[NSRCA-discussion] Weight

[Dave]

Bill,

It is just a discussion that has occurred many times over, and all the info
is in the archives - point being, there is a huge volume of existing
discussion you can access there (much of it is good reading).

"As far as saying that the larger 2-meter planes have an advantage over 
smaller 2-meter I assume you are talking about fuselage volume and not 
actual size, since 2 meters is 2 meters."
**********Yes, the larger fuse volume flies better.  The 2M "yard darts" of
the past like Elan, Arch Nemesis, Sequel, etc are not competitive today as
they were in the past.

"And again, how is it a weight limit keeps the plane smaller?"
***********You can only add so much volume before exceeding the weight
limit.  It also limits the size of a biplane (which if purpose built for
pattern could easily be 15 lbs within 2M dimensions).

"Wouldn't making a size limit rule defining a maximum wingspan, fuse
length/width/height dimension do a better job of that??"
***********I think not.  I think the component you may be overlooking is the
biplane component - a large volume fuse 2M biplane is much bigger plane (and
therefore better flying) than a large volume monoplane.  Including the
weight limit essentially limits the size of the biplane.  And a lesser point
is that the current rules require weight check, and max dimension check -
simpler than checking all dimensions.

Going back several years, the weight limit was never an issue because the
limiting factor was available power (electrics were not viable at the time),
and then the power limits were mucked with several times, to the point at
which dimensional and weight limits became the limiting factors.  Keep in
mind another limiting factor is noise - bigger planes require more power
which equals more noise (or more expense to quiet the additional power).

Regards,

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Bill's Email
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:44 AM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight

Dave wrote:
> Bill,
>
> Starting from the position of a well designed plane (with proper wing
> loading), adding weight will not provide an advantage.  What the weight
> limit rule does is limit the size the plane - larger planes will fly
better
> which does provide an advantage.
>   


OK, I thought a size limit would do that better than a weight limit. As 
far as saying that the larger 2-meter planes have an advantage over 
smaller 2-meter I assume you are talking about fuselage volume and not 
actual size, since 2 meters is 2 meters. And again, how is it a weight 
limit keeps the plane smaller? Wouldn't making a size limit rule 
defining a maximum wingspan, fuse length/width/height dimension do a 
better job of that??

Cost arguments never made sense to me. The real problem is attracting 
people to competition. Fact is of the total AMA membership only 8% on 
average enter any kind of sanctioned rulebook event in a given year. And 
that includes ALL rule book events. People who want to compete spend 
what it takes to be competitive. The issue is that not that many people 
want to compete. 

Anyway, it was an interesting thought that I incorrectly assumed would 
make for a good discussion. 




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