post-box

IT HAS BEEN GREAT to receive a good number of e-mails in the last couple of weeks from many parts of the globe, most of which were compliments and good wishes in respect of the ModelFlight website - thanks to all who have so kindly been in touch. I'm hoping to hear further from MIKE from Cincinatti, Ohio, who jokingly asked if the English weather allowed me to fly for more than five or six days a year (or perhaps he wasn't joking . . .)!

on the question of balance . . .

If I may add to the subject of balancing airframes, the most important thing is to build right and the centre of gravity will come out right. Adding weights is a compromise. If you do have to add weights, stick to lead since they are lighter (I guess he means smaller or available in smaller units?) and thus occupy less space (you will appreciate this when you start building scale models). Commercially they are available as weights used for balancing alloy rims on motor cars - they have a self-adhesive backing and are segmented into one gram portions - just break off and stick on.

An e-mail from BRIAN makes this constructive comment about my on-board balance adjuster which was shown in the last update of ModelFlight :

The metal strip you used to hold down the battery and receiver adds a lot of weight to the model. A better way is to use a spruce bar and screw it into place. Also, if you crash the plane, the metal bar might drive itself into the receiver and damage it as the metal bar has a lot of mass to it; it is also not wise to have that metal bar near the receiver as it might interfere with the receiver picking up a good signal from the transmitter . . . good luck!

In actual fact, the metal strip does not hold down the battery and receiver, which are held in place on the fuselage floor with Velcro. The bar is fitted to a spar about 50mm above the battery and receiver and carries the small amount of compensating weight to achieve accurate balance. However, I value the point about the potential dangers of it being made of metal. Although it is fairly light, if it came adrift it would most likely drive into my fuel tank, which could be even more disastrous! [Reg]

youth re-visited

Just thought I'd drop you a note to say I like the website. Last weekend I was out and about with my six year old son and we came across a model shop. Went in for a quick look and got the usual "Cor look at that dad, can we get one, can we?". I haven't built a model aircraft since I was about 15 (I'm now 40) but I remembered the fun I had with my dad. Anyway we left the shop with a DPR Models Hyper Cub (750 mm wingspan, rubber powered, balsa & tissue construction) take it home and start building, six year old rapidly loses interest, I'm hooked. I was up until 4.30 last Sunday morning. Today - I work nights - I've spent all day covering it so we can paint it tomorrow and hopefully fly it Sunday. The problem is I'm already scouring websites for radio gear and trying to decide what to build next :-))

Steve's e-mail arrived on Feb. 18, so I wonder if he did manage to fly his Cub on the Sunday. Keep us posted, Steve, it will be interesting to follow your progress.

By the way, Steve's reference to a rubber-powered model prompts me to say that Modelflight is not only about r/c flying - items about any aspect of model flying are most welcome.

something for the jet-set . . .

Wandered into your site thru the BMFA page, looks good. The reason I'm mailing you is I have just set up (last week) a web site for the UK Jet Modellers Association. The address is http://www.ukjets.demon.co.uk How about a reciprocal link ie
I'll do you if you do me? Let me know and I'll add you to the Clubs section?

If you look at the site then the Phantom on gallery2 is mine. 2xOS91 Ramtec for power, bit of a handful but I've done 49 flights and got used to it, full power stall is NOT to be recommended, a definite underpants changer!

I've put Mike's Phantom into the picture gallery if you want to have a look at it. I'm always happy to oblige with links, especially if ModelFlight gets a mention in return, so the Jet Modellers Association is now on our permanent links page.

flight training

This letter is slightly commercial, but it was nice to hear from David Scott from the USA and it sounds as if he has something good to offer. The Training Manual looks fascinating and could be of interest to club training officers perhaps . . .

Hello. My name is David Scott. If I haven't already met or talked with you--in 1987 I opened the 1ST U.S. R/C FLIGHT SCHOOL, and since then more than 750 people have attended primarily through word-of-mouth. Primary Flight Training is most common, yet Aerobatic training is becoming more popular as a growing number of past students return for further instruction.

Those who attend our week-long Training Courses are obviously very enthusiastic about R/C but typically do not have the time (work, family, etc.) to acquire the skills and knowledge to be successful, or as successful as they would like to be--and might otherwise still be struggling or out of our great Sport altogether if not for the opportunity to attend the School and do nothing but focus on flying and learning for a whole week.

You should know that I continually stress to each new student the importance and necessities of joining an AMA Chartered R/C Club after taking our Course for the support and ongoing guidance that they will receive from its members, just as I did and continue to benefit from in my Club.

My reason for this contact with you is to bring to your attention our website at http://www.frontiernet.net/~rcfs because I think you might find it interesting and useful to view the online lessons taken from my new DAS SYSTEM Primary Flight Training Manual.

The DAS SYSTEM basically just defines and brings to the forefront HOW and WHY proficient flyers all make it look so easy! I've already received a good deal of positive feedback from individuals and Clubs who are using the DAS SYSTEM in their training programs. These online lessons may be helpful to people you know in your local Club who are trying to learn, and consequently make it easier on the Club instructors as well.

Would you consider adding a link to the School in your site? And if you come across any people who because of time or other constraints are having difficulty getting started or making progress in R/C, maybe you could mention to them that a proved 12-year R/C Flight School offering week-long Courses exist and might be an option. Thanks!

I would be happy to mail you our Flight School materials detailing our operation and "track-record" for your review if you would like.

David A. Scott. Instructor, 1ST U.S. R/C FLIGHT SCHOOL mailto: rcfs@frontiernet.net

if size matters . . .

I foolishly suggested in a newsgroup message that ModelFlight could become the largest virtual flying club in the world, indeed since I couldn't find another one anyway, then perhaps we already were! However, I have been gently corrected by this little note from Bill Fulmer of TeamRCO in the USA:

You MUST be relatively new to the web, if you are unaware of http://rconline.com , over here in the colonies, with over 13 MILLION hits last month....... Currently averaging approx 500K hits per DAY... Come visit...

My reply, after visiting the site -

Hi Bill,

Many thanks for your e-mail and invitation to view rconline - brilliant!

. . . and yes, I AM relatively new to the web!

With best wishes,

Reg.

. . . well, I couldn't argue with that, could I? Do take a look, though, the site is very impressive and extremely professional - but stay with me and remember, this is just a one-man-band and I promise not to make any foolish claims again!

decals

I haven't received any suggestions concerning making your own decals for models, but I have spotted a newsgroup item from a supplier who can help. There's a company who says they can make logos and decals for model planes, cars, etc. Their product is made from special long-life vinyl in a wide variety of colours and finishes and their website address is www.info-signs.co.uk - don't forget to let them know where you heard about them; it will be good if ModelFlight gets recognised as being worthy of note!