Letters to the Editor
Send your Letters to the Editor to: Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Autogyros
The second annual informal Phoenix Model Autogyro Research Trials will be held March 6-8, 1996 at the Sun Valley Flyers' beautiful field off Cave Creek Road on the north side of Phoenix, Arizona.
At our first get-together in March 1995, more than 15 autogyros were flown or attempted during the three-day event. The pilots applied their skills to a variety of aircraft with mono-rotors or dual rotors, either coaxial or side-by-side. Aerobatic loops were achieved and some observers claimed to have witnessed barrel rolls!
It is hoped that this year's event will attract more "gyronauts" from as far away as Europe, where several modelers have been constructing and flying autogyros for a number of years. A highlight of the meeting will be an informal dinner and technical discussion exploring "what makes these things fly." The Sun Valley Flyers have reserved their field exclusively for autogyro flying each of the three days—what hospitality!
Motels and hotels are available in the north Phoenix area within a few minutes' drive of the Sun Valley Flyers field.
To get on the mailing list for more information about the event and accommodations, contact: Jim Baxter, E. 13003 Guthrie Dr., Spokane, WA 99216; Tel.: (509) 928-3114; E-mail: jimb@unixieway.com; CompuServe: 75277,3535.
Bill Friedlander, CompuServe: 731341411, Hudson, Wisconsin
Customer Service
In a world where we hear many loud complaints but seldom any compliments, I relay my story of service from Coverite. I went to the Pacific Northwest Model Expo last February and got so excited by the demonstration by Jeff Troy that I rushed around to find a Coverite 21st Century Iron. It was everything Mr. Troy and Coverite's advertising said it was: easy to handle, well-shaped to work on both large areas and tight corners; its built-in thermometer holding precisely the right temperature to heat a variety of covering materials. I covered three planes with it.
Then it mysteriously stopped working. I wrote Mr. Troy, who called back the next day and said they were serious about the claim that their iron should be "the last you'll ever buy" and that I should return it for repair or replacement. This without proof of purchase or a warranty registration! The replacement arrived yesterday, and I'm back to building!
I feel I owe them more than a routine thanks, so I hope you can spare the space to let me tell my fellow modelers about it. Thank you for your consideration.
Scott H. Kruize Tukwila, Washington
It's always nice to see a company that's truly concerned about customer satisfaction after the sale.
Fokker D.VII
I am a member of AMA and at times certain questions come up that I can't answer.
In your September 1995 issue on page 84 there is an article and photo on the Fokker D.VII made by modeler Ed Musziuski. I am making this same model and would like to know how I can eliminate the external muffler (conceal muffler under cowl of plane)?
I would like to keep the model as authentic as possible and would appreciate any information you can give me.
Engine being used is: Magnum XL 46A ABC.
Pete Renato Sr. 2302 Honeycutt Simpson Rd., Monroe, North Carolina 28110
Plans
In January 1995 you started a new pricing practice for model plans. The reason was to make the plans department more profitable. Well, you can notify the bean counters that they were certainly unsuccessful—if you only look at the prices. However, if you look a little farther and factor in the decrease in sales, the picture takes on a different aspect. I am, of course, merely guessing. The basis of my guess is the premise that the new prices are way too high. I cite as an example the price of plan 759, Arriba, which is a solid balsa catapult-launched glider having a wingspan of 16 inches. The $5.00 price is outrageous.
Since model plans are a very important part of model building, my view is that as the premier educational aspect of the hobby, the plans department should be one of support in this area. In fact, your support would entail the plans department be run on a nonprofit basis and even at a loss at times. The deficit would be covered in our annual dues. If you cannot come up with a plan to do this, I suggest that you discontinue selling the plans. We can always get your plans from other sources such as Model Airplane News or Radio Control Magazine, whose prices are still not unreasonable.
There is, at the present time, much consternation and worry about the future of model aviation, attracting young members, and other facets of the modern way of life. One of the important factors for the youth market is cost. Your timing of the plans price structure change could not have come at a worse time. I believe it is time for the management board to meet again and reconsider your recent decision on plans.
I have taken a poll of our club members for their views on model plans. This poll may or may not be typical of the modeling fraternity. It is offered as one point of view of an AMA club. Bear in mind that our club is in a retirement community and the average age is between 60 and 70 years.
The results of this poll over the past month of the 25 members (out of a total of 45 members) was unanimous agreement that the new pricing policy was not in the best interest of the AMA nor the members. The 20 members not polled were on summer vacations. We therefore request that the old price policy be reinstated.
Lawrence A. McNulty Green Valley, Arizona
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
