[NSRCA-discussion] Weight

[John Pavlick]

Part of the reason why Pattern planes become "obsolete" is due to the fact that the airframe rules for ALL classes are the same. The higher classes schedules change and that requires design changes. This is not a bad thing. It's part of any good competitive sport / hobby. Since the airframe rules apply to all classes, you only have one definition of a "legal" airplane which could be flown in any class. That would be like allowing a Grand National Stock car to run in the Street Stock class. How many people would be willing to try to enter the sport on a low budget with an old Chevelle? My guess is - none! 
 
I don't know how we could change this without causing more problems but it's something to think about. Personally I think a 90 size / 1.5 meter Sportsman class would do more to grow pattern than messing with the weight rules.
 
Going back the the weight issue, I really don't think raising the weight limit will attract more people to Pattern. I just don't see how. Who actually weighs airplanes at a local contest? If we were weighing planes at every contest I bet a lot of glow planes would be "illegal". Probably more than the number of electrics at any given contest. Why? Because most of the guys building electrics have learned to pay close attention to weight. That's because of the current rules. That's a good thing. 
 
Something else to think about: many of you guys are paying top dollar for high end airframes that are basically overweight to start with. Sure you can try to get things under control by using smaller airborne batteries, lighter servos, etc. but if I were you I'd be a bit upset if I paid for a "competition" airplane that needed a lot of finessing to meet the weight requirements. 
 
Many of you guys like the Integral. This is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Have you felt how heavy the wings are on some of those? For the money they charge, they should be able to build something lighter. You shouldn't have to custom cut a set of foam wings to replace the ones in your kit. That's just silly.
 
It does NOT require "zen" building techniques to build an airplane that makes weight. OK, that doesn't hurt but all you need to do is pay close attention to what everything weighs as you build. EVERY time I see an airplane that's "overweight", I can pick out at least 3 things that are just plain absurd. I've only been doing this for a few years. Some of you guys have been flying Pattern longer than I've been alive. If I can do it anyone can. My first 2-meter build (Black Magic V2.2 w/ OS 160) came out at 10lbs, 6.9 oz. I don't have the "zen" building technique down just yet so I'd have to say this should be possible for most people. I'm going to build an electric VF-3 this winter. I bet anyone that it will come in under weight. And I don't have a ton of money to throw at it. In fact I'll probably buy used stuff to save some money so I can buy good batteries. :)
 
John Pavlick


--- On Thu, 6/4/09, mike mueller <mups1953 at yahoo.com> wrote:


From: mike mueller <mups1953 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Weight
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 8:45 AM



"designs are obsolete in 2-3 years"
Amen to that Ron. Pattern is like F1 racing we're competitive and always looking for better and different. Truth be known I look forward to a new plane in the Spring that I planned and prepared for a year or so. It's part of what appeals me to pattern and I do this on a lower budget than many would deam possible. Trust me on this. It's all about will and determination and innovation to get what I want with as little as I have to work with. Money and building talents lacking I still put down a competitive piece each year. No sponsors either. Now that's actually pretty funny sorry.....
Not saying a 5 year old design can't be competitive and that the pilot doesn't determine the outcome most of the time. I'm saying that I think designs for the truly competitive have a rather short lifespan and that's not going to change anytime soon.
Also Ron there are a lot of planes on the market that work well with IC. What about the Passport? Osmose? Integral? It's only been a year or so that the newer generation of planes have been introduced that are dedicated for E. use like the E Motion, Spark, Beryl E. Addiction E. and the Sickle. Before that all the designs were meant for IC and we adapted them to fit E.
                                        Mike

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