SEN 2349
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- Category: Archive 2017
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Table of Contents – SEN 2349
- Sierra Cup Potluck
- Age and Numbers
- BOM…. Etc…
- 12 Summer Winds = 1 Babenko
- Chuck’s Memories
Sierra Cup Potluck
From: Brian Van Nest
After the flying on Saturday, on the field
We will be having a potluck dinner
Please bring something to share
a main dish or salad for 5-7 people
BBQ's are available for those wanting to cook
Bring your chairs, drinks, table settings and table
See you then
Age and Numbers
From:Gene Ulm
Mr. Achterberg should read the brilliant and insightful ;-) piece detailing the current EXPANSION of free flight in the most recent NFFS sympo. Yes, there are geography and age-related problems with FAI free flight in America. But not elsewhere.
Editor’s Note Along with this was that there were about 80 participants in the F1C event at the 2017 World Champs, more than many expected. While a number of people in the USA gave up F1C when the engine run was reduced to 4 seconds there were still quite a number from other countries, many with fixed wing direct drive models.
BOM…. Etc…
From:Rick Pangell
BOM... etc...
I need to step in here. The (removal of the ) BOM rule in AMA event was necessary. Too
many "estate" models are there and to tell a new modeler that he has to spend
the time and effort to try our sport was just too much to ask.
The push was to get those models back in the air and reduce the time for a
new modeler to be able to fly... and "don't discourage" new potential
modelers by telling them they have to get up to speed with all of the tribal
knowledge and skill of building and flying a free flight model. AArrgghh...!
We, the MMM Club, have many good examples of how the removal of the BOM
rule has helped. Jace Pivonka is a great example. We got him into the hobby
real time donating our old models to him and not burdening him with the
daunting prospect of starting from scratch. Plus, some of us are now flying
other events where they may not have done if needing to build a new model.
When I started out, just about all of my friends were "into it." Now they
are not... I-phones win. How do you beat that? We make it easier for
new modelers to get into the hobby... look at the success of "retro" and
simpler events... Electric and FAC. When a new flyer is staying with the hobby
it is because he is having "success," not daunting discouragement
For F1"X"... think about it. Attracting new flyers to FAI is probably
about eliminating other events that compete with FAI, AMA, NFFS, BMFA slow
power and only doing FAI... reducing the competition. Then you have to
"convince" or rather generate interest so that newcomers will be interested.
NASCAR in the USA takes off because of the TV promotion, but there is a
tremendous lack of "Hobby Stocker" car races where entry level folks used to get
into. Everyone strives to be at the top with no stepping stone... You
need a sponsor(?). Will winning FAI be there? Too much trouble to fly and
compete without help?
Again, for F1"X"... performance is outrunning rules, so do not be naive in
adding to the rules and requiring more complexity and technology, but back
up a few meters and look at what the desire is (3 minutes). To me, the
basic solution is adding wing loading, but who am I to challenge? Looking
back on NASCAR... would making the track smaller limit all the horsepower
push or challenge the car designers to slow down a bit and design a car that
performs well on the "new track."
Now, model aircraft? Perhaps the promo is awry.
JMHO...
Rick Pangell - NFFS Central VP
Editor of "The Max-Out" Newsletter of
The Magnificent Mountain Men FF Club of Colorado
12 Summer Winds = 1 Babenko
From : Ron Young
Hi Roger, I just finished building a old school Summer Wind FIC model and kept track of cost, at the current price of FIC models I could build 12 of these complete and ready to fly.
Ron.
Editor’s Note – Ron included some photos of his airplane that showed he had not lost any of his building skills, unfortunately we can’t include them in this issue of SEN. For those who do not know Ron, besides being an active flyer in the past he was involved in the Southern California Hobby Industry playing a role in the development of a number of engines notably the Conquest 15 and subsequently produced a number of special versions.
Chuck’s Memories
We got an email from Chuck Markos which was the indirect result of Chuck doing some clean up. The email listed all of those taking part in the 1983 USA Team Selection process. There were over 10 times the number that took part in the last team selection event. There was about 40 participants in the last finals. This time only Walt Ghio entered more than one class back in 83 many more people did 2 events.