[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

[Jim Woodward]

Bob,

 

I think you have the full picture.  The smallest planes I've seen in three
contests are 50cc sized (like 2 or 3 out of contests with 25, 35, 40+
entrants).  I certainly encourage you to do the most with the equipment you
have, and get the most fun and experience you can with it.  Part of the fun
is at least thinking you can be competitive, I hope you will walk away with
that feeling with the small plane.  

 

Also, for what its worth, the Sportsman winner at Venice, FL this weekend,
won the Freestyle event.  On Saturday evening, he (Mike ?) and Mark L. flew
sort of a tandem 3D freestyle where they were sort off hovering around,
side-by-side,  and over/under each other on the runway.  Mike and Mark flew
some stunning maneuvers with the Aerotech Extra 300s from the Aerotech team.
This wasn't just a bunch of discombobulated sport-flier 3D junk - these
dudes had precise, exquisite control of the plane during some insane
maneuvers right next to each other - some of the best freestyle stuff I've
ever seen in person.  Also - there are some pretty goog/great pilots in the
lower classes on the S.E. IMAC circuit.  

 

Jim W.

 

 

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Bob Richards
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 4:56 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

 

Jim,

 

Oh, I know IMAC can be much more expensive than pattern!!!  However, in
pattern I would have to fly in the Masters class, but in IMAC I can start
out in Sportsman (or even Basic) with a 1.20 powered Cap 21 that I already
have. My son can fly the same plane if he wants. It may not be that
competitive, but so what, we are just testing the water right now.

 

I had already decided to try IMAC this year, and have a 27% Extra 260 ARF
and Evolution 45GX that I got for Christmas. You talk about your engine
running on one cylinder, that is all I've got!! :-)  I also only need one
servo per control surface. I hope this combination will do well for me in
the lower classes.

 

If my son had expressed more interest in pattern than in IMAC, then maybe I
would have stuck to the pattern route. I just don't want to finance both
avenues of competition right now, especially since I may have to finance
equipment for two pilots.

 

Bob R.



Jim Woodward <jim.woodward at schroth.com> wrote:

Bob,

Thanks for sharing your story.  The other angle on it this and I'll use
myself as an example:  Any discount I've received bar none, has been GREATLY
spent back into the sport by attending high number of contests, all the
travel gas money associated with it, and a nearly uncountable # of "extra"
miles I've driven to remote flying sites just to get some practice in  -
many times having to just turn around and go home because of bad weather or
whatever. The equipment is a one time purchase (discounted or full price),
where as the total cumulative effort to practice and attend contests is
repetitive and in my case far out weighs anything else.

 

However, given that I'm sort of studying the differences between IMAC and
Pattern this year from a perspective of practicing, contests, & equipment,
the main point of my email response is that your note below ABSOLUTELY
applies in IMAC.  Competitive IMAC flying could cost you 3 to 4 times more
than any pattern investment (including electric power).  This weekend turned
out to be very expensive for me:  1.  The 3W that was running on one
cylinder so much has literally destroyed the canisters.  I'm thinking to go
with the standard mufflers at $150/pair, instead of moving to the steel MTW
canister/headers at roughly $450/pair.  2.  Had to purchase a well used
backup 3W 150 TOC with old ignition style and old carburetor ($1000).  3.
Once I had a good running engine making some balls-out power, determined
that I need to add one more aileron servo per wing.  4.  Decided to "ensure"
all the servos were getting their proper voltage and upgraded the power
system to the Smart-Fly Power Expander and Turbo Regulator.  My little
lion-chargers were not up to snuff and needed to get a Fromcoe 3 port
charger so the entire plane can charge at 2 amps at one time.  As for number
of flights, I am right about 50 total flights - low flying time and huge
extra costs driven by the poor running 3W with new style ignition and
destructive vibration.  

 

If you ever want to appreciate what pattern has, and what in my opinion the
current rules have ultimately had on cost, go and out fit an unlimited style
setup for IMAC.  Then, go to the contests and break something.  Sure, some
people have walked into it without problems, while other have trailers with:
Extra motors, extra motor parts, extra exhaust systems, extra ignitions,
extra Power Boxes, Spare Plane or two, spare servos/receivers.  Thus,
getting back your statements below, I see them as incredibly accurate
(honestly), of what can happen in scale aerobatics, and not so applicable on
the pattern seen (given the difference in scale of economy -no pun
intended). I would almost go so far as to draw the line and say you cannot
be competitive without sponsorships in IMAC, where as with pattern, you can
get into it with an OS 140, Dave L 3 blade, ARF, and it will typically
out-fly your abilities.  

 

Thanks,

Jim W.

 

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