kingaltair
Posts: 437
Joined: 5/25/2005
From: Asheville,
NC, USA
Status: offline
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I'd like to say THANK YOU  for all the nice feed-back in this thread. I can't tell you how long it took to write, or how many times it was "tweaked". I'd like to thank Michael Ramsey from MA for the nice spread, and the way the article was laid out. I had a certain idea in my mind about how I wanted the article to look, and for the most part I was very happy with it. I probably would have changed a few of the picture captions he edited, and I cringed at the "hot dog pilots" comment in the table of contents, but I loved the job Michael did. To me a "hot dog" precision aerobatic pilot is the one who does the smoothest, most beautiful, graceful maneuvers possible. 
If you will allow me to set the record straight on one thing I'd appreciate it. I must say that the sidebars attributed to Bob Noll were part of my article--it may not matter to anyone else, but I just want you to know.
Scott is "dead on" about the purpose of SPA, which has actually evolved some since it was formed. Originally there WAS an age requirement to belong and compete, but that was changed long ago. Senior Pattern Assn now has nothing to do with being a certain age--we have late teens who are excellent competitors, and have absolutely zero firsthand knowledge of the '60s and '70s, but they know what competition is, and what a rewarding challenge precision pattern can be--for no more money than you'd put into your average sport plane.
The comment made above about younger pilots not knowing just how great these "vintage" pattern planes fly is also absolutely right on. These planes fly smooth as silk and like they're on rails if set up properly. Once you've flown one, I honestly believe you'll no longer be satisfied with a lot of the modern sport planes----you'll fly these instead.
If you keep your old mags, the May 2006 issue was an introductory article, and speaks a lot about the new laser-cut kits available. This current article features the newly re-released Intruder-90 ARF . World Models actually worked with an expert SPA pilot, (hence the SPA sticker on the decal sheet), and came up with a fantastic flying ARF. I just finished one myself, and it flew perfectly right out of the box without ONE CLICK of trim. You may want to "beef up" the area on the fuse about 4" behind the wing--it is a bit delicate to rough landings, (not that I ever have any)  .
I'd ask you to take a little time and go to the SPA website. Under DOWNLOADS, you can look at the brand new "Competitor's Guide" which describes all the maneuvers with drawings included. Join the SPA Discussion List---lots of subjects are discussed, (like this forum).
I hope there will be new areas of growth for SPA as a result of the article. There is no reason why chapters can't be formed ANYWHERE in the US--you can expect help from SPA officers when you want it.
Contests are listed under the CONTEST tab, and we welcome any new pilots to join us at a meet. We had a guy from New Jersey drive down to Asheville for my contest last year---BTW--the Asheville contest is scheduled for this weekend (July 14-15), for anyone who might want to come by--the next is scheduled for south of Altanta two weeks from now. I hope to see some new faces.
Thanks again for the comments.
Duane
< Message edited by kingaltair -- 7/10/2007 9:15:11 PM >
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Pattern Flying >> Classic Pattern Flying >> July 2007 Model Aviation 
July 2007 Model Aviation - 
I believe Ed Kazmirski became less interested in R/C shortly thereafter. The Simla has generated a lot of interest; it's a nice-looking plane totally unique in its time. There is another thread--a very long thread about the Taurus way back there somewhere, where the Simla was discussed at some length. It's difficult to know exactly how detailed the original 