[NSRCA-discussion] YS 160DZ availability

[Troy A. Newman]

Lots of guys still buying YS 160's you would be surprised at the numbers. I was astonished at the number of motors they have in each shipment and they still go like hotcakes.

Not to take anything away from Electric pattern models. They have a very real niche in the sport. But remember the majority of guys at the NATS were not flying Electric just many of the top 10-12 in FAI were flying electric. In Masters the percentage was extremely small. And then the same guys were in the top as past years in Masters flying glow made the choice to fly electric this last year and finished at the top again... Did electric make them fly better, nope they are good pilots. A pilot that struggles with trimming and flying proper geometry will still struggle with those things flying electric.  Same with FAI same guys in the finals of FAI same guys as usual but many this time around were flying electric. Only a handful running electric in Masters and in the 402 and 403 classes they were definitely dominated by glow motors. Remember only a  small percent of pilots fly F3A and the majority of guys fly the AMA classes.

I take the position that the power plant doesn't make you win. It is just another option out there. You need the power to work for you. It is very possible to have a dead stick with Electric as well as glow. The electric setup is not for everyone. Jason has told us this time and again, and I feel he is correct. Each system has some advantages and some dis-advantages. The Electric is new and it turns heads. The top guys are running it....so it turns even a few more heads. Does it do the job. Yep sure does it does the job in spades just like a 160DZ will. We saw this at the Worlds. The 2 of the top 3 spots in individual were YS and the Team Trophy went to all Glow powered. Did electric make huge advances at the worlds YES it did. Did it replace Glow NO. Just like 2 strokes didn't replace 4 strokes. Each has its advantages. The more choices the better in my book. 

I think there are more people looking at pattern these days since there is an electric option. This is good it could bring in some more people to pattern.

We as the pattern community really need to get out and promote the sport and hobby. If electric sparks some interest then cool get some guys flying electric. Today I flew with Mark Leeseberg and he got his hands on my Pinnacle with the YS 160DZ in it. He was amazed at the power it had going uphill. Not that his Electric Eclipse is lacking power by any means it was just different. He got a real thrill out of letting the YS eat! I'm not knocking anyone's choice. I have played with them all and fly the one that works the best for me this will always be the case. There are lots of choices in lots of price ranges. This can only help to make pattern more appealing to some. I really don't think our sport is governed by the $$$$. Look at how many people fly big IMAC planes. They are expensive, but they are cool, and they are fun to fly. For me I love what I'm flying and will continue to fly what I love to fly regardless of if its E-power, YS, Rubber power, hydrogen Power or whatever. It has to be fun!

Perhaps Electric pattern will bring some of this fun, excitement, and cool factor back to pattern. I know Tony Frakowiak is only flying pattern again because of electric. Are we better to have him and his expertise, I think so. The way I look at it the more pilots the better, and the more fun. I have a huge passion for Precision flying and I know lots of people feel this way. We need to be open and available to nurture this passion. We all choose our own models based on our expectations and needs. I'm one that has a huge investment in my pattern models. I run the equipment that I feel is the best for me. Relationships with companies that many top pilots have are beneficial for everybody. Jason, Chip, Quique, and Tony helped to flush out a good system in the Hacker motor. Myself, Chip, Quique, Sean, Don have helped YS develop an outstanding product in the 160DZ. You can't read the sticker on the guys plane an assume he is being bought and paid for. Its just not the case. People choose different products for different reasons. Look at Quique running OS EFI motors and winning the NATS. Then the next year switching to YS and still winning the NATS. The result is these guys have fun and are great pilots.

Its all about making it fun.  We need to get back to making it fun. Electric pattern makes it fun for some guys. A YS 160 grunting out a 45 degree upline 1.5 snap or Reverse Avalanche makes it fun for others. In pattern we get critical of everything and read meaning into little things that really have no meaning. I do it and I know others do it too. Fly what works for you and when we meet up...I'M having fun this year!

Make it Fun!

Troy

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