Control Line: Navy Carrier
THERE ARE many factors that contribute to a successful Carrier flight-pilot skill, engine performance, airplane, and weather. I rank them in that order. Under the 76-77 scoring system, pilot skill has replaced the engine as the most important factor. Without a good landing, it is hard to be competitive. Pilot skill also affects low speed and, to a lesser extent, high speed. The benefits of practice to improve low speed and landing scores are obvious. Practice also helps in achieving reliable and consistent engine performance. Reading a magazine won't help improve pilot skills, and none of us can control the weather very effectively, so I'm not going to waste our time writing about these two factors. I am going to write about engines and airplanes in the next few months.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
I STARTED OUT in my last column to write about some of the features of our models that are different from other CL models. I am hoping to remove some of the mystery of our event for those who haven't yet tried it and, at the same time, I will try to present a variety of methods that might help the more experienced modeler around a problem area or that might stimulate a new idea. This column will deal with tail hooks, flaps, and ailerons. I chose to lump these items together because they are usually connected to one another in some way.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
IN THE MARCH issue, the caption for the TWA 36 engine photo implied that the engine was a Wallick Industries product. I received a letter from Glen Dye explaining that the engine is being marketed by Wallick Industries, but the TWA 36 is manufactured by Performance Model Products (1015 South 6th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415). Sorry for the error, Glen. Variable Line Sweep: The ability to vary leadout position in flight offers some performance advantages in the Carrier events, and such features are becoming more common, particularly in the Profile class. The advantage is that leadouts can be moved aft during slow flight, thus increasing yaw toward the outside of the circle. The outboard yaw allows the engine to provide some additional line tension, permitting safe slow flight at lower speeds or in higher wind conditions than normally possible. High-speed line position can be adjusted without consideration of low-speed handling qualities.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
THE USS SMALLFRY is ready to start operations with the Pacific Fleet once again after ten years. The West Coast location will mean some new names and faces around the Nats carrier decks. The Navy Carrier events have traditionally had a good following in California and Arizona, so there should be plenty of local talent in addition to those of us who wander in from more eastern locations. The WAM clubs have been flying AMA Profile Carrier at some of their contests, so they should be ready as well. Ed Hagerlin will be running the Carrier events this year. Ed is one of the leading figures in District X modeling activities, and has been flying and judging Carrier for some years as a member of the Cholla Choppers MAC. We can expect the Carrier events to be well-run.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
National Carrier Organization: During the Nats, the initial steps were taken to form a national organization of Navy Carrier modelers. This organization will serve as a means of promoting the Navy Carrier events, encouraging participation in the events, and sharing ideas among Carrier enthusiasts. It will also represent Navy Carrier fliers with AMA and will allow inputs from a large number of Carrier modelers to be used to guide the Navy Carrier Advisory Committee in making its recommendations to the Control Line Contest Board.
