Capt Kremen

Ailerons on a 'Radio Queen'???? If you really must, but it doesn't need them and unless you are flying it 'out-of-character' of the original 'guided R/C' style, it's a fantastic flying model on just rudder/elevator and throttle, i/c or electric powered.

I recently visited the huge German model expo in Friedrichshafen. Graupner, (among numerous others), had a small stand there. IMO, very little of any consequence on display and a shadow of former years pre their take-over, very, very sad. The original Graupner stood for high quality and their wood kits were beautifully crafted, together with superb construction plans and instructions. Only AeroNaut and Krick (the later in a limited way), seem to be uphold the finest tradition of German balsa/ply kit manufacture now. Whilst acknowledging Multiplex for their all 'Elapor' foam range, Simprop, Robbe and the other lesser players now merely import and re-badge far eastern ARTF in a mix of wood and foam constructions. Sadly signs of the times ....

FS2020 is coming soon!

My two pennerth ... (Longer) term storage of some of my models in a well insulated, but dry, 'loft hangar'. Metal clevis, exposed areas of pushrods, some types of exposed nuts n' bolts e.g. securing control horns - can develop a surface oxidisation/'white' coating to greater or lesser degree. Servo mounting grommets 'harden', servo themselves seem to operate fine after cycling checks. Plug and un-plug servos to 'clean' the contacts/ensure sound electrical contact. (I'm all electric motor systems so no gummy i/c pistons or carbs to free). Electric motor bearings oiled & checked for 'rough' spots. Closed loop wires oxidise, unless wiped over with Vaseline or similar prior to storage. Film coverings can loosen, depending on type and brand. Much lamented Solartex seems most durable. Gliders - Metal wing joiners can oxidise and get stuck if left in fuselages. Be mindful of leaving a fuselage or u/c resting on a wing or tailplane. This can cause dips and dents in the covering as well as slight warps in control surfaces Glue joints can 'dry out', become brittle or loose, flake off. A thorough inspection and check over is essential after long(er) term storage.

**** The FIRST LINK that Frank highlighted should be widely promulgated as it gives a 'one-stop-shop' for ALL the information a BMFA (and member wishing to comply with ALL the current Law and exemptions, do's, don'ts etc. etc.), should read. Thanks Frank.

With conscientious intent, I have just 'waded' through the multiple pages, (and many further links within these pages), of numerous CAA documents relating to DRES and associated legislation. Phew!!! I appreciate that for many (most?) fliers, their umbrella organisations such as BMFA, LMA etc. have worked hard to obtain exemptions and competency recognition e.g. Achievement Scheme. My thanks to all those involved, your stamina is to be applauded! For the average 'Joe Bloggs' club member, I have serious doubts they will have the inclination or interest to similarly wade through the pages and pages of these texts. The casual (non-modeller) purchaser of a 'drone'? Not a chance.

Hi Chris, Several 'Electric' versions in my club. Typical 4-Max set up: Motor PO-5055-595 / ESC 60A or above / 4 or 5S LiPo / Props To Suit Varying Cell Number e.g. APC 13x6.5 All fly superbly, very smooth, no vices. Flight times of 7+ minutes with 'go-around' power to spare and more. As always, '4-Max' George is your man for the latest info as available equipment does vary and change from time to time.

An additional safety technique to adopt ... When picking up the Tx case, always place the thumb ABOVE the (throttle) stick such that, in the event the operator trips or stumbles whilst carrying Tx (and model?) out of the pits to the taxi / active take off area, there is less likelihood of pushing the throttle stick wide open / on. Not guaranteed to prevent mishaps but together with throttle cut / activation switch, is contributory to a safer flight line operation. As others have said, once the flight battery is connected, always treat the motor as potentially 'live'. Switches, BECs, ESCs, even the pilots memory!, can and do fail, fortunately not too often. (The above is primarily for electric models however, i/c can have the Tx trim lever adjusted fully forward from an engine 'stop' closed position to a good 'idle' tick-over).

My (early) Spektrum DX6i had a throttle cut 'button' on the top right of the Tx case. Not very good as it required depressing to activate but became active once released! This was very easily remedied by installing a 'Maplin', (remember that handy if expensive store!), two-way switch. Voila! Positive On/Off arming of the throttle. My current Multiplex 'Cockpit' Tx has an ever so nice, if somewhat stern, lady announce 'Check the position of all controls' should I switch on with the throttle stick advanced above zero. There is also the facility to allocate the 'throttle cut' switch itself, to any switch on the Tx. Safety Is No Accident!

Strange some folk don't as a matter of course employ a 'Throttle Cut' ????? It is a feature of most, (if not all), modern radio program set-up menus. Two seconds to set-up, could save two digits or more from the accidental chop!

The forthcoming new legislation allows an exemption for holders of a recognised achievement scheme e.g. the BMFA 'A' Test. However, does this mean in effect that ALL future newcomer/trainee model aircraft pilots will have to pass the official online test, PRIOR to undergoing their BMFA 'A' test training or indeed the 'A' test itself if already in training? Great for all of us already holding a BMFA Achievement Scheme pass. Will there now be a mad dash to get 'A', 'B' tests done before the critical implementation date? Or does it not matter a hoot as the legislation online test can be taken as many times as required and cannot be failed!

Depending on the model (airframe) value to you, you could get a local tree surgeon to retrieve it for a suitable fee. One of our club members did this and the tree man scaled the 'unclimbable', (to us old crusties), tree and had the model reunited with its owner in barely 5 minutes. All without breaking, damaging or cutting any branches!

Geoff, having recently attended a BMFA Achievement Scheme Roadshow where Peter Willis and the BMFA team went through the whole process and ethos of the Achievement Scheme, I think I can reasonably assure you that you have nothing to fear. Assuming your examiner is not pedantic, (unlikely), and asks about legislation and ruling that is not applicable to your type/style of flying i.e. you are not a display pilot, 'drone' pilot etc. etc. the test is about your achieving and satisfying yourself in your abilities to fly safely, with due regard to your fellow fliers, property and the environment. As a mainly fixed wing flier myself, although technically able to be part of, for example a Helicopter or 'Quadcopter' test, personally I would feel I lack the day-to-day understanding of those types and their operation. Whilst the tests require some mandatory questions, if I were examining you as a non-display pilot, I can very easily find plenty of other relevant questions that do apply to your flying and which you as an experienced flier no doubt already know. I'm sure you fly with care and purpose so taking this straightforward test merely adds to your personal satisfaction and sense of achievement. Go on have a go, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Just to let folks know, the BMFA have now released a guide to flying the BMFA 'B' Test. Note: You are advised to have viewed the previous two videos (BMFA 'A' Test and Introduction/Pre-Flight Checks First). Thanks to Peter Willis, Duncan Mcclure and all involved in the production of these very welcome guides for prospective candidates as well as their BMFA examiners!

Revisiting this topic as the original author of the posting, I appreciate and concur with much that has been said. Yes, I too am a 'seasoned' modeller and unlikely to build any of the plans in this 'Special'. My main point was that at least the magazine had some substance and content as opposed to the regular 'Advertorial' articles. I think Cuban8 summed up the state of magazine(s) in general very well, Model Press and BMFA Mag especially so! For the most part, 'we' are a mature (minority) bunch. Between us, have a wealth of diverse modelling experiences. What can a magazine, (on any subject), offer us that the 'World Wide Wonder' cannot deliver us in an instant at any time, on any topic etc. etc. (?) Yes, it is nice to have a book, a physical item in the hand, (we were brought up on that experience), but it is now restricted in what it can provide. Good or bad, multiple opinions, advice etc. are easily available online, this forum being a classic example. As times have changed, I tend to consider 'RCM&E' as something to occasionally purchase to while away a train or plane journey where access to the net may not be possible. As for 'New' modellers, if they are youngsters, (well much younger than most of us older flyers) their first port of call would probably be the www anyway!   Edited By David Ashby - Moderator on 27/09/2019 16:12:58

Wow! Latest 'RCM&E' Special dropped through the letterbox today. An issue with real CONTENT and not filled with 'advertorial' for a change. It reminds me of the 'little' Radio Modeller of old, filled with text and articles on Balsa 'n Wood constructed models. Also, you can actually read the text as it's not printed against a non contrast background, so favoured of 'arty' publishing folk, bless them! I often browse issues in newsagents and leave on the shelf as there's very little real 'content' or substance of interest or else same old, same old 4 or 5 contributors/writers/photographers, (good as they may be). I do appreciate fresh views from others. Sincerely hope this standard can be kept up on a regular basis.

Yep, that American was meaning 'Round(ing)' the leading edge of ailerons and also making them (slightly) thicker than the rear of the wing they attach to. As for sharp/straight trailing edges i.e. the very, very end edge of the T.E. taper, agree with Don. Many an aerobatic type has a 'reverse taper' trailing edge, especially seen on rudders. This, it is suggested assists in preventing 'fishtailing' .... wiggle-waggle, wiggle-waggle! Meanwhile Don, I hope I'm not an idiot but I think it's a brave person who doesn't admit they've never done some idiotic things in their time, even when flying model aeroplanes!

Interesting replies. I have a American flight school book, ("Airplane & Radio Setup" by David A.Scott), which states do not 'bevel' ailerons but 'round' them. Also ... make the ailerons thicker. Author Mr Scott, who runs a long established R/C flight school and is also a qualified full-size display pilot, describes the advantages/theory of these actions. i.e, re-energize (US spelling LOL!) the airflow over the ailerons to maximise control authority and generate a linear control response. Also ... his 'Rule of Thumb' quote" Raise the aileron, elevator and rudder approx 1/16" each side - 3/32 to 1/8" thicker overall" You can check out his Flight School books and download illustrated sample pages. My 'flying field' experience, seal the gaps first and foremost, all the other ideas???? maybe/maybe not, my skills can't deduce any discernible improvement (or degradation!).

Considering the shortage of kits in ALL retailers, they must be having a very hard time at present. Most fliers don't buy Radio sets every '5-mins' either. Any retailers here wish to say what, if anything much, is being bought at the moment? I do appreciate many of us here, build from plans, 'roll-our-own' designs etc. but we are a minority of a minority if the evidence on flying sites I visit are anything to go by.

As a youngster growing up in Cardiff, I built the original KK 'Ladybird' F/F model. Powered by a Cox 049, as a complete novice, I launched the model with a full tank of Cox finest glow fuel at Ely Racecourse [Trelai Park(?)]. Up, up and away in spiralling circles until the 42" wingspan was a mere dot in the sky! A mixture of joy, (at the flight), and sadness I would never see my tissue 'n doped pride and joy again. Off home, I wondered if pocket money shilling might stretch to a new model replacement from Watkins, Ironmongers at The Insole parade of shops or even if very lucky, grandad would take me to Bud Morgan (Model Shop) in the cities Castle Arcade. Anyway, a few days later, about 6 of an evening, a knock at the front door. A Forestry Commission workman stood in the porch clutching my lost treasure. It had apparently flown way over the nearby hill toward Penarth and landed in the trees that (fortunately for me) were being worked on. And so that weeks (and some!) pocket money was given to the workman as a reward. My name & address had been scrawled in faint 'Boys Biro Handwriting' on a panel near the tail which fortunately hadn't punctured in the branches. Great to see 'Ladybirds' fly on in Cardiff!