Weight limit discussion

[Ed Miller]

Buddy, realize that Dave as well as just a handful of others are at the Chip level. You give those talented, hard working folks an "inch" in the rules, they will exploit it for a mile. And the rest of us will beg, borrow and steal over time the resources necessary to have what these folks fly, presumably at an increased cost and complexity level. On the other hand I am increasing leaning towards the idea of a max weight at takeoff, in other words IC engine powered with fuel and E powered w/batteries. Does that become 5.5Kg ?? Dunno, but I can see a lot of merit in it. Will this idea create a whole new round of equipment design changes to exploit that extra pound, which really isn't an extra pound in airframe weight although some of it may translate into a slightly bigger or different airplane design. Maybe not, bigger engine means bigger fuel load and thus more weight so it may just allow E powered planes to grow a tad or become a more "competitive choice". I would think glow wouldn't change all that much. 
Ed M.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: BUDDYonRC at aol.com 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 11:00 AM
  Subject: Weight limit discussion


  Dave 
  In answer to the following parts of your post (had to split it up to big for the list to handle)

  Raise the weight limit in pattern, and the 2x2m monoplane will get bigger and more costly (and the most competitive examples will still probably be under 11 lbs, but the "average" plane won't be).
  So far this is my point exactly. If we are to make AMA pattern an inclusive event we in my opinion must include the average competitor. Those who have higher aspirations will do what they must to achieve perfection and a weight rule change will have little effect on those who aspire to compete on a higher level.

    Raise the weight limit in pattern while leaving unlimited displacement and the 2x2m box, and the 2x2m monoplane will no longer be the most competive design - the most competitive design will be a purpose designed pattern bipe that will be substantially more expensive (money, time, maintenance) than the current day designs.

    If you don't think a purpose design pattern bipe would be the best, ask Chip.  He will tell you without reservation he would not have flown his Double Visions in the past few years if he did not think it was the best plane.
    Yes, but you also need to consider the level of competition and his goals. Lets face it Chip is playing to the world in an arena composed of professionals making him a member of an exclusive group that for the most part excludes the rank and file of pattern. Here again I believe AMA pattern should be structured to attract all of the rank and file while affording those who aspire to greatness the opportunity to compete on a higher level without effecting or excluding those who make up the core of the pattern community or those who interested in joining it 
  Buddy
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20050225/5b877bb6/attachment.html