Control Line Scale - 2011/04

A NEW RULE for AMA CL Profile Scale
(event 521) adds paragraph 2, describing
design and static-judging guidelines. It is as
follows.
“To maintain the scale wing and tail span,
the leading and trailing edges of the wing
should be extended to the center line of the
body without changing the overall wing span
of the model. Since the flaps and ailerons are
part of the wing they should remain scale
size and shape. If the airplane had a wing
fillet, the fillet should remain scale size and
shape and located at the profile body. In a like manner, if
the plane modeled (like a P-51 for example) has a leading
edge extension or other similar feature, the feature will be
of scale size and be located at the profile body. The
Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator should be done in a
similar manner as the wing. Reducing the model’s overall
wing and tail span the same amount the fuselage was
reduced to create the profile, is cause for loss of static
points.”
This subjects the contestant’s model to close
examination and possible penalties during the staticjudging
process. If you are building a Profile aircraft for
competition purposes, follow the preceding guidelines as
closely as possible. Keep the dimensions to the scale to
which you are constructing the airplane and in adherence to
the three-views you will present for judging.
However, I suppose that even during Profile Scale
events at particular contests, judges would have the choice
of following this new rule or scoring as they see fit.
Profile Scale events were established to get non-Scale modelers
interested in Scale events and competition. If you build Profile
models and are uninterested in competition, construct your aircraft
as you please and then go out and have a good day of flying.
Perhaps in time you will get into the more technical aspects of
building and follow the new guidelines.
Although there is this new guideline, you are still unable to make
a “true” Scale model from a Profile; you can only try your best to
make it “look right” and hope that the judges think it does. If you’re
looking for a truer Scale airplane, you’ll have to step up to fullbodied
models.
I thank Mike Gretz and Kent Walters, who are members of the
AMA Scale Contest Board, and Ted Kraver, who is the editor of
Replica—the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA)
newsletter—for their words of wisdom and input on this subject. I
greatly appreciate it.
Since I posed the question in the October 2010 column about using
2.4 GHz RC systems in CL, I have received several responses, most
of which have been positive. A few modelers replied that they have
New rule for Profile Scale competition
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Also included in this column:
• 2.4 GHz system responses
• Cholla Choppers’ 1/2A
multiengine contest
Keith Bauer converted/modified this 2.4 GHz RC car controller
for flying his Bearcat in CL Navy Carrier. The unit provides
throttle control and a release mechanism, dropping the hook for
slow flight and landing, and it passes pull-test requirements. Keith
Bauer photo.
Keith Trostle finished second in the Limited Class at the 1/2A multiengine
event with this great-looking Westland Whirlwind. It has a 36-inch wingspan
and is powered with two Norvel .049 engines. Pyatt photo.
Some of the pilots who attended the Cholla Choppers’ 1/2A Multi-Engine Profile Control
Line Contest in Tucson AZ. John Stevenson (L), who flew all the way from Pittsburgh PA
to compete, holds his Skyrocket, with which he placed sixth in the Limited Class. Rickii
Pyatt photo.
130 MODEL AVIATION
04sig5_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/22/11 12:31 PM Page 130
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We set the standard.
used 2.4 GHz systems in their CL aircraft
with great success, without creating
interference issues with nearby RC flying.
Keith Bauer of Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, who is president of the Wings
of Williamsport RC club, submitted one of the
accompanying photos. It shows how he
converted a 2.4 GHz car control system to use
with his Bearcat for CL Navy Carrier.
The top and bottom rods go through the
2.4 GHz handle and are potted with epoxy at
the handle area. There is also means for
adjusting the leadout connections.
Keith used the throttle trigger control for
engine throttle, and he modified the steering
channel with a switch to release the landing
hook and line-release mechanism for slowflight
requirements. The system provides
smooth throttle control. If Keith pushes the
throttle trigger to the brake position (forward),
the engine carburetor will close, thereby
shutting down the engine.
He noted that the system comes in a fourchannel
version that he plans to use for
throttle, flaps, and retracts in a Scale P-38. He
had intended to fly his Bearcat at last year’s
Brodak Fly-In in the non-AMA Sportsman
Carrier Class but was denied entry because he
was using the 2.4 GHz system.
After having passed all of the
preliminaries, such as pull-tests, etc., it seems
odd that Keith was not allowed to compete in
a non-AMA event. I suppose that any other
electronic system would have been
acceptable.
Grant Heistand of Chicago, Illinois,
modified an electric-powered ParkZone RC
Bind-N-Fly Wildcat with a bellcrank, and he
has been having a great time flying it with the
2.4 GHz system. He is in the process of
converting all of his CL airplanes to electric
power and hopes that the 2.4 GHz system is
approved for CL use.
According to Grant, the biggest
improvement in flying with the 2.4 GHz
system is that he no longer has to use the
insulated lines that were required with
modified radio or digital systems. This gives
him better control of the aircraft, because of
less drag on the flying lines, and better flight
performance.
An item in Replica mentioned that Don
Burke of California has submitted a proposal
to the Control Line Contest Board that would
allow the use of 2.4 GHz systems. It would
change “Control Line, General” section 2 in
the AMA rule book.
The last line of that section reads “The use
of radio control to accomplish any control
functions on Control Line models is
specifically prohibited.” Don suggests adding
a sentence that reads: “The use of 2.4 GHz
radio systems to accomplish functions other
than providing aerodynamic control of the
model’s elevation on control line models is
allowed.”
If passed, this would allow a 2.4 GHz
system to be used in any CL model. It is
time for all CL modelers to get behind this
proposal; contact the Contest Board
member in your district and let him know
how you feel about it.
We have come a long way in CL, with
simple two- and three-line setups and various
versions of electronic systems. It is time for all
dedicated CL fliers to be able to use this new
technology to their advantage, as long as it
doesn’t interfere with other radio operations or
compromise safety in any way.
The Cholla ChoppersModel Airplane Club’s
fourth annual 1/2A Multi-Engine Profile
Control Line Contest was held October 16-17,
2010. According to a report by Ted Kraver,
editor of the Round-the-Circle newsletter of
the Central Arizona Control Line Club, the
weather was great and the contestant turnout
was equally great.
The event featured two days of excellent
flying and competition. Ten fliers entered the
Limited Class, in which controls such as
throttle are not used, and there were three
entries in the Unlimited Class, in which flight
controls are allowed.
In Limited there was a close battle for the
top spot. Lou Wolgast flew his de Havilland
D.H.88 Comet to a win with a total of 104.5
points. Keith Trostle piloted his Westland
Whirlwind to second place with 103.0 points,
and Leroy Black earned third place with 100.5
points, flying his de Havilland D.H.103 Sea
Hornet.
Keith’s exceptional model was finished in
the color scheme of the Royal Air Force
(RAF). The Westland Aircraft Company
developed the single-seat, twin-engine,
cannon-armed design in the 1930s.
During World War II, only two RAF
squadrons were equipped with the Whirlwind.
Although it was successful as a fighterbomber,
it was withdrawn from service in
1943 and gave way to the more successful
single-engine fighters.
Charlie Reeves won Unlimited Class with
his Chance Vought FX-5U and a score of
130.0 points. Keith Trostle finished second
with his great-flying Boeing XB-47D bomber,
with 112.0 points. Leroy Black was third,
flying his Focke-Wulf Fw 191 to 106.5
points.
All scoring was based on accuracy of
model outline, color scheme, and flight.
According to reports, Keith Trostle will be
retiring his successful XB-74B. All
contestants had some outstanding flights and,
above all, great camaraderie. They are looking
forward to this year’s event. MA
Sources:
Keith Bauer (2.4 GHz info)
[email protected]
Ted Kraver (report info)
[email protected]
Rickii Pyatt (photos)
[email protected]
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
www.nasascale.org
April 2011 131
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