Sky’s the Limit
“The Vulcan took about a year to build. Pat Mullen and I built two at the same time. Pat was the person who got the plans and cut all the parts. It would not have been possible without him.
“The model is constructed from plywood, balsa, Depron foam, paper, and carbon fiber. It uses four 70mm EDFs and is powered by four 4S 5,000 mAh LiPo batteries. It has an 80-inch wingspan and is 74 inches long. Its flight time is roughly 6 minutes. Once off the ground, it flies at 1/4 throttle and is so easy to fly.”
Kudos to the Fond du Lac Aeromodelers for hosting another successful Warbirds and Classics Over the Midwest. I intend to return next year as a participant. I just need to get my act together to make sure I have a qualifying model to bring.
Wrapping Up
I am way behind on providing updates on my Electrostreak project that I mentioned in the April 2023 issue of Model Aviation. I promise that I will check that box in my next column. I will also share a recently completed electric-powered model that uses a combination of modern and legacy equipment. I think you will find it interesting.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you about your projects.
SOURCES:
Warbirds and Classics Over the Midwest
www.midwestwarbirds.com
Black Horse Model
www.motionrc.com/collections/black-horse-rc-airplanes
CYModel
postmaster@cymodel.com
www.cymodel.com
E-flite
www.e-fliterc.com
Fond du Lac Aeromodelers Association
www.fdlaa.com
Hangar 9
www.horizonhobby.com/hangar-9/
Horizon Hobby
www.horizonhobby.com
Motion RC
(224) 633-9090
www.motionrc.com
Spektrum RC
www.spektrumrc.com
Nick Ziroli Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroligiantscaleplans.com
IT’S NO SECRET that millions of people around the globe make resolutions for the new year:
“I will get that promotion.”
“By May, I’ll lose 25 pounds.”
“I’ll reach out to that long-lost family member.”
It sounds familiar:
“I will get that new airplane.”
“By May, I’ll master doing a Cuban 8.”
“I’ll reach out to that new club member.”
Lose the Airplane Weight
Billions of dollars are spent on dieting, whether in the form of weight-loss surgery, pills, promises, eating more of this and not as much of that, and so on. Especially as the new year approaches, many of us resolve to eat fewer drive-thru dinners, less carbs, more carbs, no carbs, or to skip dinners. It’s kind of the same with our airplanes:
“I really need to get rid of some of this covering.”
“Maybe I’ll try that yard sale.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll join an RC forum.”
“I still have some covering to get rid of, so now I’ll consider asking people at the next club meeting.”
“I’ll metaphorically lose the weight of carrying so many airplanes and their parts around and instead try those lightweight foamies. It’s time to stop lugging so much heft to and from the living room corner and dining room table (or wherever you store them) to the car, and then to the field and back again.”
We promise to lighten our load or improve what we have—that is, until we see that newsletter announcing the first-of-the-year RC sale at our local church basement.
I’ll Try Something New
It’s the same, old routine. Ah, but not this year:
“This is the year I will learn to scuba dive.”
“I’m finally going to take that vacation.”
“I’m going to skydive by my next birthday.”
You fly your favorite one or two airplanes repeatedly, with the same maneuvers, at the same spot on the flightline. I should talk. I’m always flying my AeroScout, with predictable maneuvers and a major preference for the far right or middle spot on the flightline.
Maybe I’ll be a rebel and break tradition. I’ll stand to the left flying a new airplane, breaking out into a wild maneuver sooner than normal. And by wild, I mean upping the throttle more and at a quicker pace. You will not know who I am. Heck, I won’t even know who I am. What is the world coming to with this business of trying something outside of my comfort zone?
If it’s not in the carport, it’s in the living room corner by the coat closet (and curious, little Oakley).
Be More Patient and Grateful
“This year, I won’t be so hard on myself.”
“In 2024, I’m going to focus more on the positive and less on the negative.”
“Starting January 1, I’m going to be more patient with myself and others.”
I read somewhere that it is helpful to get into the habit of writing down three things that you’re grateful for at the end of each day. It need not be worthy of front-page headlines and excited calls to family, such as winning the lottery or getting that promotion. Instead, it’s that first sip of coffee, holding your grandchild, the smell of freshly cut grass at the flying field, or, depending on where you live this time of year, the way the sunlight sparkles on your snow-covered field and how it is perfect for flying with skis.
Apparently, doing this for a period of time reinforces positivity, shifting your ability to gravitate toward a more grateful mindset rather than a negative one out of the gate. Over time, all kinds of science-y things with neural networks happen that bring about an increased sense of patience, calmness, and happiness.
If you’re a perfectionist like I am, one minor glitch while flying might seem like the end of the world: a crummy landing, a fuselage in the trunk at the field, or a wing still on the carport ground at home. Be patient and grateful still.
Sure, it’s annoying, but remember that friends still remain at the field, as does the sound of other airplanes taking off (I know,
