Debra Cleghorn’s Blog
Keeping RC Planes Airborne
Model Airplane News reader Paul Rogers recently sent me a note with some commonsense suggestions on ensuring that the FAA maintains its support of RC aircraft. I agree with all of his suggestions and thought it would be worthwhile to share his letter with you: It’s just an opinion, but the FAA people are in [...]
RC aircraft carrier–in flight!

This year’s E-Fest indoor event had dozens of unique planes and helicopters, but this flying, sheet-foam RC aircraft carrier takes the cake! Powered by four downward-thrust electric motors, the carrier allowed micro helicopters and planes to take off mid-air. This great video was shot by Peter McKay.
Scenic flight or dangerous stunt?

One pilot’s creativity and innovation is another’s idea of a accident waiting to happen. Do you think this video is entertaining and fun, or a terrible idea that will eventually get RC airplanes banned? Watch it and then join the discussion!
GIANT Electric Airbus A400M, with parachutists!

They don’t get much bigger than this! Check out this huge, 13.5-foot-span Airbus at a European airshow. The 92.5-pound RC model uses four Hacker motors producting 6000 watts and has two radio systems with 18 total servos. Build time was 6 years. Watch the entire video and you’ll see an in-flight view of the parachute release, and the landing [...]
A squadron of tiny quadcopters: must-see video!

Picture this: a nano quadcopter that’s fast and agile. Then multiply it by 20, and imagine this tiny squadron flying in formation, performing tasks and doing aerobatic maneuvers–together. In a video from the GRASP Lab of the University of Pennsylvania, air vehicles developed by KMel Robotics put on an amazing show. I promise that this [...]
Critical speeds for drone aircraft – interesting read!
When I imagine a bird (or drone) flying, I envision it in the open sky, free of obstacles, power lines and the like. This latest news release from MIT shows how researchers studying bird flight speed in dense areas like forests and underbrush can apply that knowledge to drone aircraft, which would be flying through cities and [...]
Red Tails! Tuskegee Legends & Facts

The much anticipated movie about the WW II Tuskegee Airmen, Red Tails, is opening today! Is it true that the famed squadron never lost a bomber? That they shot down the first German jet? Before you head to the theater, test your Tuskegee knowledge with these legends and facts. Since the 1970s, several widely [...]
Spherical flying machine

Check out this flying RC sphere! It takes off vertically and can land in any attitude. A propeller in the “front” and internal wings allow it to fly horizontally, and it can hover for 8 minutes. Now I want one!
