Control Line: Racing
OVER THE COURSE of the years which I have written this column, I have tried to cover all facets of CL Racing. Safety is one area where enough cannot be said. Over five years ago, I published a warning about the so-called `laced' method of leadout/bellcrank construction. I am going to repeat that warning here. Safety inspection problem. Several years ago there was a Rat kit produced called a Skat Rat. This model was one of the early standards in Rat, designed and flown by John Barr and Dick Morsikian. The plans illustrated a method of attaching the leadouts to the bellcrank by weaving flexible leadouts through the normal leadout holes and four additional holes drilled in the bellcrank. See the drawing for an example of this technique. This is an unsafe method of attaching leadouts!
Control Line: Racing
A PERENNIAL PROBLEM is where to get the specialty equipment that we need to fly competitive racing. Since most of your local hobby shops don't even understand that model airplanes were meant to fly on wires, let alone race, we shouldn't even expect them to carry the little things we need. So, it was with a great deal of pleasure that I recently got a letter with a product list from a new source, Dick Tyndall in Highland Springs, VA. Dick has been one of those few of you out there who occasionally send a picture or two, and to find out he was producing some specialty items was especially pleasing.
Control Line: Racing
RECENTLY, I received some information and pictures from a new source of props that I think all of you might want to consider. Bob Lawrence of The Prop Shop, 109 Emerald St., Broomfield, CO 80020. He is making a new line of fiberglass props that looks really great. He sent me a couple to evaluate (I'm still waiting for some time to do it). The most interesting thing about these props is the vortex tips he has cast into them.
Control Line: Racing
IN MY LAST COLUMN, I copied the first part of an article which has appeared in the Gazette, the FAI Control Line Society newsletter. The article "Flying Tactics, Flying Rules, and Race Performance" is just one example why you should join that group. You will need to refer to my June column while reading what follows. "From Fig. 6 (June) you can see that the `normal' flying position is somewhere between point 1 and point 4, and the flier is losing a little speed compared to what he could do flying from a pylon. To make up for the speed lost by flying in a larger radius than in a pylon, the pilot must lead the plane. As can be visualized in Figs. 5 and 6, `position 5' flying (which isn't whipping much) requires that peculiar crab-like walk pilots do while looking over their shoulder.
Control Line: Racing
RAT RACE is dying, and we're going to have to do something about it before it's too late. The past few years have seen a steady decline in Rat Race participation in virtually all parts of the country until, in many local meets, it just isn't flown any more. Why? Too fast? Too complex? Too expensive? Unsafe? Yes, probably all of these reasons and more. Let's look at each of these areas a little closer. Too fast: Read part of the letter I got from Bill Pardue, Vice Chairman of the CLCB. "With couplers out, Rat Race winning top-end speeds still appear to be in the 150-160 mph range. A lot of whipping goes on by the real strong pro flyers. It has become part of the game. And it makes it rough on newcomers. "Did some clocking of one of the best in traffic and the seven laps right after passing were a full second faster than the seven laps as he approached. He was consistent at this. It was a 1,400 lap race and his sub-pilot (with less experience) ran a consistent speed, but it was the same speed as the other pilot had when he was approaching to pass.
