ORIGINAL: wagen017
Is there an overview available of all contestants and the equipment they are using (like at the EC?)? That would be nice.
Volkert
I spoke with one of the assistants today and he explained that there were a few contra rotating set-ups on electrics. One was particularly noisy due to lack of gear box lubrication. Contra rotators are not quite ready for prime time according to this knowledgable source. Amp draw is a bit high and top end output seemed not to be equal to the better electric single prop 2 blade or YS 2 blade set-ups. But this emerging technology will possibly be the future of pattern power. Airplane design will be developed to take better advantage of it
The trend towards smaller prop diameters was noticeable probably trying to extend smaller batteries. Many guys apparently were running 19" diameters on electrics, with different blade shapes than the usual fare. One of the Japanese was running a 19" 3 blade which I believe was directly driven. Extremely quiet at 82 dB. 84 to 88 dB appeared to be more typical with all power plant choices. There was one adjustable pitch 3 blade prop; not adjustable in the air tho. The pilot could lock the pitch on the ground depending on flying conditions. The prop was fairly heavy at around 6 ozs so one has to wonder what the real good was. That's heavier than an 19x11 apc for the YS
The power split appeared to be 60:40 electric to glow/ignition surprising some folks who believe electrics have all the advantages. Personally, I don't think I have seen a guy become more competitive upon conversion to electric. At least not in the judging circles I've been involved in. Yep, practice is still a must. Every thing else is hyperbole. BTW- all wet power was 4S; no two strokes
Most planes if not all, sported some sort of dorsal, ventral or other strake, attached on the fuse, wings or both. A couple of these added surfaces were RC enabled but most were passive. My friend thought that some of these attachments, particularly to the wing tips, aided visibility. I think that's as good a reason to have these things on the plane as any real or perceived aerodynamic benefit
Sorry, no blow by blow account as to what stuff each pilot had with him. But these general trends certainly whetted my appetite for technology at this year's WC. Some really cool stuff happening all over the world
On Team Championships, apparently an ordinal method will be used. Rather than summing up final scores of the 3 pilots to determine Team Chamionships, placements will be summed with the lowest number winning. If the current placings are the final placings after the Semis and Finals Sunday and Monday, I like the chances of the US team to pull it off. Very big ""IF""