Radio Control: Scale
Jeff Troy
3612 Westmoreland Dr. Mays Landing, NJ 08330
At one time or another, each of us who participates in RC Scale competition has had to endure our fair share of learning experiences. In some cases we paid fewer penalties for our growth and development than in others, but in all cases we had to learn our lessons by jumping with both feet into a fiercely competitive field — and hoping against all odds that we landed upright after the smoke cleared.
Understandably, Sport, Precision, or Giant Scale competition can be very intimidating to the fledgling scale modeler. First, you must pair your model with a documentation package, which can be difficult to organize effectively. Next, you must put your pride and joy up to the probable criticism of the other competitors and those cruelly honest pen-wielders, the static judges. Then, as if the previous humiliation weren't enough, you have to fly the thing in front of still more judges and a crowd of strangers who may be rooting for one of the big-name contestants you think will beat you no matter what airplane you've built or how well you can fly it.
Don't despair. As a newcomer to Scale competition, you need not face such pressures. The AMA Fun Scale event is the perfect vehicle for letting you get your feet wet without fear of drowning in deep water. In AMA Fun Scale you can become an active part of full-blown, sanctioned Scale competition without making an investment in EDF — Emotional Debt Factor. You can use this event to take the intimidation, humiliation, and fear out of entering the Scale arena.
You can make the jump into competition flying painless by selecting the best airplane for the job at hand. The best airplane is not necessarily the one your friends like; it is the one you are most comfortable with. Never choose a model whose performance envelope is beyond your present piloting abilities. If you feel more comfortable tooling a flat-bottomed trainer around the sky, there are many Scale models with similar flight performance to choose from.
Suggested models by flying style
- Trainer-style models:
- Goldberg Cubs
- Top Flite Cubs
- Balsa USA Cubs
- Sig Cubs
- Bud Nosen's Aeronca, Citabria, Cub
- Sterling Tri-Pacer
- Hangar One Beaver
- Warbirds and modern aerobatic types (for hole-drilling, fun-fly pilots):
- Top Flite Models
- Davey Systems Corporation
- Wing Manufacturing
- Royal Products
- Byron Originals
- Great Planes
- Carl Goldberg Models
- Zimpro Models
- Slow, predictable WWI fighters and vintage stick-and-fabric airplanes (for moderate pilots who enjoy lazy touch-and-goes):
- Flair Models
- Balsa USA
- Hangar One
- DB Models
- Proctor Enterprises
- Aerodrome Models
- Examples: Nieuports, Spads, Jennys, Camels, Fokkers, Blackburns
- High-performance ducted-fan/jet models (for experienced pilots):
- Jet Hangar Hobbies
- Bob Violett Models
- Byron Originals
- Yellow Aircraft
- Bob Parkinson Models
Really, the selection of kit subjects has never been better. There are literally hundreds of Scale models from which to choose. No matter what your flying style, there's an entry-level model to suit it. The AMA Fun Scale doors are open to all comers, regardless of experience. You only need to pick a model that best complements that experience.
Perhaps this is the best place to point out that in Fun Scale competition you don't have to construct a model at all if you don't want to. You can use an ARF, an RTF, or even buy a fully built model from a friend or a club auction. It's in the rules — the builder of the model need not be the competitor. This isn't to suggest you shouldn't build a great Scale model if you'd like to — you should — but be aware that you don't have to.
The primary difference between Fun Scale and more traditional Scale events is not so much the quality of your airplane as the way that plane is judged. Fun Scale static judging is quite basic: if your model looks like an airplane, it's worth five points. For example, an E-Z ARF P-51 accompanied by almost any picture of a P-51 is worth five static points in Fun Scale. A model like Bob Fiorenze's F-18 Hornet, with meticulous detail and extensive documentation, would still be worth only the same five static points.
By all means, build a beautiful model if you can — that's the key element of Scale modeling. But keep in mind that in Fun Scale competition you can learn the ropes at your own pace with no need to rush. After attending a few meets you'll know when you're ready to build that special airplane. Once you've made your final choice, acquired or built your special, and become comfortable flying it, it will be time to enter the contest trail.
Preparation for taking on the AMA Fun Scale
Preparation for the AMA Fun Scale can be at your own pace, too. First, read the rules for the event in the AMA Competition Regulations handbook so you understand what will be expected of you at a contest. After spending those few minutes with the rules, you'll see that the detailed documentation package you've been carrying for so long isn't required in Fun Scale. If you like, it can be replaced with something as simple as the picture from the kit box top.
Many top Scale meets have begun to offer Fun Scale as an added attraction. Attend them. Once you've committed to entering a few contests, you can usually count on being able to rub elbows with the best of the best without the intimidation of having to do battle with them. Instead, you can simply enjoy meeting them, watching them work, and learning from them.
Display good manners on the contest scene, but don't be overly shy. Scale modelers love to talk about their airplanes, and your first few Scale meets are the best opportunity to make friends and mentors of more experienced fliers. Approach them and ask to see their documentation packages. Talk with them about their static presentations. Ask how they handled particular detailing tricks to dress up a model, and watch how they present their flights to the judges and how they instruct their callers to assist them. Pay particular attention to the professional, admirable manner in which the more sportsmanlike handlers conduct themselves when a judge is forced to take a nibble out of their egos with a downgrade.
The more you watch and learn, the sooner you will come to grips with the contest trail. Before too long your models will show marked improvement in construction and your flying style will develop purpose. You will come to know that your documentation package can be as important as your airplane and you will have learned effective ways of preparing one.
It will only be a matter of time before you move on to take your rightful place in the Sportsman, Expert, or Giant Scale classes of competition and perhaps yourself become a mentor to another aspiring flier. As an added benefit, while you're working toward perfecting your models and flying skills, you'll also be developing two other valuable assets — good sportsmanship and character.
After getting involved in AMA Fun Scale and using it as an opportunity to become comfortable with the Scale contest environment, you'll understand that having fun isn't limited to fun-flys and noncompetitive events. Scale competitors have fun, too. Most are friendly people who enjoy what they do and try to do it as best they can. After all, it really is fun!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
