Radio Control: Soaring
Don Pruss
Level V achievements and notable flights
If you've been keeping score, six gents met their LSF Level V achievements in 1981:
- Keith Kindrick, California (first)
- Gerry Ziegenfuss, Pennsylvania
- Don Goughnour, Pennsylvania
- Don Clark, Maryland
- Jim Porter, Iowa
- Don Patterson, Michigan
The honor of being first in 1982 goes to Bill Meleske of Baldwin, NY. He needed only the 10-kilometer Goal and Return task — a requirement that has postponed the same honors for many over the years — and he finally achieved it his way.
Few Level V holders have had cakewalks for the Goal and Return. After several attempts on the East Coast, Bill and a few friends crated up their birds and drove to San Diego. Out West they met Rick Schramek, who provided a sun-roof-equipped car, and they traveled over the mountains and into the desert to a site just outside Ocotillo Wells — near where Don Edberg accomplished the same task some time ago.
Bill flew his faithful four-year-old Viking II sailplane paired with a six-year-old EK Logictrol radio. That combination has won contests for him over the years and came through again.
Youngest in the group was 14-year-old Eric Neibling, who successfully completed his Level IV Cross-Country requirement. Gordon Stratton, another 3,000-miler, was plagued with radio problems and had to return to New York without an endorsement in his log.
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F3B scene
By the time you read this, the F3B Team Selection Program will be well underway. Following the successful pattern of the past three programs:
- Quarter-finals will be held through the end of June.
- Semi-finals will run through the first two weeks of July.
Nearly 90 fliers responded to the ballot sent to 1979–1981 participants — a most encouraging response.
One big change this year: on the last day of the three-day finals, only the top 15 fliers from the previous two days' results will compete. This could make the finals the most exciting ever for both competitors and spectators.
Dates and site:
- When: Labor Day weekend — September 4, 5 and 6.
- Where: Joliet Park District Airport, Joliet, Illinois (the same site used for the 1981 LSF Tournament), about 50 miles south of Chicago O'Hare Field.
- Notes: Motels and restaurants are minutes away, making this an excellent package for both contestants and spectators.
Ray Marvin, who has chaired the RC Soaring Team Selection Program since the first one in 1976, organized this event. Considering the results of three World Championships, Ray's program has produced two World Champions and a team victory — an impressive track record.
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Photos and the 2 Meter World Cup (2 MWC)
With the exception of the shot of Bill Meleske, all photos this month are from the 1982 Two Meter World Cup held in Las Vegas last February. The ground cover and sailplane styles make that clear.
The 2 MWC produces a refined class of sailplanes with strong European F3B influence, though many construction details show Yankee ingenuity. Most planes displayed contest-winning capability, but too many were completed too late for fliers to become fully contest-honed to their machines' performance potential. The 2 MWC won't allow that in future events.
Notable aircraft and designs at the 2 MWC:
- Joe Newland and Ed Holder: Mini-Merlin — an aileron-and-elevator ship expected to be available in kit form.
- Chris Hanzlik (Pacific Sailplanes): Habu — full-span ailerons, rudder and flying stab; Eppler 205 airfoil; balsa-covered foam wings; semi-kit (less wood) priced at $75. (Write Pacific Sailplanes, Box 55155, Valencia, CA 91355.)
- Jerry Mrlik (Michigan): Blitz — a version of his F3B plane (see Model Aviation, February 1982). Radio problems limited its flights, but the design shows great potential.
- Dick Odle (California): RO 4-teen — one of the few polyhedral-wing entries, more conventionally built with a sheeted wing; excellent workmanship.
The 2 MWC is a good contest that generates interesting ideas and designs and very good flying. You’ll see F3B-influenced designs and tasks with an F3B flavor — performance is the name of the game.
Start planning now for the next 2 MWC, scheduled for early 1983. Ed Slobod promises warm weather and good lift.
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Winch and equipment
One of the photos this month shows a winch owned by Roger Roth, who is heading up a team of F3B fliers from the PSA group. The winch wasn't used at the 2 MWC, but Roger demonstrated several fine features. A notable feature is the support for the end of the starter shaft: the mount supports the outside of the drum and shaft and houses a ball bearing and a ratchet system. The unit is compact and of top-quality workmanship.
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Don Pruss Rt. 2, Box 494 Plainfield, IL 60544
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
