Control Line: Navy Carrier
THE BALLOTS have been counted in the CLCB voting for the 1978-1979 rules. Since the rule book is likely to be late again (not all contest boards were as timely as the CLCB), I'll summarize the changes so that you will have an idea of what to expect next year. If you are building a new model this winter, you will probably want to include the new rules in your plans. Aircraft requirements have changed slightly, mostly in the paint department. Acceptable paint schemes have expanded a little. Any military paint scheme is acceptable. Profile models must carry national markings (the old "Navy markings" requirement was rather ill-defined). The paint and marking requirements are now the same for all Carrier classes. A canopy or designated cockpit area is required on Profile Carrier models.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
MORE ON RULES: In the last column, I talked about the 1978 rules. I failed to mention that it is time to submit proposals for changes to become effective in 1980. I hope we can do without a great many more changes. We have a good set of rules, and I'd like to keep them for a few years to let the models used in our various events (Profile in particular) develop and stabilize. There are two possible changes which are left over from the last cycle: profile engines and moveable leadouts. Both topics had widespread support for changes, but were not approved by the CLCB for one reason or another. Most of us agree that hand-made engines and plain-bearing conversions are detrimental to the growth of the Profile Carrier event, but since the CLCB did not separate this issue from the ball-bearing issue, there was no way to get the rule we wanted, and we ended up with no change at all. Give this some thought and decide what type of engine would best serve our needs for the next 10 years.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
WITH A FOOT and a half of snow on the carrier deck and frost on my workshop windows, the spring contest season seems a long way off. By the time you read this, it will be time to get out to the practice circles again. I envy those of you in warmer climates who can fly all year. It will be good to get out and fly again, and I am looking forward to making a lot of contests this year. I hope to catch up with some old friends whom I didn't see very much last year and to meet some of you who have been writing to me. I was reviewing some contest results from last year, and was pleased to see Terry Herron listed among the winners again. Terry took a few years off to go to school, and we missed him. His 370+ scores in Class II indicate that he hasn't lost any of the skills that made him so competitive in the past.
