THERE IS ZIP IN THE AIR--
Flying Propnuts president Heath Hamilton (right) pilots his helicopter in an aerodynamically defying, inverted maneuver (above) during a recent outing at their Bellville aerodrome.
This old fixed wing corporate pilot is convinced neither bumble bees nor helicopters are aerodynamically capable of flight.
Yet, above is a helicopter flying, inverted, just feet over a local bean field—without an on board pilot. Come to think of it, that may be the wisest way to fly one of these things!
The pilot in command of the machine pictured is Heath Hamilton, President of the local, remote controlled model airplane group called The Flying Propnuts.
Believe me, this is a group that make these scale model air machines do things that defy both the laws of gravity and the physical limits of stress.
If a human pilot rode along while these guys were massaging the electronic controls, it would not be a pretty sight when he attempted to extricate himself from the cockpit—no doubt, for the last time ever!
I watched Scott Foster from Toledo launch his helicopter into what appeared to be a barrage of anti-aircraft fire. His machine jerked around in the sky, just feet above ground, showing more acrobatic moves than a squadron of inebriated line dancers.
Then, it morphed itself into a scale model air show showing rhythm and grace in precision, acrobatic choreography. It was a sight to behold.
These little flying machines can cost anywhere from 200 bucks to more than ten thousand—with the club average value estimated at $1,500; most of which is in the electronics.
They are capable of astonishing maneuvers principally because of an extreme power to weight ratio and proportionally large control surfaces. They can be propelled—with similar speed and dexterity—by both tiny internal combustion engines and battery powered motors.
They are averaging somewhere around 50 to 75 mph while performing, and, yes they have jet propelled models that achieve 200 mph. Whooosh! You need nuclear powered eye glasses to keep up with them.
The range of the controlling radio can be, say, 2 miles, but, the little planes would be out of sight far before that and, consequently, soon out of control. Obviously a wise pilot turns them around before that happens.
Can you imagine how enthused I was when the fellows encouraged me to give this marvelous hobby a try.
Alas, there are simply too many adult toys and too little time.
Yet, above is a helicopter flying, inverted, just feet over a local bean field—without an on board pilot. Come to think of it, that may be the wisest way to fly one of these things!
The pilot in command of the machine pictured is Heath Hamilton, President of the local, remote controlled model airplane group called The Flying Propnuts.
Believe me, this is a group that make these scale model air machines do things that defy both the laws of gravity and the physical limits of stress.
If a human pilot rode along while these guys were massaging the electronic controls, it would not be a pretty sight when he attempted to extricate himself from the cockpit—no doubt, for the last time ever!
I watched Scott Foster from Toledo launch his helicopter into what appeared to be a barrage of anti-aircraft fire. His machine jerked around in the sky, just feet above ground, showing more acrobatic moves than a squadron of inebriated line dancers.Then, it morphed itself into a scale model air show showing rhythm and grace in precision, acrobatic choreography. It was a sight to behold.
These little flying machines can cost anywhere from 200 bucks to more than ten thousand—with the club average value estimated at $1,500; most of which is in the electronics.
They are capable of astonishing maneuvers principally because of an extreme power to weight ratio and proportionally large control surfaces. They can be propelled—with similar speed and dexterity—by both tiny internal combustion engines and battery powered motors.
They are averaging somewhere around 50 to 75 mph while performing, and, yes they have jet propelled models that achieve 200 mph. Whooosh! You need nuclear powered eye glasses to keep up with them.The range of the controlling radio can be, say, 2 miles, but, the little planes would be out of sight far before that and, consequently, soon out of control. Obviously a wise pilot turns them around before that happens.
Can you imagine how enthused I was when the fellows encouraged me to give this marvelous hobby a try.
Alas, there are simply too many adult toys and too little time.
Read more about the Propnuts here.
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