Radio Control: Pylon Racing
FAI FLIERS: For those of you who want to try out for the U.S. FAI Pylon team, the team selection finals are upon us. If you're reading this, you're running out of time! This year's finals will be held September 1-2, 1990 at Lasalle, MI. Wayne Yeager will be the Contest Director. Contact Micheline Madison at AMA Headquarters for more information on this. I've just received samples of some new products from Aerospace Composite Products. For those of you who have used carbon fiber for reinforce ment, you know it can be difficult to keep it from fraying. You can now buy carbon fiber in 1-in.-wide by 12-in.-long strips contained in tissue paper covers. No more loose fibers. The company also has a new .054-diameter Kevlar cord and a new epoxy laminating resin. For more information, write to Aerospace Composite Products, P.O. Box 16621, Irvine, CA 92714.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BUILDING TIME is upon us-unless, of course, you like to fly in the snow. Here are some hints for storing your radio till spring. First of all, if you have had any problems with your radio, now is the time to send it in for repair. The technicians are under immense pressure during the regular season. They have more time during the winter season, and will probably do a better job. At the very least, check out the radio yourself. You don't have to be an expert, just use a little common sense. Open the servos. Check the gear train for any chipped or missing teeth. Check for damaged wires or bad connections. You'd be surprised at the damage that can be done in a short summer of flying. Silverware cleaner works well for cleaning connections.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
WE are always looking for new and better ways to finish our Pylon Racers. Here is an update on glass cloth application sent to me by Art Arro: "This article is a sequel to one written several years ago on applying lightweight (1/2-3/4 oz.) fiberglas cloth over balsa-sheeted surfaces. The original article recommended K&B Superpoxy clear paint to adhere the cloth to the sheeted surface. At that time I felt that this method was better than the near-universal procedure of polyester resin and toilet paper. Although the clear epoxy paint excelled in application, it required many coats to fill the weave, and the adhesion wasn't up to par.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
FORMULA I PYLON, PART TWO. This month I'll present Part Two on finishing your Formula One Pylon Racing plane, by Gary McPike: "Now that the primer is sanded off, it's time to think about colors. Choose your colors carefully. I recommend using a light base color with a medium trim. I do not recommend dark colors. They hold heat and can fry radios and melt wing foam if left out in the direct sun for too long. Maybe this is a good time to stop and talk about the paint. You may be painting with one of the model epoxy paints, K&B Superpoxy, Hobbypoxy, or perhaps Pactra's Formula U. However, there are several builders around the country who are using automotive acrylic-enamels and acrylic-urethane paints.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
HERE WE ARE into the fall of the year. For some of us it's Championship race time. For those not so lucky, it's time to start building for the '92 racing season. If you live where it is too cold to fly for several months, don't forget to maintain your batteries. If not properly maintained, they stand a good chance of failing you come spring. Ace R/C has several different charging methods. For just a few dollars you can sire in a device called an Add-A-Trickle. This will allow you to trickle charge your batteries.
