Aero Mail
Corrections
The "State of the Sport: Competition Fun Fly" article in the August 2005 issue contained an incorrect E-mail address for Turner Performance Products, which manufactures the Minus design. The correct address is Airworthy@aol.com — not airworthy@aol.com.
In the same article, the caption on the bottom right of page 38 reads that Skipp Turner is Alex Turner's father. Actually, Alex is Scott Turner's son. Skipp Turner took the photo.
AMA President Dave Brown's September column referred to the Federal Aviation Association. The correct organization is the Federal Aviation Administration.
Our apologies for the errors.
—MA staff
Heartland Hospitality
My grandson Albert Johnson and I attended the United States Outdoor Free Flight National Championships (August 1–5) at the Academy of Model Aeronautics site in Muncie, IN.
The AMA facility is really excellent, but I came to know one even greater asset: the citizens of Muncie. Everywhere we turned we were greeted by friendly people who were only too happy to make our stay a pleasure.
One example stands out, however. We had engine trouble with our little Yamaha motorcycle and were referred to Benson Motorcycles, Inc. at 6410 West McGalliard. Now, Benson is a Harley-Davidson shop. Undeterred by the fact that I had an off-brand motorbike, Mr. Phil Benson and one of his employees "R.C." lost no time in finding the cause of our problem.
Now this was during lunch hour, and there was an unending stream of customers with "real" motorcycles who needed their attention.
After about an hour, R.C. wheeled our now-running bike out of the shop and promptly refused a tip! In addition, though I was fully prepared to pay for an hour of shop time at $55/hour, Phil insisted on charging us only eleven bucks and change! I offered several times to pay the full hour but he politely refused.
I was favorably impressed with Muncie when I came last year, but now I am a zealot! You have a great city which is a fine example of Heartland American Hospitality.
Dean C. McGinnes Lakeland, Florida
Name That Airplane
I am writing this at the suggestion of my flying buddies to see if you can help me identify a full-scale aircraft after which I scratch-built a model from memory and function.
For some time I have had a fun program of trying to target and drop a small "skydiver" in my pocket. Nearest so far is six feet to me. I used different drop methods on various models.
Then one winter I decided to build an airplane particularly for the purpose of dropping my parachute. I tried to copy from memory an airplane I saw used in Florida, where we spent our winters. I do not know the name of the airplane to look it up on the Web.
Theodore T. Hastings 1714 Paul Pl. Traverse City, MI 49686
"World Class" Safety Issues?
The first video production, distributed to AMA members, showing various types of modeling and flying appeared to be a terrific idea that could have great possibilities. I received the second DVD and was disappointed with the content and direction.
The production must delight the RC members. Included in the content was a segment showing young modelers, proclaimed by some as "world class," flying their RC Electrics in a gym (filled with spectators) and doing unbelievable extreme maneuvers.
Despite their skills, this appears to be a major safety issue! No matter how talented these young men are, accidents do happen; a major incident could be in the offing.
A few years ago I was invited to attend a fly-in in the Bedford, Texas, Boys Ranch gym. Those of us flying rubber lightweights were given two hours to do our flying. At the end of the period, a group of RC Electrics fliers eagerly began to fly their pylon racers. These are no lightweights!
As I was packing up my airplanes, one of the racers hit the net of a side goal just above my head and fell to the floor. I was shocked! A direct hit to the head could have been disastrous. I quickly left—not wanting to be a part of the possibilities.
In the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s the modeling community shared flying fields and building techniques because they were model airplanes—whether they were Radio Control, Control Line, or Free Flight. There were few, if any, problems.
Now any "wannabe" can go to a hobby shop, buy the latest ARF transmitter and accessories, and become a "world class" flier without regard to safety and welfare of innocent bystanders.
Insurance? Get an AMA license! If someone is disfigured the AMA will take care of it—no problem. Is it any wonder our AMA dues are so costly? Those of us who fly other types of models are paying the price for insurance to cover inherent possibilities. We're exposed to self-serving exhibitionists and are overwhelmed by their lack of common sense.
I believe it is time to consider all modelers' contributions to our sport of building and flying. Responsibility should be stressed. The Radio Control industry is a major player and justifiably receives a generous share of attention. They should also share the responsibility.
The control and safety of our sport should be in the hands of responsible users. Commercialism and heavy-handed influence by special interest groups will kill the sport (and maybe a few spectators in the process). Give us a break! MA
Joe Kehr Tulsa, Oklahoma
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
