Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)

[David Lockhart]

Because your 12.5 lb airplane can be of a very different design capable of performing at a substantially higher performance level.

No one chooses to fly 7-8 pound 60 size versions of a pattern design when they can afford to fly the 10 pound "120" size version - for the same reason - bigger flies better.

Is that rationale rational?

Dave
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Pastorello 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 10:19 PM
  Subject: Re: Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)


  Let's say I decide, for my own reasons, that I want to fly a 12.5lb (dry) 2M pattern airplane against 9.5 lb (dry) 2M pattern airplanes in Masters class.

  Somebody, anybody, give me a rational reason why I should NOT be "legal" to fly at a sanctioned event?

  Bob Pastorello
  NSRCA 199  AMA 46373
  rcaerobob at cox.net
  www.rcaerobats.net


    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: David Lockhart 
    To: discussion at nsrca.org 
    Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 9:09 PM
    Subject: Re: Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)


    Buddy,

    Do the rules of aerodynamics include things like wing loading and power loading?  Both of those will be dramatically effected by a change in the weight limit (up or down).  With unlimited displacement and 2x2m maximum dimensions available, weight is very much a design factor.

    Dave



    "Lance 
    In my evaluation the rules need to apply to Pattern as a whole. With the two meter size limit builders will utilize the rules of aerodynamics to achieve the optimum design and weight becomes a moot issue for all classes.
    Buddy "
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: BUDDYonRC at aol.com 
      To: discussion at nsrca.org 
      Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 8:56 PM
      Subject: Re: Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)


      In a message dated 2/24/2005 7:25:59 PM Central Standard Time, patterndude at comcast.net writes:
        Buddy,
        One good idea that I didn't see in your list was the onelwhere the weight limit for the Advanced-thru-FAI classes remains the same but the limit for Sportsmand/Intermediate is raised.  This really makes sense to me.  We are all comfortable with advancing difficulty in sequences.  Well, building light is also a learned skill and sometimes requires more $$ comittment.  Pilots grow in flying, building, trimming skills.  Why subject sportsman to FAI building rules?
        --Lance

          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: BUDDYonRC at aol.com 
          To: discussion at nsrca.org 
          Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 1:33 PM
          Subject: Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)


          Since the whole message was to large to post following is my opinion.

          After a thorough weighted comparison of the items listed in my previous post I have arrived at the following conclusions.

           It is most important that we strive to make pattern an inclusive sport, which I feel is necessary to increase participation in the future. In order to do that one of the first item that should be addressed is that of eliminating the illegitimate double standard in the weight rule. There are two possible solutions; the first would be to enforce all rules, which many agree in this case would not be in patterns best interest. That leaves us with only one solution and that is to change the rule.        

           In doing that we must consider the overall impact of such a change to insure that it serves to protect all the other aspects concerned as much as possible. After careful review and acknowledging that maintaining the two-meter rule is in fact the limiting design criteria for pattern I suggest that a change in the rule upward to twelve pounds or in light of current FAI considerations, to 5.5K would be an appropriate solution.

          This change could possibly effect other aspects of pattern design in the future but given the known requirements some of which are listed in my previous post that are necessary and practiced extensively today I have little fear that this change will result in any major design changes that would present a problem or afford anyone an unfair advantage in the near future.

           If you study the items in my previous post it will also become apparent that there are many listed that offer the potential to increase our participation and make pattern more inclusive. 

          Should anyone have any other items to offer that I should include which may require further evaluation concerning my conclusions and suggested weight change please forward them to me.

          Buddy Brammer

           



      Lance
      In my evaluation the rules need to apply to Pattern as a whole. With the two meter size limit builders will utilize the rules of aerodynamics to achieve the optimum design and weight becomes a moot issue for all classes.
      Buddy 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20050225/b77b2c49/attachment.html