Control Line: Aerobatics
WELL, I suspect that since reading last month's windup on the design phase of Stunt model trim, you have all spent the last 30 days designing, building, and painting a brand new Stunter. You are, at this very moment, standing at your mailbox with the new ship in one hand and the car keys in the other, awaiting this month's column on Preflight Trim and finally Flying the thing. Well, here it is, so jump in the car, and let's go. Let's begin with a careful examination of the ship to insure that it not only conforms to our design criteria, but also that all the bits and pieces are ready for flight. The first step is to double-check that all screws and keepers are secure.
Control Line: Aerobatics
HELLO again, Stunt fans. I swear, between trying to get my Reno ship finished (it's now June 30th and I have just sprayed the clear over the Trim-Kote) and United Airlines insisting on me actually flying for my paycheck, I was beginning to wonder when (or if) I'd ever get a chance to get this thing writ. So, barring my Apple turning to cider, here goes. After the meet in Eugene, OR was over last month, I was hanging around waiting for my return trip and noticed that the sharp young flier about whom I commented last month, Randy Schultz, was still at the contest site, apparently practicing. I went out to observe, and in so doing discovered a perfect subject for a column.
Control Line: Aerobatics
GREETINGS. As I begin to write this, I am sitting in the San Francisco airport, awaiting an airplane to whisk me to Eugene, OR for the Annual Northwest Regional Championships, probably the biggest Control Line event on the West Coast. It always attracts good participation in four PAMPA classes of Stunt, plus Old-Timer. This will be my first contest of the season, and I'm not remotely prepared. I won't be able to take my Celebration with me (not that it really matters, since I've only got those 10 or 12 flights from the Reno experiment on it since last year's Nats). I'm going to fly a bird (the very first of the ". . . tation" series) which I haven't seen or flown since 1978! It was in a retirement aerie in the basement of Bob Emmett's home in Seattle, and he agreed to scrape off the dust (and the enamel overspray from his son's newly-painted exhaust system) and bring it to Eugene. Oh well, winning isn't everything.
Control Line: Aerobatics
RENO-a preview. While it is not my intention to routinely spend time in this column discussing individual Stunt events, the upcoming AMA National Championships, to be held at Reno's Stead Airport, offers such a unique challenge to the Stunt fraternity that I felt it was appropriate to make an exception. The elevation of Stead Field, 5026 ft. above sea level, coupled with the air-thinning effects of high seasonal temperatures, will have all competitors concerned, most especially those of us whose airspace is limited by the rules of the event in which we fly (i.e. Control Liners).
Control Line: Aerobatics
STUNTFLASH. The Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) and its newsletter, Stunt News, are back in business! Fresh and enthusiastic new leadership in the person of long-time Stuntman Denny Adamisin as president and Mr. "High-Energy" Windy Urtnowski as editor and publisher of Stunt News has breathed fresh life into the Stunt world's national voice. Five excellent newsletters since January are proof positive that your dues dollars will once again bring you all the Stunt news that's fit to print. Get with it and send your $7 ($12 outside U.S.) membership fee to PAMPA, 329 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238.
