Letters to the Editor
Send your Letters to the Editor to: Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Corrections
Plan #849, Super Bug, has an error in spar placements for the left wing panel. The leading edges of the spars should be located where the spar trailing edges are placed as drawn. Refer to the right wing panel and rib template for correct spar placement.
The plan master is being corrected, and a note of correction is being sent to those who order the plan before the correction is made.
Doc Mathews' April 1998 "Flying for Fun" contained a misidentified photo. The lower-left photo on p. 67 is of Mickey de Angeles and a Kloud King.
Thanks to Friends
My husband Bill recently passed away at too early an age (he was only 55). We were both members of AMA and were also with the Spirit of America show team.
I want you to know just how wonderful the Radio Control gang is. Because of them I am staying in the hobby by myself. (Editor's note: A check for 1998 AMA membership accompanied this letter.)
Bill and I were on our way to the 1997 Superman Fan Fly in Metropolis, Illinois when Bill took ill and passed away. We never even got there.
The CD, Jerry Caudle, and our friends took up a collection for me (a raffle for a radio that was donated) to help me out. What a wonderful thing to do, at a time when I needed help so badly.
When I got back home, our club members from Detroit RCCD made me a lifetime member, and a lot of our Radio Control friends helped by calling and just being friends.
I miss Bill terribly; he was my flying buddy and this is the only way I can think of to reach all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please accept my most sincere thanks, and fly high!
See you at the flying fields.
Renate Stoner Clinton Township, Michigan
Change of Address
Thanks for printing my thoughts on teaching (March 1998 "Now You're Talking").
Since the article was written, I have moved. Clubs wishing information packs can contact me in one of the following ways:
- Write to Tim Davis, 304 S. Buffalo Dr. #102, Las Vegas, NV 89128
- Call me at (702) 242-6487. The machine is always on.
- E-mail our club newsletter, The Prop Nut News: Propnutfly@aol.com
Since the article was written, we presented a one-night "ARF Seminar" for newcomers trying to get their new Christmas presents assembled. The turnout for the seminar far exceeded even our expectations. I would recommend such a seminar for all clubs, especially right after the holiday season. Insurance, safety, and frequency control are topics that really need a face-to-face "voice of experience" discussion. An example of a Seminar Information Pack is also available on request.
See you in the skies!
Tim S. Davis Las Vegas, Nevada
Giles 202
Enclosed is a photo of builder/designer Ron Kahl (left) and owner/pilot Dave Pulfer (right) with their scratch-built 35% Giles 202, powered by a Spehar .46 twin and a 23 x 10 Menz prop. This is my first big giant-scale aerobatic airplane, and I love its excellent flying characteristics.
Dave Pulfer Tipp City, Ohio
Needle Valve Position
I read with interest Bill Baker's commentary on "Free Flight Old-Timers" in the March issue. However, I must disagree with one point.
Bill reported when using a needle valve with one hole, the hole must point down the intake tube of the engine. This is incorrect. For optimum performance the hole must be positioned at right angles to the airflow, pointing to the side of the intake tube. Positioning the hole downstream is a commonly held misconception. If anyone has doubts, check out the carburetor on a lawn mower or consult a good auto-carburetor manual.
Bill Ippolito Wallington, New Jersey
(Continued on page 144)
Letters to the Editor (continued)
Help Wanted
I need some help locating something; hoping you or your readers can help me. After a way-too-long period of inactivity, I'm trying to reactivate my old modeling ways now that I'm retired.
I got a lot of my ancient engines cleaned up and running, but one of my favorites, however, has a broken piston ring and I can't find a replacement (or replacements). The engine is a Forster .29 rear-rotor, semi-downdraft venturi engine. It's beginning to appear that this might be a fairly rare Forster engine.
Does anyone out there have a solution or suggestion for me? I'd really love to use this engine again.
A Thought for the AMA Folks
I received my 1998 merchandise catalog and saw a patch on page 19 denoting 50 years of membership. It would seem to be a nice gesture to send one complimentary patch when someone first attains 50 years of membership. However, coming from me, this suggestion could seem quite selfish and self-serving! Just really thought it would be a nice little reward for loyal longevity.
I've maintained my membership for many reasons. The main ones being the effects model aviation had on my life: it was fun, educational, and the reason I slaved through MIT to become an aero engineer; working 32+ years in AF R&D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Rod D. Joblove 7795 Brookville-Salem Rd. Brookville, OH 45309
Clarification
I am a good friend of the all-around great guy Wes Funk, and to identify him as the flier of the Clipper instead of me ("SAM Champs" report, March 1998) makes me think you will be hearing from old reprobate curmudgeon Fred Emmert's attorney shortly.
By the way, the Clipper has a Vivell Super .35 and was built in 1972. Beautiful picture.
Fred Emmert Belmont, California
Focus on Competition
I generally agree with Steve Aldrich's points on the need for increased focus on competition for the AMA. Other sports focus on competition in their external publicity, with little said about their activities analogous to "sport flying." For example, golf and soccer—both highly competitive—are marketed to the public with reporting of local, national, and worldwide competitions.
I'd love to see AMA put out press releases to local and national media when someone sets a record, wins a national or international championship, or is selected for an international competition team.
Selling sport flying can be risky. Some years ago, a local newspaper caricatured an RC club as a bunch of old fools who wasted their time going out and crashing their outrageously expensive toys.
For the sport flier who would like to fly better and have stuff work better, flying competitively can be a fast track to increased ability and to having fun. Stupidity, ignorance, and incompetence are major barriers to having fun. When you compete, you join a group of modelers focused on being smarter, knowledgeable, and competent in the pursuit of the particular event. If you stay with it, your flying skills improve and...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
