Ep 224: AMA’s Muncie Update and Where We Stand Now

Daniel Taylor, Dave’s brother, joins Ron, Tom, and Dave for another round of flying stories and project updates. While Ron was off camping with the family, the others got in a night of flying wings and a full day at the field—and not every airplane came home in one piece. The guys compare the Shadow Seeker and Shadow Seeker X, talk about the Assassin wings, and get into adding lights to the Slow Ultra Stick. There are shooting stars, a deer in the field, and enough LEDs on Dave’s airplane to raise the question of whether there’s such a thing as too many lights. Ron also gets a little encouragement to finish the Assassin that’s been sitting on his bench. Dave is still hunting for propane-start parts for his Boomerang Intro. His F-16 has another rough landing, a backwards battery connection makes an unwanted smoke show, and Daniel gets his first EDF flight on the UMX Viper. The conversation also covers jets versus radial engines, plans for a day at Eli Field, and getting ready for Toledo. The guys wrap up with the Hangar 9 Carbon Cub 15cc, the Freewing Avanti S 90mm, and the wing and fuselage bags Ron finally bought for his MB-339.

The AMA has put out another statement about the possible sale of its Muncie property, so we’re back for a quick follow-up. Daniel Taylor, Dave’s brother, joins us as we talk through replacement flying sites, a new home for the museum, and the possibility of lower membership dues. We’ve had a little time to think since Episode 222, and we don’t all feel the same way about it. Could a sale leave the AMA—and its members—better off? Would more than one national flying site make sense? And even if the deal turns out to be a good one, has the way it’s been handled already damaged members’ trust? Some of us are more open to seeing where this goes. Dave still has concerns. We also get into what we actually want from our AMA memberships, including why some of us still want that paper magazine showing up in the mailbox. There’s no finished deal to judge yet, but there’s plenty to discuss.

Tom is home, and Ron and Dave had no idea he was about to walk through the door. Once the surprise wears off, the guys talk about AMA’s investigation into suspected radio interference and Piper’s Halloween projects on the laser cutter. Dave has joined the turbine club with a $600 Boomerang Intro, complete with an older Jet Central Bee and a long winter to-do list. Ron also explains why he’s starting over on his Ka-8B’s covering after finding Karl Striedieck’s N1000Z and hearing the story behind its 1968 record flight. There are project plans, a UMX Viper launch mishap, and plenty of grief to go around. In This Episode: 00:29 – Tom’s surprise homecoming 05:42 – AMA’s radio interference investigation 13:08 – Piper’s Halloween laser projects 16:09 – Dave’s $600 Boomerang Intro turbine jet 46:18 – UMX Viper launch trouble 58:00 – Ron’s Ka-8B and the story behind its scale finish Links and Resources: AMA’s announcement about the frequency-interference committee Send a suspected-interference report to AMA: [email protected] Karl Striedieck — National Soaring Museum Hall of Fame Torcman FES drive systems Ep 159: The Basics of Fabric Covering RC Airplane Covering and Finishing Guide RC Airplane Radio & Receiver Setup Center If you have a question, a topic you’d like us to cover, or just want to get in touch, visit RCPlaneLab.com.

The AMA is considering an opportunity involving its Muncie property, and we've got questions. In this short episode, Ron, Tom, and Dave read the October 9 member email and talk through their reactions. Would selling the property make sense? What should members be told, and should they have a say? The discussion also comes back to the recent Executive Vice President candidate interviews and why Ron feels a little hoodwinked. Nobody has all the answers yet, but there's plenty to talk about. In This Episode: 00:00 – Why we recorded a separate episode about Muncie 01:09 – The October 9 member email and AMA’s statement 03:36 – Our first reactions: the property, the hobby, and what happens next 04:57 – Why the communication has left us uneasy 06:14 – What members get from AMA beyond the buildings and grounds 08:20 – Questions about the numbers, the process, and member input 09:28 – The EVP interviews and feeling hoodwinked 10:22 – Who started the discussion, and why the confidentiality? 11:42 – Revisiting the candidates’ answers about transparency 13:04 – Why the decision and the way it is handled are separate questions 14:24 – Tell us what you think Links and Resources: AMA’s October 9 statement on the Muncie property Ep 219: Randy Gibson, Candidate for AMA Executive VP Ep 220: Phil Tallman, Candidate for AMA Executive VP Ep 195: Greg Stone, Candidate for AMA President If you have a question, a topic you’d like us to cover, or just want to get in touch, visit RCPlaneLab.com. Until next time, may your landings be gentle.

Ron and Dave catch up after a busy couple of weeks. They talk about the separate interviews with AMA Executive Vice President candidates Phil Tallman and Randy Gibson, why members should hear from both candidates, and how easy it can be to overlook the election information and ballot. The ballot must be postmarked by November 6, 2026.   Ron shares his first experience as Contest Director at Illini Warbirds & Classics, including some memorable aircraft and what he learned behind the scenes. The guys also check out E-flite’s new Micro P-47 Thunderbolt and Dave’s new Strix Shadow Seeker X. They wrap up with an update on the new learning, troubleshooting, calculator, and podcast resources at RCPlaneLab.com.   In This Episode: 00:14 – Ron and Dave catch up 00:54 – AMA EVP candidate interviews and election information 05:40 – Dave’s weekend flying and a confusing fall fly-in 10:30 – Ron’s first time as CD at Illini Warbirds & Classics 21:34 – E-flite’s new Micro P-47 Thunderbolt 24:23 – Dave’s Strix Shadow Seeker X and its first hand launch 33:18 – New resources at RCPlaneLab.com   E-flite Micro P-47 Thunderbolt: https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/e-flite-micro-p-47-thunderbolt-625mm-bnf-basic-with-as3x-and-safe-select/EFL07050.html   Listen to both candidate interviews, read their statements, and make your own decision. If you have a question, a topic you’d like us to cover, or just want to get in touch, visit https://rcplanelab.com/.   Until next time, may your landings be gentle.

Ron talks with AMA Executive Vice President candidate Phil Tallman about the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the challenges facing model aviation. They discuss declining membership, the value AMA provides, support for local clubs and flying sites, communication and transparency, competition and recreational flying, advocacy, and the financial decisions ahead. Tallman shares examples from his work as an AMA district vice president and outlines what he hopes to bring to the executive vice president position. This conversation is part of RC Plane Lab’s interviews with the candidates and gives AMA members a chance to hear directly from each of them.

Ron talks with AMA Executive Vice President candidate Randy Gibson about the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the challenges facing model aviation. They discuss declining membership, the value AMA provides, support for local clubs and flying sites, communication and transparency, competition and recreational flying, advocacy, and the financial decisions ahead. Gibson shares examples from his work as an AMA district vice president and outlines what he hopes to bring to the executive vice president position. This conversation is part of RC Plane Lab’s interviews with the candidates and gives AMA members a chance to hear directly from each of them.

Ron's Falcon 56 was supposed to make its first flight, but an old pushrod had other plans. That turned out to be a good reminder that just because an old airplane looks ready to fly doesn't mean it is.   We also talk about our trip to the SIRS vintage fly-in, some really cool old airplanes, and why it took Dave four tries to finally land his Wonder somewhere other than the bean field.   Then we take a look at a few new airplanes:   - "Skynetic Micro T-33 Shooting Star 30mm EDF" (https://motionrc.com/products/skynetic-t-33-shooting-star-micro-30mm-edf-jet-with-gyro-str-sky1075-003) - "Freewing F-35C Lightning II 110mm EDF" (https://www.freewing-model.com/freewing-f-35c-lightning-ii-12s-110mm-edf-jet-arf-plus-rc-airplane.html) - "Skynetic P-12E Pursuit 1100mm Biplane" (https://motionrc.com/products/skynetic-p-12e-pursuit-biplane-1100mm-43-3-wingspan-pnp-sky1076-001)   In This Episode   - 02:50 – Ron's Falcon 56 and its failed pushrod - 06:22 – Bringing old RC airplanes back to life - 08:58 – Nitro, four-strokes, and old-school setups - 18:03 – Spektrum versus FrSky - 22:57 – Our trip to the vintage fly-in - 39:32 – Dave versus the bean field - 52:34 – A few new RC airplane releases   If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss the next one. If you've got a question, a topic you'd like us to cover, or just want to tell Dave how to keep his airplanes out of the beans, head over to https://rcplanelab.com/ and let us know.

Piper joins Ron, Dave, and Tom for a lively recap of RC Fest! She shares her adventures with the RC car “Try Me” courses and introduces the two new vehicles she brought home—including an ARRMA Mojave Grom BLX. The crew also talks night flying, Tom’s new airplane trailer, Ron’s Falcon 56 nitro project, a pair of bargain FMS Super Scorpions, and the impressive new E-flite Pilatus PC-21. Ron returns to the Ring of Fire seeking redemption after his memorable crash two years ago, while Tom celebrates having his first review published in Model Aviation. Along the way, Piper asks the important questions, the RC car collection keeps growing, and bedtime becomes increasingly negotiable. In this episode: Tom flies Dave’s fleet of night flyers Tom finds a custom 7-by-12-foot tandem-axle trailer Updates on Dave’s and Ron’s latest airplane projects Piper tries RC NASCAR racing and RC soccer New Axial and ARRMA vehicles join the collection Ron scores two FMS Super Scorpions A successful return to RC Fest’s Ring of Fire First impressions of the E-flite Pilatus PC-21 Tom’s CAP 231 review appears in Model Aviation A look at upcoming Warbirds, Classics, and vintage fly-ins  

Tom is home and back in the studio with Ron and Dave—but only for this episode during his brief visit. Tom’s wife, Lori, is also there and briefly joins the conversation to settle an argument about exactly how Ron was persuaded to take a day off for their trip to Dynamic Balsa. The episode begins on a personal note as Dave discusses the loss of his wife earlier that morning. He explains why he still decided to record with his friends and reminds everyone how important it is to spend time with the people closest to them. Ron recaps his visit to the Illini Jets event at Eli Field, including the strong turnout, impressive turbine aircraft, a massive twin-turbine F-14, and some of the best food the guys have ever seen served at an RC fly-in. The guys then examine the new Skynetic F-35C Lightning II Micro 30mm EDF Jet. Although its flight performance appears promising, they have plenty to say about its molding, oversized panel lines, painted canopy, unusual underside, and price. They also preview several upcoming Illinois RC events: Horizon Hobby RC Fest — August 29 at Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois Streator Fall Scramble Warbirds & Classics — September 10–12 in Streator, Illinois SIRS Vintage Fly-In — September 12 near McLean, Illinois Illini Warbirds and Classics — September 24–26 at Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois Finally, Ron and Tom recount their visit to Dynamic Balsa. Ron went looking for servos and a SIG Kavalier, forgot the servos entirely, and came home with an unidentified vintage glow-powered airplane. The guys inspect its K&B engine, old 72 MHz radio equipment, unusual appearance, and chances of successfully returning to the air. Tom also adds a Slow Ultra Stick to his hangar, while Dave discusses his BluFo, Yak 55, Blue Max, Goldberg Cub, and the restoration of Reggie’s older E-flite Ultimate. The episode closes with an important maintenance reminder: inspect the nylon clevises, snapper keepers, and other plastic control-linkage components in your airplanes. Heat, age, and dry storage conditions can make these parts brittle enough to fail in flight. Timestamps 00:12 – Tom is home and in the studio for one episode 04:04 – A personal update from Dave 07:56 – Ron’s visit to the Illini Jets event 16:10 – The Skynetic F-35C Micro EDF 24:36 – RC Fest and upcoming Illinois RC events 35:59 – The SIRS Vintage Fly-In 40:17 – Ron and Tom’s trip to Dynamic Balsa 47:31 – Ron’s unidentified vintage glow airplane 01:01:42 – Tom buys a Slow Ultra Stick 01:03:44 – Dave’s building and restoration projects 01:06:33 – Inspecting brittle nylon control linkages 01:07:34 – Illini Warbirds and Classics at Eli Field