Letters to the Editor
Send Letters to: Model Aviation 1810 Samuel Morse Drive Reston, VA 22090
Faster Than...
For a long time now the question has been tossed about: "How do you figure scale speed?" The answer came very clearly to me today while flying my quarter-scale Taylorcraft (the prototype from Jim Simpson's plan) at our local flying site.
I had been up doing a few lazy eights, loops, spins, and the like when I decided a landing might be good. So I turned downwind and throttled back a bit to start the descent. My safety spotter informed me, as I turned from base to final, that there was a bicyclist on the trail just off the end of the runway. I was low enough to watch the bicycle and the airplane, which was now sinking a little faster than I liked. I added a click or two of power to slow the descent, which apparently caught the attention of the cyclist. He stopped, did a quick double-take, and then threw the biggest, friendliest wave I've ever seen — not to us, mind you, but to the airplane! He then remounted the bike and rode off — I really don't think he even knew we were there.
I don't have a clue as to what the actual speed of the airplane was, but it was close enough to scale to lure an unwary health nut into thinking it was more than a model.
Hats off to you, Jim — your little T‑Kettle's a good one!
Patrick Tritle Albuquerque, New Mexico
Angles
This letter is regarding the article on page 28 that wrongly relates the angle of incidence and the angle of attack.
The angle of incidence is the angle between the chord of the wing and the fuselage's longitudinal axis. It is set during manufacturing and can only be changed by the pilot when he comes to a very quick stop — as against the side of a mountain. This usually happens only once!
The angle of attack is the angle between the chord and the relative wind/direction of travel. This angle is variable without the painful results, and it changes due to altitude/air density, wing loading, and so forth.
Chester Leroy Erie, Pennsylvania
Investment in Muncie
When I sent in my membership renewal fee for 1993–94, I did not send a donation (investment) for the Muncie site project. Enclosed is a check for $15 for the project.
I am glad to see the amount that members have already sent in, and I hope many more will participate in helping to develop the project. Even though I may never have the opportunity to fly there, I think having the center will do much to promote the value of model aviation throughout the country.
I am hoping that I shall be able to visit the site sometime this summer.
Daniel Sani South Daytona, Florida
Safety's for Everyone
I am really getting tired of listening to all the whining concerning model flight operations in the vicinity of full-scale aircraft. Let's face it: full-scale air operations and safety must be placed above our needs to put our models through their paces.
Of course, we all know that every one of us abides by the rules imposed on flights near full-scale airports, but just to remind everyone of what is really at stake, I've enclosed a report from Aviation Safety.
On October 2, 1992, a Beech E55 Baron was hit while on final approach to Lovell Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Baron pilot performed a go-around and safely landed, but his aircraft's wing was "substantially damaged" by the midair with a model aircraft.
The item reads as follows:
"Oct. 2, Chattanooga, Tenn.: The ailerons on a Beech E55 were momentarily jammed when the Baron collided with a model airplane while on final approach to Runway 15 at Lovell Field. The pilot was able to go around and land successfully on Runway 20. The Baron's wing was substantially damaged in the collision. The report noted that police were searching for the operators of the model airplane."
There are real people in full-scale aircraft, and midairs with models are no joke. So the next time you think the 400-foot rule doesn't apply to you today, simply remember the risk and obey the rule.
Tim Davis Las Vegas, Nevada
Contest Behavior
A couple of examples I have noticed — widely reported at certain events/contests — involve different control-mode pilots who, being competitive, would rather step on an airplane than loan a glow plug. At a control-line contest in Canada 10 years ago, a young combat pilot was told by some old hand back home that if he didn't like the judge's call he should just pack up his stuff and go home. That's how some people behave; contest behavior is kind of a personal choice.
I would like to share another example I found remarkable. Judge for yourself: Prince, 1970 Spokane Internats, Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington — the second-biggest contest in the nation at that time. I was very green, flying my first carrier event at age 28. Late afternoon I needed a plug and thought about asking some other pilots. It would seem reasonable to expect offers of help, which would not keep one from being a competitor. However, at this green contest I was pleasantly surprised.
A gentleman around 47 or 49 years old offered me one. I tried to pay him; he refused, suggesting I might need something in return sometime. I thanked him — I could imagine that someday I might have something he would need. It crossed my mind that he had offered this assistance so freely, knowing that some quirk of fate might find me beating him thanks to his help. Yet he freely gave me what I needed. That made a profound impression. Throughout the event his manner was always so calm and sporting — a true gentleman.
The next day he, in fact, needed one kind of prop that I happened to have, and I gave it to him. He offered to pay and I refused, following his example. Later that day I needed something else; others had borrowed from each other during the two days, and it was always a repeat of the same scene. Assistance was freely given without thought of the possible outcome.
I finished out of the trophies, of course — no threat to him at all — but I couldn't get over the thought that he would have loaned anybody anything, knowing they might then beat him. I knew then that I would never forget him, and that if I ever passed through his hometown on a trip or something, I had a friend I could count on. This, then, was the role model after which I would try to fashion myself in my unfolding career.
But I didn't see him again and lost his name. I probably will never find out who the Prince was.
I have tried to emulate him at contests as the years rolled on, and I could see the same look in the eyes of people to whom I loaned or gave things. You could see the thought pass over their eyes that they knew, and that I knew, they might beat me. The same wonder and feeling would spring forth that they had a friend for life.
The ultimate result of the Prince's values has occurred several times by now. Several people have, in fact, finished ahead of me with help I gave. Each of us knowing how that had come about was a remarkable feeling to share with a friend. One man even set a current regional record using one of my props.
For one who is following this way, the time will come when your career is mature, when you will bow out or sidestep some trophies so that younger people will get them. They need the encouragement. This, you must please understand, is by no means a blowing of my own horn. This is honoring the life, the values, the man who was — the Prince.
Epilogue: Could I become the modern version of him? Certainly not. I have a temper and a few other mortal faults. But I offer you this way as one example of how a modeler might choose to behave not only at a contest, but elsewhere as well.
To make another long story short, may I suggest this:
- If you get a bad call from a judge, be a gentleman or lady and stay cool.
- Don't mistakenly tie your self-esteem to your contest results; measure that by how you treat others.
- Offer your view to the judges at the proper time and in the proper way, listen to what they say, and be discreet so everyone can maintain dignity.
- If you feel you must protest strongly, consider not attending the next contest at that field and quietly pass the word along to the club president or contest director.
I wish I could be the Prince, but I never will. I wish I knew his name.
Orin Humphries Lynnwood, Washington
The Greatest Free Flight Event Ever!
I have been a member of the AMA for over 35 years. I belong to the Beaver County Model Airplane Club, charter #571, of District 3.
I started in U/C, then RC single-channel escapement. Now I'm a Bill Evans Similar pilot.
I can remember how thrilled I was to attend the 30th National Model Airplane Meet, July 24–30, 1961, at the Willow Grove NAS — the 50th anniversary of naval aviation.
I enlisted in the Army in October 1942. The Japanese bombed Oregon (Mount Emily) in September 1942. After basic training, I was sent to the 10th Cavalry, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
In January 1943, our outfit was sent to Salem, Oregon (state fairgrounds). I continued on to Brookings, Oregon, which was located near Mount Emily in southern Oregon. The 104th Cavalry conducted patrols north along the coast with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Air Force throughout 1943. We then relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington.
In December 1944, I volunteered for a secret mission. Two jeeps and six men were sent from Fort Lewis to Missoula, Montana. When we arrived, the FBI informed us they had the situation under control. We remained in the area for several more days, because there was a rumor that airborne troops were involved. When we arrived back at Fort Lewis, our outfit presented us with a Japanese balloon they had captured while we were gone.
In the next several months, we captured more balloons in the Fort Lewis–Mount Rainier area. They were promptly sent back east to Anacostia NAS for study. Everyone was sure they came from Japanese subs off the coast. Twenty-five years after the war, I learned they came from Japan.
This had to be the greatest free flight event ever! Visitors to the Smithsonian see the balloon on display there and never know the history associated with it.
Edward Reedich Monaca, Pennsylvania
Move Up to Control Line?
Getting rough out there, isn't it? Frequency problems with the FCC... loss of your large, open flying fields? May I offer a suggestion?
Move up to control line. Feel your models respond to your commands, and stop worrying about flying space and frequency allocation.
As an added bonus, your wife will appreciate the fact that expenses for your hobby no longer resemble the national debt.
Join those of us who don't care what the FCC does, or worry about acres of space, or thousand-dollar gotta-have accessories. Think about it next time your pride and joy gets shot out of the air by some stray signal destined for an overhead crane or some drug dealer's pager.
You'll be back. We're ready for you. Control line is on the rise. Isn't it about time you moved up?
Mike Keville Kuwait City, Kuwait
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
