RE: LETS SAVE SIG BEFORE THEY GET SWALLOWED BY THE BIG TWO!!!
In 47 years of building and flying I've seen a lot of kit company's come and go. Out of all of them I've always had at least one Sig kit on my shelf in reserve and one that's ready to fly. My kit of choice is a SIG Kougar. I built 13 of them and owned over 20. With a .60 and retracts,loads of fun. My opion, losing SIG would be a major blow to the r/c kit builder community. Having Top Flite, Goldberg and others bought out by the mojor kit butchers was bad enough.
Posted on: 7/25/2012 6:00 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11168404

RE: Funny phrases at airflield
I saw an ARF get splattered all over the runway, I turned to my friend and said, "Now it's a builders kit."
Posted on: 9/27/2011 9:06 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10736543

RE: Is Hobbico Attempting To Monopolize The Hobby Industry?
Perhaps I wasn't technical enough in my wording. Ownership of the brand was not the point, but the elimiation of the competion is. "Monoply".
Posted on: 9/26/2011 12:33 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10735061

RE: Is Hobbico Attempting To Monopolize The Hobby Industry?
Point of fact, all the big hobby outlets are interested in is their bottom line. Buying out and reducing the competition is just part of the game. If Hobbico could get it's hands on Horizion or vis versa , it would eliminate most of the product line in-favor of their own brand or re-brand products to make it their own, depending on sales. It's the elimination of the variety of products to choose from and places to purchase hobby items is the down side for the consumer. I remember when Tower Hobbies first started, they sold every thing you could ever want. Many brands of kits, parts, several brands of engines and radios. Their service and support was second to none. I believe Hobbico killed that with cynical business practices and corporate greed. But that's life. I still buy from them but with reservation. I prefer to buy from my local hobby shop even if they have to order it from Hobbico or Horizion. Sometimes I need something now and it's nice to know my LHS is there when I need them. Besides, I like to see the person I hand my cash to. Personal service is worth a few extra bucks in my book. Perhaps I'm old fashion, Back to the question: Are they trying to monopolize the the RC hobby? Perhaps with in an inch of the law if possible, that's just business. Gone are the days of variety and diversity of products, true American quality and American manufacturers. Until the economy turns around we're all screwed.
Posted on: 9/26/2011 11:01 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10734911

RE: Another arf front cover
Since the early 70's ARFs have been gaining ground. As a model builder (of 47 years) I say, "so what" if they take a photo of an ARF for the cover. I only glance through the MA mag, then it goes into the trash. A while back there was an article asking why people don't build anymore that caught my attention. I responded to the AMA about it and the VP responded to my email along with contacting the MA editor. After the double talk it came to basically, dollars and cents and not about who's interested. More like who was willing to pay for the ad space and articles that push the products featured in the ads. I personally would like the option to opt out of the MA magazine and save a bit on my AMA dues. I prefer RCME out of Britian. They have construction articles and on occasion, full size plans, (like a .60 size Hawker Typhoon for instance). (Side Note) If your a builder like me, your becoming a rare breed, an "Artisan" of the R/C modeling world, also the "go to guys" when an ARF'er needs an airframe repaired correctly, I for one make good money on ARF repairs. Pays for my kits.[:)] Besides we truly build models for our own enjoyment and nobody else. Yes we've heard it all, No Time, No room, No clue, but that's ok. As others have said, "there's plenty of room at the field".
Posted on: 9/22/2011 6:28 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10729723

RE: OS 61SF Idle Problems
Just an after thought, and rather elementary If I don't say so myself, and that's the glow plug. You probably already thought of this, just though I'd mention it. For example: when you start your engine and remove the battery from the glow plug and the engine looses RPM then your plug is to cold for the fuel you are using or its going to fail soon. It will significantly effect your idle.
Posted on: 7/14/2011 11:06 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10621034

RE: OS 61SF Idle Problems
I had similar problem with my OS .60 w/pump. To really find out if it's a pump problem, try this first. Clean out the carb. ( Keep your fuel line attached to the pump and take the output line and have it discharge in to another fuel tank so you can observe the fuel output). Then using a separate tank, hook it directly to the carb with your fuel line.Fill both tanks with fresh fuel. ( Set your tank level or above the carb, with or without muffler preasure.) And adjust the carb as if it were a non-pump engine. While the engine is running now you can observe the fuel flow at all speeds. If it runs ok, the problem could be between fuel tank to the pump.
Posted on: 7/13/2011 4:47 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10618985

RE: GP PATRIOT XL BUILD.
I went with Spring Air retracts because I had the on hand, but Robarts are just as good. I didn't use any of the plastic parts, I built them up with balsa. I did do a bit of kit bashing to make it look like a Patriot 40. I changed the wing and horizontal stab locations. I fiber glassed and shot it with Klass Kote epoxy paint, I also added panel lines, rivets and weathering. Good flying model. You'll like it. I can't seem to link my pictures here, but if your interested you can see the picture of it in My RCU Gallery.
Posted on: 7/10/2011 8:56 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10615528

RE: P-51 covering materials
Flite Metal works great. www.scaleaero.com/flitemetal.htm
Posted on: 7/10/2011 7:52 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10615443

RE: Painting Help!
If you want a true fuel proof paint klass kote is the best. Once klass kote epoxy paint dries nothing will penetrate it and there are no solvents that will take it off. If you need your paint to help shrink your covering (such as silk) go with a nitrate dope.
Posted on: 7/10/2011 7:47 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10615434

RE: Airplanes, Airplanes, Airplanes!!!
I've been at this hobby since I was 5 years old (1964). I've built and flown several hundred models, as long as there are nitro engines available or until I kick the bucket I'll be flying.[:)] If or when electrics take over I'm done. I just refuse to power my models with something who's closest relative is an electric screw driver. [:'(]
Posted on: 7/10/2011 7:20 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10615382

RE: Why Doesn't The AMA and the Hobby as a whole market to minorities?
Oh, come on people... The AMA targets modelers and the curious in models. That's the extent of it. Manufacturers on the other hand target the cash customer. That's the demographics of it. So check your baggage at the door an lets just fly. I'm a minority, the only one in my neighbor hood that flies RC. As far as race goes, the first one to the field flies first!
Posted on: 7/10/2011 3:37 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10615076

RE: I need answers from the best Warbird pilots.
When I started flying in 1964 and there was no such thing as expo or duel rates, and nice landings depended on your skill level. The real trick is in your servo and control horn set ups. Expo is a great function, but I found it unnecessary on warbirds. But duel rates on the other hand can can be a useful tool. I like to set up my control surfaces on low rates, high rates are set up with an extra 1 to 3 degrees for [u]taxiing[/u] and I also use them on [u]final approach[/u], but [u]only[/u] on planes that are extremely sluggish at low speeds. If you decide to try this, use extreme caution. A stall will occur if to much surface defection is introduced at low speeds. In this hobby there are several variations to any theme. Choose the advise that suits your flying style. If you like expo by all means use it. I think you will find most of us fine tuned our likes and dislikes by trial & error. ( In my case, trials are done in baby steps, I find my planes last longer)
Posted on: 7/7/2011 4:19 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10609768

RE: Panel lines and rivets
For getting the basics on scale building and more I found that the Dave Platt video series are very good. He was one of the first to get into the "super scale" R/C buisness when he and a few other scale guys built the models for the movie "The Battle of Britain" in 1967. His videos are loaded with information on "How To's. I make sure to get to his booth every year at the Toledo Show. Call or email him. The info is on his web site. http://www.daveplattmodels.com/
Posted on: 1/16/2010 4:54 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9421258

RE: Wow, some of you are very bitter toward the AMA
I've been in this hobby since 1964, and this is how I see it. The AMA is not a perfect organization. But the buck starts and stops with it's members not the people that we elected to run it. If your bitter of upset with something about the AMA let them know about it, then post your results. I've contacted them, and called them out (so to speak) on different subjects. I received responses all the way from the top of the AMA food chain. The point is, they will listen if you have something important to call their attention to. If you want someting to complain about follow the money trail. That will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! But over all the AMA has our best interest at heart. Thats why flying models are still in the future and not a thing of the past.
Posted on: 1/8/2010 9:43 AM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9398179

Classified ads
There is an on going problem with a lot of sellers who like to run their classified ads like an auction. I can see if you get an offer that is less than your asking price to wait for other offers, but when they are offered what they ask for and wait for someone to offer more is in-fact an auction! perhaps RCU needs to step in and make a few rule changes in the classified ads. Until then I think I will stick to Ebay "Buy It Now" ads in the R/C section, At least there I now I won't get Jerked around.
Posted on: 8/3/2007 3:28 PM by Author "TestPilot-101" in the forum "MarketPlace questions or problem?"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6192697