Author: Rich Lopez
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/03
Page Numbers: 129,130,131
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Control Line Combat - 2009/03

Rich Lopez <[email protected]>

Shutoffs according to the international commission

The CIAM (International Aeromodelling Commission) of the FAI met in Lausanne, Switzerland, December 5 and 6, 2008, to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to CL competitions and rules. Of most interest for those of us who fly F2D (FAI Combat) was the interpretation of the shut-off rule that took effect January 1, 2009.

The following clarification is being circulated to the F2D community worldwide:

“Shut-off rule clarification: From the 1st of January 2009 it will be mandatory that an engine shut-off be used in F2D. In the event of a fly-away the shut-off must activate and stop the engine. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

“The shut-off can either be armed by the mechanics prior to launch or by automatic arming of the shut-off on takeoff. When the model is prepared the shut-off may also be armed. A damaged shut-off on a landed or crashed model (for instance as a result of a mid-air collision) must be repaired or replaced before the model is launched again. Both mechanical and electronic shut-offs will be allowed, providing they do activate and shut down the engine in a fly-away.

“The fly-away activation can be of any type, mechanical or electronic. The shut-off rules are intentionally of basic nature to allow the development of good working systems but it should be noted that flagrant breach of the rules or ‘ungentlemanly conduct’ will result in disqualification.” 8 December 2008. From Bengt-Olof Samuelsson, C/L Subcommittee Chairman.

At the FAI site you can find all the rules for the various events plus agendas and minutes of the organization’s meetings.

Now that the ground rules are clear, it is time to get creative and develop a reliable, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy-to-produce shut-off device.

Modelers in Italy have designed a unit that replaces the entire bellcrank assembly; it can be installed in existing models with a bit of effort. Bobby Mears has bent a length of music wire into a working shut-off—probably the least expensive approach. Chuck Rudner has reworked many of his old swing-arm Fast Combat shut-offs so they now work every time; he uses them regularly for practice matches. Henning Forbech developed a mechanical device that can be fitted to existing models with modest work.

Jeff Rein and Ken Burdick (Seattle area) have been using H&R bellcrank shut-offs. These require mounting the H&R bellcrank on the outside of the model; the drawback is that precut, ready-to-use lines will be too short. These H&R systems have proven themselves in the Fast Combat arena for many years.

The unknown paradigm is the electronic shut-off. Many creative individuals—including Howard Rush, Preston Briggs, Boris Faizov, and Alexander Prokofiev—are aiming to produce a reliable unit. Ideas include servo-activated devices mounted on the models, electrical currents running through the lines to the aircraft, and handles with lightweight batteries mounted inside. Best wishes to everyone striving to “build a better mousetrap.”

Mark Rudner’s F2D News

If I mention that I had been flying with “Doc Rudner,” you might think I mean Mark’s father, Chuck. Now that Mark has a Ph.D., we can call him “Doctor Skud.” This highly educated Combat pilot has become a thoughtful writer and produces a monthly newsletter on F2D Combat. I suggest visiting his web page to read current and past writings. Mark has posted entertaining descriptions of his travels to Ukraine and encounters with their police and customs people. Perhaps the Ukraine version of the CIA keeps a file on Combat fliers who have advanced knowledge of physics.

Red Flag F2D Combat Contest

An active group of CL fliers in the Phoenix, Arizona, area hosts two F2D contests per year: March Madness in March and Red Flag in November.

Jeff Hanauer, Steve Stewart, Lance Matassa, and several others work hard to bring pilots from across the country to Phoenix. On November 15–16, 2008, 22 pilots entered the main contest over Saturday and Sunday.

Mike Willcox told everyone this was going to be a “Combat Clinic,” where he would show everyone how to do it. True to his word, Mike won the contest with skillful flying. He has been working with Josh Ellison to bring new blood into the sport; Josh is a natural and finished fourth.

I went in the other direction, encouraging retired Combat pilot-turned-CL Aerobatics (Stunt) pilot Phil Granderson to return to the fray. While Phil has been flying his Diva Stunt model repeatedly, the Combat community has become more proficient at using store-bought Eastern European equipment. Phil quickly adapted to his new models and engines and resembled the young man he was in 1980 when he finished third at the CL World Championships in Poland. He finished seventh at Red Flag. Greg Hill finished second and Mexican team pilot Leonardo Silva was third.

See Mike Willcox’s website for many great photos of this contest.

Keep the Dust Out

Look carefully at the nylon plugs (shown in a photograph) that are used to keep dust and dirt out of the venturi and muffler openings. The engine pictured is a Cyclon Fortune.

Cyclon: www.rusengines.ru/?lang=en

Howling Dogs in Trees

Howard Rush, the 2008 US assistant team manager, started calling his Combat models “dogs” many years ago. Since then, the Combat community often looks for opportunities to reference dog stories.

Over the years I have seen a number of fly-away models, including some of my own. I had a dog with a shut-off that activated end up in a tree in Chicago. I have seen many others stopped by branches in trees, which also stopped the engines.

In Phoenix, two dogs ended up in trees with their engines howling until they ran out of fuel. Both models survived with only minor covering damage.

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.