Control Line: Aerobatics
AFTER PUBLISHING Stunt News for two years to a limited membership it will be a pleasure to write for a magazine that will reach all of the AMA members. There are many of us who would genuinely like to see more participants in precision aerobatics, and this writer solicits ideas from the general AMA membership on making the event more attractive to more people. This column will be used in conjunction with the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) to present general news, technical ideas, reports on contests, legislation, and anything else of interest to the flying public. By way of introduction, this author has been an airplane nut all his life (38 years), but didn't fly his first Cox P-40 until 1962. First contest was in 1967 and the first Nationals was Glenview in 1971. Ninth in Stunt at that Nationals was the final straw to completely addict me to airplane models. Probably even more memorable was the night before the finals as Bill Rutherford, Greg Wendt, Lew McFarland, the Adamisins, and a bunch more helped to rebuild the front end of the writer's Stunt plane after it was totaled in a practice flight after qualifying.
Control Line: Aerobatics
SO YOU WANT to get into Stunt! So many times we hear the words, "What should I do to get into stunt?" For those contemplating stunt and who are not certain which way to go before selecting a kit, the writer will present some of his ideas on how to get started. It is entirely possible to use commercial kits and finish high in the Nationals; it requires some careful selection and some long nights of building. The first thing is to use a profile kit and learn the basics of the pattern before going to a "built up" model. If possible, build two or three profiles with the same engine mounting so you can fly one while repairing another. My favorite profile (other people may prefer something different) is the Midwest Magician 35 ($15.95) with a 48-in. wingspan. This is probably the best all around kit for beginning stunt. Build it with flaps, be certain not to sand the wing spar or it will weaken the wing and substitute a 1/16 in. thicker stabilizer and elevator assembly. A big improvement would be to mount the engine upright with the tank in the middle of the fuselage. Upright engines run better, don't cut out, and have less vibration. This plane is capable of winning contests if built straight and light.
Control Line: Aerobatics
THE MODEL AIRPLANE industry production is at an all time high in number and quality of products. However, there are some items which stunt flyers would welcome and would make the production of the competition airplane somewhat easier. The writer hopes that some manufacturers will consider these items. First and most significant is the need for larger fuel tanks. Presently stunters can buy good 3-, 3.5- and 4-ounce tanks. However, with the meteoric rise in the use of the 40 and 46 engines there is a definite need for 4 3/4-, 5-, 5 1/4-, and 5 1/2-ounce tanks-at least a 5 1/4-ounce tank if only one would be made. The tanks should be two inches wide, and one inch in height, similar to the old Veco (now Clary) tanks. The fuel pickup tube should exit from the right side of the tank (looking from a top view) with the centerline being one-half inch from the bottom of the tank.
Control Line: Aerobatics
"How can I get into stunt competition?" How many times have we all heard this. Presently, with AMA rules, one must jump right into the full pattern against all corners, unless you happen to find a contest with the AMA Novice pattern. Lately, there have been several concepts offered to entice beginning flyers to come into the stunt world. The AMA Novice pattern was a step in the right direction allowing beginners to start with a simplified pattern. Otherwise, the only division is by ages. This means that the person in his 20's who is looking around for a hobby has to start competing against the best flyers right after he learns the full pattern. In so many other activities there are subtle ways of easing someone into competition. Golf and bowling have a handicap system. In tennis and swimming there are "Masters Age Groups" starting at 25 and going up in years. Radio Control (Gene, that's where they have those little boxes with the fishing poles coming out) instituted the A, B, C, and D pattern events to make it easier for someone to come up the ladder.
Control Line: Aerobatics
THE PRECISION AEROBATICS Nationals of 1975 will be remembered as the year of the wrecked planes that finished first, second, and third. Texan Bob Gieseke won his fourth Nationals flying a patched and epoxied "Gieseke Nobler" which was totaled on Friday morning just before qualifications. A quick trip to the motel room with the Gieseke family and Gus, their Shepherd pup, provided enough hands to repair the plane in time for qualifications. Les McDonald, a hobby supply salesman from Miami, Fla., moved up from last year's fifth place to a strong second place, only one point behind Bob. Les had a leadout end come apart on Thursday resulting in a broken stabilizer, cracked cowl, and some frayed nerves. Also on Thursday Ted Fancher, a 1974 finals qualifier, hit a tie-down bolt in the runway, resulting in a broken prop which shook apart the entire front end of his beautiful ship.
