Fly RC Magazine: Sample Articles

SPORT • GLOW • ELECTRICS • AEROBATICS • SCALE • TRAINERS • HELIS

In recognition of significant contributions to RC modeling

Fly RC Circle of Excellence

by the staff of Fly RC

Fly RC magazine is pleased to announce the first annual Circle of Excellence awards. These awards were determined by an independent board of 14 RC experts with varied backgrounds encompassing every segment of RC aeromodeling.

The 2004 Circle of Excellence Awards recognize contributions that have significantly benefited modelers and the hobby, and that demonstrate technical and marketing leadership. In selecting recipients, the Board considered whether the contribution:

Made it easier for new RC modelers to get started in the sport, or for established pilots to advance further.
Broadened the possibilities for recreational fun in major or multiple market segments.
Constituted a technical milestone in a particular niche that has helped grow new business.

The Board evaluated products and technical advances that came to market in the last year. Award winners will receive commemorative plaques at the iHobbyExpo in Chicago in October.

The Fly RC 2004 Circle of Excellence Awards Board included: Dave Baron, Bernard Cawley, John Christensen, Bob Hunt, Tom Hunt, Rick Mattie, Jim Onorato, Greg Poppel, Jef Raskin, Erick Royer, Frank Tiano, Craig Trachten, Jeff Troy and Rich Uravitch (for more information on Board members, please visit www.flyrc.com).

MAN OF THE YEAR

Winner: Fred Marks, president and CEO of FMA Direct

Since 1978, Fred has been a key member of the AMA Frequency Committee that, decades ago, successfully secured FCC authorization of the RC air and surface channels we enjoy today. Fred assembled and made the presentation to the FCC. He and his colleagues defined the phase-in plan, wrote the guidelines for design of superior radios, and have safeguarded our exclusive channels for all these years.

Fred's contributions to our hobby over the years could fill a book; he was deeply involved in the design of ACE radios and related products, and in recent years has brought to market the much applauded, infrared-based FMA Co-Pilot, an array of high quality servos, Lithium-compatible Super ESCs, as well as the FS5 and FS8 Flight Systems. These systems reject signals not from the user's radio, including those on the same frequency. The systems include an onboard Co-Pilot and data capture chip that can be played back on a PC at the end of the flight to see how your radio performed. Announced this year: FMA's new low-voltage flight system for 2 to 4-ounce models, Super 9 ESCs for small brushed motor applications, and a new non-volatile memory addition to the FS8 flight system. Last but not least: Fred and his team at FMA have worked closely with Kokam to produce Li-Poly batteries with ever- higher discharge rates, now as high as 20C.

BEST ENTRY LEVEL AIRCRAFT, GLOW POWER

Winner: Hobbico, for the NexSTAR Select trainer

Every so often a new product emerges that is an unmistakable advance over that which has preceded it. Hobbico's NexSTAR Select trainer is just such a product. The NexSTAR Select is designed to ensure the success of new glow pilots who are earning their wings at the local RC club flying field. The Awards Board felt that the electronic and aerodynamic sophistication of this trainer clearly distinguishes it from others now available. Few advances in trainer design have such a potential to expand the core of the RC hobby.

The NexSTAR Select comes ready to fly with several unique features. These include “Active Flight Stabilization” (onboard computerized autopilot with gain adjustment), special aerodynamic features to slow and stabilize flight, and a remarkable replacement guarantee. If the student pilot gets into trouble, he or she only has to release the sticks and the trainer will assume a stable circling flight pattern. If the plane happens to crash and is damaged while the student is flying under the supervision of a certified AMA club instructor, Hobbico will replace the NexSTAR or provide another trainer of up to equal value. A NexSTAR version of the Great Planes RealFlight RC flight simulator lets modelers practice flying any time on their computer using the included Futaba transmitter. The preinstalled O.S. Max 46FXi engine has a high-speed needle valve limiter that helps prevent the student pilot from running the engine too lean. The NexSTAR Select is a unique package that will help spur the growth of club flying everywhere.

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT, GLOW POWER

Joint winners: Horizon Hobby and Saito, for the 100Ti inline 4-stroke twin

The new Saito 100Ti inline 4-stroke twin is a one-cubic-inch displacement engine that allows more power to be elegantly contained in a narrow cowl than ever before. Fitting within a typical 60-size cowl, it eliminates the need for a large protruding engine head. It is an ideal engine for many scale models, and it's well matched to a host of airframes that are very popular among today's modelers.

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