THE MARCH MADNESS F2D contest in
Phoenix, Arizona, marks the first time a
large competition was held using the fuelshutoff
rule. Thirteen pilots entered the
event, with a wide variety of shutoff devices
bolted on or built into the models.
The local Arizona pilots had externally
mounted H&R sliding bellcrank shutoffs.
They worked well for Kevin Hebestreit and
Alex Rednick. Bobby Mears used his
homemade bent-music-wire unit that goes
through the LE and hooks onto one of the
leadouts.
Chuck Rudner used his refined version
of the swing arm that was originally
intended for the Fast Combat event. Don
Jensen and I
employed springs
that I described in
the May column.
Richard Stubblefield, James McKinney,
and George Cleveland used the swing-arm
design that Uvenko Works in Ukraine
built. Tom Seigler had models with builtin,
Italian, spring-loaded bellcrank
shutoffs.
Alan Deveuve was using the Jakaproduced
swing arms. He and I flew the
first match of the contest, and the Jaka
device gave him fits. He made three
unscheduled pit stops. Later in the contest,
Alan got the tension right.
When all of the flying was completed,
Richard Stubblefield had beat Bobby
Mears for first place. Tom Seigler finished
in third place.
Not many models were cut loose, so
data on each shutoff’s effectiveness could
not be calculated. There was one accident,
in which an aircraft was launched before
the pilot had the safety thong attached and
the handle firmly grasped.
The model flew away with the lines and
handle attached. The shutoff eventually
activated, but only after the airplane was
nearly out of sight. It landed nearby,
undamaged. There were other models that
lost line tension and shut off.
This contest proved to be valuable in the
research-and-development of contestworthy
shutoffs.
1/2A Combat: Six pilots got the season
rolling in Phoenix on Friday March 6, with
a double-elimination 1/2A contest. Tom
Seigler, Kevin Hebestreit, Jeff Hanauer,
Chuck Rudner, Pete Athans, and I did
battle in this no-kill event.
All pilots used Cyclon .049 engines
with a variety of models. When it got down
to the finals, Pete and I had no losses; we
flew each other three times to sort things
out.
I prevailed in the end, and the Southern
California Combat Team made a clean
sweep. Chuck finished in third place. All
three of us used the 2005 version of the
1/2A SlySir foam design.
US Team Trials: The Strathmoor Model
Airplane Club was successful in its bid to
host the 2009 US Combat Team Trials for
the World Championships. The contest will
be held in Detroit, Michigan, during Labor
Day weekend. I suspect that this will be
one of the largest Team Trials ever, since
so many pilots have good engines and
models.
Those of us who live on the West Coast
have had only one opportunity to attend a
Team Trials that has been close to home.
Vacaville, California, was the venue many
years ago.
It has always been an honor to represent
US modelers in international competition.
The experience of traveling abroad is
stressful, but the memories and friendships
that are made do last for a lifetime. I
suspect that this is the reason why the
Team Trials are so fiercely fought.
If you want to see the best pilots in the
US compete, plan a trip to Detroit this Labor
Day weekend. I doubt that you will be
disappointed.
Western Associated Modelers: I began my
competitive flying with the Western
Associated Modelers (WAM), which
operated in Northern California. I have been
receiving the club newsletter and noticed
that Combat returned to the event list for its
opening contest, called “Fund Day,” in
April. The categories listed are 1/2A and 80
MPH Combat.
WAM requires the use of mufflers and
mandated the use of safety cables several
years before they were mentioned in the
AMA rule book. I planned to attend the
Fund Day contest, to do battle with my old
flying partner from the Flying Tigers Club:
Edmond Bridant.
Ed was a fierce competitor who had his
name engraved on the perpetual trophies
that were handed out at the WAM end-ofthe-
year banquet. The club kept track of
trophy points based on the 10- to 13-contest
season.
A first-place finish earned 3 points, a
second earned 2 points, and third place
got 1 point. There was a perpetual trophy
for 1/2A, Class A (up to .19-size engines),
BC Fast, BC Slow, Junior, Senior,
Overall, and Club. On one or two
occasions, the overall Combat Champion
Trophy went to a Junior flier.
WAM used a class system to rate its
pilots. There was beginners, advanced, and
expert. Before pilots could enter Combat
contests for the first time, they had to
demonstrate to the Combat director that they
could control models in level flight, inverted
flight, and through loops. The entries at each
contest were so great that it was indeed
necessary to check the pilots’ proficiency
before they could fly, lest they make a mess
of it the first time out.
Although the pilot ratings were effective
in guaranteeing that beginners would be
awarded trophies, it did mean that
inexperienced pilots flew against other
inexperienced pilots. Line tangles and midair
collisions were common. The advanced and
expert pilots were usually paired and flown
as one group, but they were separated for the
awarding of trophies.
Many famous/infamous Combat pilots
have flown in the WAM circuit. These
include Norm McFadden, Rich Brasher,
Mike Petri, Ron Sheldon, John Salvin,
Charlie Cox, Gary Buffon, Neal Carpenter,
Fred Wells, Drew Lance III, Jeff Holfelder,
Tim Gillotte, Jim Schneirder, Larry Driskill,
Paul Klahn, Mike Spindler, Roy Speights,
Doss Porter, Matt Rodriguez, and Max Boyd.
Sliding Bellcrank: In the May column, I
mentioned that Jeff Rein and Bill Huber had
been manufacturing the H&R bellcrank
shutoffs for many years. These units were
developed for external control-type models
on which the control lines attach directly to
the bellcrank.
Jeff has figured out a way to incorporate
a bellcrank mounting bracket that attaches to
the engine mounts, for a quick and easy
installation. Some of the pilots at the
Phoenix contest had cut into RTFs, removed
the bellcranks, axles, and leadouts, and then
bolted the H&R sliding bellcranks through
the axle holes.
Mark Rudner’s F2D News: Somehow,
Mark Rudner finds time to write a column
for anyone who is willing to read it. His
pieces are basically focused on FAI F2D
Combat.
In the March column, Mark describes
Alex Prokofiev’s electronic shutoff in detail.
You can also read his previous columns that
are full of recommendations on how to fly
better Combat and how to make sure you and
your equipment are well prepared. MA
Sources:
Henning Forbech:
www.f2d.dk
Alex Prokofiev electronic shutoff:
www.e-shutoff.com
Mark Rudner:
http://f2dnews.homestead.com
H&R bellcrank shutoffs:
www.clcombat.info/huber.html
OP
Th
EX
**A
Do
an
PA
(A
M
For t
For t
First
Mailin
City _
Home
E-ma
Card
"I a
end
imm
"I a
Inc
Signa
Pleas
Note:
For N
AF
Na
Me
Ple
AF
ad
For C
AM
wil
YO
YO
Insuran
date a
it begin
Membe
membe
M
E-ma
firms
that
Ple
Ple
A
C
C
R
MEM
Recru
If you
Me
Clu
Ho
07sig5.QXD 5/22/09 2:47 PM Page 130
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 128,129,130
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 128,129,130
THE MARCH MADNESS F2D contest in
Phoenix, Arizona, marks the first time a
large competition was held using the fuelshutoff
rule. Thirteen pilots entered the
event, with a wide variety of shutoff devices
bolted on or built into the models.
The local Arizona pilots had externally
mounted H&R sliding bellcrank shutoffs.
They worked well for Kevin Hebestreit and
Alex Rednick. Bobby Mears used his
homemade bent-music-wire unit that goes
through the LE and hooks onto one of the
leadouts.
Chuck Rudner used his refined version
of the swing arm that was originally
intended for the Fast Combat event. Don
Jensen and I
employed springs
that I described in
the May column.
Richard Stubblefield, James McKinney,
and George Cleveland used the swing-arm
design that Uvenko Works in Ukraine
built. Tom Seigler had models with builtin,
Italian, spring-loaded bellcrank
shutoffs.
Alan Deveuve was using the Jakaproduced
swing arms. He and I flew the
first match of the contest, and the Jaka
device gave him fits. He made three
unscheduled pit stops. Later in the contest,
Alan got the tension right.
When all of the flying was completed,
Richard Stubblefield had beat Bobby
Mears for first place. Tom Seigler finished
in third place.
Not many models were cut loose, so
data on each shutoff’s effectiveness could
not be calculated. There was one accident,
in which an aircraft was launched before
the pilot had the safety thong attached and
the handle firmly grasped.
The model flew away with the lines and
handle attached. The shutoff eventually
activated, but only after the airplane was
nearly out of sight. It landed nearby,
undamaged. There were other models that
lost line tension and shut off.
This contest proved to be valuable in the
research-and-development of contestworthy
shutoffs.
1/2A Combat: Six pilots got the season
rolling in Phoenix on Friday March 6, with
a double-elimination 1/2A contest. Tom
Seigler, Kevin Hebestreit, Jeff Hanauer,
Chuck Rudner, Pete Athans, and I did
battle in this no-kill event.
All pilots used Cyclon .049 engines
with a variety of models. When it got down
to the finals, Pete and I had no losses; we
flew each other three times to sort things
out.
I prevailed in the end, and the Southern
California Combat Team made a clean
sweep. Chuck finished in third place. All
three of us used the 2005 version of the
1/2A SlySir foam design.
US Team Trials: The Strathmoor Model
Airplane Club was successful in its bid to
host the 2009 US Combat Team Trials for
the World Championships. The contest will
be held in Detroit, Michigan, during Labor
Day weekend. I suspect that this will be
one of the largest Team Trials ever, since
so many pilots have good engines and
models.
Those of us who live on the West Coast
have had only one opportunity to attend a
Team Trials that has been close to home.
Vacaville, California, was the venue many
years ago.
It has always been an honor to represent
US modelers in international competition.
The experience of traveling abroad is
stressful, but the memories and friendships
that are made do last for a lifetime. I
suspect that this is the reason why the
Team Trials are so fiercely fought.
If you want to see the best pilots in the
US compete, plan a trip to Detroit this Labor
Day weekend. I doubt that you will be
disappointed.
Western Associated Modelers: I began my
competitive flying with the Western
Associated Modelers (WAM), which
operated in Northern California. I have been
receiving the club newsletter and noticed
that Combat returned to the event list for its
opening contest, called “Fund Day,” in
April. The categories listed are 1/2A and 80
MPH Combat.
WAM requires the use of mufflers and
mandated the use of safety cables several
years before they were mentioned in the
AMA rule book. I planned to attend the
Fund Day contest, to do battle with my old
flying partner from the Flying Tigers Club:
Edmond Bridant.
Ed was a fierce competitor who had his
name engraved on the perpetual trophies
that were handed out at the WAM end-ofthe-
year banquet. The club kept track of
trophy points based on the 10- to 13-contest
season.
A first-place finish earned 3 points, a
second earned 2 points, and third place
got 1 point. There was a perpetual trophy
for 1/2A, Class A (up to .19-size engines),
BC Fast, BC Slow, Junior, Senior,
Overall, and Club. On one or two
occasions, the overall Combat Champion
Trophy went to a Junior flier.
WAM used a class system to rate its
pilots. There was beginners, advanced, and
expert. Before pilots could enter Combat
contests for the first time, they had to
demonstrate to the Combat director that they
could control models in level flight, inverted
flight, and through loops. The entries at each
contest were so great that it was indeed
necessary to check the pilots’ proficiency
before they could fly, lest they make a mess
of it the first time out.
Although the pilot ratings were effective
in guaranteeing that beginners would be
awarded trophies, it did mean that
inexperienced pilots flew against other
inexperienced pilots. Line tangles and midair
collisions were common. The advanced and
expert pilots were usually paired and flown
as one group, but they were separated for the
awarding of trophies.
Many famous/infamous Combat pilots
have flown in the WAM circuit. These
include Norm McFadden, Rich Brasher,
Mike Petri, Ron Sheldon, John Salvin,
Charlie Cox, Gary Buffon, Neal Carpenter,
Fred Wells, Drew Lance III, Jeff Holfelder,
Tim Gillotte, Jim Schneirder, Larry Driskill,
Paul Klahn, Mike Spindler, Roy Speights,
Doss Porter, Matt Rodriguez, and Max Boyd.
Sliding Bellcrank: In the May column, I
mentioned that Jeff Rein and Bill Huber had
been manufacturing the H&R bellcrank
shutoffs for many years. These units were
developed for external control-type models
on which the control lines attach directly to
the bellcrank.
Jeff has figured out a way to incorporate
a bellcrank mounting bracket that attaches to
the engine mounts, for a quick and easy
installation. Some of the pilots at the
Phoenix contest had cut into RTFs, removed
the bellcranks, axles, and leadouts, and then
bolted the H&R sliding bellcranks through
the axle holes.
Mark Rudner’s F2D News: Somehow,
Mark Rudner finds time to write a column
for anyone who is willing to read it. His
pieces are basically focused on FAI F2D
Combat.
In the March column, Mark describes
Alex Prokofiev’s electronic shutoff in detail.
You can also read his previous columns that
are full of recommendations on how to fly
better Combat and how to make sure you and
your equipment are well prepared. MA
Sources:
Henning Forbech:
www.f2d.dk
Alex Prokofiev electronic shutoff:
www.e-shutoff.com
Mark Rudner:
http://f2dnews.homestead.com
H&R bellcrank shutoffs:
www.clcombat.info/huber.html
OP
Th
EX
**A
Do
an
PA
(A
M
For t
For t
First
Mailin
City _
Home
E-ma
Card
"I a
end
imm
"I a
Inc
Signa
Pleas
Note:
For N
AF
Na
Me
Ple
AF
ad
For C
AM
wil
YO
YO
Insuran
date a
it begin
Membe
membe
M
E-ma
firms
that
Ple
Ple
A
C
C
R
MEM
Recru
If you
Me
Clu
Ho
07sig5.QXD 5/22/09 2:47 PM Page 130
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 128,129,130
THE MARCH MADNESS F2D contest in
Phoenix, Arizona, marks the first time a
large competition was held using the fuelshutoff
rule. Thirteen pilots entered the
event, with a wide variety of shutoff devices
bolted on or built into the models.
The local Arizona pilots had externally
mounted H&R sliding bellcrank shutoffs.
They worked well for Kevin Hebestreit and
Alex Rednick. Bobby Mears used his
homemade bent-music-wire unit that goes
through the LE and hooks onto one of the
leadouts.
Chuck Rudner used his refined version
of the swing arm that was originally
intended for the Fast Combat event. Don
Jensen and I
employed springs
that I described in
the May column.
Richard Stubblefield, James McKinney,
and George Cleveland used the swing-arm
design that Uvenko Works in Ukraine
built. Tom Seigler had models with builtin,
Italian, spring-loaded bellcrank
shutoffs.
Alan Deveuve was using the Jakaproduced
swing arms. He and I flew the
first match of the contest, and the Jaka
device gave him fits. He made three
unscheduled pit stops. Later in the contest,
Alan got the tension right.
When all of the flying was completed,
Richard Stubblefield had beat Bobby
Mears for first place. Tom Seigler finished
in third place.
Not many models were cut loose, so
data on each shutoff’s effectiveness could
not be calculated. There was one accident,
in which an aircraft was launched before
the pilot had the safety thong attached and
the handle firmly grasped.
The model flew away with the lines and
handle attached. The shutoff eventually
activated, but only after the airplane was
nearly out of sight. It landed nearby,
undamaged. There were other models that
lost line tension and shut off.
This contest proved to be valuable in the
research-and-development of contestworthy
shutoffs.
1/2A Combat: Six pilots got the season
rolling in Phoenix on Friday March 6, with
a double-elimination 1/2A contest. Tom
Seigler, Kevin Hebestreit, Jeff Hanauer,
Chuck Rudner, Pete Athans, and I did
battle in this no-kill event.
All pilots used Cyclon .049 engines
with a variety of models. When it got down
to the finals, Pete and I had no losses; we
flew each other three times to sort things
out.
I prevailed in the end, and the Southern
California Combat Team made a clean
sweep. Chuck finished in third place. All
three of us used the 2005 version of the
1/2A SlySir foam design.
US Team Trials: The Strathmoor Model
Airplane Club was successful in its bid to
host the 2009 US Combat Team Trials for
the World Championships. The contest will
be held in Detroit, Michigan, during Labor
Day weekend. I suspect that this will be
one of the largest Team Trials ever, since
so many pilots have good engines and
models.
Those of us who live on the West Coast
have had only one opportunity to attend a
Team Trials that has been close to home.
Vacaville, California, was the venue many
years ago.
It has always been an honor to represent
US modelers in international competition.
The experience of traveling abroad is
stressful, but the memories and friendships
that are made do last for a lifetime. I
suspect that this is the reason why the
Team Trials are so fiercely fought.
If you want to see the best pilots in the
US compete, plan a trip to Detroit this Labor
Day weekend. I doubt that you will be
disappointed.
Western Associated Modelers: I began my
competitive flying with the Western
Associated Modelers (WAM), which
operated in Northern California. I have been
receiving the club newsletter and noticed
that Combat returned to the event list for its
opening contest, called “Fund Day,” in
April. The categories listed are 1/2A and 80
MPH Combat.
WAM requires the use of mufflers and
mandated the use of safety cables several
years before they were mentioned in the
AMA rule book. I planned to attend the
Fund Day contest, to do battle with my old
flying partner from the Flying Tigers Club:
Edmond Bridant.
Ed was a fierce competitor who had his
name engraved on the perpetual trophies
that were handed out at the WAM end-ofthe-
year banquet. The club kept track of
trophy points based on the 10- to 13-contest
season.
A first-place finish earned 3 points, a
second earned 2 points, and third place
got 1 point. There was a perpetual trophy
for 1/2A, Class A (up to .19-size engines),
BC Fast, BC Slow, Junior, Senior,
Overall, and Club. On one or two
occasions, the overall Combat Champion
Trophy went to a Junior flier.
WAM used a class system to rate its
pilots. There was beginners, advanced, and
expert. Before pilots could enter Combat
contests for the first time, they had to
demonstrate to the Combat director that they
could control models in level flight, inverted
flight, and through loops. The entries at each
contest were so great that it was indeed
necessary to check the pilots’ proficiency
before they could fly, lest they make a mess
of it the first time out.
Although the pilot ratings were effective
in guaranteeing that beginners would be
awarded trophies, it did mean that
inexperienced pilots flew against other
inexperienced pilots. Line tangles and midair
collisions were common. The advanced and
expert pilots were usually paired and flown
as one group, but they were separated for the
awarding of trophies.
Many famous/infamous Combat pilots
have flown in the WAM circuit. These
include Norm McFadden, Rich Brasher,
Mike Petri, Ron Sheldon, John Salvin,
Charlie Cox, Gary Buffon, Neal Carpenter,
Fred Wells, Drew Lance III, Jeff Holfelder,
Tim Gillotte, Jim Schneirder, Larry Driskill,
Paul Klahn, Mike Spindler, Roy Speights,
Doss Porter, Matt Rodriguez, and Max Boyd.
Sliding Bellcrank: In the May column, I
mentioned that Jeff Rein and Bill Huber had
been manufacturing the H&R bellcrank
shutoffs for many years. These units were
developed for external control-type models
on which the control lines attach directly to
the bellcrank.
Jeff has figured out a way to incorporate
a bellcrank mounting bracket that attaches to
the engine mounts, for a quick and easy
installation. Some of the pilots at the
Phoenix contest had cut into RTFs, removed
the bellcranks, axles, and leadouts, and then
bolted the H&R sliding bellcranks through
the axle holes.
Mark Rudner’s F2D News: Somehow,
Mark Rudner finds time to write a column
for anyone who is willing to read it. His
pieces are basically focused on FAI F2D
Combat.
In the March column, Mark describes
Alex Prokofiev’s electronic shutoff in detail.
You can also read his previous columns that
are full of recommendations on how to fly
better Combat and how to make sure you and
your equipment are well prepared. MA
Sources:
Henning Forbech:
www.f2d.dk
Alex Prokofiev electronic shutoff:
www.e-shutoff.com
Mark Rudner:
http://f2dnews.homestead.com
H&R bellcrank shutoffs:
www.clcombat.info/huber.html
OP
Th
EX
**A
Do
an
PA
(A
M
For t
For t
First
Mailin
City _
Home
E-ma
Card
"I a
end
imm
"I a
Inc
Signa
Pleas
Note:
For N
AF
Na
Me
Ple
AF
ad
For C
AM
wil
YO
YO
Insuran
date a
it begin
Membe
membe
M
E-ma
firms
that
Ple
Ple
A
C
C
R
MEM
Recru
If you
Me
Clu
Ho
07sig5.QXD 5/22/09 2:47 PM Page 130