Peter Jenkins Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Some of you will have bought the book I wrote titled, “Model Aircraft Precision Aerobatics – A guide for Beginners and Improvers” as either a paperback or a Kindle. This book has sold over 1,000 copies across 10 countries of the world exceeding my expectations hugely! My book was preceded by this thread that I started writing at the end of 2013 and was triggered by a number of posts asking if I could put the thread contents into a book. It took the second lock down for me to produce the book in March 2021. I approached Kevin Caton, the longest serving member of the UKF3A RC Aerobatics international team, to write a book on how to set up an aircraft and fly the FAI Advanced and Preliminary aerobatic schedules. These schedules are changed on a two year cycle to fit in with the Continental Championships in the first year and the World Championships in the second year. In January 2024, the FAI A25 and P25 schedules were introduced and will last till the end of 2025 after which the next set of schedules will be introduced. Last year, Kevin was part of the UK F3A team that flew in the FAI F3A World Aerobatic Championships in Australia. The front cover photo was taken at the World Championships by Walter Anker and is of the 10 best pilots in the World at the time. Lassi Nurila, the current World Champion, is in the middle of the front row. Kevin is also the Secretary of the UKF3A Association, sits on BMFA RC Power Committee as well as representing the UK in the FAI F3A committee that deals with rules and schedule development. He’s a busy chap! The book is aimed at pilots new to the F3A FAI A and P Schedules, although most pilots who are new to A25 and P25 will also find this extremely useful if not essential! The book also draws on much of Kevin’s experience in setting up the aircraft and transmitter, trimming, practicing and schedule flying. As far as I am aware, I don’t think there is another book like this on the market at the moment. We published the result of our efforts, “Advanced Precision Aerobatics” through the Amazon Kindle Direct Publication route I followed for my first book. The book is now available in both paperback (£25.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4JBRRS6) and Kindle (£9.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4GC2F6X) editions. As before, Forum members can buy from me directly by sending me a PM. For UK addresses, the price for the paperback will be £19.00 including 1st class post and packing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 Apologies about the price, it should read £20 for UK addressees. Mea Culpa - misread the postal charges which were £1 more - I'd read the 2nd class postage cost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted May 27 Author Share Posted May 27 I have just noticed that Amazon UK is offering the paperback book (link) for a limited period at 1/3 off the price so asking £17.13 instead of £25.99. I do not know how long they will keep this offer going but it's usually no more than a week. It is nothing to do with the authors by the way as I only found out when I went on the site this morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Dell Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 Hi Peter The book arrived safe and sound on Friday, I have had a look through it today and it looks to be of the same excellent standard as the previous one, I off to Dorset for a few days next week and I am taking it with me to get into. Thanks for sending it out so quickly. Regards Nige. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted June 2 Author Share Posted June 2 Thanks for confirming receipt and on your kind words about it. Hope you find the more complex trimming and manoeuvre descriptions spur you on in your recovery. Best regards Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted August 14 Author Share Posted August 14 Just to let you know, the Advanced Precision Aerobatics book has received a grading of 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon. A number of typos, pointed out by some readers, have now been fixed. The book is available from most Amazon stores around the world. If you have difficulty getting one, please PM me and I'll get a price for posting one to you from the UK. For UK buyers, the link to the book is here. The Amazon price in the UK is £25.99 plus shipping but free for Prime members. I can provide the book for £20 including 1st class post to a UK address. I can let you have a postage price for any other geography if you want to buy a copy from me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Futura57 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 Congratulations on your book Peter. Yourself and Kevin should be very proud of your achievement. Whilst precision aerobatics is not my thing, I can appreciate how much personal time and effort goes into such an endeavour. Let's be honest, it's a labour of love, not a get rich quick scheme, and the hobby is all the better for your efforts. In the past I have bought books on setting up rc helicopters as well as finishing and flying scale rc helicopters. To say these books are a niche market is an understatement. Anyway, well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted August 15 Author Share Posted August 15 Thanks Futura57. It has only been possible to publish such books as a result of the growth of self publishing facilities. I think if you are really interested in sharing your expertise in either print or e-books now is the time when you can do so without having to make much or any financial input to get the ball rolling. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted November 26 Author Share Posted November 26 If you are looking for a Christmas present from your friends and family, I still have copies of "Advanced Precision Aerobatics" that I co authoured with Kevin Caton, our longest running UKF3A Team member. Cost is £20 including post to UK addresses. At no extra charge(!), I can put a small message in it and sign it. I can quote a price for any overseas purchasers as well. Just send me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Dell Posted December 2 Share Posted December 2 And well worth that as well Peter 👍🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted December 2 Author Share Posted December 2 Thank you for your endorsement Nigel! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Collinson Posted Monday at 16:29 Share Posted Monday at 16:29 And writing as its sub-editor I also endorse it. BTC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted Monday at 17:05 Author Share Posted Monday at 17:05 And an excellent sub-editor too Bruce. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin wray 2 Posted Monday at 18:02 Share Posted Monday at 18:02 The best aeromodelling book ive ever bought Ikeep practising one day Iwill master it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted Monday at 23:34 Author Share Posted Monday at 23:34 Thank you for that feedback Colin. As you say, practice is the only way to succeed but practising the right thing is also very important. Unfortunately, unless you have someone coaching you who knows what is required then it is hard work. An alternative these days is to use a system called Flight Coach. FC has been developed by F3A pilots using the Arduino flight controller and a GPS module that are mounted in the aircraft. This provides a file that can be replayed on the ground on your PC/Laptop that shows your flight. It takes a bit of effort to set up and calibrate, but once done then it's a great way to coach yourself. However, the first time you see your flight displayed on the Plotter it looks awful! The display seems to magnify the errors you make but that's because of the accuracy of the system. All your errors are replayed and you can then try and fix those errors one by one. It does work though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Mark Posted Tuesday at 10:55 Share Posted Tuesday at 10:55 Ordered a copy. Look forward to getting to the Buckminster NFC monthly events next year. Cheers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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