Radio Control: Electrics
BLEAK! It is late October, and winter lies just ahead. Naturally, "the bleak of winter" only means something to those folks who have to put up with it: i.e. to those who have to forgo flying several times a week 'cause the snow and wind and cold temperature discourage such aeromodeling pursuits! Of course, such conditions are all the more discouraging to the Gas flyin' folks who additionally have to contend with cleaning off that cold gooey glop from their planes at the session's end! Electric fliers take heart, for Electric works very well in the cold and, short of shaking loose some snowflakes, there's no cleanup to contend with.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS COLUMN is always fun for me to write-but not this time. For two weeks I've been pondering how and what to write with respect to the passing of a recently-found friend who had, in a short time, done so much for me and for Electric. Not only had he done much for me, but over the longer course he did so much more for all of American and world aeromodeling. I'm referring to Dwight Holley, who departed on the longest flight of all on Monday, November 10, 1986 as the direct result of a long illness. I met Dwight only a few years ago in '82 when he was a casual visitor at the KRC Electric Fly-attending out of curiosity for this new Electric stuff. He had just attained world fame for having captured the World Soaring Championship in 1981. I remembered reading the accounts of his victory in the modeling magazines, and there he was-World Champ-at our Electric Fly!
Radio Control: Electrics
BEGINNERS. Based on incoming mail, Electric is enjoying a strong steady growth with many new participants joining in. I get lots of mail, and a substantial portion of it is from modelers new to Electric. These folks usually have "beginner questions," and as such I'm continually reminded of the need to keep a substantial percentage of this column allocated to covering this need. I personally know how very easy it is for experienced modelers to take some basic things for granted that may be major impasses to first-time Electric modelers. Here are some example subjects. Batteries. I've said it before, and it continues to be true: batteries and related matters continue to bring the most questions. Here is some information on common points of confusion.
Radio Control: Electrics
SOME Electric meets for 1987 have been announced. First, the Houston SPARKS (Silent Propelled Aircraft Radio Kontrol Society) will hold their Third Annual Spring Electric Fun-Fly on April 10-11 at Cullen-Barker Park on the Dick Scobee Memorial Flying Field. Several events are planned and will be conducted in accordance with the Electric rules proposals published in the February 1987 Model Aviation ("Competition Newsletter" section). SPARKS President Ken Martin tells me that the new Dick Scobee field ". . . is most likely the top one in the country . . .," having a main hard-surfaced runway measuring 80 ft. by 320 ft. with a grass cross-runway measuring 80 ft. by 240 ft. It has many other features including 120-volt outlets, water fountains, rest rooms, paved parking, etc. For more information, please contact Contest Director Eddie Thomas, 1427 Ashwood Drive, Sugar Land, TX 77478. His telephone number is (713) 491-3375. You can also contact Ken Martin at (713) 933-1688.
Radio Control: Electrics
EARLY reader reaction to the April column has been swift, sure, and voluminous. This month's column is being written just a few days after the April 1987 issue of MA has begun to appear across the country (not everyone has received their subscription copy, yet), and reader response is coming in at record levels. Never before has one of my columns brought such strong initial reaction! (Electric suppliers, take note!) What's all the fuss about? Well, the April column offered my thoughts on establishing meaningful Electric model motor specification standards, and evidently this offering "hit home" with lots of readers. Large numbers of you have made it very clear that you, too, want more meaningful motor descriptions/specifications/standards, and absolutely no one has written to the contrary!
