Show Notes
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
More from RC Plane Lab
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 homecoming05:42 – AMA’s radio interference investigation13:08 – Piper’s Halloween laser projects16:09 – Dave’s $600 Boomerang Intro turbine jet46:18 – UMX Viper launch trouble58:00 – 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 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.