SEN issue 1140 - 7 October 2007
- Details
- Category: Archive 2007
- Hits: 1098
- More on Taft
- Looking for Evgeny
- Don't go there
- Kaynes on RDT and Instant Release
- Edmonson on RDT and Instant Rel
More on Taft
Chatting with the Squire of Taft, Peter Allnutt, he assures me that he is still flying at Taft every day. So it sounds that the rumours of it's death are exaggerated.
Looking For Evgeny
From: André SCHANDEL [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
dear friend - Can I have postal adress and E. mail from E. Verbitsky ?
thank You .
André VOL LIBRE
Don't Go There
From :Ken Bauer
I have three words for Aram regarding his instant release idea: don't go there.
If this were to be accepted as legal then I might as well put an entire RC system in the glider for use during tow, disabled during the free flight glide, to control the rudder and stab and then I could solve all the other challenges of controlling a glider with a single piece of towline. However even I, who am obviously pro technology, pro innovation, and pro electronics think that this is a bad idea. I have all the tools to do this tomorrow, however I believe that the whole spirit of towing a glider is that all the control during tow must be done through a single string. You can pull it, twang it, tug, throw it, send vibrations up it, but that is all you get.
RDT is finally being accepted for what it is- that is another retrieval tool that allows free flight models to fly longer each flight, fly on smaller fields, and avoid damage to aircraft and property. Let's leave this as it is.
Ken Bauer
Kaynes on RDT and instant release
As Allard makes a direct invitation for a reply, here goes with my interpretation:
As Allard makes a direct invitation for a reply, here goes with my interpretation:
Allard quotes the rule correctly "F1A models may use radio control only for irreversible actions to restrict the flight (dethermalisation)......"
Note that it states that radio control may be used only to restrict the flight (dethermalisation). It does not qualify that by saying that this limit applies only during the flight phase, so by deduction it also applies during the tow.
The F1A rules describe launching the model from the ground and from that time it is under observation by the timekeepers and the flyer should obey any relevant rules. The only thing that changes when the line is released is that the timing starts. As Allard points out, you would have to argue quite deviously to interpret a hook function as restricting the flight but even then it would not come within that paranthesised word of explanation - dethermalisation.
Regards
Ian Kaynes
Edmonson on RDT and Instant Rel
Hello Roger
Regarding Aram Schlossbergs' extensive notes and Allard Van Wallenes' comments and questions:
"RDT and instant release:
========================
From: Allard Van Wallene [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
So what does the Sporting code say?
"F1A models may use radio control only for irreversible actions to restrict
the flight (dethermalisation).
Any malfunction or unintended operation of these functions is entirely at
the risk of the competitor."
Please note the word "only". This means that any other functionality is
prohibited. Opening a hook is an irreversible action, but it does not
restrict the flight.
Maybe if you float the model off in a downer, you could argue that you
opened the hook to restrict the flight....
Following Aram's arguments, I could use my RDT system to trim straight tow,
ci rcle tow, OLA trajectory on an official flight?
Ian, any comments??
ciao"
========================
From: Allard Van Wallene [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
So what does the Sporting code say?
"F1A models may use radio control only for irreversible actions to restrict
the flight (dethermalisation).
Any malfunction or unintended operation of these functions is entirely at
the risk of the competitor."
Please note the word "only". This means that any other functionality is
prohibited. Opening a hook is an irreversible action, but it does not
restrict the flight.
Maybe if you float the model off in a downer, you could argue that you
opened the hook to restrict the flight....
Following Aram's arguments, I could use my RDT system to trim straight tow,
ci rcle tow, OLA trajectory on an official flight?
Ian, any comments??
ciao"
I agree with Allards' comments that ANYTHING other than activating a DT is against the rules and would forfeit that flight, or even disqualification from the whole competition for intentional cheating.
Having said that, I agree with Aram that total (limited?) control of the model by Radio DT signals is possible using the electronic control board to drive the servos. This may be a useful tool for testing and trimming, but is not allowed in a competition.
So the next question is how does one determine whether the model is actually
in "free flight" if Radio Controlled DT is permitted?
In my opinion, NO Radio activated DT should be allowed in competition. It does not make sense to allow it when we have very accurate DT timers, either electronic or mechanical. But for now the rules allow it.
And having said that, I have used Radio activated DT on test flights and have really enjoyed the usefulness for that purpose.
Opinions always offered by: Dave Edmonson
............
Roger Morrell