86 MODEL AVIATION
THE 2004 NATS will coincide with the US FAI F3A Team Trials.
Readers often ask why the top three Nats pilots are not just automatically
selected as the US representatives. The answer is not obvious to the
casual observers or to those of us who are deep into the sport.
The precision Aerobatics US Nats has four classes: Intermediate,
Advanced, Masters, and FAI, which are numbered 402, 403, 404, and
406 respectively. Each class is run according to the AMA rules for RC
Aerobatics contests. The 406 class is an AMA division that looks like
FAI. Normal AMA rules apply, and only where they are silent does the
FAI rule apply.
The differences are not that great because we in the US have created
a series of ascending schedules that build a pilot’s skills toward
achieving the FAI level of flying. Also, the equipment specifications and
rules are similar.
However, AMA does not adopt all of the FAI rules. Also, the AMA
rules cycle and changes are not the same as those for FAI. A difference
in equipment is that FAI Pattern airplanes have to be quieter than those
in the AMA classes. When AMA was allowing 96 decibels, the FAI rule
was 92 decibels.
The FAI Team Selection Committee runs the FAI Team Trials. The
Team Trials will determine four US pilots because the team consists of
three team members and one alternate who will travel if a team member
is unavailable.
Eric Henderson, 303 Shady Ln., Marlton NJ 08053; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL AEROBATICS
These five different starters have two things in common:
portability and extra power! The text contains details.
Sixteen 3000 mAh NiMH sub-C cells side-slung to drive a 24-volt
starter motor. Still light enough to handle!
At the other end of the spectrum is a small starter with 14 cells—
much lighter but still powerful.
Bryan Kennedy sent the author this photo of his new, extremely
light Focus II. It weighs less than 10 pounds!
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 86
88 MODEL AVIATION
FAI schedules are demanding on the pilot.
The following is what they will be flying this
year.
FAI Preliminary Rounds—Schedule P-
05:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Reverse Cuban Eight, Four/Eight Point
Roll, and Two/Two Point Roll, Exit Inverted
3) Stall Turn, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
Negative Snap Roll Down
4) Reversed Four Point Roll
5) Half Square Loop, Full Roll Up, Exit
Inverted
6) Inverted Triangle Loop with 1⁄2 rolls,
Exit Inverted
7) Two-Turn Inverted Spin
8) Loop with Full Roll on Top
9) Half Clover, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
1⁄2 Roll Down, Exit Inverted
10) 45 Degrees Up with Four Point Roll,
Exit Inverted
11) Reverse Humpty Bump, Pull-Push-
Push, Two/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄2 Roll Up
(or option of Three/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄4
Roll Up)
12) Reverse Double Immelmann, Full
Roll First, Two/Four Point Roll Second, Exit
Inverted
13) Half Reverse Cuban 8 with 1⁄2 rolls
14) Square Loop with 1⁄2 Rolls in Vertical
Legs, and Two/Four Point Rolls in
Horizontal Legs
15) Half Reverse Cuban 8, Full Roll, Exit
Inverted
16) Four/Eight Point Roll with Slow Roll
Opposite, Inverted to Upright
17) Humpty Bump, Positive Snap Roll
Up, Exit Inverted
18) Vertical Eight, Top First, Integrated
1⁄2 Roll on Center
19) Split “S” with Full Roll, Exit Inverted
20) 3⁄4 Roll to Knife-Edge Reversed from
Inverted, Exit Inverted
21) Half Square Outside Loop with
Two/Four Point Roll Up, Exit Inverted
22) Two 2 Turn Inverted Spins, Opposite,
1⁄2 Roll, Exit
23) Landing sequence
Competitors will fly this schedule for
three days, and then they will go into a final
day of flying that uses two Unknown
schedules mixed with two F-05 Finals
schedules. The Finals schedule is:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Rolling Loop—One Roll During One
Loop
3) Half Square Loop on Corner—2 of 4
Each Leg
4) Reverse Humpty Bump, Full Roll
Down, Snap Up
5) Figure Six, 1⁄2 Roll Down
6) Hourglass, 2 of 4 Down
7) 2 Turn Positive Spin
8) 3 of 4 Opposite, Inverted to Inverted
9) Stall Turn, 2 of 8 Up, 3 of 4 Down
10) Rolling Circle, 3 Rolls Opposite, 1st
Roll Out
The author’s Focus II is not as light as Bryan’s, but an O.S. 1.60
engine hauls it around the sky with ease.
A brace of Ricochets at Buff Miller’s April season opener in
Myrtle Beach SC. L-R: David and Kathy Hoppes, Bradley Petty.
11) Half Roll, 1⁄2 Outside Loop, Full Roll
12) Reverse Avalanche, 1-1⁄2 Negative
Snap at Bottom
13) Reverse Humpty Bump, 2 of 8 or 2 of
4, Push, 1⁄4 Roll or 1⁄2 Roll
14) Reverse Golf Ball from Top, 1⁄2 Rolls
15) Half Square Loop, 1-1⁄2 Snap Down
16) Reverse Knife Edge, Exit Inverted
17) Half Outside Loop, Full Roll
18) 45 Degrees Down Line, 2 of 4,
Negative Snap Opposite, 1⁄2 Roll Out
19) Landing sequence
I wish all the FAI pilots the best of luck
flying these schedules in 2004 and 2005.
Thanks to this year’s co-contest directors
Dave Guerin and Chip Hyde and the National
Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics
(NSRCA) for the following information.
“June 1 is the early registration deadline.
After that date the entry fees double. To
compete, you need to become a certified
judge. Every US flier at the Nats must be a
certified judge—so if you aren’t already
certified, contact your NSRCA District VP.
“There will be at least one judge
certification clinic in each district this spring.
The NSRCA understands that some of the
districts are very big and it might not be
possible to get to a clinic in your district. If
this is your situation and you arrive at the
Nats uncertified, you will still have one last
chance. There will be a judge certification
clinic on Sunday morning. Those of you
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 88
HYDE SOFT MOUNTS
• Enjoy 500-1500 flights on servos, pots, gears,
linkage. Compare to 50-75 flights with other soft
mounts.
• Double to triple flight time per charge.
**(see page 52, RCM, April 04)
• Proven isolator life approx. 7000 flights.
Only 25-75 is common with ALL others.
• Initial cost comparison of a Hyde Mount to value of
equipment saved. There really is no comparison!!!!
• In the Winners Circle over 2000 times.
* Simply return within one year with verifiable test data that a
Hyde Mount is not the best overall for major components of
your plane or engine.
** Referenced article clearly links high current drain to vibration
that results in equipment failure.
$64.95 - $284.95 + $7.00 S&H.
Orders/info: Merle Hyde, 3 Golf View
Drive, Henderson, NV 89074
Ph/fax: 702-269-7829 or e-mail:
[email protected]
3 Years/3000 flights complete
satisfaction money back guarantee
(a 3 year trial offer)
*plus, double refund trial offer
SPECIAL: 40-70% off
.20/.30 - $39.95
.40/.50 - $49.95
.60/.70 - $59.95
$99.95
any large engine
backplate mount
PATENTED
SINGLE
ISOLATOR
90 MODEL AVIATION
WWW.PSPEC.COM
Complete engine and muffler packages are available.
VISIT US AT WWW.PSPEC.COM.
DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME!
TWISTER 4-STROKE MUFFLERS & ELBOWS
PISTON/CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES
ULTRATHRUST MUFFLERS
PERFORMANCE SPECIALTIES
PO Box 3146 • Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: 775-265-7523 • Fax: 775-265-7522
attending the Nats from other countries are
welcome and encouraged to attend this clinic.
“Aircraft Specifications—The operations
staff will enforce the aircraft restrictions
described in the rules for all competition
classes. Please don’t come to the Nats with an
aircraft that doesn’t qualify. We don’t want to
disqualify anyone. There are four checks that
your aircraft will have to pass: Weight, Size,
Sound, and Identification requirements.
“There will be a courtesy check available
on Sunday. Note that the entry forms you
received in the mail incorrectly stated that the
banquet would be held on Wednesday.
Instead of Wednesday, there will be a social
banquet Tuesday evening in conjunction with
the NSRCA General Meeting and Fund
Raising Auction.
“On Thursday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a
Barbecue and Winners Awards ceremony. We
are offering this food and trophy event so that
the awards ceremony becomes more allinclusive
and a more dynamic closing event
for all contestants.
“Most of the previous site crews have
tentatively agreed to return this year. They’ve
done a great job in the past, and we appreciate
their dedication to making the Nats a
successful and smoothly run event.
“Any flyers who will have completed their
flying, please consider volunteering to help
with the operations. Your help will be greatly
appreciated and it’s a great opportunity to be
an important part of bringing the 2004 Nats to
an exciting conclusion.”
In a previous column I mentioned that I was
using two 3S x 4P Li-Poly packs in series to
power my electric Pattern experiments. An
unexpected spin-off of going to Li-Poly was
the big pile of “redundant” 3000 mAh NiMH
and Ni-Cd packs that needed “recycling.” The
20-cell flight packs were broken down and
turned into 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-cell power
packs for a selection of starter motors.
The Kavan Orbital Geared Starter has an
add-on battery holder. It greatly benefited
from the 3000 mAh cells. The NiMHs stay
charged longer and allow topping up without
creating battery memory.
Hobbico starters also have a 12-volt mini
gel-cell pack that can be replaced with a
larger-capacity pack. The Hobbico starter
case can accommodate 14 cells. The motor
seems more than happy with this number of
cells and turns over a cold 1.60 at the
beginning of the day.
For a good piece of turning power, I tried
16 cells on a Dynatron Super Hi-Tork starter.
It is rated at 12-24 volts. With 16 cells fully
charged, it will turn over a balky engine with
ease.
Charging this number of cells has not
proved to be a problem with the Orbit Li-Poly
charger that I now use for the electric airplane.
If you do not have a charger this size, the
packs can easily be wired as smaller packs for
charging and then put in series for actual
operation.
The last starter in the row is a geared
model that can be purchased with a
commercially available, underslung pack from
Pacific Aeromodel, Inc. in California. The
company also sells the brackets only. This
bracket used up the remainder of my sub-C
cells. It also allows you to use two RC car
packs that you can wire in series and charge
separately.
The groundhog’s shadow has proven to be
accurate about the slow end to this winter.
After an inevitable attack of cabin fever, I
broke ranks and headed south 600 miles until
I reached the season-opener contest in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina, April 3-4. It was a
great chance to do some flying and enjoy a
pig roast with a contest in the background.
The people at the Green Sea RC Club put on a
great weekend.
One model that caught my eye was the
Ricochet. The airplane was designed by David
Hoppes and is produced by Aero Design
(www.angelfire.com/biz2/aerodesign/). Two
of these airplanes were flown at the Myrtle
Beach contest, and the other was by Bradley
Petty.
Bryan Kennedy sent me a picture of his new
9-pound, 11-ounce Focus II. It features an
O.S. 1.40 RX engine, an ES carbon-fiber pipe,
Bolly F3A large gear/wheel pants, a Tru-Turn
FAI spinner with lightened backplate, and an
MK tail wheel.
Bryan uses a Futaba PCM radio, JR
8411SA and 9411SA servos, and a Hyde
ARIA mount (with integrated nose ring). At
that weight he could afford to add a pilot from
Extreme RC Qustoms (ERQ), adding a
whopping .4 ounce.
Finally, my new Focus II is now flying. I
named it after my dear, departed mother who
always encouraged me to “make things.” She
would have approved of this airplane! MA
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 90
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/08
Page Numbers: 86,88,90
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/08
Page Numbers: 86,88,90
86 MODEL AVIATION
THE 2004 NATS will coincide with the US FAI F3A Team Trials.
Readers often ask why the top three Nats pilots are not just automatically
selected as the US representatives. The answer is not obvious to the
casual observers or to those of us who are deep into the sport.
The precision Aerobatics US Nats has four classes: Intermediate,
Advanced, Masters, and FAI, which are numbered 402, 403, 404, and
406 respectively. Each class is run according to the AMA rules for RC
Aerobatics contests. The 406 class is an AMA division that looks like
FAI. Normal AMA rules apply, and only where they are silent does the
FAI rule apply.
The differences are not that great because we in the US have created
a series of ascending schedules that build a pilot’s skills toward
achieving the FAI level of flying. Also, the equipment specifications and
rules are similar.
However, AMA does not adopt all of the FAI rules. Also, the AMA
rules cycle and changes are not the same as those for FAI. A difference
in equipment is that FAI Pattern airplanes have to be quieter than those
in the AMA classes. When AMA was allowing 96 decibels, the FAI rule
was 92 decibels.
The FAI Team Selection Committee runs the FAI Team Trials. The
Team Trials will determine four US pilots because the team consists of
three team members and one alternate who will travel if a team member
is unavailable.
Eric Henderson, 303 Shady Ln., Marlton NJ 08053; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL AEROBATICS
These five different starters have two things in common:
portability and extra power! The text contains details.
Sixteen 3000 mAh NiMH sub-C cells side-slung to drive a 24-volt
starter motor. Still light enough to handle!
At the other end of the spectrum is a small starter with 14 cells—
much lighter but still powerful.
Bryan Kennedy sent the author this photo of his new, extremely
light Focus II. It weighs less than 10 pounds!
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 86
88 MODEL AVIATION
FAI schedules are demanding on the pilot.
The following is what they will be flying this
year.
FAI Preliminary Rounds—Schedule P-
05:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Reverse Cuban Eight, Four/Eight Point
Roll, and Two/Two Point Roll, Exit Inverted
3) Stall Turn, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
Negative Snap Roll Down
4) Reversed Four Point Roll
5) Half Square Loop, Full Roll Up, Exit
Inverted
6) Inverted Triangle Loop with 1⁄2 rolls,
Exit Inverted
7) Two-Turn Inverted Spin
8) Loop with Full Roll on Top
9) Half Clover, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
1⁄2 Roll Down, Exit Inverted
10) 45 Degrees Up with Four Point Roll,
Exit Inverted
11) Reverse Humpty Bump, Pull-Push-
Push, Two/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄2 Roll Up
(or option of Three/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄4
Roll Up)
12) Reverse Double Immelmann, Full
Roll First, Two/Four Point Roll Second, Exit
Inverted
13) Half Reverse Cuban 8 with 1⁄2 rolls
14) Square Loop with 1⁄2 Rolls in Vertical
Legs, and Two/Four Point Rolls in
Horizontal Legs
15) Half Reverse Cuban 8, Full Roll, Exit
Inverted
16) Four/Eight Point Roll with Slow Roll
Opposite, Inverted to Upright
17) Humpty Bump, Positive Snap Roll
Up, Exit Inverted
18) Vertical Eight, Top First, Integrated
1⁄2 Roll on Center
19) Split “S” with Full Roll, Exit Inverted
20) 3⁄4 Roll to Knife-Edge Reversed from
Inverted, Exit Inverted
21) Half Square Outside Loop with
Two/Four Point Roll Up, Exit Inverted
22) Two 2 Turn Inverted Spins, Opposite,
1⁄2 Roll, Exit
23) Landing sequence
Competitors will fly this schedule for
three days, and then they will go into a final
day of flying that uses two Unknown
schedules mixed with two F-05 Finals
schedules. The Finals schedule is:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Rolling Loop—One Roll During One
Loop
3) Half Square Loop on Corner—2 of 4
Each Leg
4) Reverse Humpty Bump, Full Roll
Down, Snap Up
5) Figure Six, 1⁄2 Roll Down
6) Hourglass, 2 of 4 Down
7) 2 Turn Positive Spin
8) 3 of 4 Opposite, Inverted to Inverted
9) Stall Turn, 2 of 8 Up, 3 of 4 Down
10) Rolling Circle, 3 Rolls Opposite, 1st
Roll Out
The author’s Focus II is not as light as Bryan’s, but an O.S. 1.60
engine hauls it around the sky with ease.
A brace of Ricochets at Buff Miller’s April season opener in
Myrtle Beach SC. L-R: David and Kathy Hoppes, Bradley Petty.
11) Half Roll, 1⁄2 Outside Loop, Full Roll
12) Reverse Avalanche, 1-1⁄2 Negative
Snap at Bottom
13) Reverse Humpty Bump, 2 of 8 or 2 of
4, Push, 1⁄4 Roll or 1⁄2 Roll
14) Reverse Golf Ball from Top, 1⁄2 Rolls
15) Half Square Loop, 1-1⁄2 Snap Down
16) Reverse Knife Edge, Exit Inverted
17) Half Outside Loop, Full Roll
18) 45 Degrees Down Line, 2 of 4,
Negative Snap Opposite, 1⁄2 Roll Out
19) Landing sequence
I wish all the FAI pilots the best of luck
flying these schedules in 2004 and 2005.
Thanks to this year’s co-contest directors
Dave Guerin and Chip Hyde and the National
Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics
(NSRCA) for the following information.
“June 1 is the early registration deadline.
After that date the entry fees double. To
compete, you need to become a certified
judge. Every US flier at the Nats must be a
certified judge—so if you aren’t already
certified, contact your NSRCA District VP.
“There will be at least one judge
certification clinic in each district this spring.
The NSRCA understands that some of the
districts are very big and it might not be
possible to get to a clinic in your district. If
this is your situation and you arrive at the
Nats uncertified, you will still have one last
chance. There will be a judge certification
clinic on Sunday morning. Those of you
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 88
HYDE SOFT MOUNTS
• Enjoy 500-1500 flights on servos, pots, gears,
linkage. Compare to 50-75 flights with other soft
mounts.
• Double to triple flight time per charge.
**(see page 52, RCM, April 04)
• Proven isolator life approx. 7000 flights.
Only 25-75 is common with ALL others.
• Initial cost comparison of a Hyde Mount to value of
equipment saved. There really is no comparison!!!!
• In the Winners Circle over 2000 times.
* Simply return within one year with verifiable test data that a
Hyde Mount is not the best overall for major components of
your plane or engine.
** Referenced article clearly links high current drain to vibration
that results in equipment failure.
$64.95 - $284.95 + $7.00 S&H.
Orders/info: Merle Hyde, 3 Golf View
Drive, Henderson, NV 89074
Ph/fax: 702-269-7829 or e-mail:
[email protected]
3 Years/3000 flights complete
satisfaction money back guarantee
(a 3 year trial offer)
*plus, double refund trial offer
SPECIAL: 40-70% off
.20/.30 - $39.95
.40/.50 - $49.95
.60/.70 - $59.95
$99.95
any large engine
backplate mount
PATENTED
SINGLE
ISOLATOR
90 MODEL AVIATION
WWW.PSPEC.COM
Complete engine and muffler packages are available.
VISIT US AT WWW.PSPEC.COM.
DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME!
TWISTER 4-STROKE MUFFLERS & ELBOWS
PISTON/CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES
ULTRATHRUST MUFFLERS
PERFORMANCE SPECIALTIES
PO Box 3146 • Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: 775-265-7523 • Fax: 775-265-7522
attending the Nats from other countries are
welcome and encouraged to attend this clinic.
“Aircraft Specifications—The operations
staff will enforce the aircraft restrictions
described in the rules for all competition
classes. Please don’t come to the Nats with an
aircraft that doesn’t qualify. We don’t want to
disqualify anyone. There are four checks that
your aircraft will have to pass: Weight, Size,
Sound, and Identification requirements.
“There will be a courtesy check available
on Sunday. Note that the entry forms you
received in the mail incorrectly stated that the
banquet would be held on Wednesday.
Instead of Wednesday, there will be a social
banquet Tuesday evening in conjunction with
the NSRCA General Meeting and Fund
Raising Auction.
“On Thursday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a
Barbecue and Winners Awards ceremony. We
are offering this food and trophy event so that
the awards ceremony becomes more allinclusive
and a more dynamic closing event
for all contestants.
“Most of the previous site crews have
tentatively agreed to return this year. They’ve
done a great job in the past, and we appreciate
their dedication to making the Nats a
successful and smoothly run event.
“Any flyers who will have completed their
flying, please consider volunteering to help
with the operations. Your help will be greatly
appreciated and it’s a great opportunity to be
an important part of bringing the 2004 Nats to
an exciting conclusion.”
In a previous column I mentioned that I was
using two 3S x 4P Li-Poly packs in series to
power my electric Pattern experiments. An
unexpected spin-off of going to Li-Poly was
the big pile of “redundant” 3000 mAh NiMH
and Ni-Cd packs that needed “recycling.” The
20-cell flight packs were broken down and
turned into 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-cell power
packs for a selection of starter motors.
The Kavan Orbital Geared Starter has an
add-on battery holder. It greatly benefited
from the 3000 mAh cells. The NiMHs stay
charged longer and allow topping up without
creating battery memory.
Hobbico starters also have a 12-volt mini
gel-cell pack that can be replaced with a
larger-capacity pack. The Hobbico starter
case can accommodate 14 cells. The motor
seems more than happy with this number of
cells and turns over a cold 1.60 at the
beginning of the day.
For a good piece of turning power, I tried
16 cells on a Dynatron Super Hi-Tork starter.
It is rated at 12-24 volts. With 16 cells fully
charged, it will turn over a balky engine with
ease.
Charging this number of cells has not
proved to be a problem with the Orbit Li-Poly
charger that I now use for the electric airplane.
If you do not have a charger this size, the
packs can easily be wired as smaller packs for
charging and then put in series for actual
operation.
The last starter in the row is a geared
model that can be purchased with a
commercially available, underslung pack from
Pacific Aeromodel, Inc. in California. The
company also sells the brackets only. This
bracket used up the remainder of my sub-C
cells. It also allows you to use two RC car
packs that you can wire in series and charge
separately.
The groundhog’s shadow has proven to be
accurate about the slow end to this winter.
After an inevitable attack of cabin fever, I
broke ranks and headed south 600 miles until
I reached the season-opener contest in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina, April 3-4. It was a
great chance to do some flying and enjoy a
pig roast with a contest in the background.
The people at the Green Sea RC Club put on a
great weekend.
One model that caught my eye was the
Ricochet. The airplane was designed by David
Hoppes and is produced by Aero Design
(www.angelfire.com/biz2/aerodesign/). Two
of these airplanes were flown at the Myrtle
Beach contest, and the other was by Bradley
Petty.
Bryan Kennedy sent me a picture of his new
9-pound, 11-ounce Focus II. It features an
O.S. 1.40 RX engine, an ES carbon-fiber pipe,
Bolly F3A large gear/wheel pants, a Tru-Turn
FAI spinner with lightened backplate, and an
MK tail wheel.
Bryan uses a Futaba PCM radio, JR
8411SA and 9411SA servos, and a Hyde
ARIA mount (with integrated nose ring). At
that weight he could afford to add a pilot from
Extreme RC Qustoms (ERQ), adding a
whopping .4 ounce.
Finally, my new Focus II is now flying. I
named it after my dear, departed mother who
always encouraged me to “make things.” She
would have approved of this airplane! MA
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 90
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/08
Page Numbers: 86,88,90
86 MODEL AVIATION
THE 2004 NATS will coincide with the US FAI F3A Team Trials.
Readers often ask why the top three Nats pilots are not just automatically
selected as the US representatives. The answer is not obvious to the
casual observers or to those of us who are deep into the sport.
The precision Aerobatics US Nats has four classes: Intermediate,
Advanced, Masters, and FAI, which are numbered 402, 403, 404, and
406 respectively. Each class is run according to the AMA rules for RC
Aerobatics contests. The 406 class is an AMA division that looks like
FAI. Normal AMA rules apply, and only where they are silent does the
FAI rule apply.
The differences are not that great because we in the US have created
a series of ascending schedules that build a pilot’s skills toward
achieving the FAI level of flying. Also, the equipment specifications and
rules are similar.
However, AMA does not adopt all of the FAI rules. Also, the AMA
rules cycle and changes are not the same as those for FAI. A difference
in equipment is that FAI Pattern airplanes have to be quieter than those
in the AMA classes. When AMA was allowing 96 decibels, the FAI rule
was 92 decibels.
The FAI Team Selection Committee runs the FAI Team Trials. The
Team Trials will determine four US pilots because the team consists of
three team members and one alternate who will travel if a team member
is unavailable.
Eric Henderson, 303 Shady Ln., Marlton NJ 08053; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL AEROBATICS
These five different starters have two things in common:
portability and extra power! The text contains details.
Sixteen 3000 mAh NiMH sub-C cells side-slung to drive a 24-volt
starter motor. Still light enough to handle!
At the other end of the spectrum is a small starter with 14 cells—
much lighter but still powerful.
Bryan Kennedy sent the author this photo of his new, extremely
light Focus II. It weighs less than 10 pounds!
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 86
88 MODEL AVIATION
FAI schedules are demanding on the pilot.
The following is what they will be flying this
year.
FAI Preliminary Rounds—Schedule P-
05:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Reverse Cuban Eight, Four/Eight Point
Roll, and Two/Two Point Roll, Exit Inverted
3) Stall Turn, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
Negative Snap Roll Down
4) Reversed Four Point Roll
5) Half Square Loop, Full Roll Up, Exit
Inverted
6) Inverted Triangle Loop with 1⁄2 rolls,
Exit Inverted
7) Two-Turn Inverted Spin
8) Loop with Full Roll on Top
9) Half Clover, Two/Four Point Roll Up,
1⁄2 Roll Down, Exit Inverted
10) 45 Degrees Up with Four Point Roll,
Exit Inverted
11) Reverse Humpty Bump, Pull-Push-
Push, Two/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄2 Roll Up
(or option of Three/Four Point Roll Down, 1⁄4
Roll Up)
12) Reverse Double Immelmann, Full
Roll First, Two/Four Point Roll Second, Exit
Inverted
13) Half Reverse Cuban 8 with 1⁄2 rolls
14) Square Loop with 1⁄2 Rolls in Vertical
Legs, and Two/Four Point Rolls in
Horizontal Legs
15) Half Reverse Cuban 8, Full Roll, Exit
Inverted
16) Four/Eight Point Roll with Slow Roll
Opposite, Inverted to Upright
17) Humpty Bump, Positive Snap Roll
Up, Exit Inverted
18) Vertical Eight, Top First, Integrated
1⁄2 Roll on Center
19) Split “S” with Full Roll, Exit Inverted
20) 3⁄4 Roll to Knife-Edge Reversed from
Inverted, Exit Inverted
21) Half Square Outside Loop with
Two/Four Point Roll Up, Exit Inverted
22) Two 2 Turn Inverted Spins, Opposite,
1⁄2 Roll, Exit
23) Landing sequence
Competitors will fly this schedule for
three days, and then they will go into a final
day of flying that uses two Unknown
schedules mixed with two F-05 Finals
schedules. The Finals schedule is:
1) Takeoff sequence
2) Rolling Loop—One Roll During One
Loop
3) Half Square Loop on Corner—2 of 4
Each Leg
4) Reverse Humpty Bump, Full Roll
Down, Snap Up
5) Figure Six, 1⁄2 Roll Down
6) Hourglass, 2 of 4 Down
7) 2 Turn Positive Spin
8) 3 of 4 Opposite, Inverted to Inverted
9) Stall Turn, 2 of 8 Up, 3 of 4 Down
10) Rolling Circle, 3 Rolls Opposite, 1st
Roll Out
The author’s Focus II is not as light as Bryan’s, but an O.S. 1.60
engine hauls it around the sky with ease.
A brace of Ricochets at Buff Miller’s April season opener in
Myrtle Beach SC. L-R: David and Kathy Hoppes, Bradley Petty.
11) Half Roll, 1⁄2 Outside Loop, Full Roll
12) Reverse Avalanche, 1-1⁄2 Negative
Snap at Bottom
13) Reverse Humpty Bump, 2 of 8 or 2 of
4, Push, 1⁄4 Roll or 1⁄2 Roll
14) Reverse Golf Ball from Top, 1⁄2 Rolls
15) Half Square Loop, 1-1⁄2 Snap Down
16) Reverse Knife Edge, Exit Inverted
17) Half Outside Loop, Full Roll
18) 45 Degrees Down Line, 2 of 4,
Negative Snap Opposite, 1⁄2 Roll Out
19) Landing sequence
I wish all the FAI pilots the best of luck
flying these schedules in 2004 and 2005.
Thanks to this year’s co-contest directors
Dave Guerin and Chip Hyde and the National
Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics
(NSRCA) for the following information.
“June 1 is the early registration deadline.
After that date the entry fees double. To
compete, you need to become a certified
judge. Every US flier at the Nats must be a
certified judge—so if you aren’t already
certified, contact your NSRCA District VP.
“There will be at least one judge
certification clinic in each district this spring.
The NSRCA understands that some of the
districts are very big and it might not be
possible to get to a clinic in your district. If
this is your situation and you arrive at the
Nats uncertified, you will still have one last
chance. There will be a judge certification
clinic on Sunday morning. Those of you
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 88
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attending the Nats from other countries are
welcome and encouraged to attend this clinic.
“Aircraft Specifications—The operations
staff will enforce the aircraft restrictions
described in the rules for all competition
classes. Please don’t come to the Nats with an
aircraft that doesn’t qualify. We don’t want to
disqualify anyone. There are four checks that
your aircraft will have to pass: Weight, Size,
Sound, and Identification requirements.
“There will be a courtesy check available
on Sunday. Note that the entry forms you
received in the mail incorrectly stated that the
banquet would be held on Wednesday.
Instead of Wednesday, there will be a social
banquet Tuesday evening in conjunction with
the NSRCA General Meeting and Fund
Raising Auction.
“On Thursday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a
Barbecue and Winners Awards ceremony. We
are offering this food and trophy event so that
the awards ceremony becomes more allinclusive
and a more dynamic closing event
for all contestants.
“Most of the previous site crews have
tentatively agreed to return this year. They’ve
done a great job in the past, and we appreciate
their dedication to making the Nats a
successful and smoothly run event.
“Any flyers who will have completed their
flying, please consider volunteering to help
with the operations. Your help will be greatly
appreciated and it’s a great opportunity to be
an important part of bringing the 2004 Nats to
an exciting conclusion.”
In a previous column I mentioned that I was
using two 3S x 4P Li-Poly packs in series to
power my electric Pattern experiments. An
unexpected spin-off of going to Li-Poly was
the big pile of “redundant” 3000 mAh NiMH
and Ni-Cd packs that needed “recycling.” The
20-cell flight packs were broken down and
turned into 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-cell power
packs for a selection of starter motors.
The Kavan Orbital Geared Starter has an
add-on battery holder. It greatly benefited
from the 3000 mAh cells. The NiMHs stay
charged longer and allow topping up without
creating battery memory.
Hobbico starters also have a 12-volt mini
gel-cell pack that can be replaced with a
larger-capacity pack. The Hobbico starter
case can accommodate 14 cells. The motor
seems more than happy with this number of
cells and turns over a cold 1.60 at the
beginning of the day.
For a good piece of turning power, I tried
16 cells on a Dynatron Super Hi-Tork starter.
It is rated at 12-24 volts. With 16 cells fully
charged, it will turn over a balky engine with
ease.
Charging this number of cells has not
proved to be a problem with the Orbit Li-Poly
charger that I now use for the electric airplane.
If you do not have a charger this size, the
packs can easily be wired as smaller packs for
charging and then put in series for actual
operation.
The last starter in the row is a geared
model that can be purchased with a
commercially available, underslung pack from
Pacific Aeromodel, Inc. in California. The
company also sells the brackets only. This
bracket used up the remainder of my sub-C
cells. It also allows you to use two RC car
packs that you can wire in series and charge
separately.
The groundhog’s shadow has proven to be
accurate about the slow end to this winter.
After an inevitable attack of cabin fever, I
broke ranks and headed south 600 miles until
I reached the season-opener contest in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina, April 3-4. It was a
great chance to do some flying and enjoy a
pig roast with a contest in the background.
The people at the Green Sea RC Club put on a
great weekend.
One model that caught my eye was the
Ricochet. The airplane was designed by David
Hoppes and is produced by Aero Design
(www.angelfire.com/biz2/aerodesign/). Two
of these airplanes were flown at the Myrtle
Beach contest, and the other was by Bradley
Petty.
Bryan Kennedy sent me a picture of his new
9-pound, 11-ounce Focus II. It features an
O.S. 1.40 RX engine, an ES carbon-fiber pipe,
Bolly F3A large gear/wheel pants, a Tru-Turn
FAI spinner with lightened backplate, and an
MK tail wheel.
Bryan uses a Futaba PCM radio, JR
8411SA and 9411SA servos, and a Hyde
ARIA mount (with integrated nose ring). At
that weight he could afford to add a pilot from
Extreme RC Qustoms (ERQ), adding a
whopping .4 ounce.
Finally, my new Focus II is now flying. I
named it after my dear, departed mother who
always encouraged me to “make things.” She
would have approved of this airplane! MA
08sig3.QXD 5/21/04 12:30 pm Page 90
