Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
LAST MONTH I included drawings and calculations on how to locate the "proper" center-of-gravity of an airplane. The reason I wrote "proper" is because there are various "proper" centers-of-gravity. For example, there are some centers-of-gravity which are so far forward that the airplane will be very stable in pitch. In fact, the airplane can be made so stable that it would be very difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, there are some centers-of-gravity which are so far aft that the airplane would be extremely maneuverable. Depending on what is desired, the range of "proper" centers-of-gravity is very broad. My use of "proper" was intended to yield a safe starting point to test fly the airplane. After the initial flights, the center-of-gravity can be moved forward to achieve more pitch stability or aft to get more maneuverability.
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
BOY! Did I get letters in the past month! The subjects varied substantially. Only one subject was repeated: Several letters were received about contest rules. It appears that there is a groundswell of concern on the part of contestants on the subject of competition rules. Many of the letters were about the writer's frustrations with the time it took to change rules. All rules change proposals had to be in by last fall (1988), but it won't be until 1990 that new rules can be put into the rule book. In this era of electronic mail, telefax, computer networking, and all the other communication innovations, we are chugging along with an antiquated system.
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
MANY of you are aware that I did not exactly welcome Turnaround Pattern. The reasons are complex, but my resistance was mainly a reaction to what appeared to be an attempt by a few individuals to cram something down our throats, whether we wanted it or not. It was like, "Eat your vegetables, they're good for you!" That apparent attitude by Turnaround promoters was resented by many of us and caused hard feelings for years regarding the event. Years have softened the edges of my feelings about Turnaround. I can think and talk about Turnaround now without getting all riled up. I even attend and compete in an all-Turnaround contest once a year in Jackson, MS.
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
HERE WE GO AGAIN! I received a letter from James Sanders (Oklahoma City, OK) who is a member of the Baxter Field Club. He says that of the four flying clubs in Oklahoma City, they think theirs is the best. (Don't we all?) Anyway, the main theme of James' letter will strike a familiar chord in the hearts and souls of anyone who has read my column for very long. James wrote: "I am getting into some heated arguments here in Okie land. We here in Oklahoma have our share of wild winds. This leads to the question, `Does an airplane feel the wind (in flight)?' I have a very strong opinion that it does. To prove my point I explain that many an airplane has fallen by shear wind (downdraft). Also, if a small aircraft enters a tornado it will be torn to shreds. Could you please give us your expert view on this subject, `Does an airplane feel the wind?' "
Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
THE LONGER I write this column (13 years and counting), the more I get recurring questions. Outside of the downwind turn, the most common question is probably, "How do I figure out where to place the center-of-gravity on my new plane?" The obvious reason that the question keeps coming in is that new RC fliers enter the hobby all the time, and they've never read the answer in previous columns because they joined since it last appeared. It's time to redo the center-of-gravity calculation discussion. I hope to hit a happy medium between boring you with excessive mathematics and insulting your intelligence. It's difficult to do, because the background of RC column readers is so varied.
