Radio Control: Aerobatics
AS PART OF THIS JOB, I'm often asked for advice on various subjects related to the building, flying, and judging of aerobatic model aircraft. I try to do my best to respond to the limits of my knowledge and ability, and within the constraints of my available time and energy. After all, at the heart of the matter, columns like this one are advice columns. I believe that most of my fellow Model Aviation columnists and other modeling writers also try to respond in a like fashion. For that matter, most experienced and successful modelers I've known have been (and are) willing to give freely of their time and knowledge when asked. In fact, I can't think of a hobby or avocation where the inexperienced have more access to the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of the experienced than they do in aeromodeling. In addition to old-fashioned word-of-mouth advice, the major publications in the field publish articles and columns full of data every month.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
HOW WELL DO YOU FLY IN THE WIND? And nearly as important in these days of primarily contestant judging, how well do you judge in the wind? One of the most important statements in the Radio Control Aerobatics section of the AMA Competition Regulations is first listed under Definitions on page 69: "Wind correction: An alteration of aircraft attitude made for the purpose of compensating for the effects of wind drift on the track of the model. All maneuvers in RC Aerobatics are required to be wind corrected in such a way as to preserve the shape of the maneuver in the track of the model as described in Section E of the AMA Pattern Judge's Guide."
Radio Control: Aerobatics
FIRST EFFORTS BY new model magazine columnists are traditionally autobiographical. I suspect this ritual chest-thumping may have something to do with establishing the bona fide credentials of the new scribe, so that following solemn pronouncements are taken seriously. A psychologist might observe a slight similarity to some of the noisier territorial and dominance strategies used by our hairy cousins, the great apes. On the other hand, maybe it's just that you've got to start somewhere. I'll start with this: Ron Van Putte just got off the horse, and I'm climbing on. I'm sure that Ron has been properly thanked elsewhere by MA staff for his two decades of service, and I add my appreciation.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
THE '96 NATIONAL Aeromodeling Championships was the first full Nats held at our own "house" in Muncie, Indiana; the first Nats organized in the modern or Olympic format, with sequential venues; and hopefully, the first Nats in recent memory to be financially self-sufficient. It was also the first Pattern event of national or international scope to be flown at what will unquestionably become the finest site for RC Aerobatics in this country-and perhaps in the world. The International Aeromodeling Center is a squalling infant at present, with true maturity at least several years and a substantial amount of development in the future. However, the world-class potential is already clearly visible in the beautifully open sight lines, the peaceful rural surroundings, and the well-planned-and-executed work done to date.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
I DON'T IMAGINE that this will be a popular column. I don't like reading it, and I'm writing it. RC Pattern events are facing a manpower (people power?) crisis. Relief of some sort must be found, and soon. That relief probably will not come without cost-either in changed rules, increased entry fees, or shortened events-but the need for long-term solutions must be addressed. Continuing to ignore the problem and just "muddling through" amounts to mortgaging the future of Pattern. It is akin to painting over severe termite damage in the basement; sooner or later, the house comes down.
