Radio Control Scale Aerobatics
John Glezellis <[email protected]>
Improve your flying at the competitive level
Through the years I have been asked many questions that pertain to competition aerobatics. I have written about many Aresti maneuvers in this column, the most recent being the spin, but I have yet to discuss another aspect of competition that is extremely important.
This month I will cover how to improve your flying at the competitive level by examining three main criteria:
- The proper airframe
- The needed flight skills
- The flight coach's responsibilities
Without further hesitation, let's begin.
The Proper Airframe
Finding the right model to suit your needs as a pilot takes time. It is difficult to find the perfect airframe, because each airplane might have a tendency that the pilot doesn't desire. However, some undesired tendencies can be corrected.
For example, if you have a giant-scale aerobatic aircraft that won't roll axially, that characteristic is a major setback for the aspiring competition aerobatics pilot and must be fixed.
Steps to consider:
- Check aileron differential. Make sure the aileron has the same amount of up travel as down travel before differential was added. Then use differential until the airplane rolls axially—or as axially as possible.
- For a composite "top-hinged" wing, you will likely need less up travel than down travel.
- For a "center-hinged" wing, you will likely need more up travel than down travel.
- Inspect the aileron servos. Do they have enough torque?
- Consider wing construction:
- If the aileron is built up (traditional rib-and-cover), mount aileron servos so one is fairly close to the root (inboard) and another fairly outboard (toward the wingtip). If both servos are mounted inboard, the aileron surface can flex and produce inconsistent deflections.
- On foam-sheeted or composite wings, servo location is less critical. On a rigid composite airframe, both aileron servos can often be mounted inboard without blowback because the aileron itself is stiff.
I have discussed only how to make your model roll axially as an example. To eliminate other undesired tendencies, spend time with the airframe and make required changes (for example, adjusting dual-rate and exponential settings, adding right thrust, etc.). With time and patience, most undesired tendencies can be eliminated or at least minimized.
Flight Skills and More
When getting into advanced aerobatics, you must practice until each maneuver becomes instinctive. This can be difficult to grasp, but it is vital.
Each of the five IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatic Club) classes builds on the previous:
- Basic
- Sportsman
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Unlimited
If you haven't competed in an IMAC event, start with Basic. With time, familiarity, and contest experience, you can progress to the next level.
In addition to familiarity with each maneuver, you must become accustomed to your aircraft and how it reacts to given control inputs and to weather conditions.
Before your first contest:
- Review the grading criteria for the maneuvers required in each class.
- Download the RC Scale Aerobatics Competition Regulations for the current contest year from the IMAC website.
- Familiarize yourself with topics ranging from model and sound requirements to maneuver downgrades and judging criteria.
On the IMAC website, under "Quick Links" you will find tabs titled "Knowns," "Rules," and "For CDs." Click the "Rules" tab and then "AMA Rulebook" for additional guidance.
A Must-Have—A Flight Coach
As Geza Szurovy and Mike Goulian wrote in Advanced Aerobatics, "A coach is a person who evaluates your competition flying skills and is able to tell you exactly what to do to improve it and correct your mistakes." This is true for RC competition as it is for full-scale competition.
In aerobatics contests it is common to have a "caller" with each pilot. The caller reminds the pilot of the next maneuver to perform for the judges. Because IMAC sequences can be different and complex, it is often difficult to remember everything. To do well, use a caller whose style you are familiar with; everyone calls at a different pace. My father is my caller at major competitions because I am familiar with his calling style.
I write my sequences in the manner I prefer to hear them. After all, every point counts in competition.
Keep in mind that all models fly differently. You must spend time making each airplane fly as you prefer. In some cases it may be necessary to change equipment or servo locations to improve an airframe's overall flight characteristics.
I have shown ways to improve RC pilot performance by expanding your knowledge via the IMAC website and by highlighting the benefits of having a flight coach.
Always remember to enjoy the sport. It can be time-consuming, but it is a great hobby and the relationships formed because of it are priceless.
Until next time, fly hard!
MA
Sources
- IMAC — www.mini-iac.com
- Advanced Aerobatics — Amazon (www.amazon.com)
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
