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Joe Niedermayer
started a discussion on ground tracking during
takeoff. Strut rigidity, toe-in, CG, wing
loading and other factors were discussed. The
technique of rudder steering led to a lengthy
and informative group discussion about gyros in
“heading mode” during takeoff led by Tim Len
and Scott Russell.
Engaging the
heading mode with the retract switch was one
solution for both takeoff and landing. This led
to a discussion of a gyros effect on other
flight regimes. It was noted that gyro
sensitivity can be optimized for only one air
speed. Modern gyros are no longer mechanical
devices. They are entirely electronic, hence
lighter and more reliable. Now legal in
competition thanks to Frank Tiano who argued
that they are a safety feature within our hobby.
Phil Schwartz
reported that the Owatonna field no longer has a
N/S runway. It has been plowed. Also, there
has been an unsuccessful attempt to bury the
airplane-eating power lines that are off the
west end of the main runway. But the power
company wants $10,000 to do so. Bummer.
|
Glassing
Techniques
A
discussion about various techniques of
laying down fiberglass cloth. Some
folks apply a primer of thinned nitrate
dope or other primer before glassing.
Others thin resin with acetone or 90%
alcohol (rubbing alcohol, available at
drug stores - don’t use 85% or else
water will be trapped in the resin,
making it soft). Thinner must
evaporate before the resin sets or else
the result will be weak and gummy.
Applying glass cloth with a horsehair
brush wraps it around curves and holds
it with static electricity. |
Editor's Note: Although many of you know
that David Andersen's new 1/4 Scale Mitsubishi
Babs won the "Best
of Show Award" at the 2010
Northern Alliance Military Fly-in. His
hard work is also featured in the 2010 Fall
edition of HIGHflight magazine! For those
of you who don't receive HIGHflight, grab a copy
from a friend and check out this wonderful
article. The article takes a deeper look into
the history of the aircraft as well as
highlighting a few construction steps. All
of David's plans are available for download
within our website
"at No-Charge"
Congratulations David from all of your modeling
students! |
Dave Andersen
generated an article and
discussion points that has been summarized
below.
Nick Ziroli Sr., who's also had an impact on
our hobby, while providing many of you resources
for your scale projects also had some thoughts
as well. Nicks designs can be found at
"Nick Ziroli Plans".
Where Will "New" Giant Scale Plans Come From?
When was the
last time that well known scale designer
released a new design? Also, other than
HIGHflight, how many giant scale construction
articles have been published in the model press
recently? Even Model Aviation Magazine has
a policy of no longer publishing giant scale
construction articles and the others seem to
focus on ARF’s!
Yet,
scratch-building thrives. This is derive
from our monthly website inquiries coupled with
Balsa dealers having order backloads and parts
suppliers staying very busy, while the Build-Threads on
forums are ubiquitous. But we feel
 that
unless something changes, it won’t last.
In a recent
email to our editor from Nick Ziroli Sr.,
he was kind enough to share his thoughts to a
few of our discus-sion points,
Nick Sr. responses are
highlighted in
blue. Thanks again Mr.
Ziroli for taking time away from your UAV
project to share your thoughts and opinions
within the SFM Newsletter.
Questions:
|
Q |
Has the
digital age taken away your incentive to
publish new aircraft designs/plans? |
|
|
“I don't think it is the digital age
that has affected my incentive for new
plans. I've designed and built over 25
big scale models in the past 25 or so
years. This was plus my aero and
industrial models I was building since
1970, and still doing so as a consultant.
Today, at 75 years old I just can't
spend the time at the drawing board that
I used to. The E-bay whores don't help
matters either.” |
|
Q |
What
should Scale Enthusiast who doesn’t have
your drawing/design skills, while
desiring something different on the
flight line do? |
| |
"If a modeler has built a Giant Scale
model or two they would have a feel for
how it is done. Use a plan he has built
from and change the outlines and modify
formers and ribs to suit. It can
and has been done. A one off cowl
can be carved from foam, glassed and
foam removed". |
|
Q |
How do you
feel we could deepen the Scale interest
of the Top Model Magazines and encourage
them to go beyond ARF’s. |
| |
"That's difficult to say. Unfortunately
the ARF's are getting better. There is
a wide choice of designs and they are
cheaper than building from scratch. The
only hope is that the model flyer that
assembles one may get bitten by the bug
hard enough to become a model builder.
I don't know what we could to
encourage model building. Time and
money is probably a problem for many
these days". |
|
y
year. He told of three events all scheduled on
the same day. On a lark, he flew one flight at
each, doing more driving than flying.
