RC Aerobatics
LED by Ivan Kristensen, Canadians took first, third, and fifth in the FAI event. It could easily have been four Canadians in the top 10, but Dave Patrick became ill after qualifying 11th and could not continue. Maybe it's time to seal the U.S./Canadian border? Let's look at the level of participation in RC Aerobatics at the 1990 Nats: A total of 212 contestants competed in Pattern at the Nats. They were distributed among the classes as follows: ( Sportsman-47 ( Advanced-38 ( Expert Turnaround-25 ( Master-18 ( FAI-84
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
PATTERN KITS: Periodically I get letters that go something like this: "I've been trying to find out where to buy a Pattern Wonder II kit and nobody seems to know. Can you help me?" Often, the kit is the current darling of the Pattern circuit and is available only from a small manufacturer which, even without advertising, still has a long back order list. Sometimes I know where to direct the request, but often I don't. Well, the problem is getting a lot easier to solve. Jim Graham of R/C City has been quietly buying up the rights to many Pattern aircraft. If you're interested in an Eclipse, LA-1, Conquest VI, Summit III, Typhoon, or several other Pattern aircraft, you can now get them from R/C City. R/C City sells everything from basic kits through super-deluxe ones, and they are available reasonably fast. Obviously, the more prefabrication and/or special features you desire, the longer it takes. Prices start at just under $200 and go much higher.
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
As you read this, we're moving into uncharted RC territory. All of the new frequencies will be available for use. The new frequencies are a true double-edged sword because of the benefits and problems they bring. We'll be doubling the frequencies we can use and that should ease problems of over-crowding on some frequencies. The new narrow-band equipment should give us plenty of spacing between channels. The problems we'll have will be from the older equipment which will still be around. Clubs around the country will have to wrestle with how to accommodate the wideband equipment. Some clubs will require all narrow-band equipment, and that will ease any interference worries, but it will put a financial hardship on some people with the older equipment who can't afford to upgrade.
'91 All American Nationals: RC Aerobatics
THE HOT ONE is how we'll probably remember the 1991 AMA Nationals. It was almost a war of heat attrition. More about that later, but first some results. FAI featured Chip Hyde, David von Linsowe, and Bill Cunningham in the same order they placed during the Team Selection Finals three weeks earlier. A total of 203 contestants competed in RC Pattern at this year's Nationals. The entries were 46 Sportsman, 27 Advanced, 36 Expert, 21 Master, and 77 FAI. As was the case last year, FAI entries far outnumbered the other events.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
THE RESULTS of the rules change vote are in, and there was only one surprise. My proposal to replace the Procedure Turn with the 1/2 Reverse Cuban Eight in the Novice class failed six to five (needed seven to pass). I can't understand why there was any opposition to the proposal. The Procedure Turn is a dinosaur from the old days. It's a maneuver that is difficult to perform because it can't be seen very well, but it is also difficult to judge for the same reason.
