RC SCALE AEROBATICS - 2012/06
Early competitions and gaining experience
I wanted to gain the proper experience needed not only in a flying sense, but also in how to manage and deal with pressure.
I followed his advice and, despite competing in a lower class, I won many contests. Similarly, I started to fly at many air shows for the same reasons. With this input, I soon realized that he was correct. By 1979, I was ready and competed at the Nationals and World Team Trial competition in Argentina. I won first place, and my father was second.
We went to South Africa to compete at the World Championship, and this event was also the last time that my father flew a model airplane. After the event, he said that he would be my mechanic and would support me as much as possible. Now, being older and having children of my own, I can see how excited and proud my father was of me!
While competing in South Africa, I drew to fly number one in the flight order. Imagine that—being only 12 years old and being the first to fly! When that morning came, everyone from my team was ready to go, but I was still in bed. I didn't want to fly, as I felt too much pressure.
My father wasn't sure what to do, so he went downstairs and ended up purchasing a watch for me. It was a Citizen digital watch. He returned to my room and surprised me with this gift. I was so excited that I quickly got ready and went to the competition feeling less pressure, as I was the happiest boy on earth with my new gift. Thanks for that, Dad!
Origins of 3-D flying
JG: You have been nicknamed the "Godfather of 3-D." In fact, I still remember seeing you at the 1994 TOC in Las Vegas, and watching with pure amazement during your Freestyle program as multiple low-level torque rolls, waterfalls, and many other 3-D maneuvers were performed for the first time in front of the crowd. How did you first begin flight-testing such maneuvers?
QS: Before we discuss all of the details, let me first say that pure 3-D does not involve torque rolls as defined in a traditional sense. I think the torque roll was first performed in the late 1960s by full-scale aerobatic pilots. I started to perform torque rolls in 1986, but I had to pull to a vertical up-line, bleed off speed, and perform a torque roll at a fairly high altitude. This wasn't 3-D flying!
It wasn't until 1994 that I began to fly true 3-D as we know it today. True 3-D involves the airplane being able to "fly" beyond its stall. Believe it or not, I started flying 3-D in September of 1994—only a month before the TOC!
For the 1994 TOC, a change in the rules allowed larger airplanes to be flown. For doing this, some bonus points would be given to competitors who flew larger models. While this was my third TOC, it would be my first one with a larger model, but I wasn't alone—rather, all of the competitors faced the same issue. Since the size bonus existed, it paved the future for Giant Scale airplanes, as it pushed designs to be larger than ever before.
We got my airplane, which was a Robert Godfrey 37% Extra 300S, by late June and finished it in July. Because I only had one airplane of this size, I began practicing with a smaller airplane to become familiar with the new programs and design a Freestyle sequence. One month before our trip to Las Vegas, we brought the Godfrey Extra 300S to the flying field to begin exploring the airplane's flight characteristics.
For me, it was an interesting experience, as I was self-taught. The Internet was not as it is today, and I was the first to have a large airplane like that in my area. However, as soon as I began to fly my giant Extra 300S, I had an instant connection with it, and felt that it could fly very well at slow speeds. Then, one night, it all changed for me.
I had a dream. While it sounds like it does in the movies, it is true. One morning, I woke up after having a dream about flying the airplane beyond its stall. Honestly, I thought about this a lot and that is partly due to the dream, in my opinion.
I told my father that we had to increase the size of the elevators on the airplane. Both my father and I built a new set of horizontal stabilizers that had these changes done to them and installed two servos per elevator. Bingo!
On the same day that we installed this modified stabilizer on the airplane, I was performing Harriers (which I called Cobras at that time), and the next day I was performing inverted Harriers and tumbles, which was the Waterfall! Then, with time, torque rolls that were very low in altitude and entered at a speed that was beyond the airplane's stall. After these flights commenced, I decided that we should do the same thing with the rudder—we increased the rudder and things got better!
Once in Las Vegas, we spent about 10 days on a dry lake, flying and choreographing these flights to music. At the end, all of our hard work paid off and we won the contest. Now, the door was open for the future. We showed the beginning of 3-D, and that is something that people today are enjoying!
Practice routine and preparation
JG: In preparing for an event such as the TOC, or for that matter, the F3A World Championship (which you have also won), what was your typical practice routine? For example, how many flights would you perform on a given day, and what would you practice?
QS: Competitions like the TOC and various F3A events and championships are the most challenging contests to prepare for due to the type of contest that they are. There is a great level of performance from all of the competitors, and in order to be at the top, it takes a great amount of dedication!
My theory was, and still is, that your airplane is your best buddy. During all flight sessions, the airplane needs to help you. As humans, our emotions continuously change, and it is often difficult to perform the same day after day. After all, consistency is the key in competition, and to do this the airplane needs to support you in a contest by being properly set up to cater to your preferences.
For example:
- The engine should be adjusted so that you obtain consistent power.
- The airplane should be trimmed as best it can so you can only focus on the sequence, not the airplane’s bad flight characteristics.
After I spent a lot of time trimming and setting up the airplane and engine, I focused on practicing for the event. About a month to a month-and-a-half before the event, I would fly every day, double shift:
- 3–5 flights in the morning
- 3–5 flights in the afternoon
Only heavy rain would stop me.
Through all of my practice flights, I was in a constant search for the best airplane setup possible. In doing this, it resulted in rather consistent results, which are extremely important if you wanted to win a big championship-type event. One excellent flight would mean nothing if your next flight was only okay.
Advice for aspiring competition pilots
JG: What advice can you give to a person who is looking to participate in competition aerobatics? How should he or she get started?
QS: While I may sound like an old guy by saying this, today things are a lot easier compared to when I first began competing, and yes, I am only 45 years old! In the past 10 years, the evolution of the hobby has been incredible.
Technology has changed so much and become so affordable that it is tangible for most. However, one thing that has not changed is practice! If someone is thinking about competing, my best advice would be to burn either fuel or watts!
Be consistent with a plan:
- Concentrate on your airplane’s performance; learn the characteristics of your model; spend time setting up your aircraft.
- Organize a practice routine and define what you hope to achieve by the end of each practice session.
- Be honest with yourself and focus on what is difficult for you; practice that over and over again.
While we all have weak areas, recognize your area and work on it!
Lastly, always remember to have fun and enjoy every moment. At the end of the day, this is the most important part, as by doing so you will have a great time and many great memories.
Closing Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed this interview. Being interested in aerobatics, it is always neat finding out how a successful pilot, such as Quique, started out in flying and what his thoughts are on this fantastic hobby. I believe there is plenty to learn from such idols and mentors.
Remember, visit www.ModelAviation.com for the second half of this column!
Until next time, fly hard!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
