[NSRCA-discussion] weight limits for electrics?

Sun May 14 18:31:13 AKDT 2006

Larry,

WOW! I did step into the middle of things didn't I? :) 

 *********yes, you did!!!!

I don't really have a horse in that race, so I have no informed opinion. I
think big bipes might be cool tho!

*********More time, more money, more hassle, fewer competitors - not cool!!!

2)Is the current weight rule "fair" to electrics?

************Yes, it is fair.

To me it seems more fair and reasonable to have a take-off weight limit as
the standard rather than a dry weight limit. 

*********This idea does make a lot of sense, but as the electrics have
developed (and will continue to develop), true performance parity is not
going to be equal if equal takeoff weights are used.  Just for example, 5 of
the 8 F3A finalists in 2005 at the US NATs were electric - and all under 11
lbs.  Of the 3 glow, I was 10 lbs 10 oz WITH fuel and I think the other 2
glow were about 11.5 lbs WITH fuel.  The electric I am building now will be
about 9.5 lbs WITH lipos, and if I did another glow ship today, it would
probably be 10.25 WITH fuel.

Regards,

Dave Lockhart

DaveL322 at comcast.net

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Troy A. Newman <mailto:troy_newman at msn.com>  

To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 12:42 AM

Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight limits for electrics?

Reality is the Battery is not the fuel. It is the fuel tank. It holds the
fuel.

This is the way FAI has decided to handle the situation, and as a result the
AMA pattern folks have decided to follow suit. Right or wrong it is the way
it is.  

<snip>

Remember this is toy airplanes and its for fun. Anybody that throws a fit
about a guy winning with an illegal (overweight) model should have to answer
to the firing squad.

Troy Newman

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Larry <mailto:ledunn at centurytel.net>  

To: patternrules at earthlink.net ; NSRCA Mailing List
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 8:30 PM

Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight limits for electrics?

Hi Steve,

That's pretty much what everyone tells me so far, but it doesn't sit quite
rite. Makes me feel like I will be cheating and getting away with it because
no one checks.

It also seems like there is a double standard here and that the rules need
to be re-evaluated. 

A glow plane that weighs 5kg empty will definitely have a take off weight
HIGHER than mine and yet it would be legal and I am not. It might even have
a landing weight higher than mine depending on the size of the tank and
length of the routine.

I wonder if anyone is looking at this as more and more electrics are getting
into all aspects of the hobby.

I just saw in the Apr Kfactor in the D8 column, someone did a conversion and
has similar issues - slightly over the 5KG limit with batteries installed.

It seems to me that batteries should be considered "fuel" and not count
towards the total weight OR that take off weight should be the determining
factor.

Ofcourse, as I said, I am a 100% newbie here. Haven't even flown in one
contest yet :)

Larry

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Steven <mailto:patternrules at earthlink.net>  Maxwell 

To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 7:53 PM

Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight limits for electrics?

 I wouldn't worry about the weight. A little story to go along with that. At
the 1984 Tangerine, one of the 3 top rated contest in the conutry then
(Nat's and Rough River) my last conest as a sportsman thats when we had
novice,I was winning by a slight margin, the last round on Sunday I got beat
out of first by .07 point, so I got second, the 3rd place guy said that the
winner had an illegal airplane, slightly over weight, and wanted me to
protest, I told him that the guy beat me flying not because he had an
overweight plane, and that if he wanted to protest do it his self, he didn't
and the ending was finaI. I had already talked to the guy and he said his
self that it probably was over weight, real nice about it (EU1A) not the
first one of those that didn't make weight.

 So the story goes I don't remember either of the persons names, I do
remember it as a fond memory, but I bet nobody can give me either persons
names, 22 years later. My first journey to a big contest with no one along
for the ride or to fly, just me it was a ball.

 So don't worry about unless you plane on placing at Nats then you need to
make weight.

Steven Maxwell

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Larry <mailto:ledunn at centurytel.net>  

To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org

Sent: 5/13/2006 10:34:53 PM 

Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] weight limits for electrics?

Hi all,

I am brand new to NSRCA and pattern flying in general. I am planning to
attend my first ever event later this month.

I noticed in the rules that the weight limit is 5Kg without fuel.

How does this apply as far as electric powered planes are concerned? Are the
batteries considered the fuel?

I am asking because my plane is a Quest 90 G2 converted to electric power
and it weighs 4.04 Kg "dry" (no batteries) but it weighs 5.33 Kg fully
"fueled" with batteries installed.

I have asked about this on RC Groups and been told not to worry, no one
weighs planes except at the NATS.

Has there been any official word on this? I don't want to feel like I'm
cheating in a contest or "getting away" with something.

Thanks!

Larry

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