Radio Control Combat - 2009/03

Also included in this column:
• RC Combat rules changes
• Dixie Nationals
IT SEEMS AS though every time I go to a contest, I
forget to take something I need. Earlier this year I went to
a contest and had no way of charging my airplanes.
Luckily there always seems to be someone at the field
who will let you borrow equipment.
To me, the most important tool to have when you start
out in Combat is a good flight stand. Most of the time,
you can carry everything you need in it. I have seen all
kinds of stands, from milk crates to card tables. It seems
as though one of the most popular is the rolling toolbox.
They can be purchased from any home-improvement
store for $30-$50. It is a good idea to get one that has
storage on top as well as internal storage. This will help
when at a contest, since you will have easy access to
streamers and propellers.
Once you have the box you’re going to use, you will
need to make a stand on top of it. I use 3/4-inch-OD
(outside diameter) PVC, which holds up well. I have seen
other people use 1/2-inch PVC, but it seems to flex a little
more. I like it not to
move when I am
running up the engine to
full power. Using PVC
connectors, you can build the top
stand up to the height that is easiest for
you.
I have also built in a place to hold the
glow igniter off to the side. It is important that the stand
holds your models in place when you are running up your
engines. You will need to make a curve at the top that will
go over the wing.
An important factor in building the stand is to make
sure you can remove the top part of it for easy transport. I
use screw-on connectors, which allows the top section to
be removed and placed inside the box.
Other things you may want in a flight stand is a battery
with a power panel. This comes in handy, since you are
normally set up at the flightline—not at your car, where
most people charge their airplanes.
It is important to cover the connections and protect the
battery, because other items in the box may hit or seep
onto it. I have seen instances in which
something crosses over the connections, and
all you see is smoke.
As we get ready to start a new Combat
season, it is a good time to look at what
changes have been made to make the activity
look better than ever. This past year, the
Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA)
Rules Committee voted for some changes that
should help in planning for your events.
The biggest adjustment has been the
addition of Slow Survivable Combat (SSC) as
a rule book event. In the past few years, it has
become the most often-flown Combat
category. Incorporating it into the rule book
will help SSC become better known, since it
will be flown on the first few days of this
year’s Nats.
Another big change is the increase of the
engine-displacement requirement in 2610
from .26 to .30 cu. in., to match that in Open
B. Other rule book modifications include
removing the 1/2A Open and 2105 events,
since they have not been flown in the past five
years.
This should be a great year of Combat.
Make sure you get updated score sheets and
rule books from the RCCA Web site before
you attend your first event.
Last year I went to many contests. It was the
first time I flew in more than SSC. It was
really nice to see other events and meet many
of the people I talk to online in person.
One of the last competitions I went to was
the Dixie Nationals in Andersonville,
Georgia. It was hosted by Hodges Hobbies;
Mac Hodges Field is one of the best flying
sites I have visited. It is also nice to have
such a good hobby shop right on the field.
The CD was Chris Handegard, who lives
in Southern Florida. The two-day event
included SSC, Open B, and 2548 Scale
Combat classes.
We started with Open B on Saturday,
with eight rounds. Six pilots showed up to
compete in the category; that allowed for
more time between rounds, since everyone
was up in every round. In the end, Stan
“Dreaded Skull” Erwin came away the
winner with 1,800 points.
We finished Open B earlier than we had
planned. And since we had only four pilots
for 2548, we were able to finish all eight
rounds before sunset.
I started out with a few problems with
my Hat Trick Zero and ended up changing
to my P-51, also made by Hat Trick, in the
third round. I normally have problems with
the P-51, because they seldom fly as well as
Zeros. Most people tend to fly Zeros since
they are easy to build.
I had a good contest after the switch,
with a four-cut round that had just four
airplanes in the air. I ended up in second
place by 300 points behind Chris
Handegard.
The next morning we started with SSC. It
was a bit warmer than the night before,
which got down into the 30s. This was a
little more of a contest, with several great
pilots. But in the end, Chris Handegard
came away the winner again.
Sometimes the smaller events can be just
as fun as a big contest. Chris has always done
a great job of hosting competitions, and his
traveling from Florida to put on the event in
Georgia is a real accomplishment.
Many people think you have to hold a big
event or a contest at your home field, but that
is not always true. It is also a good idea to
have the right people helping you when you
get to a contest.
Most CDs tend to not want to fly, since
they are taking on most of the burden to make
sure the contest runs smoothly. Don Pruitt, a
member of my club, has always been the CD
for events at our club. Since Chris wanted to
fly in the contest, Don volunteered his time to
come down with his wife and help. If you are
trying to start a new event, it is sometimes
important to get others involved so you will
enjoy the day when the contest arrives.
Another thing I have noticed with Chris’s
events is that he seems to work hard to get
prizes that may entice people to come. He has
been excellent at getting items donated by
hobby shops and other companies.
I hope everyone has had a good winter
getting everything built so we can start
another year of Combat. MA
Sources:
RCCA
www.rccombat.com