Radio Control: Aerobatics
There's been an interesting new wrinkle in the FAI rule change proposal to increase the box to 75º that may prevent its acceptance by the FAI as a whole. It had been assumed that the change would cause everyone to fly closer in, since increasing the box angle from 60º to 75º would permit fliers to fly closer in and still stay in the box. Apparently several fliers have been saying that they would not fly closer in. The increased box would allow them to fly a faster airplane out at 150 meters and still stay in the box. The distance from the center pole to an end pole is 260 meters with a 60º box, but it's 560 meters with a 75º box!
Radio Control: Aerobatics
There's hardly anyone who would claim to need a Lamborghini to drive to and from work. Yet many fliers feel they must have the latest high-technology radio equipment to fly in the Sportsman (Advanced or Masters) class. Why is that? I think that ego and self-image have a lot to do with it. Let's split out radio design features and examine their worth relative to the Pattern classes and a flier's ability. The questions to answer are: "What is needed to perform the maneuvers?" and "Based on the pilot's ability, can he or she take advantage of the radio system's features?"
Radio Control: Aerobatics
NOW THAT YOU'VE had some time to chew on the proposed FAI rules, it's time to stir the pot a bit. To refresh the memories of those who don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about, let me back up. The FAI rules committee proposed the following changes. First: engine displacement would be unlimited. Second: the model would have to fit in a 2 × 2-meter box, (78 × 78 inches). Third, the box would increase from 60º to 75º either side of the center pole. The weight and noise limits would remain the same.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I asked for reader input on the best beginner Pattern model. To get an accurate consensus, I decided to give plenty of response time. Well, time is up; the vote is in. In first place is the Ultra Sport 60, then the Escape, followed by the Ultra Sport 40. That's quite a spectrum of models! Many other models earned honorable mention, including the Super Kaos 60, Kaos 60, Dirty Birdy, and Ultimate Chaos. Frankly, I was surprised at the results. There were a number of people who didn't tell me why they thought their choice was best, so it's hard to come up with more than the totals.
Radio Control: Aerobatics
IF YOU FLY RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern), sooner or later someone will ask, "How can you stand practicing that stuff all the time? Don't you get bored?" I have never heard a Pattern flier say "yes" to that question, and I've never met a questioner who understood (or believed me) when I said "no." Non-Precision Aerobatics fliers don't know what motivates or interests us. I've tried to convince sport fliers that participation in Precision Aerobatics flying makes fliers better. The ones I persuaded to try it have agreed that it did make them better fliers. Not all tried competitive Precision Aerobatics flying; for many, competition has no lure. Nevertheless, performing Precision Aerobatics caused fliers to pay more attention to little things in their sport flying, which made them better fliers, so they enjoyed sport flying more.
