Aero Mail
If you have a letter to the editor, please submit it to MA Editor-in-Chief Jay Smith at 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302, or email to jays@modelaircraft.org or at www.ModelAviation.com/editor
September 2015 Issue
This recent issue was simply great!
Like so many, I am a returning aircraft modeler and find so much more information these days than as a boy of 13 in 1968 trying to build and fly balsa, tissue, and dope models.
I know Jay [Editor-in-Chief Jay Smith] was instrumental in getting John Crawley’s Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon article scheduled, edited, and published in time to be relevant for this year’s event.
I am a retread Control Line Combat guy, but [am] currently building and finishing a Ringmaster. I did not know of the Brotherhood of the Ring website or had ever heard of this Fly-A-Thon. Your issue has motivated me to get the plane done in time to add my flights.
Also, the interview by Jay of Frank Beatty was more red meat for Control Line modelers. I know space is limited sometimes but I wish there had been one photo of an example of Frank’s superb work. This is not meant be critical. The interview was very good.
Thank you.
—Fred von Gortler
LiPo Battery Series
A couple of things come to mind reading your article, and I am glad to see you writing this series, as LiPos are a great technology, but come with a learning curve (no more than Ni-Cd or NiMH).
First, if you put LiPo batteries in the refrigerator, you should put them in plastic bags (squeezing the air out of them) to reduce the amount of condensation on the battery itself (condensation on the outside of the bag is then okay, especially in humid climates) formed on the batteries when you warm them up before charging them (saves some short circuits in the battery circuitry).
Second, balance charging at 0.5C will extend the battery life vs. balance charging at 1C. It takes more time, but [it] is good for the battery. If you are at the field and need a battery charged, then do it any way/rate that is convenient, but when you get home you should balance charge gently at approximately 0.5C to extend battery life.
Thanks for the great article series.
—Wayne Beumer
