September 2011 The Inside Loop

Those of us who love aviation find that even when we are on vacation we find the time to check out a club field, hobby shop, or other aviation-related attraction.
I recently returned from a week-long vacation to Maine, during which I managed to get in a little float-flying and RC boating. I also stopped by Ray & Robin’s beautiful hobby shop in Falmouth, Maine. Not only does the store carry just about anything a modeler could want, there is even an RC car track in the basement!
Another highlight of my trip was the Owls Head Transportation Museum (www.ohtm.org). I was there during a ’50s and ’60s car show which complemented the more than 100 historic aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages, and engines that are on permanent display at the museum.

I even got the chance to see some of the aircraft flown during the event including a Nieuport 28, Waco UBF-2, Stearman, and Tiger Moth.
The trip also allowed me to spend some quality time with my father, whom I have to thank for getting me involved in our wonderful sport at an early age. Through him I have had the ability to try all forms of modeling as well as RC cars, boats, rockets, and slot cars.
However, I returned the favor when I coaxed him into flying my GWS Slow Stick and the simplicity of electric-powered flight hooked him the same way it did me several years ago.
My first big electric event was SEFF, and this year I returned with my father to help celebrate its 10th year. I’ve only missed three out of the 10 and always have a great time at Mac Hodges’ field.
While at SEFF I ran into Jerry Smith and he offered to cover the Joe Nall event for us and make his 26th trip to the massive Triple Tree Aerodrome.
Joe Nall certainly covers all the bases with helicopters, floatplanes, electrics, and some unbelievable Giant Scale models. AMA also recognized the Triple Tree Aerodrome as an International Aeromodeling Center during the event.
You’ll find extended coverage of both these events in this issue as well as an exclusive review of the E-flite Shoestring by Lonnie Finch. Lonnie even brought the airplane to compete in the Electric Formula One (EF1) contest held during the Pylon Nats here in Muncie, Indiana. There were 43 entries into the event that was sponsored by Horizon/E-flite.
I’m sure that the EF1 class will continue to grow in similar fashion to what we have seen at the Nats with more competitors switching to electric-powered aircraft each year.
A big thank-you to Horizon Hobby for providing us an exclusive review of the Shoestring and sponsoring the EF1 event!
Tim Bailiff brings a simple, yet cool, construction project with his Front Yard Canard. I’m still trying to convince him to send us one, but he is having too much fun with it and I guess I will have to build one like everyone else.
Also included in this issue is our first review of a Hobby King aircraft. Michael Ramsey was successful—after a few hurdles—with the project and shares with us his experience.
Before this issue ends up on your coffee table, in the magazine rack, or is relegated to propping up the leg of your wobbly build table, be sure to read the “About Us” on A Main Hobbies and enter the contest to win a Protek R/C power supply. MA