Control Line: Aerobatics
AFTER several requests for information on adapting available kits to "real competition" machines, I will present the following data on the Sig Chipmunk and the Top Flite Gieseke Nobler. Next month I'll continue on some other kits. The Sig Chipmunk can be a devilishly competitive machine, as it has been in the hands of David Fitzgerald, who has won four National titles with a basically stick kit with a few modifications. Start by looking at the wood. David says to substitute engine mounts all the way out to the end of the cowl for better mounting of the plastic cowl. Replace the 1/16 plywood doublers with 1/32; use Contest light balsa on the bottom planking of the fuselage; use hardwood mounts for the bellcrank platform. Another big item that David suggests is making the top block in one piece from front to back; he has made a mold in one piece for the entire top block using 3/32 balsa for the block. This solid block on the top greatly reduces any flexing of the fuselage which evidently David considered a problem.
Control Line: Aerobatics
BACKING up a couple of steps from last month's ideas on modifying two kits, let's start from the beginning and recommend four steps for the beginner to start in learning how to fly precision aerobatics. The beginner should start with a profile airplane and learn level flights, inside round loops, outside round loops, inverted flight, takeoffs and landings. This writer suggests beginning with a .35-size engine for these reasons: it will usually start easier, will last through the crashes, and will be used later in succeeding planes. Step One is profile plane without flaps; the writer suggests one of the following: (1) Flite Streak (Top Flite), 42 in. wing span, a good old flier that will perform well; (2) Cosmic Wind (Goldberg), 43 in. wing span, another veteran that will fly (actually the Buster and the Shoestring are about the same plane); (3) Mongoose (M & P); 36 1/2 in. wing span, a slow Combat plane but suited for learning; (4) Ringmaster (Sterling) 42 in. span, a plane used by thousands to learn to fly, recently modernized in construction methods.
Control Line: Aerobatics
AS STUNT fliers go into the new year there are a number of issues and ideas that should be considered by all those who participate in the event. The Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association president, Keith Trostle, has recently sent out a questionnaire to all members with questions relating to rules changes for the 1980-81 cycle, as well as ideas for PAMPA Categories, Half-A stunt, and FAI team selection process. Stunt fliers with opinions on the following topics should direct their remarks to Keith at 10900 Phillips Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20870. The first topic has to do with George Aldrich's scoring system that was adopted in 1957 and has not been changed much since. The biggest complaint the writer has heard about the system is that the scoring range of 10-30 is unrealistic, especially since we have all grown up thinking in terms of 0-100 for dollars and cents as well as in school. The international scoring system is based on 0-10, which is certainly more realistic, although the FAI scoring also includes the degree of difficulty factor or "K" factor.
Control Line: Aerobatics
The solution is not simple. First, Bob should make certain that he has enough tip weight. Most .35 size profiles require at least 3/4 oz., but try one ounce or even 1.25 oz. to see if it helps. While we are talking about the wing, Bob had better make certain that his wing is not warped. The outboard wing may be twisted down relative to the inboard panel, or it may be the flap (if his plane has them) with the same problem. He could try shorter lines, which would make the plane more responsive and cause it to fly each lap faster for the same rpm of the engine, which could help with line tension. Actually, 60 foot lines on a profile are a little long, unless he is measuring from the handle to the center of the airplane; then the line length is the same as slow combat, but he is trying to fly the plane about 30 mph slower than slow combat. Make certain that the lines are .015 diameter, if .018s are used, more tip weight will definitely be needed.
Control Line: Aerobatics
WHERE did we get the present precision aerobatics pattern anyway, you ask? "I don't like the overhead eights, and that hourglass, how did it ever get in there?" Who thought up this madness? At the Model Industry Association meeting in February, 1946, the antecedent of the present Hobby Industry Association Meeting, a committee appointed by the AMA and composed of John Clemens, Jim Walker, and Russ Weber of Megow Models got together in a hotel room to discuss rules for "Stunt." With John acting as secretary, a set of rules was drawn up. "Actually, the committee was looking into all control line rules, but this meeting was specifically for stunt. We had to fashion the maneuvers to fit the planes and the engines of the time," said John Clemens recently in a conversation with the writer.
