Author: Rick Allison

Edition: Model Aviation - 2000/06
Page Numbers: 81, 82
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RC Aerobatics

By

Rick Allison 26405 SE 160th St., Issaquah WA 98027

Observations on Pattern Flying Trends

I've found that certain ideas or themes seem to resurface in the mass Pattern consciousness at regular intervals. I'm not sure what mysterious forces drive this cyclical phenomenon; only that it exists.

The latest new thing to come 'round once again seems to be a group resurgence of interest in the technical side of Pattern. This time, the driving force isn't really mysterious; just a natural reaction to the advances and new product releases in the areas of power plant and RC servo technology that have taken place during the last year or so. To date, it's only a mild swing of the pendulum away from the trend toward greater design simplicity (such as fixed-gear) we've seen in recent years, but I do find it interesting, because it illustrates a traditional Pattern dichotomy.

Pattern competitors have always been roughly grouped into two main camps. For the purposes of discussion, we might call them the "techies" and the "field rats."

  • Techies: For this group, the technical aspect of Pattern is fascinating. New gadgets, gimcracks, and goodies make them salivate like Pavlov's mutts. They find engine reviews totally engrossing, and the descriptions and diagrams of new header-mounting methods actually interesting. They greet new digital servos with the enthusiasm normal people reserve for the latest CD released by a favorite recording artist. They select the latest designs to build and fly with the research the rest of us lavish on the purchase of a new car. They believe that their equipment choices are of primary importance, and that the latest technology is the main "edge" they need on their march to the winner's podium.
  • Field rats: This group is principally concerned with technology only as a means to an end—or actually, several ends: reliability and transparency. To them, a good setup is one that doesn't break very often and requires only minimum maintenance while they are engaged in beating it to death with 20 or more practice rounds a week. An excellent setup is one that does all of the above and doesn't have significant trim, power, or designed-in performance problems that require a high pilot workload; thus, transparency. They believe that the equipment choice is only secondary in importance, and that practice and the piloting skill gained from practice can overcome any slight equipment performance deficit.

The lines of division between the camps aren't exactly hard and fast. Many of us who have been at this awhile have a foot firmly planted on both sides of the fence—which is probably why the interest pendulum keeps swinging. We can't make up our minds between the reliable old, and the fascinating new.

We know that many pioneers traditionally wind up under tombstones. We also know that those who don't buy the farm on the way west can sometimes end up first in line for oceanfront property—or trophy hardware.

And finally, we all know you can't win if you don't finish.

Which group has more "right" on their side looks like a tough call at first glance.

Puyallup Model Exposition — February 5–6

In the meantime, on February 5–6, the Puyallup Model Exposition was held right down the road from me, and since part of my job is reporting on and helping you locate the finest in new Aerobatics technology, I attended. The following items are recommended to your attention:

Desert Aircraft

As they were last year, Desert Aircraft was showing the very high-quality Mejzlik carbon-fiber props from the Czech Republic, available in Pattern sizes:

  • 14.4 x 13
  • 15 x 12
  • 15.5 x 13
  • 16 x 8, 10, 12, and 14

Prices are a little less than $30 a copy for most sizes. They have also added the Bolly prop line.

Contact:

Great Planes — RealFlight Simulator

Great Planes had a copy of their RealFlight Deluxe™ RC flight simulator up and running on a PC at their booth, and a crowd waiting to try their thumbs. I waited my turn and found this latest edition to be the most realistic RC simulator I’ve ever “flown,” especially for aerobatics.

The flight simulation software algorithms have been well known and documented for some time, but the speed and expanded memory of the latest computers, combined with the powerful new video cards designed for 3D gaming, have finally made it possible to design a 32-bit RC simulator that truly does simulate the flight and the flight environment of an RC model, to an extraordinary extent.

Several hundred editable parameters are part of the fun, making it easy to customize the models and the flying field environments to a high degree. RealFlight™ Add-On packages are available to expand the model and field selection, and an interface is available if you would like to use your own RC transmitter instead of the default controller supplied with the simulator.

  • Standard RealFlight™ Simulator includes nine models and five flying fields.
  • Deluxe version includes those, plus 10 helicopters and an extra flying field.
  • Street prices are approximately $200 for the standard simulator and $250 for the Deluxe version.
  • Add-On packages go for about $30 each.

These simulators are available at hobby retail outlets that sell the Great Planes line of products. For more information and system requirements, go to www.realflight.com.

Great Planes — AccuPoint Laser Incidence Meter

Also from Great Planes is a nifty little AccuPoint™ Laser Incidence Meter that looks to be very well-made, and advertises accuracy to 1/2 degree. The price is roughly $30, making it both wallet- and user-friendly.

MA

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