les40

My Feedback: (1)

What is your opinion on which design is better for a 60" wingspan airplane flying in Basic class?

rcblimppro

That really is too small for even Basic. I would look more to the 72" range with a good 2 stroke 120 if you want to go with glow. The Lanier Laser, Goldberg Sukohi work well with with a Webra or Thunder Tiger 120. The new Goldberg 77" Yak or Extra with an OS 160 would be good. World Models makes a pretty good Extra 300 that would be a good combo with an OS or Magnum 108. Wild hare makes an 120 sized Edge that would be good. Lots of good 120 sized stuff out there now.



Shawn

les40

My Feedback: (1)

Why is a 60" too small? From your post I would say that you recommend 2 stroke engines over the 4 stroke. I've got a Funtana 90 sitting in the closet ready to build. What about that airplane? Thanks for your post.

rcblimppro

Most airplanes of this size will appear to fly too fast to present well to the judges and don't track well at slow speeds. It has more to do with wing loading than actual size. The Funtana having a low wing loading will perform OK in basic but make sure you equip it with enough power and keep it light. My suggestion about a 2 stroke is because of the easier starting and tuning. when its your turn to fly the last thing you want is to be struggling with the engine when you should have your game face on. If you are comfortable with the 4 stroke and can always fire 'er up in a short amount of time and don't have to tune from flight to flight then by all means.


Shawn

les40

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Shawn. Really appreciate it.

Les

Divesplat

My Feedback: (7)

In a "perfect" world, and Judges judged the maneuver with the rules, size and speed wouldn't be an issue. However Les, the world is not a perfect place.

In the years I've flown IMAC, Size Matters, although the rules say it doesn't. Speed Matters, although the rules say it doesn't. If a loop is round, keeps heading and wings level begins at the same altitude it should be scored a 10 whether it was flown at 40mph or 90mph. Sadly, this isn't true in the "real" world.

My suggestion is this: the engine isn't a factor at the size plane you have. As stated above, which ever you are more comfortable with. Sadly though, more than likely, IMHO you will have a hard time competing until you get something "bigger" and in fact, probably with a gasser on the front.

Fly the plane you have and see if you enjoy IMAC, for that matter try a pattern contest also, both are aerobatics. If you enjoy it, then look to other options.

Hope this helps

ed

Flyfalcons

I beat a 40% plane with my GP Extra 58" once. Basic is all about who can fly a straight line, not which plane can do a negative 3/4 snap better. For glow, a four stroker would be nice, as you are looking for good thrust, not necessarily top speed.

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

and don't forget that for Basic...it is not required that the plane be a "scale" plane..,,

A showtime might be nice too....

I fly a 85" QQ Yak...and it is the small fry!

Dean Bird

My Feedback: (39)

les40,

I'll have to disagree with all the guys saying you need a big plane to even be competitive. The winner of the Basic class at the North Las Vegas IMAC two weekends ago was flying an electric Fliton Extra. Was does that have, a 48" wingspan? It was small and electric and we flew the contest in high winds. I think the class had 13 or 14 pilots in it. He beat all the "big" gas airplanes.

The size of the plane didn't matter. The pilot, Curtis Pilcher, flew the straightest lines, the most level wings, the roundest loops, etc. His scores reflected his flights, not the size of his plane. He won.

It's knowing the judging criteria and practicing that make the most difference. Don't get hung up on the size of the plane.

"divesplat" gives a good recommendation. Fly it with anything just to see if you like it.

If you want to be more competitive, there is a lot of information available to help. Here's a series of topics that were posted here on RCU and on the Flying Cirkus website.

[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3772719/tm.htm"]Preparation for a new season[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3775092/tm.htm"]Your "setup" is critical to success[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3801768/tm.htm"]You MUST be fluent in Aresti[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3832418/tm.htm"]You MUST know the judging criteria[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3852374/tm.htm"]Mufflers... the need for quiet ones![/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3864639/tm.htm"]Practice[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3867399/tm.htm"]Practice for Unknowns[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3893809/tm.htm"]Practice to remove zeroes on Spins[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3922404/tm.htm"]Practice to remove zeroes on Hammerheads[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3954895/tm.htm"]Practice to remove zeroes on Snap Rolls[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3986982/tm.htm"]Get help with your practice[/link]
[link="http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4016851/tm.htm"]Contest Schedule[/link]
[link="http://www.teamflyingcirkus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47"]Contest Procedures[/link]
[link="http://www.teamflyingcirkus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143"]Working with your caller[/link]
[link="http://www.teamflyingcirkus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201"]Reliable Equipment[/link]

Good luck and have a blast!!

I hope to catch you at the Tucson contest in a few weeks.

Take care,

Dean

as722

My Feedback: (1)

I agree with what Dean said, a bigger airplane will help but why don't you fly what you already have and see if you like it. You can always get a bigger airplane later on once you know if you even like imac.

Albert