Many times here in Sport Aviator, we have discussed just how large is the scope of Model Aviation. There must be over a hundred (we are too busy having fun flying to truly count them all) different major aspects of this hobby/sport. Each facet has much to offer every model pilot.
From this section of Sport Aviator, you are able to travel and explore the exciting worlds of model and full-size aviation. Visit the world of high-performance Precision Aerobatics on the National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA) Website. YouÆll find the world of BIG performance planes on the International Miniature Aerobatic ClubÆs IMAC website. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) website has the wide world of full-size aviation ready for you.
Eventually, we will have hundreds of ôlinksö to every facet of aviation. If you have or know of an aviation site, let us know. WeÆll try to link it here for everyone to enjoy.
But please, after your Cross Country trip, remember to come back to Sport Aviator. WeÆll probably have something new by the time you return.
LINKS:
The International Miniature Aerobatics Club (IMAC) is the Special Interest Group (SIG) of the AMA that manages scale aerobatic competitions. Models of full-size aerobatic planes, such as the Pitts Special or Extra 300, compete flying specific aerobatic maneuvers. IMAC contests usually feature a free style event where pilots fly aerobatic routines they invented.
IMAC airplanes range in size from .40 powered sport planes to giants that are 45% the size of their full-size counterparts. With engines as large as 4-cylinders and 20-hp, these giant planes are at the top of the scale aerobatic world.
Visit the IMAC site and learn about small to giant scale aerobatics at www.mini-iac.com
There is no more challenging and demanding RC flying than performing precision aerobatics in a small area, (called a ôboxö), directly in front of you and multiple judges. The National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA) is the AMA Special Interest Group (SIG) that manages these precision ôPatternö events.
Extremely high-performance, competition airplanes, designed to fly aerobatic maneuvers with extreme precision, compete flying a pre-set schedule of aerobatics (a pattern). Since these maneuver schedules are known in advance, the judges expect precise and accurate maneuvers. So called ôPattern Planesö do not need to resemble full-size aircraft.
The NSRCA would like you to learn more about this sport at www.nsrca.org
GO FAST! TURN LEFT! If you like racing with snarling engines pulling model planes around a tight racecourse at speeds over 150 mph, RC pylon racing is for you. RC pylon races are as exciting to watch as to fly. Visit http://www.nmpra.org/ to learn more about this exciting facet of model flying.
Model flying and full-size aviation have been closely intertwined since before the dawn of full-size flying. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is the voice and core organization of non-airline related aviation in the United States. The AOPA represents the best interests of General Aviation (private, noncommercial flying) and small commercial aviation while working closely with many of full-size aviation's special interest groups such as various owners association, warbird pilots and many other groups.
The AOPA website is full of information about full-size aircraft, pilots and industry news. Visit this great organization at www.aopa.org
Building model aircraft is fun and allows model pilots to fly aircraft they created. Did you know that many full-size pilots also build their own aircraft? There are hundreds of such "kit" airplanes available. But just as building models requires certain tools and skills, so does building a full-size aircraft. And of course, the government seems to get involved as well. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is the key organization representing both private, home-built aircraft as well as those people who are busy restoring old airplanes back to flight status.
From P-51 Mustang and AT-6 Texan warbirds to home-built Lancairs and KitFoxes, the EAA website includes information and great photos every modeler will find interesting. See them at www.eaa.org
RC Combat is an exciting competition that recreates the excitement of aerial dog fighting. Trailing 30 foot streamers from their aircraft, up to 10 planes take to the air at one time to do combat with each other. Combat is the most thrilling event flown in all of modeling. Take a moment to visit the Radio Control Combat Association's information packed web site at www.rccombat.com/rcca.asp for a look at the planes, the pilots and the contests that are going to be held in areas near you.
