Control Line: Navy Carrier
This month's column will concentrate on relatively new products that are adaptable to our Navy Carrier events. Most of these products are intended for Radio Control, but that never stopped us before. Northeast Aerodynamics (150 Robinson Rd., Hudson NH 03051; Tel.: [603] 881-5899) manufactures kits in their Profile Warbirds series that are intended for RC sport flying. They are profile models with landing gear. All are modeled after World War II aircraft, and about half of them are eligible for bonus points in Profile Carrier. They produce an F6F Hellcat, an A6M Zero, a P-51 Mustang, and a Bf-109.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
I was pleasantly surprised a few months ago when I received Carrier-related E-mail via the Internet. Receiving E-mail isn't unusual, and most of it is about modeling, so that wasn't out of the ordinary, either. The surprise was that the message was from Lieutenant Mike Danford. He was in the Arabian Gulf on the USS Carl Vinson, flying S-3 Vikings and looking forward to returning to San Diego before the end of 1996. By the time this issue reaches print, Mike should be in Southern California flying Carrier with the San Diego CL club. He was planning to build Melvin Schuette's Curtiss XF-13C for the .15 Carrier event.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
AS THIS COLUMN is being written (early February) the Control Line Contest Board (CLCB) is preparing for a vote on the urgent proposal to restore the two-minute starting time allowance for multiengine models. (Editor's note: Steve Kaluf, AMA Technical Director, has confirmed that the proposal passed and is effective immediately.) Two basic proposals for the 1999 rules cycle were scheduled for a February 28 vote. You should expect the results in the Model Aviation you receive in June. Proposals that pass the initial vote will be subject to cross-proposals, which must be submitted by July 15. It is unfortunate that the schedule does not allow for discussion of cross-proposals at the National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats); perhaps an extension can be agreed upon in the Executive Council. Whatever the schedule, if you want to participate in the cross-proposal discussions and deliberations, contact Pete Mazur at 5 Windsor Court, Aurora IL 60504; (630) 466-4051. Pete chairs the Navy Carrier Advisory Committee to the CLCB.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
BY NOW YOU MAY have read that the two proposed rules changes for Control Line Navy Carrier events passed the initial Control Line Contest Board ballot. As you read this, the cross proposal deadline of July 15 should be imminent. I do not expect any cross proposals for the change that would allow an additional minute of starting time for each additional engine. The proposal would shorten the current allowance of two minutes per engine, passed earlier this year as an urgent proposal. However, the proposal to allow two-line control systems in Profile Carrier probably will see a cross proposal. As originally proposed, the change would mandate Class II line diameters for one- and two-line systems in Profile Carrier. It seems inappropriate to handicap Profile models with such large lines. Because an electronic control system for throttle would have a weight penalty compared to a traditional three-line control system, the smaller line sizes of Class I seem more appropriate.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
AS THIS ISSUE HITS the street, the 1997 flying season will be nearing its end, except for those of you who are lucky enough to live in more southern parts of the country. With the winter building season fast approaching, it's time to start planning for that new Carrier model that will impress your flying buddies in the spring. Three possibilities for building Carrier models (just as for any other type of model aircraft) are kits, plans, and original designs. Relatively few kit models are available that are specifically designed for Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier competition, but if you start looking at Radio Control (RC) kits, particularly 1/12-scale RC Combat models, there are more options. (I have compiled a list of manufacturers as I've mentioned items in my column.)
