Ed Mason carrying his B-17 that he flew in Fun Scale
By Fred Cronenwett
The summer weather in Muncie can unflyable due to high wind, and the weather on July 12th was one example. The pilots decided not to fly due to the high-wind conditions. So, the decision was made to return to the flying site on Sunday morning to finish off round 1 for the AMA events. The FAI F4B flights will be completed after the AMA events are complete.
Peter Bauer was showing everyone his solution to combine an RC car 2.4 GHz controller with an existing control line handle. This solution allows the RC car controller to be removed from the handle so that it can be properly pull-tested. Velcro is used to strap the RC car controller to the CL handle that has the flying lines. The RC car controller does not bear any load from the flying lines.
By removing the 2.4 GHz controller from the control line handle, it can be used at the model to operate the throttle and any other features. In fact, that 2.4 GHz controller can be used on any CL handle of that type, for use on multiple models.
There have been countless designs using an RC car 2.4 GHz controller to create a handle combination that can be used during flight. All of these designs work, either using a traditional two-stick RC transmitter or the RC car pistol grip. So, if you find a design combination that works for you, then that is what you should use. I hang a traditional RC transmitter on my belt and operate the throttle stick and toggles by feel. It take practice, but it works.
The rules state that 2.4 GHz can be used to control the throttle and other features like flaps and retracts. The only feature that can’t be operated with 2.4 GHz is the elevator. That must be done with a bellcrank and a mechanical pushrod to the elevator.
The combined NASA Scale Banquet (control line and RC) was held on Saturday night, where the High Static awards are announced:
1/2A Scale – Kieth Trostle for his North American AJ-2 Savage
Team Scale – Ed Mason for his Constellation
Authentic – Ed Mason for yet another Constellation
Sport – Mike McHenry for his Piper Cub
Mike McHenry was awarded the CL Scale Hall of Fame Award during the Banquet. He was a member of the 2024 F4B Scale team that earned the 1st place Team award.
