and Youngblood flew Miniature Aircraft X-Cells while Gorham flew a TSK. The contest was very close with high winds on at least two of the competition days. Sensui from Japan is the new World Champion. He flew a Kalt Omega. Look for a full report soon in Model Aviation.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME BACK. I have quite a few topics to cover this month, so let's jump in. P.A.R.R. Field Charger Update: I just heard from Mr. Ray Stacy, editor of the P.A.R.R. Newsletter. As you may recall, I published a schematic for a low-cost field fast charger in the January issue-a schematic that I had liberated from the P.A.R.R. newsletter. As things turned out, it would have been better to publish it in the April issue, because, as presented, the charger doesn't work. It seems that quite a few of you already have found this to be the case. Ray told me that he has been receiving from seven to 10 calls and/or letters a day for the last several weeks.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME BACK. This month's column will be devoted to Hobby dynamics' new Kalt Baron Alpha II. When I was offered the chance to review Kalt's latest 60 ship, I was very enthusiastic. I had both flown and watched Dan Melnik put his Excalibur through its paces and was very impressed. While the Alpha II is basically an upgraded Excalibur, it demonstrates Kalt's understanding of where the American Helicopter market is going. This includes the change to a larger rotor disc, different gearing and high quality main and tail rotor units.
Radio Control: Helicopters
WELCOME BACK. If you recall, last month I left you with my Kalt Alpha II nearly complete, and we will now pick up where we left off. Installing the radio: Installing the radio system in the Alpha II couldn't be simpler. The Alpha features a very nice molded set of servo holders that screw together to form a superstrong rock-free assembly. All pushrod runs are straight, and hardware for both ends of the pushrods is supplied.
World 1992 F3J Inter Glide
DO YOU remember reading the CIAM reports in Model Aviation last spring that indicated that F3J is now an official event? This means that another glider event, in addition to F3B, now has World Championship status. Never having flown an F3J contest, I was thrilled to learn that the English were hosting an international contest precisely when Carolyn and I planned to take a vacation in England. Everything worked out, and I was able to participate in Interglide '92-which proved to be both a fun and educational contest. Before I talk about the contest, let me explain the task briefly.
