THANKS FOR STAYING IN TOUCH, READERS!
By Jennifer Reynolds | jensunshine3@gmail.com
All of you make flying such a wonderful hobby by getting together or, for times when you can’t, sharing ideas and projects via email, forums, and social media.
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS of writing this column (it’s been eight—can you believe that?), several readers have sent emails to me. I’ve received everything from advice on how to not accidentally split wood during a build to nonflying-related political comments or YouTube music videos. (I prefer the RC emails.)
It’s truly a pleasure to know that so many of you have taken the time to not only read my column, but even more so, to share your thoughts. Your responses mean so much and I enjoy reading about your RC journeys.
We might not have the same interest in types of airplanes or flying techniques, but the love of flying remains a constant. I like receiving your pictures, questions, and comments, so keep them coming!
A veteran and reader named Don reached out recently to touch on an event that has always been near and dear to my heart: the Rhinebeck Jamboree. It’s an RC event in upstate New York put on by the Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society.
Don responded to my October 2020 column. In it, I wrote about how I flew solo at that large event years ago. As part of that same column, I also mentioned an activity that the New Hampshire Veterans Home, where I work, sometimes puts on: paper airplanes. Don wrote:
“Hi Jennifer. I wanted to let you know how enjoyable your October 2020 Model Aviation article was for me. I always wanted to attend the Rhinebeck Jamboree and never made it. It did take a lot of nerve to fly at such a big event with all the people attending—well done.
“I’m a veteran, and thanks for your paper plane fly-in at the veterans care facility. I’m 73 and have been modeling since I was 6 years old. I started flying RC in 1970 and never looked back and am proud of the AMA and its efforts to keep members’ flying rights and our airspace.
“Thanks for your work and involvement with the AMA. May you always have blue skies, a breeze right down the runway, and not a scratch [on a] model to bring home. Don, aka ‘Sticks Out.’”
I emailed Don back, thanking him for his service and his genuinely kind words about my flying, as well as the AMA’s efforts. I’m glad he got a kick out of the veterans home paper airplane activity too!
I also enjoyed the other elements of Don’s note. Sure, he provided some compliments and expressions of excitement over the veterans home activity, but often, as he did, readers share brief but meaningful insight into their lives in a fun, getting-to-know-you manner.
I enjoy learning more about all of you, in addition to your latest build or maiden flight success. In Don’s case, I couldn’t help but grin as he shared his involvement with RC for most of his seven decades on this planet!
Other readers, such as Ken Lawrence, email me fairly regularly. I always like to see what he’s flying. He often shares his latest builds, complete with all of the details. Engine type, covering, you name it—Ken lays it all out, so there aren’t any questions remaining.
My case in point: He explained that the rudder and elevator on his Elder use pull-pull cables via a bellcrank outside the fuselage, adding that “the landing gear was modified à la the Fokker Eindecker, Tactic receiver, and transmitter that completed the project.”
In an October 2020 email, Ken noted that he’s been doing well during the pandemic and has “been able to build and fly as usual.” Again, a brief, but meaningful glimpse into another modeler’s life makes me happy. A fellow modeler is doing well, is safe, and is having fun. It’s a pleasure to hear from people who touch on aspects of their lives; in this case, it was his expression of faring well during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It makes sense though. Modelers in general are the kind of people who enjoy good conversation and fun, bonded by having the love of flight in common.
“I really enjoyed your latest ‘Sky’s the Limit’ column!” Ken emailed. “Hope you’ve been okay so far through the pandemic. I’ve had no problems—been able to build and fly as usual.” He went on to share pictures of his Elder, which he said he’s been flying for the past four years. Ken also referenced another fellow modeler whom I’ve mentioned in the past. “Just as Merwyn (Tom) Poole made his electric, so is mine, with a Hobby People 46 [motor], a Hitec 60-amp ESC, and a five-cell Venom battery.”
Ken also informed me that he’s flown his newly completed Lazy Bee, stating that his first flight went perfectly. The Lazy Bee is covered with transparent green MonoKote and yellow UltraCote and it might have some fun additions in the future. “I still want to put some cartoon figures (maybe from Calvin and Hobbes) in the windows and pilot’s seat.”
He wrote that he’s also using a safety device, the SafeStart, from Dave’s R/C Electronics. “This cool, little device makes
it virtually impossible to accidentally turn on the motor. I’ve used one in my last several planes, and they work flawlessly!”
Another modeler, Dan Mitchell, takes to the sky in Nevada. He emailed me about one of my recent favorite airplanes. “I was amused to see your AeroScout in the August 2020 issue,” he wrote. “You are right. They are amazing little airplanes.” After recently becoming more involved in training new pilots, he bought the airplane, noting that not only is it “darn-near the perfect airplane for the job,” but that he caught a boomer thermal and got a 1/2-hour flight on it!
Dan said that he prefers wooden airplanes that he’s either designed or modified, so his enjoyment of the AeroScout (a foamie) is an exception. Similar to many of us, he likes adding a fun twist to his craft. Because it’s a foamie, Dan chose to
give it a new name: RE-SIGH-KUL D KAW-PHEY KUP (long e in “phey”). He’s even given it a nickname: Kup.
Thanks to all of the Model Aviation readers and RC pilots who continue to immerse themselves in the joy that this hobby continually brings. I appreciate the time that many of you take to send your emails, especially knowing how busy life can get. I’m glad you enjoy the magazine.
Your correspondence only reinforces what I’ve mentioned often before: RC modelers truly are a good-mannered community who can’t get enough of enjoying the open sky and the friends, far away and close by, with whom they stay in touch.
