How do you define sport flying?
03-16-2005, 09:05 AM
#1
How do you define sport flying?
Ok, we now have the "Sport Flying" forum up and running I have a question for everybody out there. How do you define "Sport Flying"? There were a few definitions bounced around as the idea of getting this new forum up and running. Here's my thoughts to get things started.
Sport flying is -
Not the plane you are flying, but the attitude that you have while flying. The plane can be anything from a trainer, to a pattern plane, to a fully capable 3D ship.
Not oversizing the motor. We're perfectly happy using an engine that is within the manufactures suggested motor range.
Not everything is faster, harder, bigger. We're perfectly happy putting around the field at half throttle. Flying an Old Timer that you can keep in the air for 45 minutes at time is happiness for you.
Not everything has to be picture perfect. We have our book of "tricks" and we're happy doing them the way we do them. The backside of that loop my have been a little lopsided. Or you lost altitude on the roll. Or a landing for you is a touch on the runway followed by 5-6 bounces.
You don't need somebody standing next to you calling out the next maneuver you're going to do.
You spend a month or so learning a new maneuver.
You don't carry every tool you own to the field. It's not important to you to be able to fix every repair at the field, and you don't have enough tools in you box to build a complete plane at the field. You have enough to fix simple repairs, but anything more complicated than that you're perfectly happy waiting until you get home to fix it.
You don't go through a gallon+ of fuel on one trip to the field. That gallon lasts you half of the summer.
And last, but not least, you spend more time talking to you flying buddies than you do flying. In fact you might not even fly when you get to the field because you got so busy talking to your friends that you simply "forgot" to fly your plane.
Ok, that's my list. What do you all think. How does everybody else define "Sport Flying"?
Sport flying is -
Not the plane you are flying, but the attitude that you have while flying. The plane can be anything from a trainer, to a pattern plane, to a fully capable 3D ship.
Not oversizing the motor. We're perfectly happy using an engine that is within the manufactures suggested motor range.
Not everything is faster, harder, bigger. We're perfectly happy putting around the field at half throttle. Flying an Old Timer that you can keep in the air for 45 minutes at time is happiness for you.
Not everything has to be picture perfect. We have our book of "tricks" and we're happy doing them the way we do them. The backside of that loop my have been a little lopsided. Or you lost altitude on the roll. Or a landing for you is a touch on the runway followed by 5-6 bounces.
You don't need somebody standing next to you calling out the next maneuver you're going to do.
You spend a month or so learning a new maneuver.
You don't carry every tool you own to the field. It's not important to you to be able to fix every repair at the field, and you don't have enough tools in you box to build a complete plane at the field. You have enough to fix simple repairs, but anything more complicated than that you're perfectly happy waiting until you get home to fix it.
You don't go through a gallon+ of fuel on one trip to the field. That gallon lasts you half of the summer.
And last, but not least, you spend more time talking to you flying buddies than you do flying. In fact you might not even fly when you get to the field because you got so busy talking to your friends that you simply "forgot" to fly your plane.
Ok, that's my list. What do you all think. How does everybody else define "Sport Flying"?
03-16-2005, 09:36 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Slidell, LA
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
I agree that sport flying is as much " attitude " as anything else. Like anything else, RC flying has those participants who one might call " hard core ", whether that be 3D, pattern, detailed scale, etc. Is that bad? Absolutely not, IMHO. Sport flying, on the other hand, is synonymous with "relaxing " to me. It`s also not so precise or mission driven as some of the more specialized branches seem to be. Also, and this is just for me, sport flying is as much a social thing as anything else. As to the planes involved, I suppose just about anything could be used in " sport flying ", but I`d hazard an opinion that most planes involved in what their owners would classify as " sport flying " would be on the lower end of the price scale ( i.e. sport/scale warbirds, the 4*s, Avistars, maybe Funtanas, etc, etc, etc ). Again, just MHO.
03-16-2005, 12:19 PM
#4
RE: How do you define sport flying?
Reading what Minnflyer, Ken, and 'Bama have said takes the words out of my mouth.
Something I've noticed is that sport flyers are the nicest guys. They are not all strung out in a competitive nature. They may have this and that kind of plane and they set around at the field and chew the fat.
Just take it as it happens
Jim
Something I've noticed is that sport flyers are the nicest guys. They are not all strung out in a competitive nature. They may have this and that kind of plane and they set around at the field and chew the fat.
Just take it as it happens
Jim
03-16-2005, 12:40 PM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: BAYTOWN,
TX
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
AHH, Home Sweet Home.
Some of my planes look like a patch work quilt, with bits of covering hanging off here and there. If the wind is from a direction that I don't like I don't have to fly. I fly because it is fun, I fly with family and friends. If and when it becomes like a job, well!!!!!
Some of my planes look like a patch work quilt, with bits of covering hanging off here and there. If the wind is from a direction that I don't like I don't have to fly. I fly because it is fun, I fly with family and friends. If and when it becomes like a job, well!!!!!
03-16-2005, 03:58 PM
#6
My Feedback: (1)
RE: How do you define sport flying?
To me, sport flying is just going to the field to have fun. If I want to practice basic flight, or see what I can make my trainer do, or do "scale" flying with my Grasshopper; my only hope and expectation when I get to the field is that my # of landings equal my # of takeoffs.
03-16-2005, 11:48 PM
#7
RE: How do you define sport flying?
I thought of another one to add to the list today.
A sport flyer is -
Someone who has at least as much packing tape on their wing as there is monokote. We have a guy at our field that is a walking example of a sport flyer. He gets in the air, does a couple of stall turns, a couple of loops, and then spends the rest of his flight doing touch and goes. He flies an old Skylark and has so much packing tape patching holes in the covering that it's hard to tell where the tape ends and the monokote begins.
A sport flyer is -
Someone who has at least as much packing tape on their wing as there is monokote. We have a guy at our field that is a walking example of a sport flyer. He gets in the air, does a couple of stall turns, a couple of loops, and then spends the rest of his flight doing touch and goes. He flies an old Skylark and has so much packing tape patching holes in the covering that it's hard to tell where the tape ends and the monokote begins.
03-17-2005, 10:29 AM
#8
RE: How do you define sport flying?
I agree with everything that is said here so far. Just wanted to add that the term "hover" never enters my vocabulary. I saw a thread that mentioned hovering a Sig Kadet SR. Something that a sport flyer would never consider..IMHO. I also agree with the statement that a sport flyer never has to ask if the engine they are considering is too big for the plane.
03-17-2005, 01:53 PM
#10
RE: How do you define sport flying?
ORIGINAL: khodges
To me, sport flying is just going to the field to have fun. If I want to practice basic flight, or see what I can make my trainer do, or do "scale" flying with my Grasshopper; my only hope and expectation when I get to the field is that my # of landings equal my # of takeoffs.
To me, sport flying is just going to the field to have fun. If I want to practice basic flight, or see what I can make my trainer do, or do "scale" flying with my Grasshopper; my only hope and expectation when I get to the field is that my # of landings equal my # of takeoffs.
03-17-2005, 02:01 PM
#11
RE: How do you define sport flying?
The definitions of a sport flyer are all excellent.
While I like "unusual" airplanes, my flying is sport flying. I take off, putt around, maybe do a few loops and rolls, a couple of touch and goes then land and watch the "experts" do their thing.
A couple of pics of my "unusual" planes.
While I like "unusual" airplanes, my flying is sport flying. I take off, putt around, maybe do a few loops and rolls, a couple of touch and goes then land and watch the "experts" do their thing.
A couple of pics of my "unusual" planes.
03-17-2005, 03:45 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GraftonNew South Wales, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
IMO a sport flyer is someone who flys the way THEY want.
This could mean anything from a few gentle circuits to a full aerobatic routine.
Somebody mentioned hovering, it's certainly something that I am trying to master. So far my efforts are like my early s*xual experiences, I can sort of do it, I just need to make it last longer
Terry
This could mean anything from a few gentle circuits to a full aerobatic routine.
Somebody mentioned hovering, it's certainly something that I am trying to master. So far my efforts are like my early s*xual experiences, I can sort of do it, I just need to make it last longer
Terry
03-17-2005, 09:35 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmonton, AB,
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
'Sport flying' is what you do when the project at work is completed, the garage door is painted, the leaking toilet is fixed, you've helped the kids with their homework, mown the lawn, taken out the garbage, washed the car, visited your mom, and promised to take your wife to dinner. Then, and only then, if there's time, you run down to the basement, check the batteries, make a face and think: "that'll be enough for two flights," pack you car, and go to the field.
03-18-2005, 01:22 PM
#18
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mary Esther, Florida, FL
Posts: 20,205
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
13 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
Minn:
Liberals stick a Viagra pill in each ear. Makes them hard of hearing so they don't have to listen to the voice of reason.
And coincidentally it makes their heads even harder.
Haw.
Bill.
Liberals stick a Viagra pill in each ear. Makes them hard of hearing so they don't have to listen to the voice of reason.
And coincidentally it makes their heads even harder.
Haw.
Bill.
03-18-2005, 01:23 PM
#19
03-19-2005, 02:00 PM
#21
Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Killingworth, DC
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
This is a great thread!! Hmmm.... A Sport flyer... (THE FOLLOWING IS JUST FOR FUN, NO HARM INTENDED - and I've done most of them myself)
If you go to the field with a folding chair, a thurmus of coffee, the lunch the Mrs made for ya and a set of scorecards for when your buddies try to land.....you might be a sport flyer....
If ya did all that and then discovered you left the transmitter home....you might be sport flyer
If the most expensive servo you ever bought is below $30.00.....you might be a sport flyer
If you chose the size of your plane and engine based on the size of your wife's generosity....you might be a sport flyer
If a gallon of fuel last half the summer and your batteries last half an hour......you might be a sport flyer
If you don't feel the overwhelming urge to make a plane hang on the prop for 10 or fifteen minutes....you might be a sport flyer
If the term "Stand off scale" means "Back up about 10 yards and squint real hard".........you might be a sportflyer
If you think a canard is a type of duck....you might be a sport flyer
Who has some more? After all us sport flyers are in for the fun right?
If you go to the field with a folding chair, a thurmus of coffee, the lunch the Mrs made for ya and a set of scorecards for when your buddies try to land.....you might be a sport flyer....
If ya did all that and then discovered you left the transmitter home....you might be sport flyer
If the most expensive servo you ever bought is below $30.00.....you might be a sport flyer
If you chose the size of your plane and engine based on the size of your wife's generosity....you might be a sport flyer
If a gallon of fuel last half the summer and your batteries last half an hour......you might be a sport flyer
If you don't feel the overwhelming urge to make a plane hang on the prop for 10 or fifteen minutes....you might be a sport flyer
If the term "Stand off scale" means "Back up about 10 yards and squint real hard".........you might be a sportflyer
If you think a canard is a type of duck....you might be a sport flyer
Who has some more? After all us sport flyers are in for the fun right?
03-19-2005, 02:16 PM
#22
My Feedback: (551)
RE: How do you define sport flying?
ORIGINAL: Redback
Tried Viagra in the fuel once but I found it made the plane hard to fly[X(]
Terry
Tried Viagra in the fuel once but I found it made the plane hard to fly[X(]
Terry
Yeah, but it made the plane stay up longer.... Hey, could that be the solution to the tank size problem in the Twinstar?
Jim
03-20-2005, 09:13 PM
#24
My Feedback: (22)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: How do you define sport flying?
Well, one of my favorite things in the world is touch and goes. IF the wind lays down in the evening, I will fly until I just can't see anymore. Usually I gas up again and turn around to taxi out and realize it is dark.
The other thing I like to do is my Bob Hoover routine. Low and at an idle, conservation of momentum.
And a good friend and I will do touch and goes together in formation. And we play chase to.
The other thing I like to do is my Bob Hoover routine. Low and at an idle, conservation of momentum.
And a good friend and I will do touch and goes together in formation. And we play chase to.
03-22-2005, 04:56 PM
#25
My Feedback: (1)
RE: How do you define sport flying?
ORIGINAL: Redback
Tried Viagra in the fuel once but I found it made the plane hard to fly[X(]
Terry
Tried Viagra in the fuel once but I found it made the plane hard to fly[X(]
Terry
To Campy: I guess I should have specified INTENTIONAL landings. BTDT with the one-point landing