[NSRCA-discussion] Sportsman supplemental rules?

[Jim Woodward]

Gray,

 

Your words below were my reaction before flying IMAC.  My gut feeling hasn't
changed about it, but on the other hand, the IMAC equipment and competitors
are different and I believe would have the following take (IMAC folks
correct me if I'm off base):  

1.	Allowing others to land the plane encourages fathers to bring their
younger sons to the contest and let them compete.  There is a higher amount
of kids (young kids) flying IMAC than pattern.  However, there is also a
larger kid-factor present when the final placing is announced.  Kids
typically score well in IMAC, and place high too.
2.	Knocking out the gear in an IMAC plane is very real possibility any
time you land.  One second of misjudged airspeed or decent, and the gear is
coming out with damage to the fuse.  Not to mention potentially ruining a
$130+ CF prop.
3.	Repairing the plane is not in line with the "have-fun" focus of a
lot of the competitors.  So a rule is in place that in many minds must allow
for increased participation, less damage to expensive equipment, less ego
damage too.  It takes several people to cart off an IMAC plane once the gear
is out.  
4.	$$$ A lot of folks are flying planes 2 - 4 times more expensive than
a pattern plane.  There is more overall concern related to equipment health.
Planes are twice as big, but 5 times easier to damage on landing than a
pattern plane.  
5.	Note:  A lot of the pattern landings I've seen would definitely
(seriously) damage an IMAC plane.   But the pattern pilot can bounce 3-5
times and it like nothing happened to the plane (lucky for us).  

 

Again, I'm all for scoring landings in pattern.  It sounds like from Ed's
post there is a class limit in IMAC for which classes allow alternate
lander(s).  I'm just offering a different perspective from the IMAC
experience this year.

 

Jim W.

 

 

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Gray E Fowler
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 3:11 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Sportsman supplemental rules?

 


Wow!  I find it hard to believe that someone would own and fly a plane that
they in essence cannot land.  That is a beginners mistake and I see it alot
at my club, and we call it  "Too much plane for the pilot". Usually this
happens with a persons second airplane of his RC career, not someone at a
competition. We all bung a landing now and then ( as if evident for the
constant need of replacement chin cowls) , but I have to seriously question
that if at a contest a pilot cannot land a plane they brought, should it be
allowed?  If it is too much plane for the pilot, the pilot need to step down
his plane or learn to land it in PRACTICE, before his thumbs are shakin' at
a contest. 

I will once again cast another vote to score T/O and Landings knowing the
odds are in my favor that "others" will not a second time sneek around the
majority to enact personal agendas-but thats a differnet topic...... 

When flying RC planes of ANY type there are only two required
manuevers...T/O and then Landing. 



Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radome and Composites Engineering
Raytheon

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