Big brother is at it again here in the USA. He wants us to register our various flying machines and send him 5 USD. There's absolutely no requirement for any type of education or proof of even the slightest amount of ability to safely pilot your model. As it stands now, all that matters is the weight of the machine. So if your flyer is under 1/2 a pound or over 60 pounds, you're not required to register. It's as if he's throwing out a net to see who he will snag. The AMA has been heavily involved with the FAA to devise a safe, reasonable program, yet that was ignored and off we go on this totally useless federal law. Personally, I don't think this will do a lick of good to stop the idiots. In these time I understand the need for some form of program to insure the safety of the general public, but wouldn't it make sense to have a training program rather than registration that will most likely be ignored by the very same individuals that are the problem in the first place? Just days before this was announced, I registered a receiver with the manufacturer, a decision I may regret.

I've been in this hobby for many years, flying powered r/c aircraft and gliders and have always done so in a safe and courteous manner. For just over a year my interest is in r/c helicopters, and my wife fly's a small quad. We're fortunate enough to have access to a wonderful site to fly at, most of those who frequent it respect our space as we respect theirs. The workers that maintain...Continue Reading

Some time ago, my wife and I were walking home from the grocery store and hobby shop, conveniently located together in the same area. As is my usual, my eyes were up and watching traffic and the wife was looking around when lo and behold, she stops and says "Hey look at this, isn't this one of the new Blade helicopters?" "Why yes, yes it is" I replied. A good look around revealed no one was looking for it, no one holding a Tx with a bewildered look. We were on a rather busy street and the poor bird was seriously injured. So we walked on home. Into the shop to survey the damage. First up I checked the battery voltage, (mysteriously un-plugged) and had a reading of 4.0 something, so far so good. Did an inventory of damage and thought to my self, I can rebuild it. Programmed the 230 into my radio, plugged in the battery and dad gum if it didn't bind! So made a list, checked my funds and placed an order for; frame, main rotors, servo gear set, servo case set, main gear, landing gear, tail boom, canopy mounts, canopy and tail motor. Placed an ad in the paper. I figured as it looked to have been run over, whom ever was flying it must have lost control, watched it go into traffic and panic/bailed right then and there. No name in the remains of the canopy so wasn't likely to be an AMA member. No one ever answered the lost/found and the work started. Parts trickled in slowly, several took weeks to get. Once the servos were rebuilt I hooked...Continue Reading