Weight discussion

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

One more thought on the seemingly endless debate of light vs. heavy pattern  
planes. I still don't believe that  "... a 'heavy' plane flies better in  the 
wind..." Granted it will tend to bounce a little less, but it depends on how  
the pilot manages those bounces, because once it starts moving, it keeps  
going.
 
In my experience and observation, the better pilot will fly a lighter plane  
better. A couple years ago Pete Collinson flew my 10 lb Alliance is heavy  
crosswind at Ocala, and most everyone there was amazed at the plane's ability in  
the hands of a competent pilot, in that kind of wind. Pete's flying was  
effortless it seemed, especially when you consider that the webra was  highly 
detuned in its early life. As I recall some didn't fly due to the  wind, not 
wanting to chance a mishap at the end of the contest.
 
Let's not be confused with a plane that is too light; that exists also, but  
is rare. I agree with Buddy's observation of 1 pound per 100 sq in rule of  
thumb, and a significant departure to the low side, say 3/4lb/100 sq in, is  
probably too light for windy conditions. Not so for calm tho.
 
Is the meat of the argument making the point that a fat plane  will allow its 
pilot more latitude in heavy wind? Or is that simply the  perception? If one 
THINKS he has an advantage, he does.
 
MattK
 
In a message dated 2/24/2005 11:31:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
Rcmaster199 at aol.com writes:

Well, Ocala is right around the corner, so why not fly the pig in the  
sunshine? Then you'll know fer shure. It always blows in Ocala.
 
Better yet, fly the same plane at its standard weight and then increase  its 
weight by 15% and fly another round heavy> I'll hold Ernie back so he  won't 
weigh you (ahem, I meant your plane)
 
Matt
 
In a message dated 2/24/2005 11:19:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
jivey61 at bellsouth.net writes:

Matt
The 12.5 lb dead pig in the sunshine will get better scores  because it 
doesn't appear antsy.
Like Dave L says the bigger  the  plane the better. I agree here.I also agree 
if you keep the same wing area  and raise the weight the wing loading 
changes.You can keep the same 2meter  limits with more wing area and have the bigger 
plane Dave talks about. None  of these suppositions were in the original 
thread.>
If Bob has 2 of  the same type planes, same wing area one 9.5 lbs and the 
other 12.5 lbs I  still say the 12.5 would have the advantage of being smoother 
in the  wind(blows at every contest).Does this make it illegal? Only if the CD  
weighs you.

Jim Ivey 
> From: Rcmaster199 at aol.com
> Date:  2005/02/24 Thu PM 11:04:15 EST
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
>  Subject: Re: Weight rules discussion ( my opinion)
> 
>   
> Jimmy, I've read Don Lowe's columns for years and his rationale  (one that 
I  
> agree with) is that a light plane bounces more  but damps quicker than the 
> heavy  plane. 
>   
> I don't doubt that increasing the DR wing loading by 15% as  you  did in 
your 
> experiment, would likely result in better  flying fro that plane. It  would 
be 
> more interesting to know  what the wing loading was and is before and  
after 
> the  change.
>  
> Now translate that to a 2 meter job and see  what happens. Try increasing  
the 
> weight of your standard  pattern model by 15% and see what it does. How 
does  
> the wing  loading compare to your DR b4 and after the changes? 
>  
>  I'd be interested in that experimental result
>  
>  Matt



 
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