[NSRCA-discussion] Weight

[Archie Stafford]

I agree with Jon and Dave.  Getting rid of the weight limit or even changing
it is a bad idea.  The price of batteries keeps dropping.  PATTERN IS NEVER
GOING TO BE CHEAP, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE WANT IT TO BE.  It is always going
to be expensive to go to contests, so saving 100-200 on a set of batteries
is offset by the other costs associated with it.  There are airframes out
there that you could use heavy packs and still be under weight.  Dave
Lockhart is under 10lbs flying electric, so he could definitely go with
significantly heavier batteries.  I know that there is a set of Black Magics
that are easily under using about the heaviest electric setup known now and
it is still legal.  There are options out there without changing the rules.
It wasn't that many years ago people swore you couldn't build the large 2
meter stuff under 11 lbs, now there are full built up balsa kits coming in
at 9.5lbs.  It can be done even with the heavier electric stuff.

Arch


-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Jon Lowe
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:19 PM
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight

Amen.  The theory was, when they went to 2 meters, unlimited engines 
and 11 lbs that things would get cheaper because they could use larger, 
less finicky engines than the .61's at the time.  Yeah, right.  My YS 
is fuel injected, supercharged, CDI, and running on 30%.  The planes 
will change to fit ANY new rules,and cost will likely rise along with 
it.

My attitude is that both fuel and electric airplanes are weighed 
without fuel.  My fuel weighs a lot, electric fuel doesn't weigh 
anything.   Electrics just have a heavy fuel tank.  They are at a 
definite advantage in many cases because they never weigh more than 11 
lbs in flight, while a fuel airplane often does.

Dave is right, the cost curve is starting to favor electrics, assuming 
you have no current investment in either technology.  The Zippy packs 
will get better and better, and the cost of electric continues to come 
down.  Go to hobbycity.com and look around at their motors, speed 
controllers, batteries and chargers if you don't believe me.  The only 
advantage for me right now with YS's other than the fact I have 
invested in them, is that I get get two practice sequences per flight.  
Plus, they don't try to burn my house down.  ;)

Jon Lowe


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave <DaveL322 at comcast.net>
To: 'General pattern discussion' <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 12:57 pm
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight










<96 db, <2M, <11 lbs, and it is legal.  Your challenge is to meet those
specs with whatever equipment you choose.

Raise any of those limits, and the cost and complexity of pattern goes 
up.
If you think what pattern needs is more cost and complexity, submit the
proposal.  And as Duane notes, the new breed of monoplanes will obsolete
your DA-50 Bipe.

Regards,

Dave


-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of J N 
Hiller
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 1:46 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight

I was thinking pattern legal DA-50.
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Duane Beck
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 10:06 AM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight

http://www.mini-iac.com/
DA-50's and larger biplanes very common.  Have at it.  :-)

Duane

----- Original Message -----
From: "J N Hiller" <jnhiller at earthlink.net>
To: jpavlick at idseng.com, "General pattern discussion"
<nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 12:12:21 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight


Interesting discussion. I always felt the weight limit replaced the
displacement limit prevent the use of very large engines.

Remove it now and we will see DA-50 or larger biplanes. I have wanted to
build one for a long time.

Bring it on.

Jim Hiller
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