Potential articles for PAMPA?

I have yet to get my issues of PAMPA after re-joining but...

Do you think a section called "Beginners Corner" would be workable? I was thinking about how great Stunt News was when I was getting into CL, but many of the articles were beyond my scope.

My thought was to write articles for people like myself that want to get started/or otherwise reach the next level.

Some example artilces I am considering:

Flight Box Contents
Pre/Post flight checks
Model Selection
Safety Issues
Setting goals and flight plans

My hope is that Stunt News would become as attractive as possible (more attractive) to all CL flyers at any level.

Go for it. If you submit it, they will print (it). And if you start a serious column, you will get people writing to ask questions or you can glean ideas from this board.

My hope is that I can get "experts" to chime in on things I miss. I am a "beginner" and I sure as heck don't know it all. But, I feel like I can share some of the things I *have* learned that would help other beginners.

So am I correct in assuming that such a section does not currently exist in Stunt News?

Tom,

Why don't you contact me regarding the "missing" Stunt News. I can help you find out when you may expect the issue(s) to arrive.

That's great idea!!! But "Beginners Corner"... Heck I need a whole page with all the simple questions I have asked!!!
Just kidding Tom,
If you need topics for anything, just do a search on any of my post. I know these guys get tired of my newbie questions.

Thanks
Paul

You know what, Paul? The same questions being asked means that new guys are joining in. It's when it gets to the point that it's the same 5 guys talking all the time that we need to worry. Keep them cards and letters coming!

>If you need topics for anything, just do a search on any of
>my post. I know these guys get tired of my newbie questions.
>

LAST EDITED ON Apr-01-04 AT 12:00 PM (CDT)
 
I love the idea.
Your column could cover Simple things to some, like mufflers. My motors are from the 50s and 60s. How to retrofit, etc. I've never used a muffler on my planes.
Along with that you could cover Tank set ups. I know how I do it, and it works for me but I have no idea what my set up is called. It would be cool to know the diff between Uniflow, running pressure, etc. Second nature to many but although I've been flying Control-Line for almost 30 years, I've only recently discovered things like PAMPA/Stunt News and the SSW Forum.

The best thing about Stunt News is, IT IS YOUR MAGAZINE,AND OUR MAGAZINE. the more we all contibute to it the better it is. There is nothing too trivial or too technical. I have learned a lot from the best fliers in the country but at the same time I have pick up a few tidbits along the way from beginners as well. One of the best things about our hobby is the comradery and the willingness for everyone to help each other.( Cant you just feel the love). Larry, NorCal Circle Jerks.

I encourage everyone to write articles that they are inclined to do. Alot of the Beginning material IS being covered--perhaps over a span of time. THere is a current Safety Column. Last month Dan R. Wrote a great article about stuff found in flight boxes. And there has been a series of articles on flying the manuevers.

For technical issues, you might consider mining older issues of SN and or the Article archives for items to re-run. Its all there, just not in one place.

It is a great learning experience also--writing articles that is. You migh want to give Tom Morris a call to discuss your ideas for articles or a column. Tom is the Editor and knows what is coming up and what needs to be covered when.

Have fun--I look forward to reading your input.

Curt Nixon
SN Products Column

I am very much in favor of seeing any and all CL Stunt-specific articles published in Stunt News, especially those that feature a new way of looking at things and/or deal with some of the newer technologies.

However, it wouldn't be fair to let anyone dip their toe in the water before giving a (mild) warning that one needs a certain toughness of skin prior to expounding upon your latest project.

Reference: Dealing properly with an O.S. 20FP when fitted to what is otherwise a Pukey Profile, as seen on this forum.

On the other hand, those inclined to respond won't be able to do so immediately, they'll have to wait a couple months.

Another aspect to submitting articles to Stunt News is that at least some of the usual suspects a couple years ago took their best shots at supressing certain articles, the end result being a solidifying of Stunt News policy.

Which is, "You write it, we'll publish it."

I'm thinking of rather basic stuff. I'm in no position to discuss technology or intricate set ups.

I'll take a look at previous issues and see what I might be able to contribute, if anything.

From Da'Dirt:

>one needs a
>certain toughness of skin prior to expounding upon your
>latest project.

I knew I had really and truly arrived as a columnist for SN when I started getting 'hate mail'. Bob Hunt told me at VSC that I would be considered a mere amateur until I, as he, had gotten threats ;^].

>From Da'Dirt:
>
>>one needs a
>>certain toughness of skin prior to expounding upon your
>>latest project.
>
>I knew I had really and truly arrived as a columnist for SN
>when I started getting 'hate mail'. Bob Hunt told me at VSC
>that I would be considered a mere amateur until I, as he,
>had gotten threats ;^].
>
>Bill Jacklin
>(A Ringmaster/Fox .35 kinda' guy)

Bill,

You're both weenies. Until shown otherwise, I will lay claim to having demonstrated the toughest of tough skin when it comes to material published in Stunt News, reactions to same.

From Da'Dirt:

>I will lay claim
>to having demonstrated the toughest of tough skin when it
>comes to material published in Stunt News, reactions to
>same.

No question about it! But still, both Larry Cunningham and I BOTH look forward to reading it. Are we sick or what?

As I already warned Dan, I like to both give and receive pain: I want you to hurt me real bad!

[photo not recovered: 406ca0ee5d18dc2d.jpg]
dream image of Dan Rutherford, after reading one of his columns..

[photo not recovered: 3e69bb3870f12ad5.jpg]

"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake." -W.C. Fields

Ward Van Duzer's In the Beginning column in Stunt News was one of the most popular and useful, for a very long time.

Stunt News always welcomes articles, and the good ones are read by virtually everyone, even if they are "experts"..

[photo not recovered: 3e69bb3870f12ad5.jpg]

"If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect." -Benjamin Franklin

LAST EDITED ON Apr-01-04 AT 07:13 PM (CDT)
 
TomK,
Maybe a way to do it would be an "Ask the Experts" column. People could funnel their questions to you and you could hook up with the expert in the area of the question and get a response for publishing in SN.
Richard Oliver

Another way would be to thoroughly search the SSW archives for answers to similar, if not the same, questions.

When I started the SN CyberNotes column, that approach flickered briefly in my mind, but I got so much flak from proposing (threatening?)to quote folks that I gave it up as a bad idea. But now, maybe the time has actually come to do just that, since the objectors must by now have seen that responsible reporting (and the requisite editing) can indeed produce valuable and timely information when translated from the 'Net to the printed page.

Tom,

It's always a pleasure to hear from someone with a passion for the hobby. I will tell you a couple of things from my experience of writing a column for the past three years. You will not get much feedback from those who enjoy your column. You will get response from those who consider your thoughts to be out in left field.

Bob Hunt told me at the VSC a couple of years ago "John, if you aren't making half the people mad...you aren't saying anything". My point is you will hear more from detractors than supporters. So as mentioned in earlier responses to your question, Thick skin is a nice thing to have. Da Dirt is the champ in this department and I read his stuff first.

Each column takes on the personality of the author regardless of the the title. Doug Dahlke's "Beginning" is more about history and older planes though the Title might lead one to believe it is for Beginners. Sport Flyin' has a lot of contest and competitive stuff in it but I try to write from the perspective of a guy who flys pretty well but certainly not at the level of the the "Top Dogs".

Your thoughts about topics are very good. Most of us who write have been in this so long that we tend to forget the things that gave us problems when we were just starting out. As a result, what is in the flight box, is the tank clean, is the prop balanced (close), etc. we just take for granted and assume "everyone" knows these things!

An alternate solution would be to communicate with an established columnist and have your input included in his column. Sort of a way to "test the waters", so to speak.

Jump on board! It's a fun ride!

Later,John