Humbug 666
To read the modeling press, a tuned pipe is the only way to compete in CL Stunt, and aerodynamics for the event are fully developed. The last Team Trials demonstrated that the difference between the performance of a conventional .60-powered airplane and
Barecat
The Barecat is the Control Line Aerobatics equivalent of the bumblebee: it's difficult to grasp how it does what it does, and it can't be scaled up and still perform at the same high level. There are no large bumblebees flying around (for which we probably should be grateful) and the Barecat is most magical in the 1/2A size. Conceived by Bill Netzeband in 1980, the design has recently been revived by the introduction of very powerful and reliable 1/2A engines. The engine and associated hardware comprise only 10% of the total airframe weight, compared to 20-25% for the typical Stunter. With a total weight of only 15 ounces with 360 square inches of wing area, the wing loading is 1/2 and the pitch inertia no more than 1/5 that of contemporary competition Stunters.
