RE: Am I missing something here?
[quote]ORIGINAL: GAP-RCU [quote]ORIGINAL: Tarasdad I've seen what happens when you give a government agency an inch. They're never satisfied with just a mile, they want the whole freaking road. [/quote] I have seen it to, but apparently some haven't, and still others outright reject the notion. Oh well. Some modelers will be blissfully happy through it all, as the sky is not falling in their corner of the sandbox. Yet. [/quote] Amen buddy!!! You tell them brother !! Some here believe that all is well among the amber waves. This country has become a socialist state. It will not be very long now until we are unable to enjoy this great hobby!! Some here think otherwise. Well, they will learn the hard way. The government will burry them in that cormer of the sandbox.
Posted on: 3/1/2011 9:10 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10372035

RE: Government intrusion in hobby flying
It is time for the righteous to throw all the bumbs out. We don't need goverment for anything but wars.
Posted on: 2/28/2011 2:25 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10370215

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: rambler53 [quote]ORIGINAL: FrankHawks You are saying that the cheap ARF's of today put the kit companies out of business in the 1980's. [/quote] No, I said nothing of the sort. The 80's was 30 years ago and RTF and ARF products were rare and the ones that were around were junk. Kits have been in decline over time, but dramatically so in recent years. Tower had
Posted on: 9/27/2010 4:42 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10031286

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: rambler53 The demise to small business unable to selling kits and so forth was due to a product that wasn't popular enough to survive. Tower didn't do anything but market successful products that people would buy. The culture you're familiar is dying with the generation that enjoyed it. Today everyone wants RTF, park sized EP, and they want it fast and cheap. As much as I considered kit building to be part of the hobby in the 70s and 80s, I simply have no time for it today. Tower supplies 80% of my needs. A handful of Goldberg kits remain on Tower's site. They're probably still listed because they don't sell. $10-20 more, you've got an ARF that goes together in a fraction of the time. That's not Tower's fault. That's tower's vision to keep up with the times. [/quote] You are saying that the cheap ARF's of today put the kit companies out of business in the 1980's. That makes no sense at all. The ARF's of today were not around in the 1980's. Tower was. And Tower was twisting kit manufactures arms. You make 2 dollars on each kit you manufacuter and we make 20 dollars. Gee, what a lousy deal. Most companies decided to close. You can claim anything you like. That was a raw deal and it angered many small business owners enough to close shop. This topic is relevant to the AMA. Hobbico, as it was pointed out, is now part of the AMA marketing board. That adds up to zero degrees of seperation.
Posted on: 9/27/2010 10:25 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10030410

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: rambler53 Tower shouldn't be criticized for being smart in business. [/quote] Tower was not smart, they were predatory. They deliberatly killed dozens of businesses. Sell to us for dirt cheap or you don't get in the catalog. And if you don't get in the catalog you die. That is how it was before the internet. Tower's catalog was twice the size it is now and Hobbico wasn't anywhere in it. Now Tower lacks diversity in their stock and it is killing them. They must beg companies like Aerowrks to join with them. But companies like Aeroworks are few and far between where once they were plentiful. Tower Hobbies survives now by selling cars to children. And , it appears they have learned their lesson. Sure, Lanier was crap. But how about the dozens of other kit manufactures that went the way of the dodo ? There were some great ones. Being big and being smart are not the same thing.
Posted on: 9/27/2010 9:30 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10030301

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: KidEpoxy Frank That really was a question I would like an answer to- [quote]If we are not phili or charity, why are we subsidizing the ads for these companies? [/quote] [/quote] I am not aware of any subsidies. Why are you asking me ?
Posted on: 9/26/2010 5:47 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10028742

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
Feed the Children is a charitable organization. The AMA is clearly not. The AMA does not raise funds to disperse among needy people or those in crisis. The AMA is a non-profit company. There is a difference.
Posted on: 9/26/2010 4:19 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10028582

RE: Why does the AMA have to grow?
[quote]ORIGINAL: tinner1 So far both you guys are thinking along the same lines that I am. I still would like to hear from the guys that are always saying the AMA isn't growing. You must have reasons you think it should grow?..... [/quote] It would be expected for the AMA to grow as the population grows. We know the population is growing. Therefore if the AMA is not growing then one of two things must be happening. Either the hobby is in decline or the AMA is becoming less relevant to the hobby. Depending how you quantify sales ,(include park flyers), you might argue that the hobby is actually growing while the AMA is in decline. Therefore the arguments changed from, "is the AMA growing" to "how can the AMA remain relevant in this new market ?" Hence the Park Flyer Program was born. It was the AMA's attempt to remain viable in the new age of neighborhood friendly ultralight foam models. The reason many of us want this new market segment customer to join the AMA is because it makes the AMA stronger if they do. It makes all of us stronger as an interest group if we stay united. IF we become defused and unassociated we could loose our voice. Or the only voice left present would be that of the manufacturers. (And that seems to be a major concern to some in another forum).
Posted on: 9/26/2010 2:57 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10028401

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: KidEpoxy So walmart can just crush a guys sales for a few years, and then buy the guys little 'untenable' business for cheap, and we would commend walmart for savvy business practices As Sandy Bullock said in Demo Man [i]In the future ALL restaurants are TacoBell[/i] [/quote] Yes. Walmart can do that and has done that several thousand times. However, they do not bother buying the businesses that they crush. There is simply no need for them to do that. Your analogy to "All resturants are Taco Bell" is correct. Many people have been fighting this trend for decades. Surprisingly, many Americans actually defend this trend and fight for it. I can't say that I completely understand their motivation. However, we aren't talking about a Mega-brand chain devouring a Mom & Pop store in this situation. We are talking about people from one company serving on another company's board. That is a very common practice in America. Wealth and power have gravity. It isn't inherently malicious. The AMA is a non-profit company, not a charitable organization. There is no philanthropic goal. I fail to see the threat. Can someone connect the dots for me. How would Hobbico manipulate the AMA marketing commitee in its favor ? Are you or is anyone suggesting that Hobbico is the RC equivalant of Walmart and that it is engaged in preditory behavior and therfore is not trust worthy to direct the AMA's marketing board ? I am not advocating one view or another about Hobbico. I simply don't see the evidence to support any accusation.
Posted on: 9/26/2010 12:36 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10028142

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
How does marketing the AMA significantly affect anyone ? And why shouldn't the best and brightest be involved in marketing the AMA ?
Posted on: 9/26/2010 9:41 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10027837

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
[quote]ORIGINAL: dbcisco Very true, but is it in the best interest of the AMA to have only the top predators? Sort of like the gov't asking only Microsoft and Apple for computer help, what do you think their solutions would be? Think they will explain the cost savings of open source products? More like they will advise the Govt to make open source illegal. [/quote] You are correct. But this is the law of the land now. The corperations have the right to sell to the governement and to lobby the governement and to contribute all the money they want to the candidates. This is all legal now. You are arguing my point. As for one company selling another, it is hardly news in this country.
Posted on: 9/24/2010 5:53 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10024989

RE: Consequences of flying at a non-sactioned field?
[quote]ORIGINAL: redbiscuits We have a small group of guys that fly at a field we believe is owned either by the city or the school district. We have been using it as a flying site for over a year, mostly on Sundays and the majority of us are AMA members. There are buildings that are owned by the school district and are being flown over and a county road that is also being flown over. Local police nor school officials seem to have no problem with us being there and we get a lot of currious people coming by and watching the show. My question is, if anything is to ever happen, which there have been a few close calls, does the AMA insurance cover anything. I have asked this a few times and received mixed answers. Someone suggested my homeowners insurance will cover something.....[sm=confused.gif] I have suggested that we form a club, but most of the guys have a bad taste in their mouth from the last club they were involved in and there is no interest in becoming organized at this field. I really enjoy the company of the fellow flyers at this site, but am I risking to much flying there? Thanks, Red [/quote] The situation that you describe was and is the norm for many small communities. There is plenty of legal precdence. You are covered.
Posted on: 9/24/2010 1:00 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10024412

RE: AMA after Hobbico's Takeover of ACE RC
Corperations are people also. At least according to the activist conservative court. And BTW, does this really have anything to do with the AMA ? I don't think so.
Posted on: 9/24/2010 12:54 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10024396

RE: RC Modeler Magazine
RCM and MAN only paid about 5 bills for a construction article. An article generally took from 6 months to a year to write. Most of the regular scratch builders got fed up and stopped contributing to the mags. Then the mags stopped being about building. They were too cheap to pay for an article and it came back and bit them on the behind. And that is the rest of the story.
Posted on: 8/20/2010 8:51 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9947022

RE: old os max 20 plane engine problem
The problem could be the rubber "O" rings in the needle valve assembly have dried out and cracked.
Posted on: 8/18/2010 12:58 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9942599

RE: If you could change or improve AMA in some way ...
[quote]ORIGINAL: dbcisco Yes, I am pointing out facts about a corporation that doesn't pay taxes. The AMA does not get its NPO status by being a flying club organizer. It gets for promoting education and science, none of which seems to be anyones goal nowadays. The SCCA and NHRA are not educational nor scientific organizations, the AMA is [u]supposed[/u] to be. Right now the AMA is like a college that has a classroom, one professor and a multitude of people that watch and play football in their giant stadium and they all try to explain how football promotes education. [/quote] Duh. The AMA has always been an insurance retailer, (not underwriter) pretending to be a NPO. Some people have drunk the CoolAid and believe whole heartedly otherwise. They can't be saved. It would take a paid de-programmer and a safe house to get them back. This forum isn't for the non-believers. This forum is for the believers. You wouldn't walk into a church and pronounce that religion was simply a scheme to control people. Leave them alone. They have worked hard to preserve the illusion. They need it. They like it. It works for them on an entirely different level other than practical.
Posted on: 8/14/2010 12:13 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9932942

RE: 72 mhz antenna inside fuselage?
I have placed antenna inside models for years. But one day I was testing a larger model for a friend. Each time I tried to land the mdoel would go out of control for a moment. At first, I thought I had stalled it. But it happend again on subsequent attempts. Sometimes magnetic anomolies radiate upward from mineral deposites and interfere with radios near the ground. So I altered my aproach to avoid the area where "hits" had occured. The plane landed fine. But we discovered that the atenna , inside a tube and straight as a string was being blanked out by the larger engine whenever I flew directly at myself, (such as on approach). Its rare, Its a fluke. But it can happen.
Posted on: 8/11/2010 1:06 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9925566

RE: A WAKE-UP Call
[quote]ORIGINAL: dbcisco The AMA has no power over the FAA unless the AMA has enough members to change the outcome of an election. As a gov't agency the concerns of the AMA are not going to be trampled for no reason and thus the AMA is listened to. If the NSA wants nothing unregistered in the air above 200 feet the the AMA can't stop it from becoming law. Heck, the NRA couldn't stop gun laws from being enacted and they actually have political clout. [/quote] The FAA is not going to war with Isreal ! The PLO and the NSA are working together to ground our models and the IRA can't do a thing. The ACVA isn't going to help defend your right to brew beer at home and ground water taxes are still void in RI. Isn't it rediculous when someone makes a completely beligerent and unfounded reply to a post. Why do you do that ?
Posted on: 8/3/2010 12:30 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9907154

RE: A WAKE-UP Call
[quote]ORIGINAL: dbcisco I don't think we are even the band. We are the triangle player in the band. Noone even knows we exist and if we don't show up for the concert, noone cares. [/quote] The AMA members are a very large player. Remember, information flows both ways. We observe and report suspicious behavior. We know better than anyone the difference between a modeller and an atypical stranger that may attempt to bring down VIP aircraft with a drone. And our numbers are considerable. In fact, we are several times the size of the FAA. They depend on us. So bang your triangle or blow your kazoo. Join the team and make noise with whatever you have if you see a threat.
Posted on: 8/2/2010 1:53 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9904688

RE: A WAKE-UP Call
I think more than a few people here have the idea that its us vs. the FAA. Thats not it at all. The FAA is the band leader, but we are the band. You and I are the eyes and ears of our model airplane community . We work with the FAA and law inforcement . It is an honor to serve your fellow Americans when ever possible. With freedom comes responsibility. I am sick of the whiners complaining about doing the responsible thing. Grow up. Be a man. Do your duty.
Posted on: 8/1/2010 3:52 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9903537

RE: Whats Average Training Time for Newbies?
[quote]ORIGINAL: Boudacia Just wondering here how long is the average time in learing to fly without buddy box? [/quote] Without a sim, about 2 months.
Posted on: 7/29/2010 10:42 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9898079

RE: T-28/SUPERCUB
I've flown the T28 and its cool. But I would recommend the 3 channel Cub instead. Years ago it was typical to start with 3 channel or even 2 channel models for trainers. The rudder and elevator control is a bit more docile. Of course, its much better if you can find someone to help you the first few flights until you get the hang of it. It is actualy harder than it might look. The simulator will help you with orientation and that is 50% of flying. But it won't help with depth perception. In fact, it will mess you up a bit in that regard.
Posted on: 7/28/2010 8:22 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9895175

RE: Beginners and experts, please note:
I was using one of those "safety" stands when the neck strap from my radio blew into the prop. Something suddenly stung me on the hand. It happened so fast I didn't see it. I looked around and there was my neck strap about 30 feet away. The transmitter never moved, thankfully. It could have been destroyed. The motor kept running also, didn't even hear an RPM drop.
Posted on: 7/28/2010 8:15 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9895163

RE: best way to remove the oil from balsa?
I have used the heat gun and paper towel method and thought it worked pretty darn good. K2R is a spot remover for getting stains off of clothing. It is at the grocery store and you will use that last after you get the wood as dry as possible using the heat gun.. Just spray on the K2R and let it dry to a powder (over night) and brush it off. Repeat as many times as it seem s to work. When covering the center section of the wing, do not have the seam in the center. Cover the center of the wing with a peice that continues outboard 10 to 14 inches in each direction. (just on the wing bottom) Then have your seams outboard of the fuel splatter. This way fuel can't migrate under the covering and your wing stays dry.
Posted on: 7/26/2010 11:25 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9890784

RE: Why join the AMA??? PROS/CONS
[quote]ORIGINAL: albsurfer I think the AMA will flourish more, and especially local clubs, when the economy comes back up. [/quote] I have watched the ebbs and flows of the RC hobby for decades. It is not related to the poor economy. In fact, RC activity often decreases during times of prosperity and increases during recessions. People often move up to more expensive hobbies like boating or RVing when times are good. . The RC population tends to peak every 5 to 7 years and then retreat again. In this decade, the return of modelers was in the form of electric/park flyer type modelers uninterested in AMA. While it might appear to the AMA that the hobby is in decline the very opposite is likely the case. People aren't leaving AMA clubs because of costs or attitudes. They are leaving for convienence. And the demographic has changed as well. Many products are now directed toward younger people that may not be old enough to drive to an AMA facilty. And they feel that they really don't need one. Currently our club is very busy. Unemployed and retired members meet daily to fly or just hang out. I would think a similar phenomenom is occuring aroud the country.
Posted on: 7/21/2010 4:54 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9879368

RE: Why join the AMA??? PROS/CONS
[quote]ORIGINAL: combatpigg I won't debate the ins and outs of building, modeling, etc. I just want to point out the irony that if 90% of the membership CLAIM to not having enough TIME [this is the #1 reason given] to not being able to build a plane out of the easiest materials known to man, requiring an 7th grade level of skill to accomplish......then where do you think all these, "AMA RECRUITERS" are gonna come from? I recruit by having fun out there. That's where the spark is kindled, then let the wannabees and tire kickers decide for themselves if they want to take part or not. [/quote] Amen !
Posted on: 7/20/2010 9:24 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9877767

RE: frequency up for grabs
So companies are going to boost the wifi power enough that we all get internet for free ? Why would companies do that ? What am I missing here ?
Posted on: 7/18/2010 4:07 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9872412

RE: frequency up for grabs
[quote]ORIGINAL: twostroke We have been contacted by the president of the ama over our issue and they are now helping out, sometimes you have to go to top. I am impressed with him taking intrest in a small clubs problems. [/quote] How is the AMA helping out ? Can you please tell us what the AMA has done for you? I am curious to hear their protocol in this matter.
Posted on: 7/17/2010 5:28 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9871165

RE: Please Identify
deleted
Posted on: 7/16/2010 12:41 AM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9868296

RE: frequency up for grabs
Thats right. There are several, I beieve 4, channels that exist between each of ours. They are used for commercial mobil use, if I recall. However, TV stations and radio stations' antennas can cause huge problems when filters and grounds come loose. They can spew noise all over the spectrum. You need the directional antenna to track it down. Notify the owner and advise them that you have been harmed by there equipment failure and require it be repaired ASAP. IF they fail to react then threaten a law suite or actually file one in small claims, (generally good up to 2500 bucks). Have every member start filing them. Suddenly fixing that loose wire seems the bargain. And you might pocket some coin for your troubles. The airwaves belong to us, the American people. Industry has no right to foul our band. Fight .
Posted on: 7/14/2010 6:29 PM by Author "FrankHawks" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9865369