Weight limit discussion

[Bob Richards]

Mark,

I agree. I have been out of pattern for about 8 years,
but attended a recent contest as a spectator. What
impressed me were some of the ARFs (Focus) that come
covered, cheaper than the Finesse I bought RTC back in
'94. The engines are cheaper (larger two strokes) and
overall it is far easier/cheaper to get into pattern
with a decent setup. 

Of course, the top dawgs will always be flying tricked
out setups that cost big bucks, and there will be
others that feel the ONLY way to be competitive is by
using the same equipment as the top dawgs. That will
always be the case, regardless of what the rules are.
It is up to the rest of us to demonstrate that the
expensive equipment is not needed to be competitive.

IMHO, changing the rules now is like a dog chasing its
tail.

Thanks for the rant!

Bob R.

--- Mark Hunt <flyintexan at houston.rr.com> wrote:

> It seems to me (my perception only) that we are
> witnessing an age of pattern that actually seems
> very accessible by a new pattern flyer.  Never have
> I seen so many quality (and cheap) ARF's available
> that are really capable flyers for 401, 402, and
> 403...perhaps 404 as well...heck, Chuck showed all
> how it's done here in Dist. 6 with an inexpensive
> 120size ARF and an OS 4stroke!
> 
> I think that at the local contest level, weight is
> not, and should not be, a big issue in the lower
> classes.  Once you're up to the 404 dancefloor it's
> time to play by the rules...all of them.  At the
> NAT's level, the rules will be, and should be,
> enforced through all classes.
> 
> I was still a kid when the YS came out with a 120,
> but I do remember my dad was trying to stay with all
> the big spenders in the Northeast of the US with his
> Tiger Tails, Blue Angels, etc., so I do remember
> somewhat that the motors were the limiting $$$
> factor....hence, a good motor was very expensive
> (comparatively)..think of the first time you saw the
> price of a YS120.  Now weight is the real limiting
> factor....so a big, light airframe is $$$$ and motor
> options are much more plentiful.  Pushing the
> limiting factor, whatever it may be at the time,
> will cost money.  I feel that battery technology
> will (and already has) overcome it's own weight
> issues.  It seems that the only power options we are
> lacking right now are a 32oz. Gas motor and perhaps
> fuel cells???  As strange as it sounds, I feel that
> we are nearing a nice growth spurt in pattern simply
> due to the low costs now to get involved in the
> lower classes.
> 
> sorry for the rant,
> Mark
> 
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