Hi Visibility color schemes PLUS

JOddino JOddino at socal.rr.com
Thu Mar 4 11:05:42 AKST 2004


Hi Visibility color schemesHi Chris,
You point out an interesting situation.  The guys who sold the world on the concept of "turn around" maneuvers in a "box" did so on the basis that it would reduce the footprint on the ground.  At the time "noise footprint" was a big concern just as it is today.  Unfortunately it has gotten worse as the planes got bigger with larger more powerful engines.  I always believed the airplane should be flown where it can be seen well enough to judge it and forget about the box.  Especially a box that isn't a box but a wedge that forces you to fly out farther in order to have enough time to perform the maneuvers.  I believe the box should be a box and have the same horizontal length at 20 meters that it does at 150 and 175.  The effect would be that we would fly in closer, we and the judges could see the plane better and the quality of flying would improve.  It won't happen during my lifetime but you young guys should start pressing for a change.
To answer your question: You want to have large areas of contrasting colors with dark colors framing light colors.  For example a wide blue leading edge and a wide red trailing edge bordering a white wing will make the white stand out in almost all skies.  If there is not a contrasting color on the trailing edge the white fades into the sky behind it.  I like to put three wide spanwise stripes on the top of the wing and chordwise stripes on the bottom.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: White, Chris 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 10:53 AM
  Subject: Hi Visibility color schemes


  Hi, 
  I'm finishing a Temptation and have some scheme layouts made up, but am re-thinking the issue.  Is there anyone out there who has any knowledge in their data banks which would indicate what colors and or scheme breakout patterns which are more readily visible to the human eye against any given background color? (blue or gray sky)

  I think one of the biggest problems I have as a 30 year sport pilot converting to pattern is the ability to fly the airplane far enough out to remain in the box, yet still be able to see the airplane well enough to determine wings level or bank angle. (Goes against everything in me to fly 150 yards out!!!) 

  Any help you can provide is appreciated.... 
  thanks, 
  Chris White 
  (Tulsa) 
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