2017 F3A World Championships in Argentina
11-14-2017, 05:02 PM
#2
Kind of getting ahead of the story a bit, but with regard to preparation, if a picture is worth a thousand words. I recall that one of the food vendors was singing this song-- yes in English. About the only English I heard. This is the song that brings back memories of the world championships 2017. (note- remove the space between the https and the ://)
https ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR73DrKX_bs
https ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR73DrKX_bs
Last edited by Don Szczur; 11-19-2017 at 05:27 PM.
11-14-2017, 05:27 PM
#3
Some background on the World Championships. This event is the fine-wine and cheese event of world model aerobatics competition. Its history goes back to 1960. Each two years, the FAI selects a location from around the world to host this event. It brings together the best pilots in the world to compete flying 2 meter planes that weigh no more than 5 kilograms, or 11 Lbs. Most aircraft are powered by electric but glow powered and even gas powered planes remain in use and competitive. The top two places were awarded to glow powered aircraft. The U.S. team consisted of four pilots: Andrew Jesky, Jason Shulman, AC Glenn (who replaced Brett as team alternate since Brett took a job flying full scale) and Joseph Szczur, the Junior pilot and reigning Junior World Champion from 2015.
The event was held in Argentina. The flying site was about 5 hours south of Buenos Aires in a small town called Villa Gessell. The opening ceremonies featured helicopter and full scale airshows.There were 27 countries represented, with 65 pilots attending.
The event was held in Argentina. The flying site was about 5 hours south of Buenos Aires in a small town called Villa Gessell. The opening ceremonies featured helicopter and full scale airshows.There were 27 countries represented, with 65 pilots attending.
Last edited by Don Szczur; 11-14-2017 at 05:30 PM.
11-14-2017, 05:46 PM
#4
The US Team arrived on 30 October and practiced for a week. The competition took place from 4 through 11 November. The first day was official practice day. There were then 4 days of preliminaries with each pilot flying one flight per day. The best 3 of 4 scores were used to rank pilots and the top 30 pilots went on to the semi-finals on Thursday. The semi-finals consisted of two flights of the extremely difficult "F-17" pattern sequence. The top 10 finalists were selected by the best two of three scores or the following: average score of top 3 preliminary flights (on score average) and the best "F-17" score, or both F-17 scores if the pilot got better scores than in preliminary scores. All the scores were normalized (with top pilot score of 1000) and TBL was used to throw out biased judging. Judges consisted of 10 total, with one selected by each respective country and/or region from around the world.
The finals took place on 11 November. After a brief meeting by the pilots and team managers, at least one pilot and team wanted to go forward with the finals (the majority of the finalist preferred not to fly due to the high wind and potential damage to their aircraft). This turned out to be a very good decision as all pilots that flew in the finals rose to the occasion and flew without damage. An allowance was made to land cross-runway on the left of the judges and spectator area. The finals consisted of the best one of two F-17 flights, and both Unknown sequence flight scores. It was a brand new contest with no scores carrying through from preliminary or semi-finals.
From the pilot's perspective, this Worlds weather was pretty much a multiple choice test when they woke up each morning to fly. The choices were:
A. Windy and clear
B. Raining and Windy
C. Fog and Windy
D. Extremely Windy
E. All the above.
The weather caused both pilots and helpers great challenges, but all rose to the occasion. Here is a video from the official practice day winds, on 3 November . This wind was not nearly as strong as later in the week. The worst wind was during the semi-finals and first half of the finals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ju3Cw51ZTI&feature=youtu.be
Note: You have to cut and paste the above link to you browser as the link appears to be unconnected.
The finals took place on 11 November. After a brief meeting by the pilots and team managers, at least one pilot and team wanted to go forward with the finals (the majority of the finalist preferred not to fly due to the high wind and potential damage to their aircraft). This turned out to be a very good decision as all pilots that flew in the finals rose to the occasion and flew without damage. An allowance was made to land cross-runway on the left of the judges and spectator area. The finals consisted of the best one of two F-17 flights, and both Unknown sequence flight scores. It was a brand new contest with no scores carrying through from preliminary or semi-finals.
From the pilot's perspective, this Worlds weather was pretty much a multiple choice test when they woke up each morning to fly. The choices were:
A. Windy and clear
B. Raining and Windy
C. Fog and Windy
D. Extremely Windy
E. All the above.
The weather caused both pilots and helpers great challenges, but all rose to the occasion. Here is a video from the official practice day winds, on 3 November . This wind was not nearly as strong as later in the week. The worst wind was during the semi-finals and first half of the finals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ju3Cw51ZTI&feature=youtu.be
Note: You have to cut and paste the above link to you browser as the link appears to be unconnected.
Last edited by Don Szczur; 11-14-2017 at 06:16 PM.
11-14-2017, 06:25 PM
#5
The practice field consisted of a separate airport which was located about 30 minutes from the competition site. This made practice convenient and two of the three aerobatic boxes at the airport were in the same orientation as the contest site.
There was an airport cafe at the practice field, which had electrical outlets and the airport manager even cooked us breakfast and lunch orders for the competitors which chose to eat at the practice site.
Our charging station consisted of the van battery. We kept the motor running to accomplish successful charges.
There was an airport cafe at the practice field, which had electrical outlets and the airport manager even cooked us breakfast and lunch orders for the competitors which chose to eat at the practice site.
Our charging station consisted of the van battery. We kept the motor running to accomplish successful charges.
11-18-2017, 08:54 AM
#9
Contras. Now all U.S. team members are using Contras. AC is trying a Brenner unit out now. They were very popular at the Worlds. They also showed their performance in the wind. The new Brenner units sold by Mike Gaishin are very quiet and powerful and smooth.
Where is Glow? Glow is every bit as competitive as ever. Some observed Onda and Christophe flying techniques were well suited for glow and it showed. They finished 1st and 2nd. YS 200 performed very smoothly. These two options (glow and contra) dominated the majority of the finalists aircraft.
Where is Glow? Glow is every bit as competitive as ever. Some observed Onda and Christophe flying techniques were well suited for glow and it showed. They finished 1st and 2nd. YS 200 performed very smoothly. These two options (glow and contra) dominated the majority of the finalists aircraft.
Last edited by Don Szczur; 11-18-2017 at 09:00 AM.
11-18-2017, 09:08 AM
#10
The Thunder Power 6000 batteries worked extremely well. The batteries performed outstanding in the heavy wind. Joseph's batteries typically were drawn down to 20 to 23 percent in the F sequences and Unknown sequences and finished each flight strong. We were drawing between 3800 and 4800 maH on flights both in practice and in the competition. I'm thinking one flight took close to 5000 maH to recharge after one of the practice flights in the wind. The wind was BRUTAL to fly in. My complements to the pilots both during the competition and at the practice field. I had a hard enough time just carrying the airplane (or holding it down) on the ready box or between flights.
On the first Semi flight Joseph collapsed on gear leg. A quick engineering fix using STEM techniques allowed a very simple structural reinforcement which lasted the rest of the competition. The new gear mounting design for the Alchemy is a superior engineering arrangement. The Alchemy gear held up fine in the flights and landings Joseph made.
Great flying aircraft- the Allure.
On the first Semi flight Joseph collapsed on gear leg. A quick engineering fix using STEM techniques allowed a very simple structural reinforcement which lasted the rest of the competition. The new gear mounting design for the Alchemy is a superior engineering arrangement. The Alchemy gear held up fine in the flights and landings Joseph made.
Great flying aircraft- the Allure.
11-18-2017, 06:42 PM
#12
The practice field was a full scale airport. The airport manager and his team cooked breakfast and lunch for us when we arrived each day. The airfield had a very nice facility for getting out of the wind to charge batteries relax, break dance, etc.
11-18-2017, 06:55 PM
#13
Model processing took place the two days prior to the competition opening ceremonies. All models were checked for weight and size. Sound was checked during official practice at the flight line. NO gyros were allowed. In fact any model possessing an rx that was gyro or stabilization capable would result in the entire team being disqualified.
We relaxed and had lunch on site during processing day. I tried a type of food called shawarma.
We relaxed and had lunch on site during processing day. I tried a type of food called shawarma.
11-18-2017, 07:12 PM
#14
AC Glenn was the team alternate but found out before the worlds that he would be making the trip since Brett recently took a job as a full scale pilot. We missed Brett as he was on the past two teams for the US. AC filled that gap very well. AC flew with poise and changed his flying style dramatically from what I saw at the past couple of NATS. He worked hard in preparation and it paid off by finishing a strong 9th and making the finals in his first worlds. AC flew the same design that Andrew flew but with a different color scheme. He flew a conventional setup for the aircraft and flew aggressively in the wind. It was nice reflecting with Al. We are both proud of our sons.
11-18-2017, 07:29 PM
#17
The banquet was very nice in that we got to meet and renew many friendships away from the wind, rain, fog and pressure. The evening was relaxing and enjoyable. We were shown some traditional Argentine dance as a show. While waiting outside to enter, helicopters provided movies up in the air with flashbacks to the past worlds.
The highlight for me personally was when Wolfgang Matt shook my hand and complemented on Joseph's flying. That one sunk in pretty deep, knowing the decades (about 6 decades) of world championship experience he has and how, when I was just a young boy, I used to marvel at Wolfgang, Hanno, Ivan and so many of the pattern greats.
The highlight for me personally was when Wolfgang Matt shook my hand and complemented on Joseph's flying. That one sunk in pretty deep, knowing the decades (about 6 decades) of world championship experience he has and how, when I was just a young boy, I used to marvel at Wolfgang, Hanno, Ivan and so many of the pattern greats.
11-18-2017, 07:36 PM
#18
And finally it was time to say goodbye. There were a few dogs in Argentina missing us! Wanted to take this time also to recognize our host, Julian. He and his wife were very hospitable to us during our two week stay. Julian showed some of his artwork and even his pet falcon!
11-19-2017, 05:03 AM
#20
The following video was posted to the NSRCA mailing list by Stu. It pretty much captures what the pilots flew during the semi finals. (Just remove the space between the https and the : and paste into your browser)
https ://www.facebook.com/arturomarino.cellini/videos/10214457828389502/
The following reference is good material for the pattern flyers working toward building proficiency in crosswind flying. Not sure if we will fly in those conditions in a US competition but same basic principles apply.
Based on some discussions yesterday at the local FARM club they are wishing to have aerobatics training 2X per month. I think this will lay the groundwork for club class. The crosswind flying reference appears to be a good reference.
https ://www.facebook.com/arturomarino.cellini/videos/10214457828389502/
The following reference is good material for the pattern flyers working toward building proficiency in crosswind flying. Not sure if we will fly in those conditions in a US competition but same basic principles apply.
Based on some discussions yesterday at the local FARM club they are wishing to have aerobatics training 2X per month. I think this will lay the groundwork for club class. The crosswind flying reference appears to be a good reference.
Last edited by Don Szczur; 11-19-2017 at 05:09 AM.
