FREE FLIGHT INDOOR
Bud Tenny, P.O. Box 545, Richardson, TX 75080
"Free flight model airplanes differ from all others in that once they are set free, they are under no control from their builders. It takes special skill to design and construct a model that can adjust to fly well under a variety of conditions, but that is what free flight model aviation is all about."
That is the opening paragraph of the descriptive text on the box of The Joy of Flying Free. This documentary, produced by the National Free Flight Society, is an excellent account of all about free flight. Almost all types of free flight and indoor models are shown in segments filmed at the U.S. Indoor and Outdoor Championships (USIC and USOC). There is a cast of dozens—if you were at either meet last year, you probably appear in one or more segments. Buy a copy—you may be a star! Send $25 plus $3 for postage and handling to Tony Italiano, 1655 Revere Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005; Tel.: (414) 782-6256.
A long reach: Photos show the details of two laparoscopic instruments available from Vern Hacker, 25599 Breckenridge Dr., Euclid, OH 44117-1807; Tel.: (216) 486-4990. Send Vern a donation of $10 per instrument; the proceeds will be forwarded to the Junior Free Flight Team program. The instruments have been donated by Charles Slater and Kevin Smith of Symbiosis Corp., Miami, Florida.
Last year's sale of eye scalpels and cauteries yielded $3,240 for the Indoor team fund. Vern still has scalpels and cauteries at the same price as before:
- Micro Cautery (trim plastic films or microfilm) . . . $5.00
- Three assorted eye scalpels . . . $3.00
- Handling & postage . . . $2.00
- Total . . . $10.00
INAV gets new editor
Plenny Bates has done an excellent job of bringing Indoor News and Views back on line and establishing a regular publication schedule. The July issue will be his last, and it will be available as soon as he can complete the contest report from the USIC. After that issue, Lester Garber will become the new editor. Plenny will accept subscriptions until about September.
The subscription cost is now $9 for four issues, which contain about 12 pages printed on both sides. Plenny Bates, 2505 White Eagle Trail SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; Tel.: (319) 362-2969.
Lighter plastic covering
Wayne Triven, who has been selling the lightest plastic covering film, now has even lighter film available. His Ultimate film weighs 0.00366 oz per 100 square inches, while the new film, Polymicro, weighs 0.00285 oz per 100 square inches—22% lighter. This weight compares favorably with microfilm at approximately 0.0015 oz per 100 square inches.
It is claimed to be suitable for field patching of microfilm, using atomized water spray, the same as with microfilm. It is thin enough that wings can be covered flat, with dihedral added later; the film at the joint can be tightened up using water applied with a tiny brush, just as microfilm can. Wayne is selling the film at $25, postage paid, for 15 feet of 12-inch-wide film. Included in the package is an instruction sheet with comments about using the film. Wayne's address is 7408 West Hanna Ave., Tampa, FL 33615.
Save your respiratory system!
Dick Obarski has found an excellent replacement for the aerosol spray cements used to attach plastic coverings. It is Elmer's SAF-T Contact Cement—a neoprene-based material that can be thinned with water. The cured material is claimed to be water-resistant. The uncured material has a green color that fades to clear as it cures.
Dick thins the Elmer's cement 10:1 with water and applies it to the framework. After the water evaporates, the film can be applied; after the cement cures, the film can be trimmed with a razor blade or hot wire.
How heavy?
My concern about substituting contact cement for aerosol adhesive was the possibility of adding a lot of weight—perhaps more than that saved by using the new film. After thinning a sample of the glue, I brushed a liberal coat on a 15-inch strip of 0.42-square balsa, being careful to coat only one side of the strip. After the water dried, the strip had gained only .000055 ounces, or .0000037 ounces per inch. It seems clear that weight is not a problem when you use the thinned cement.
International postal meet
The announcement came too late for this column, but the 1993 International MiniStick Postal Meet, sponsored by Mike Collins, ran from January 1 through March 31, 1993. Results will be reported when they are available.
Shades of MiniStick!
Can lightning strike the same place twice? Tom Vallee has circulated a request for comments on specifications for a 35-cm-span model to be called the Gym Stick. This experimental class is intended to build on experience gained by new modelers who have flown MiniStick. The intent of the class is to introduce microfilm covering and wing bracing. While the specifications haven't been decided, it is likely that no exotic materials, biplane configurations, or props with variable geometry or pitch will be allowed. Send your comments to Tom Vallee, 444 Henryton South, Laurel, MD 20707; Tel.: (301) 498-0790.
New flight-test method
Modern technology opens the door to more accurate flight testing. Tom Vallee is one of the pioneers in applying video to flight testing. The entire flight was captured on tape and played back later. As a check on the timing accuracy of the video recorder, the tape's duration was checked against the actual flight time and was found to be identical. The data points shown in the graph were entered into a computer as the tape was played back and then the graph was plotted.
If anyone else has used video, computers, or other kinds of high-tech methods to record or analyze indoor model performance, how about sharing your information and experiences?
Gears, anyone?
Mark Allison has experimented with geared motors in scale models and Bostonians. His experiments show that duration can possibly be doubled, and the use of gears allows shorter-coupled models and multiengine models. Mark molds a variety of gear designs and sells a gearbox kit with detailed instructions. If this concept interests you, send an SASE for more information to Mark Allison, P.O. Box 622, Corvallis, OR 97339.
More on MiniStick: Following up on the comments by Peter Kearney in the May '93 column, Jim Clem cured most of the torque handling problems of his MiniStick by adding a large dorsal fin to the underslung rudder he already had. The issue of strong propwash from the typically high-speed prop seems to dictate twin rudders or large underslung rudders to help control the torque burst.
Flying opportunity in the Cleveland area—weekly sessions year-round in Category I sites. One site, in Willoughby, is at the Andrews School, which has a 20-foot flat ceiling with 60 x 80-foot floor area. The other site is at Meridian Euclid Hospital in Euclid. It has a 19.5-foot ceiling and 45 x 70-foot floor area. Contact Vern Hacker, 25599 Breckenridge Dr., Euclid, OH 44117-1807; Tel.: (216) 486-4990.
More flying opportunities
- California—Burbank. The Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron (VMF-214) has monthly sessions on second Fridays; flying in Category I site at Luther Burbank Middle School; 7–10 p.m. Tony Naccarato, 2121 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91507; Tel.: (818) 842-5062.
- Idaho—Moscow. Andy Tagliafico has secured Kibbie Dome for July 15–18, 1993. A fun event will be a barbecue dinner July 16, 7 p.m. This should enable everyone to get better acquainted.
A word of warning—the building has been freshly renovated. Andy will have 10-mil plastic to cover the track in front of the work tables, but he suggests that contestants also have ground cloths to cover the plastic. Andy Tagliafico, 650-B Taybin Rd., N.W., Salem, OR 97304; Tel.: (503) 371-0492.
- Maryland—Goddard NAS. Goddard NAS record trials and flying sessions scheduled in the auditorium of Building 8 at Goddard NAS on Saturdays, 11 a.m. till 10:30 p.m.; June 26, July 17, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, and Nov. 6, 1992. Sanctioned national and FAI record trials on Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, and Nov. 6.
NASA security requires attendees to be U.S. citizens and AMA members, with licenses available for inspection at the gate, and be on a list compiled by Tom Vallee. You must notify Tom of your intention to attend in advance of each meet. Changes in NASA launch schedules and other possible events can preempt use of the auditorium without prior warning; be sure to verify the date with Tom before you leave home! Tom Vallee, 444 Henryton South, Laurel, MD 20707; Tel.: (301) 498-0790.
- New Jersey—Lakehurst. New dates for Lakehurst '92 were under negotiation at press time. Contact Gary Underwood at the address shown below to find the dates decided upon. In general, the dates are expected to be almost weekly from the time the sessions start through the third week in October.
Attendance at these sessions requires strict adherence to these rules:
- You must furnish your name, driver's license number, make and model of vehicle, license plate number, and state of registration to Gary Underwood no later than the Wednesday before the meet you plan to attend.
- Obey all military regulations, especially speed limits, no-smoking areas, and restricted parking—all of which are clearly posted.
- Certain base personnel give access to lavatories and other facilities. Please route requests for assistance through the C.D.
- You absolutely must leave your flying area at least as clean as you find it; check with the C.D. about where to locate your equipment.
- No photos allowed, except in the hangar.
Out-of-town participants who fly in and rent cars must make special arrangements regarding auto identification. Contact Gary Underwood, 9 Treelawn Terrace, Mercerville, NJ 08619; Tel.: (609) 586-3202 for more information.
More newsletters
Field & Slipstream (Scale Old-Timer Society, Southeastern Pennsylvania), Tom Sanders, Jr., 9 Kern Dr., Perkasie, PA 18944; Tel.: (215) 249-1409.
Torque meter hint
Vern Hacker built the torque meter shown, which has a couple of interesting features. This is a low-range instrument calibrated especially for MiniStick. His first concern was to avoid the possibility of softening the .009-diameter torque wire by soldering. The wire is anchored at the back by a screw collet that simplifies zero setting (see photo). At the front end, the wire runs through a #20-gauge medical needle, which is then bent to form the hook, thus anchoring the wire without soldering. A photo shows the needle before being formed; note the needle soldered to the rear portion of the wire. Vern says that the meter has repeatedly returned to zero even from two times full scale (720° rotation). Whether you take these precautions in building it or not, you really need to buy a torque meter specifically for MiniStick rather than trying to interpret the reading from a standard torque meter.
Motor length?
Dressmaker shops sell 60-inch tape measures that are made of flexible, plastic-backed cloth. These tapes will roll into a coil just over one inch in diameter, so they store nicely in a flight kit. When anchored to the flight bench with reusable double-sided tape, it is easy to track motor length and measure motors being made up.
The two-sided tape product is from 3M and is called Walsaver Removable Poster Tape. It is available in office supply stores for $3.99 and is used for semi-permanent mounting of clippings during pasteup for publication.
CyA glue gun?
From SAM 86 Speaks: Devcon (U.S.A.) and LePage (Canada) have a small, reloadable, push-button cyanoacrylate (CyA) glue applicator, which permits the application of one drop of glue for each press of the blue buttons located on the sides of the pen-type applicator.
It's small (about 0.5 x 0.75 x 4 inches), and it's a very handy field-use item for quick fixes, shims, etc. It's available from Wal-Mart and hardware stores in the U.S. and Canada, and sells for $1.87 U.S. Refills are available, too.
The pin-type cap ensures that it isn't plugged up when you go to use it, unlike what usually happens with small bottles of Jet, Zap, etc. The Devcon brand is available on a card and is called Sure Shot Super Glue. At a local True Value store I found a similar product (or maybe the same thing with a True Value private label) called simply Sure Shot.
Ducted fans, anyone?
Dave Aronstein is one of the most inventive Indoor fliers I know. One of his more interesting efforts is developing ducted-fan scale models, and he published an article on his ducted-fan scale models in the May '91 Flying Models.
This type of model is another of those interesting concepts that offer more than enough challenge for almost anyone. In my mind, scale models as test beds for ducted-fan development can only make the job harder, but how about ducted-fan endurance? Is anyone else experimenting with ducted fans, either scale or endurance? Let us hear what you are doing!
More on counters
Previous issues have described using calculators to count and display winder turns. The advantage is that interruptions don't cause you to lose count. The basic concept is to connect a switch across the contacts of the "equals" key. The switch operates with each turn of the winder handle or the output shaft. A typical switch is a magnet-operated reed relay, driven by a magnet mounted on the handle or output shaft. The calculator used must be able to accept a number key, the plus key, and successive presses of the equals sign. The proper calculator then counts up by the amount you enter and can be set to count actual turns instead of winder turns.
The final step is custom electronic counters, as used by Stan Chilton and Don Slusarczyk. Don now uses both an electronic counter and an electronic torque meter, and he is fully confident of their accuracy and reliability. A photo of the setup Don uses appeared in the April '93 issue.
FF Duration/Murphy
Continued from page 114
Rochelle Avenue, Irvine, CA 92714-2941. Clubs can order four copies and get a fifth one free—a 20% savings. Ya gotta get one!
Engines and kits: Don Belote advises of another reproduction engine venture from "down under" that is now spitting out the 2.5cc Oliver Tiger Mk III, originally of 1954 vintage. Don has obtained a specimen and says the quality is excellent. It turns a Rev-Up 9 x 5 at 10,500 rpm after just a few runs. The price is $125 plus $5 shipping. The little diesel engines are available from Andrew Kennedy, 79 Hull Rd., Croydon, Victoria, Australia 3136. Should you order one, tell 'em "G'day" from Duration!
West-Coasters Bruce Augustus and Bill Lynch have been front-runners in the relatively new FAI F1I event, with Bill being the current AMA national record holder. Most event publicity to this point has mentioned the Chinese CS and American Shirken engines as power plant suggestions, but these fellows are using a relatively unknown, commercially available engine from Italy—the AD .06 (1cc). While I have yet to see one up close and personal, claims are that they are lightweight, come ready-to-fly out of the box, and with reasonable break-in produce as much power or more than the other product choices.
The engine is available direct from Italy for $165 from Mario Rocca, 44020 Rovereto, Ferrarese, Italy, or stateside from Bill Lynch, who replaces the head with a Nelson plug conversion at $237.50 for the complete assembly. Bill's address is 11137 Creekhaven Court, Auburn, CA 95602. You might wish to send an initial inquiry as to correct pricing before you order, since pricing is subject to abrupt change on occasion.
Lee Campbell recently cranked out another .020-sized kit offering for the Nostalgia Gas scene. This one is a 1/4A Taibi Spacer, which is 80% of the original 1/2A size—that figures to be about 160 square inches of wing area. The price is $21.98 plus $4 shipping, or you should be able to find them through any hobby dealer who handles Campbell's Custom Kit products.
More goodies are soon to come, sez Lee (his kits are much better than his jokes: "Try Paul Bunyan Beer—it's a LAGER!" "Terrible!"). Anyway, the mailing address is 401 Executive Center Drive, Suite H-108, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; Tel.: (407) 686-7824.
Roger Coleman, business manager for the United States Free Flight Championships (USFFC), wrote to point out an error concerning the Women's High Time winner at the '93 contest. A Junior B Gas flier, Katrina Duncan, took the honors but didn't receive proper recognition. Belated congratulations to her!
Well, I guess there "ain't no more" for this month. See ya downwind!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
