RC Helicopters
IT'S ANOTHER GREAT month to be enjoying the sport of Radio Control (RC) helicopters! Almost everywhere in the country this is peak flying season. I hope you are all enjoying all the time you get to spend with this great sport and hobby. I've been getting many letters and E-mails lately. Thank you. My requests for input about what topics to cover got exactly the response I expected, and they were roughly evenly divided among "more flying stuff." "more setup stuff," and "more product stuff." I've
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
As I write this, the biggest competitive events of the year for Scale Aerobatics pilots are fast approaching. The Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Las Vegas, and the Masters in North Carolina take place in late fall, and are the epitome of the "barnstormer" public events. The TOC, with its huge airframes, freestyle displays, and big-time prize money, encourages pilots to push the envelope. These types of events are superb entertainment for the public, and are enjoyable challenges for the world-class pilots who take part (pilots are invited to TOC, based on criteria set by the organizers; it's their money, so they can set the rules.)
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
IN THE WORLD OF fixed-wing RC aircraft, one of the most-appealing segments is the Scale aerobatics machine. Starting with the Citabrias, Zlins, and Pitts Specials, through the current crop of Sukhois, Extras and Giles 202s, these aircraft have the lines, looks, and performance that attract a wide range of folks. You'll find scale aerobats in all sizes - from tiny .049-powered models to the fire-breathing giants that are pushed to the edge at the Tournament of Champions and for any size and budget in between. Building and flying these machines is the focus of this new column. Of course, there is already a great Scale column in Model Aviation, and the Precision Aerobatics column enjoys a long history and one of the best writers in RC. But Scale Aerobatics is a specialized segment of the hobby, halfway between the Scale and Pattern groups - not exactly being in step with either, and often getting lost in the shuffle.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
FOR MANY of us, this is the "nonflying" season of the year. That means it's time to be busy working on next year's dream model and/or giving current models a thorough inspection in preparation for a fun-filled 1998. Whichever is the case for you, I hope you're enjoying it! Mailbox: With a bimonthly column I have twice as much time to collect mail and input from readers. Here are a few samples: Brad Shepherd (Victoria TX) sent several nice shots of his 1/5-scale Stephens Akro from the Linck Models kit. Brad says it's a hot contender in the MinImac event (a class of IMAC-International Miniature Aerobatics Club - competition for the smaller-size models and engines) with a Saito .50 in the nose, though this combination offers slightly less than "unlimited" vertical.
Radio Control: Scale Aerobatics
WHENEVER YOU gather with fellow modelers, you hear many opinions on many subjects. Sometimes meetings result in the collection of valuable information that makes your modeling life simpler or better, and other times the primary value is entertainment. Often you don't know which is which! Two subjects that apply to Scale Aerobatics types have been on my mind lately (mostly because of listening in on conversations, real and "cyber"): gyros and scale flying. Gyroscopic stabilizers (gyros) have become all the rage in recent years, in "pure" Scale models and in Scale Aerobatics. Single gyros on the yaw axis are used on Scale aircraft to reduce the pilot's rudder workload. Dual gyros - one each on pitch (elevator) and yaw (rudder) channels - have been installed on IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatic Club) - type airplanes to greatly reduce the effort required to perform torque rolls.
