Letters to the Editor
Send your Letters to the Editor to: Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Presidents
The following letter was originally sent to Don Lowe by Maynard Hill—both past presidents of AMA.
Well, it's been eighteen days since you became a Past President and I figure you might now be suffering "withdrawal pains." For nine years (unbelievably long!) your mailbox was stuffed every day and your phone jangled endlessly. Abruptly, you're in a vacuum! I decided to send you this "care" package to help you adjust to the change.
The above, of course, is not sincere. I'm sure you're fine and enjoying the relief from the work and pressure you've been exposed to for so long. In all sincerity I congratulate you on a job well done, and as an AMA enthusiast, I thank you for all your efforts and achievements as President. Perhaps "it takes one to know one," but it would be highly presumptuous of me to place myself in the same category as you.
Nine years is a very long chunk of time to endure the stresses that invade and consume time that you and I would rather be spending on projects, goals, and fun things. I do want you to know that I have admired the calmness, firmness, and fairness with which you did the job.
My best wishes to you and Clara for a good New Year and many more to follow.
Maynard L. Hill Silver Springs, Maryland
Language Barrier
It's rare when I send anyone a letter, but I think our magazine (Model Aviation) is a one-of-a-kind magazine, and it saddens me to think it might become a worldly magazine like so many of them have.
In referring to the article written in the "Safety Comes First" column (February 1996), in the first column I find some of the wording objectionable. I'm referring to the Lord's name being used so loosely and I don't think the D-word was necessary.
It only takes a little bit of this kind of language to start to trash a good magazine.
Riley Cook Zephyrhills, Florida
Computer Radios
Here's an opinion on something that I personally feel is realistically not in the best interest of model aircraft pilots.
A while ago through advertisements I saw where the radios were now being designed with programmable memories and computerized pilotage capabilities. This entire concept may be advantageous in some full-sized aircraft; however, it is my opinion that in reality, in most cases (whether it be full-sized or model) what it really accomplishes is little more than a depreciation in human pilotage skills.
Where the human is not capable of performing or functioning due to physical factors beyond their natural capabilities, technology may provide assistance in terms of aiding human deficiencies; this is understandable.
Where the human must expend time and effort so as to be able to build desired or needed skills to function, this now becomes a totally different condition, and fundamentally the foundation from which the pilot becomes competent in the skills and understandings required to fly in all types of situations.
It is my sincere opinion that in the realm of recreational modeling and pilotage, the computerized control concept will eventually do little more than severely depreciate pilotage capabilities.
It is more than unfortunate that there are so many factors that are contributing to the depreciation of this hobby and the skills involved at current times. It is even more unfortunate to see the product lines contributing to the depreciation in modeling and pilotage skills.
I can almost foresee the day when modeling consists of taking your completely built, purchased model to the field, pressing a button on your computer tape, and watching the airplane fly its entire program hands-off.
This concept may be a great technological accomplishment, but at the same time in my mind it's a serious blow to the human element; is the future of the pilot to be a pilot or a computer programmer?
Be aware that computer programmers cannot save aircraft in trouble.
Kevin Mannella Malden, Massachusetts
They're Hooked!
The enclosed picture is of our new Cessna Skylane 182 completed last summer. Pictured is our 15-year-old son Gregg, member number 478407. Both members of the Hillhoppers based in Wheeling, West Virginia, Gregg got us started in the hobby about three years ago and is now hooked. The Cessna is his third airplane, having gone from trainers to more advanced ships. Gregg, the youngest member of the club, spends almost every Sunday at the field—mostly talking and once in a while flying. We eagerly await each Model Aviation month. Currently, suffering through winter, we're building a glider to pass the time away.
Happy flying.
Tom Galinski Wheeling, West Virginia
Next Step
Perhaps you or your readers can help. I caught the tail end of a report on the TV program "Next Step" about a newly designed airplane called the Mountain Goat, designed by a bright, self-educated young man (I did not catch his name).
It's a two-seat homebuilt airplane. It has a stall speed of 23 mph and top speed of 165 mph. It really flies and looks great, and would definitely make a great RC airplane. Any information you can give would help others and myself on a new and exciting project.
I firmly believe it would make a great construction feature as an introduction to RC.
Paul Fundanish Walnutport, Pennsylvania
F-15 Eagle
While reading my March issue of Model Aviation, I noticed your article on the Imperial Fly-In. There were a few pictures that accompanied the article. One of the pictures was Wally Sunday's F-15 Eagle. Your caption reads: "Wally Sunday's F-15, built by Steve Jaworski. Philip Avonds plans to kit this model in the near future."
The F-15 is already a kit, designed by Philip Avonds in Belgium. Aeroloft Designs in the United States now manufactures the F-15 kit under license from Philip. The model in the photograph is one of Aeroloft Designs' kits. Wally and Steve are good customers of ours and we are very proud of the job they did with the Eagle.
Stephen Slachta Jr. Aeroloft Designs Mesa, Arizona
Mason Letter: Points of View
Bill Pote
Steve Mason told you something in your March issue, and you still aren't listening. I bet things would be a lot different if we had to have a "pilot's license" before we could buy a motor, kit, and radio gear—might make a good state law?
Bill Pote Salem, Oregon
Martin O'Neill
Ref: March '96 issue, Letter to Editor from Steve Mason
I would have thought that you might check the background and basis of the referenced letter before publishing. There are a few facts missing that are pertinent.
- Flying at the referenced abandoned airfield was really on private property without permission.
- Most of the fliers at that site were outlaws, having no insurance.
- The local police were called out many times because the homeowners rightfully complained of the noise over their houses.
In contrast, the club, RC Country, obtained written permission from the landowner, and provided the site insurance. The club invested about $10,000 into improving the site and providing safe conditions. All previous fliers at the site were offered free initial club membership, with the only condition that they show evidence of insurance and abide by the safety and noise standards that are AMA based. Surprisingly, many did not see this as a windfall of good luck.
There are several other clubs within a half-hour drive of the Fontana area, but they all have the same rules of behavior. I have belonged to that club, as well as others, and find no basis in the complaint. There are usually too many trying to give help and advice.
As for hobby shops closing, some have—but not because of the clubs. Like all businesses today, one must be competent and competitive to make a go of it.
Further, the club has monthly meetings, a phone hot line for help, a monthly newsletter, and an E-mail address.
I would consider it proper for you to clarify the published letter and permit you to use all or part of the above, including my name, but not my address—I don't need mail from the disgruntled.
Martin O'Neill
Calvin Malinka
I have previously read letters from would-be fliers who found a particular club to be made up of unfriendly, rude people who would disdain to help newcomers; I always was glad that didn't apply to my club; I couldn't understand how other clubs could treat newcomers so badly.
I can imagine a newcomer approaching a flier practicing Pattern, or a fanjet flier getting ready to fly—particularly on a Saturday or Sunday, when things are busy. However, there are so many of us who do make a practice of helping beginners. In fact, in my case, I spend most of my time at the flying site on the antenna end of a buddy box or helping get someone's airplane in the air.
Over the past 20 years or so, as a club instructor, I have helped and taught many dozens of people to fly. (We don't have a formal instructor program at present, but at one time I was one of 'em!) So, partly in order to prove Mr. Mason wrong about our club, and partly to get some free stick time, I invite him to contact me for the purpose of learning to fly. Contrary to his, my last name is quite uncommon and he can easily find me in the phone book. I am free to fly most days of the week; actually I am "free" any day, but suggest that weekdays are less crowded.
Calvin Malinka Rialto, California
Update from Mr. Mason
This letter is in response to a previous letter that I have sent to you regarding my bad experience with the local RC clubs. As I had stated in the previous letter, I am rather thick-skinned and proceeded to learn to fly, regardless of how I thought that I was being treated.
In all fairness to the club, I need to let you know that the people that were rude were not club members. As I later discovered, they were flyers who had been using the flying site and were upset over the club moving in. They thought that we were part of the club, and were treated accordingly. I have since learned that the club members are a friendly and helpful group of people.
Please print my apology to this group of people I misjudged.
Steve Mason Fontana, California
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
