Radio Control: Aerobatics
I'VE BEGUN to get inputs about what readers think are the best airplanes for the beginning Pattern flier. In the lead so far has been the Great Planes Ultra Sport 40 or 60, with the Super Kaos a close second. Surprisingly, the third choice has been the Dirty Birdy. Let me make a few comments about each. I've seen Novice and Sportsman fliers do well with the Ultra Sport. Between the two, I'd have to give the edge to the 60 size, simply because a larger airplane is easier to fly and present to the judges. The 40 size seems to fly just about as well as the 60.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO my club (Eglin Aero Modellers) held its annual Pattern contest. Because I was a judge, I had a good chance to look at how fliers were doing on the Novice and Sportsman maneuver schedules. By the way, John Fuqua and I share Contest Director duties. When he is acting CD, I am on the line judging. Similarly, when I'm CD, he's judging. It works out well and provides an extra judge on the line. I observed the Novice and Sportsman fliers more critically than at other contests, because I'm usually more preoccupied with my own event (Master) or in helping John Fuqua (FAI) than I am in how the fliers in Novice or Sportsman are doing.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
IT'S BEEN another month, and I haven't received any more letters on the subject of what a beginning pattern pilot's first airplane(s) should be. Maybe your pattern juices hadn't started to flow until the warm weather thawed you out. You should be heavy into the season by now, so let me hear from you or I'll be forced to assume that you are as out of touch with what beginner pattern fliers need as I have been alleged to be.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
IN THE FEBRUARY COLUMN I printed a letter I'd received from an RC sport flier regarding his perception of Pattern fliers. I did it because it reflected many sentiments I'd heard sport fliers voice about Pattern fliers over the years, and it was a way of putting the subject in the column without making it sound like the whole thing was my idea. I also printed the letter I'd sent to him. Then I made some comments about the situation. I really thought that part of the column was an honest look at our image-deserved or not-and might serve to point column to seemingly stir up trouble. If all you portray Pattern as is an event with numerous problems, then there is no wonder that someone would interpret Pattern as a `sad' event."
Radio Control: Aerobatics
IN THE APRIL COLUMN, I mentioned that I'd been getting quite a few letters from would-be and new pattern fliers asking what the best choices are for their first and second airplanes. In that column I said that I have my own ideas, but I wanted opinion from others because some critics commented that I might have lost perspective regarding the needs of the "lower classes." It's been a while now, and I'm surprised that I haven't been flooded with opinions. If I've learned one thing about pattern fliers, it's that generally they are not shy with their opinions. However, most responses I've received have been from people who want to know how the survey is coming. I still want your opinions.
