ORIGINAL: speedracerntrixie
Bill, First off let me say that I will be joining the D7 guys this year. I plan to hit at least 4 contests. In the 30+ years I have been in flying I have seen pretty much the same progression and eventually demise of just about every aspect of R/C. When I was a teen I raced Q500. Back then it was a wood and foam kit, sport 40 engine. Then everyone pushed to go faster. Eventually to be competitive you needed a moulded airplane and a 400.00 engine. Q500 almost died. Now look how it is coming back, wood and foam ARF airplanes with TT .40 engines. Sailplanes was the same story. Can you beleive that a competitive open class sailplane kit averages 1,200.00? Don't get me started on IMAC with everyone NEEDING a 40% airplane to fly basic through unlimited.
This brings me to pattern. Airframe..........2,000.00 to 3,000.00 Power system, YS engine 800.00 or electric with multiple batteries at least a grand. Not to mention that at present new pattern airplanes are being developed at a rate that most are under the impression that they need a new one every two years to be competitive.
I guess the point I am getting to is that we R/Cers tend to get a good thing going and then progress it right into the ground, both complexity and price.
Yes to all. 25 years ago, the great Hanno Prettner had a gorgeous model he called Magic. He had it fitted with an array of "shtuff" starting with the exhaust plumbing and ending in a variable pitch prop. It had flaps and spoilers to boot. I believe he realized that as KOOL as it was, it was far too complicated for the average or even above average competitor.
He simplified his designs a few years later, and still won the Worlds with what seemed like sport models.
As I have preached to my good friends in Pattern over the years, a good plane helps but great piloting skill will always trump a poor plane or poorly set-up plane