NATS '78: RC Pattern
Ed Hartley is flanked by judges Dick Austin, Dorothy Spreights, and John Byrne, as he flies to a second place in Expert. His caller, Jerry Clifton, took third in Advanced.
Radio Control: Sport Aerobatics
PRODUCT evaluations are a sticky subject with magazines. The magazine staff is reluctant to print a critical review of one of their advertisers' products. At the same time, the columnists shouldn't be expected to "rubber stamp" a rave review written by an advertiser. Several years ago all magazines had the philosophy that they would only publish favorable product evaluations. Then along came the critical reviews in Radio Control Modeler magazine. Several manufacturers improved their products after a poor rating was published. Other magazines subsequently published negative but fair product reports and caused product improvement. On the other hand, some manufacturers did stop advertising in magazines critical to their products.
Radio Control: Sport Aerobatics
ACCIDENTAL "shoot downs" by having someone else turn on a transmitter continue to be a problem all over the country. Every month brings more newsletters which document the things we do to each other which crash more airplanes. Unfortunately, every "fool-proof" technique of frequency control has its weak points. Murphy's Law has many corollaries and sooner or later every system results in frequency conflict. Most instances of accidental frequency problems appear to result from carelessness. Turning on a transmitter without checking the frequency, or forgetting to turn off a transmitter, are high on the list of reasons for crashes. Successful frequency control systems are ones which require positive action by a flier to obtain the right to turn on a transmitter and rigid enforcement of the policy.
Radio Control: Sport Aerobatics
LATELY there has been a lot of discussion about providing more incentive to the beginning pattern flier. There are several obstacles to new pattern competitors and many are unwilling to overcome all of them. The recent reduction in attendance at pattern contests testifies to the need to consider changes which can be made to encourage new pattern fliers. Two problems which new pattern fliers face are the high caliber of flying ability within the Novice class and the very complex (expensive) airplanes which are flown in competition. There was a time when a good flier could bring out an Ugly Stick, a Senior Falcon, or another such airplane and stand a chance of placing in any contest (except maybe the Nats). It can't be done any more.
Radio Control: Sport Aerobatics
AS I'VE mentioned several times before, the AMA sends me all of the RC-oriented club newsletters which are received at AMA headquarters. Most of the newsletters have initials on the cover from four or five Headquarters staff members, indicating that they have read the newsletter. Model Aviation's publisher Carl Wheeley's initials are on every one and AMA's Executive Director John Worth's initials are seldom missing. Whether you know it or not, if your club sends a newsletter to AMA, it gets high level attention. It is another example of the importance of club newsletters to the club and AMA. Have you ever considered that the club newsletter editor is probably the hardest working club member? After serving as a newsletter editor for four years in Ohio and another two years here in Florida, I know what it takes to put out a newsletter. Yet, the editor is probably the least appreciated volunteer in the club. Generally, all the editor ever hears about the newsletter is that a particular issue never arrived or was late. Seldom do club members contribute articles or news tidbits unless the editor begs, threatens or cajoles. Yet, to their great credit, the editors seem to keep putting out the news.
