Author: Don Grissom
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 120,122,123
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Radio Control Combat - 209/09

Don Grissom [[email protected]]

Tips for organizing an event and increasing its popularity

Through the years there has been much discussion about giving people more access to information about flying Combat. This year I have noticed that there have not been as many contests in my area as there were in the past, although there are many contests in California and other parts of the country. One problem with Combat is that there will be no contests without people to host them.

One of the first things you should do when you want to hold a contest is get your club involved. Many clubs have issues with using their flying fields for just a small group. A good strategy is to get as many club members as possible to fly in the event. You can do this by holding building parties to help members get the airplanes built that they will need to fly in the contest.

Choosing events and format

Decide which events (classes) will be flown based on how much time you have:

  • One-day event: fly a single class.
  • Two-day event: you might fly as many as three classes of Combat at eight rounds each (12 rounds per day if staggered).

To determine which category(s) to run, look at what other contests in surrounding states are flying. Matching nearby events helps attract out-of-state pilots. Since most events are held on weekends, hold the main class on Saturday to further help attract traveling pilots.

Choosing dates

Check the RC Combat Association (RCCA) website calendar for existing contest dates. At the beginning of the Combat season, discussions on the RCCA forum often center on reserving dates before they are added to the calendar. This helps prevent overlapping competitions. Choose a date at least a week away from events in surrounding states and avoid the “big events,” such as the Nats, which is held in Muncie, Indiana, every July.

Sanction and contest director

Once you have scheduled the event, obtain a sanction from the AMA, which will require a Contest Director (CD). If no one in your club is a CD, contact other Combat pilots; one of them may be able to act as CD for your event.

Supplies and preparation

Obtain the necessary supplies and prepare paperwork well in advance:

  • Streamer material:
  • Arts-and-crafts store material is available but is seldom pre-stretched.
  • Streamers normally come in rolls that are 7/8 inch wide.
  • You can purchase pre-rolled material from Combat suppliers such as Hat Trick RC.
  • For wet conditions, use flagging tape (wet-weather streamers); borrow or arrange a supply if you won’t need it regularly.
  • String to attach streamers:
  • Use cotton string because it breaks easier than nylon or kite string.
  • Printouts:
  • Score sheets (available from the RCCA website).
  • Rules for the class(es) to be flown.
  • AMA sanction form.
  • Safety declaration form.
  • Event participation list (printable from the Internet).
  • Awards:
  • Trophies or plaques (check AMA Custom Products for individualized awards).

Contest day items and operations

On contest day, be prepared with:

  • Flags or survey paint to mark safety lines.
  • A place or method to measure streamers after each round.
  • Timing:
  • Use a stopwatch or the timing audio CD requested through the RCCA site.
  • The audio CD is accurate for calling starts and ends and works well if you have a sound system.
  • Judges:
  • Recruit club members to assist with judging; minimal skill is needed and it’s fun.
  • Club judges are especially useful if pilot turnout is light.

There are many people online who can help with planning and running your event once you’re ready.

Battle for Bean Town — LARKS Field, Lima, Ohio (trip report)

I must have been crazy this past May when I decided to drive 10 hours by myself to an event. The Lima Area Radio Kontrol Society (LARKS) hosted the Battle for Bean Town at LARKS Field outside Lima, Ohio.

I have never taken a trip longer than four hours by myself, so the drive gave me much more respect for Bob Loescher and the amount of driving he has done over the years. I arrived Friday night for the two-day event and stayed with Bob; he showed me around his house and workspace. It’s great to see other Combat pilots’ shops, and many Combat pilots will let you stay with them during events, which is a big help.

Contest Day One:

  • Slow Survivable Combat (SSC): 10 pilots competed in two heats for eight rounds. When those rounds were finished, Eric Gilkey earned first place.
  • 2548 Scale Combat: only four pilots competed, but there was plenty of drama. I flew my Ki-43 Oscar (the first contest for that model). After the first round I launched the Ki-43 and a few minutes later Eric cut the tail section off. Even with the damage, the Oscar will be repaired and flying again at the Nats. We flew five rounds and ended the day with a group dinner.

Day Two:

  • We completed the remaining three rounds of 2548 Scale. I finished last in that event. Eric Gilkey took the gold, followed by Keith Jones and Bob Loescher.
  • Final event — Limited B: my first time flying this class. Limited B is similar to SSC but allows larger engine and prop sizes. Eric Gilkey again took first place, followed by Doug Goldman and Don Veres II.

It was a great event. Even with the long drive, I plan on attending again.

Sources

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