SCAT Electronic News 9 June 1998
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SCAT Electronic News 9 June 1998
Table of Contents
=================
Ed Dolby - Fred Terzian
1998 Hoosier Cup Results - Mark Wood
Technolog - Richard Blackam
1998 NFFS Symposium News - Fred Terzian
Ed Dolby - from Fred Terzian
----------------------------
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Ed Dolby. Besides
supplying ALL of the good contest rubber over the years, he also gave us
supplies, kits, and materials which would have been difficult for us to
locate at strip mall hobby shops. It was worth the money just to get his
catalog and drool over all the goodies we would like to have for the
many projects we had on the model bench. We'll all miss you Ed but your
legacy will live on for as long as a free fliter searches for that
elusive thermal and max flight.
1998 Hoosier Cup Results
========================
Author : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hi Roger
Here is a report on our Hoosier Cup
1998 Hoosier Cup Results
Central Indiana Aeromodellers
National Flying Site Muncie, Indiana
The 1998 Hoosier has come and passed. This is the second year for this
event and wasn't as well attended this year. The attendance problem
stems from the decision to move the date and not having enough time to
notify everyone. There was a conflict with our original September date,
in that everyone would be returning from the team finals and not be
available to fly, so we moved the date to June 6, 7. Flyers were sent
to all of the previous attendees who had filled out the attendance
record.
Overall we had a nice weekend of flying although the wind blew fairly
hard on Sunday which limited the mini event participation. We created a
couple of perpetual trophies for high time large events on saturday and
high time mini events on sunday. The high time for each day regardless
of event wins this trophy. Prior to the contest, at breakfast, we were
discussing the likelihood of which event, would get this trophy. Now
every logical person knows that the F1B model has the hands down
advantage and that if an unlucky F1B flyer would miss then an F1C model
is a close stand in. It's well know that F1C is decided in the 7 minute
round and F1B goes into the 9 minute round. No reasonable person would
even think that an F1A model would even have a chance at winning high
time with the competition being stiff with F1B and F1C planes. The
problem was that no one told Chuck Marcos, so he took home the high time
trophy for the large events.
Sundays flying was fairly tough as the wind was blowing at 8 MPH, with
gusts of up to 15 MPH at times. For those who braved these conditions,
the competition was getting the planes back with the wings still
intact. Ed Sneed visited the golf course to retrieve his F1G glider,
which broke fuselage upon impact with the course and then broke the
wings in transit. Transplanted Lee Campbell did some work to keep em
honest but didn't quite muster the firsts. It's funny how these planes
fly so well and manage to find lift without fancy electronic gizmos or
without RC control, but Ramrods prevail, number 13 be damned and the
mini event high time trophy went to the MA editor Jim Haught.
This contest was held concurrently with the CIA NOS/OT event. It was a
mix of old and new. I for one, thought that this worked out well. You
see it’s the friendships that matter and getting out to be with friends
is what makes these things worth doing. In the end, sometimes its fun
simply to stand around and add your little bit to the windspeed.
F1A
Chuck Marcos 1260
Lee Campbell 201
F1B
Jerry McGlashan 1182
Bill Shailer 1151
John Watters 1014
Jim Brooks 280
F1C
Joe Mekina 1213
Mark Wood 1016
Norm Poti 540
F1G
Ed Sneed 317
Joe Williams 293
Jim Brooks 120
F1H
Jean Pailet 72
Lee Campbell 53
F1J
Jim Haught 543
Jean Pailet 475
Lee Campbell 171
Joe Mekina 65
BCNU
MArk
Technolog Comment
=================
Author : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject : Re: Technology - Comment on mail from Bruce Augustus
>With smart manufactured models and electronic thermal detection, we
>have almost eliminated the skill of the sportsman as a factor.
At the last W/C I saw many fliers using aircraft that were purchased from
other top fliers. I don't believe a single one of them placed higher than
the flier who designed and built those original models.
The reason is simple; there is a VAST difference between having a top
line aircraft and good engines/rubber/towline and winning a World
Championship. The skill of the sportsman in FF encompasses many areas,
including:
1. Basic trim of the model (ie if it can be launched effectively, climb
or bunt acceptably, glide stably and DT).
2. Advanced trim of the model (eg, if it glides for the maximum amount of
time possible in still air, if it 'hunts' thermals and adjusts it's
flight characteristics accordingly etc etc). Note this is most
emphatically NOT the same as 1.
3. Understanding the particular model's requirements as far as
adjustments to deal with different conditions (ie still air, windy
thermals etc).
4. Understanding of all the issues surrounding thermal detection
(including but not limited to: behaviour of birds, insects, fluffies,
soap bubbles, other aircraft, clouds, wind speed, temperature). Of these
wind speed and temperature can be measured electronically and even
charted, but are still only a partial indicator.
5. Understanding of how one's own behaviour (and that of other fliers) is
affected during the heat of a contest and using this to your advantage.
6. Understanding the use of tactics in a contest and accordingly 'knowing
the opposition' and their capabilities.
>So it is not a problem of
>excessive performance, but one of dehumanizing. With high quality,
>reliable airplanes, the key factor in free flight today is air picking.
>My suggestion is we stop fussing over technical innovations in the
>airplanes, but outlaw the use of devices for detecting thermals.>
>It is the thermal detection equipment that takes the human element out .
I use a temperature and wind-speed chart recorder occasionally (only at
major contests). Several times I have had people make the mistake of
suggesting that I rely on this machine for the location of thermals. They
are completely and utterly WRONG. In fact if anyone were to rely on such
a machine to find thermals for them they would more often than not fail
to make maxes a high percentage of the time. The best indicator by far is
another model in the air and this is used predominantly as the 'go'
signal by most of the top fliers in the world at bigger contests.
>True, there still remains the rubber winding or engine tuning and
>of course the launch, but not much else.
This seriously understates the importance (and complexity) of rubber
winding or engine tuning, not to mention matching of props to power
source, skill of handling a glider on tow and during the launch cycle.
>If we don't design the .
>airplane, and don't even build it, and the thermal detector tell us .
>when to fly, what is left to do but throw it?>
>So lets put the sportsman back in the loop by making him learn the
>basic skills required to sense a thermal. Let him observe the atmosphere,
>the grass, the birds and bugs. Learn a little micrometeorology, and
>how the behaviour of flying insects correlates with temperature and
>air currents.
I don't know the author of this piece or his ff background but the above
statement would suggest that he has never used a 'thermal detector' or a
model built 'by someone else' and tried to win a decent contest. To
suggest that competitive freeflighters do not already 'observe the
atmosphere, the grass, the birds and bugs. Learn a little
micrometeorology, and how the behaviour of flying insects correlates with
temperature and air currents.' is a little insulting and unobservant on
his own part.>
>Let him learn to quiet the rattle in his mind and be one with the
>free flight environment. It's more fun and better for you than staring
>at the thermal detector.
I can't speak for anyone else, but for me the pursuit of excellence in FF
has been a passion for about 20 years. I want to build my models
straighter, stronger and lighter. I want to make them climb higher, sink
slower and fly longer, I want to understand why they do unpredictable
things in some atmospheric conditions and improve them, I want to
understand how to get more energy out of rubber motors and 2 stroke
engines and I want to understand more about picking thermals. Some people
over here in Australia consider me an expert in FF but with all these
challenges to pursue I consider myself a novice, I am still learning at
an enormous rate and I am more fascinated by FF than ever.
At the end of it all, to see my model floating lazily overhead in a
thermal is still the crowning glory of FF. If all this is the 'free
flight environment' then I am one with it and the use of 'thermal
detectors' has not diminished my 'oneness' in any way.regards
Richard
[Editorial - personal comment]
Richard, if the current season in the US is any indication
we may see one of Alexander Andriukov's customers beat him in a
World Champs - his son Vladi ! Vladi beat Alex in the Max Men,
the most important FAI FF event in the US and other events. Or
in Motor Racing parlance is Vladi part of the "Factory Team"
too !
But I do agree with you that there are many factors that
go to making sucess,.. and failure. That's what makes
Free Flight, in particular the FAI events such a challenge.
Just buying a model from Andriukov or Stamov does not
assure sucess.
There is no doubt that thermal detecting devices can help but my
teacher, John Malkin says that you must be very careful with
chart recorders not to have your head stuck in the recorder at the
expense of all other signs.
I remember flying in a contest and studing my thermistor religiously,
Bob White was next to me at the flight line. At a moment when my thermistor
said it bad , Bob launched and maxed. I asked him why, he pointed to
old timer model floating overhead, obviously in lift. I had been
watching my thermistor and not looking at all the other
signs that are so important.
NFFS Symposium 1998
===================
The 1988 NFFS Symposium is nearing completion with Dan Tracy,
noted F1B flier at the helm as editor. My understanding is that it will
be close to 200 pages in size and that NFFS Patrons have already donated
enough funds to have pre-purchased over 400 copies in advance. That
means that the rest of us, NFFS members or not, will have to wait until
after its availability at the U.S. Outdoor FF Champs at Muncie to order
our personal copies.
Don't be surprised if the cost for NFFS members is closer to $25 this
year.
Here are the articles that are in store for us:
Science:
Flutter--Sherman
Dihedral--Bauer
Propeller Logic--Norris
Climb Trim for F1B--King
DT Sink Rate--Annis
Sun, Moon & Contest--Andresen
CG Position--Jossien
Color Study-Jahnke & Roussel
Propulsion:
Small Engine Testing--Stalick
CO2 Secrets--Mueller
Gearing for Success--Gieskieng
F1C Testing--Galbreath
Henry Nelson
Indoor:
F1D Participation-S. Brown
Indoor Handicapping--Olm
Electronics:
Avionics--Morrell
Servo Driven F1A Stabs--Schlosberg
Concerns for FF Electronics-Joyner & Hinson
HLG (Hand Launch Glider):
Hand Launched and Happy-K. Brown
Tareaucat--Lonergan
Programmatics:
Youth Participation--Ellis
Build or Buy--Stiles
Introduction to F1C--Waterman
1997 U.S. FF Team--Cowley
Hall of Fame-Haught
Models of the Year-Perkins (note that it's more than TEN!)
FAI Class:
F1A Hi-Brid--Allard Van Wallene
F1B Victor Rosonoks
F1C Excalibur--Thomas Koster
F1D Garfield Lite--Richard Doig
F1G Linda Mk 8--Peter King
F1H Murray--Van Nest/Pissany
F1J Pegasus--William Lynch
AMA Outdoor:
Small Power Lil' Chugger--R.J. Dunham II
Large Power Prime Time--Edward Keck
Small Rubber Sparrowhawk--John O'Dwyer
Large Rubber Equalizer--Robert Bienenstein
AMA Indoor:
Scale General Aristocrat--David Rees
HLG Quantum 20--Len Surtees
Rubber Mini Quark--Andrew Tagliafico
Special:
Gadget Torque Meter--Rex Hinson
Component F1D V/P Propeller--Cezar Banks
Management Comments-Stalick
I might add that this is a VERY good reason why more should join the
National Free Flight Society. We ALL want this hobby to continue and
it's through the effort of volunteers of the Society that we can produce
these kinds of publications and ff-related information.
...........................
Roger Morrell
