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The RAMS participated at the Brighton Festival of Ideas again this year. In the photo, left-to-right are Bob McMillan, Paul Spara and kids,Luke and Molly, Jack Grafman, Andres Rodriguez, and Bob O'Neil. Not in the photo but attending the event were Sandy DuVall, Ron Swift and Ed VanWagner. By the end of the day, we had welcomed 60+ students to the Radio Control Session of the Brighton Festival of Ideas. The theme of this program is to introduce the students to a range of experiences to broaden their awareness. You can see the wide variety of flying models demonstrated during the program. |
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The students were welcomed by Ron Swift with a brief discussion about what modeling is and why modeling is in important to the movie industry, the military. farming and other professions. Next Bob O'Neil provided the theory of flight. As slides were shown illustrating the control surfaces and other parts of a typical aircraft, these were demonstrated on a RV-3 scale model. This helped to reinforce the theory with the visual aide of what happens on the model airplane. |
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Next was the hands-on portion of the program at the activity table. These demos contained more detail about the radio control components and engines. A prototype retract/servo board was used to show the transmitter, nicad batteries, power switch, radio receiver, servos, and pneumatic components that we use in the models. Also, shown were an electric motor and propeller, Zenoah G62 gas engine, McCoy .35 Red Head engine, Cox 0.049, SuperTigre 90, a Saito 1.30 CI 4-stroke Twin, and a OPS Maxi Twin 60 (3.6 CI). |
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The differences in fuel types and the different types of model engines were discussed with the students. Safety is stressed throughout the presentation with tips, examples, and demonstrations. Paul Spara discussed his glider's design. It is unique with the V-Tail design. The electric, rubber, fuel and other power sources were discussed. The gliders are launched by hand (heave ho!), catapault, winch, rubber tubing (Hi Start) and sometimes towed by another plane. |
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After the hands-on session and the indoor flight of the Bleriot by Bob McMillan. This was a really nice addition to the program this year. Next, safe engine starting procedures were demonstrated by starting up the Saito 3.0 CI Twin 4-stroke in the model RV-3. The students were impressed with the noise and power of the model (moved lots of air). |
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The last part of the 50 minute presentation involved building and flying the rubberband powered models. Bob O'Neil talked the students through the building process. We had an emergency repair station on hand to glue the broken balsa parts back together. Every student got their own glider to take home. |
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We had lots of flying, while trimming the Sky Streaks. The airplane kits were purchased (at a discount) from Dan's Crafts & Things on Empire Blvd. A competition was held and an award was presented for the airplane that traveled the furthest in a straight line. |
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Actually everyone won. Each of the students was awarded their own certificate. The RAMS members also learned a lot that day and had the opportunity to share some R/C building and flying skills. An invitation was extended to all of the students to participate in the RAMS Open House, August 5 and 6. |
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