Hi Max:
I thought I'd jump in here and toss some comments at you concerning the
several topics you discussed. I've been away from the echo for the past
six months and it looks as if not much is going on. Several people have
been talking about the RC conference(s) being dropped from FIDO-NET.
Why? What has happened while I was away?
You were talking to Kelly Butler about the SuperSportster compared to a
Stick. I assume you mean an Ugly Stick or similar design. I haven't
flown a SuperSportster but have built and flown similar designs. I have
many hours flying a stick design over a period of several years and it
flew great. For a low-time pilot, a stick might be a better transition
aircraft than the SuperSportster because of the higher wing, although the
lack of dihedral bothered my aesthetic sensibilities for a while. The
stick tended to be a little more demanding because of its lack of
positive stability, ie. it went where you pointed it, so from that
standpoint the SuperSportster may be a better choice for him.
If he can fly OK but has problems with takeoff and landing the Stick
would seem to be the way to go. If he has problems flying in general
then the SuperSportster might be the better choice.
 MV> I had one student who was learned to fly on GB Falcon 56.  I  set
 MV> it up very mildly for the first two years of his flying.
Why two years? Was he a slow learner? I built several of those Falcon 56
models in the 1960s. Back then they were powered with a .19 to a .25 old
style engine which would be equivalent to a modern .15 to .19. You had
to build them light because of the heavy reed radios we had then. Still
they flew great. I can imagine what a ST .45 would do to one. Of course
the airframe is heavier now that it has been redesigned but I wouldn't
think the model would be 'that' much heavier.
Oh, hey!  If Kelly could find one, or build it from a set of plans, a
Senior Falcon would be a good choice for an intermediate model. It's
large, fairly slow, aerobatic to a degree, has ailerons and tricycle
gear, and is very close to more advanced trainers in capability. You can
also power it with engines from .45 up to .60 displacement. I'm partial
to the older designs; what we call 'vintage' models. Many of them, if
powered with a modern engine, will perform right along with the new
stuff on the market. I'm getting interested in building replicas of the
models I built in my early years of modeling and powering them with
electric motors. All of my current nitro engines are on airboats or
planned for them. Yep, I'm a boat modeler and have been for several
years now, but I still have my airplane stuff. I dug out my remaining
Quickie 500 the other day and am getting ready to recover it. I also
have the 'remains' of two sailplanes that are restorable and may be
converted to electric power systems.
Well, it has been good talking to you. Take care and I wish both you and
Kelly the best. See ya.
________ Eddie ________
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