Airwaves

Model Airplane News, Oct 2003 by Cleghorn, Debra, Yarrish, Gerry

FAN MAIL

I just wanted to let you know that Model Airplane News continues to be the magazine that I enjoy the most. Its recent articles for newcomers are great and are really needed-not just for newbies, but for all of the older guys in this hobby as well. The ARF coverage is right on the money, and it's exciting to see so many new ARFs that are of such outstanding quality. The color photos are great, too. I really enjoy getting your magazine in the mail each month; I can't wait to see all the good stuff you print! Keep up your efforts; they are greatly appreciated. Brian [email]

Thanks for making our day, Brian! We have a great time putting the magazine out and always enjoy hearing from readers that our efforts are appreciated. DC

TAKE CONTROL

I was very pleased to read the article "Program Like a Pro" in your September 2003 issue. I have been into RC for 20 years and have never bought a computer radio because I thought it would be too expensive and too complicated to learn. But several new computer radios are now on the market and they have very attracttive prices; I will seriously consider one for my next radio purchase. Can you suggest a book or other articles that go deeper into the subject of computer radios? I would like to build and fly more complicated models, and this would be a great place to start. Thanks for your help!

Thomas Severance, San Francisco, CA

Thomas, I'm glad that you enjoyed the article. We will look into publishing more in-depth articles on computer radios and programming but in the mean-time, check out the "Ultimate RC Flight Guide" (available from rcstore.com). The book covers all aspects of flight and includes a chapter on radio programming. Good luck! GY

PROPELLER PUZZLE

I read with interest your contribution about propellers in the September, 2003 issue of Model Airplane News. I always learn something. There is one point, however, that I disagree with: your drilling pattern for bolt holes shown in Figure 5 of that article. I believe that the opposite of your "safer" pattern is true. The inherent strength of a piece of wood depends on the unbroken continuation of its grain from end to end. The more breaks in that grain, the weaker the wood will be. The total amount of grain cut through in your recommended drilling pattern is 60 percent, whereas in the "not recommended" pattern it amounts to only 40 percent. Do you have any empirical observations that make you believe that your recommendation is valid? On a purely scientific basis, the opposite would appear to be true.

Gerry Rosebery [email]

Gerry, thanks for your thoughts on the topic. I haven't ever witnessed a model prop break because of the bolt-hole pattern. I suggested the pattern placement from my experience with ultralight aircraft back in the early '80s, when I built an ultralight and powered it with a converted Kawasaki 440 snowmobile engine. I used a wooden prop from Ritz Propeller Co., and the instructions warned about the 6-bolt prop-hub pattern. With the prop placed horizontally, there should be a hole at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions (not at 3 and 9 o'clock). I've noticed that many full-size Piper Cubs and Taylorcrafts use the same 12 and 6 o'clock pattern, and I have carried this thinking into my giant-scale modeling. I suspect this doesn't really matter all that much for models, but maybe someone who has more technical experience will write in and set the record straight! GY

SURVEY WINNERS

Thank you to everyone who completed our April 2003 Reader Survey, and congratulations to these 25 prizewinners, who will each be sent a copy of "Ultimate RC Flight Guide."

Dorwin Aaron, Quitman, AR; Keith Kivi, Overland Park, KS; Eduard Meyer, Thoerishaus, Switzerland; Michael Bavcom, Statesboro, GA; Alan Hill, Lincoln, NE; Pete Engel, Melbourne, FL; Ryan Richards, North Adams, MA; Marshall Head, Oceanside, CA; Robert Osborne Jr., Cincinnati, OH; Paul Garceau, Mt. Clemens, MI; Robert Bailey, Danville, AR; James Sundy, Harrisburg, PA; Leon Prokuski, McHenry, IL; Paul M. O'Dell, Calumet Park, IL; James Connor, Industry, PA; Cleveland Shiufrs, Seaside, CA; Bill Grippo, Bullhead City, AZ; John Palm, Niceville, FL; Donald Fuster, Spring Lake, MI; Glenn Tuttle, Greensboro, NC; Pete Shirkiey, Portland, OR; H.L. Fredericks, Harlingen, TX; Fred Blanck, Wichita, KS; Geo Sing, Glendale, AZ; Pedro De Los Santos, New York, NY.

The following 25 readers win a one-year subscription to Model Airplane News or a renewal of their current subscription:

Lawrence Marriott, Riverside, CA; Richard Groth, Export, PA; Greg Hunter, Tulsa, OK; Jon Gilliland, Fremont, MI; Jack Evans, State College, PA; Jay Byard, Levering, MI; Gene LaFond, Wenatchee, WA; Dave Surace, Hawthorne, NJ; Gary Stonehill, Rocklin, CA; George Boardman, Lovettsville, VA; David Klemenhagen, Shakopee, MN; Irwin Esses, San Mateo, FL; Dale Elder, Redding, CA; John Brickley, Granger, IN; David Swaddling, Hilliard, OH; Dennis Barlow, Newcomerstown, OH; Richard Herrington, Tomball, TX; Thomas Roache, Carrollton, TX; Don Patterson, Troy, MI; Denne Osgood, Fayetteville, NC; Richard Kehrer, Waterford, MI; Richard Prann, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Edmund Smith, Ridgecrest, CA; Thomas Walker, Nettie, WV; Tony Paladino, Ontario, Canada.