As an outsider (one who hasn't ever competed in a pattern contest) but one who sometimes likes to fly sleek planes in "pattern like" fashion, I'm watching this thread with interest.

My profession also benefits from a proclivity to question rules and processes. As a software engineer, I'm developing and testing to specs and continually changing things. We're "programmed" to find a better way. "That's just the way WE are."

So when someone says there is MAXIMUM weight rule for which few have any knowledge about it does beg for a better answer than simply tradition.

For those who care, here is my 2 cents:

I'm mostly a sport pilot. I'm toying with the idea of "maybe someday" competing in pattern. At this point in life I'm torn 10 different ways and between work, sports and various other aspects of my RC hobby and I can't devote time to practice to the extent I deem necessary to give formal pattern an honest effort. So the fleeting idea of attending the NATS or any pattern contest in the near future made me avoid taking this or the current NSRCA survey. I'm simply looking to you guys for inspiration and soaking up whatever I can to appreciate the culture of pattern.

I also really like to understand how features of the planes we fly play to various maneuvers (and rules) in pattern. I'm intrigued by the idea of biplanes in pattern. Would they really be that much heavier and expensive? Is the thought of encouraging(?) bipes that despicable? (would you NEED one to be competitive because bipes present better in the air?) Would that make things too complex and deter event participation because the perception of needing a 2M bipe to compete would scare away would be particpants?

At the risk of sidetracking this thread, I would like to propose a question based on a real world subject:

I see that Donatas Pauzuolis won the 2009 FAI World Air Games in Turin, Italy Flying the Extreme Flight 78" Extra 300.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5b6r...layer_embedded

I also see that Donatas chose a 78" (2M) plane but needed to take extreme measures to abide by the 5KG weight rule (compared to what most other flyers of this plane are achieving, as most EF Extras weigh about 13 lbs).

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=694

I believe the FAI weight limit applies to this competition, as it does for FAI pattern (and thus is why folks are saying "that's the way it is" == it is simply trickled down as a known established "safe" and "stable" rule for which the world has come to expect and rely.)

It seems probable Donatas would rather have more power for his routine, but that would have dictated a larger setup than 6S. The current trend is for folks to outfit that Extra with a 10S system (same 5 AH config as most 2M pattern birds), bringing it to ~13 lbs. I'd wager even at 13 lbs, a practiced flyer could do very well in pattern with this plane, but I understand at the highest levels, a "pattern style" bird would most likely win due to the specialized design features favoring "pattern" aerobatics vs 3D or freestyle capability.

I've heard the argument : "you're only hurting yourself" if you choose to fly a heavier plane. IF that extra weight is applied within the 2M cube to add power, extra wings (drag), or whatever else is desired, how is that unfair? If not unfair, how is it undesirable?

Without a true understanding for what rules are meant to enforce, I don't think anyone can really answer this question. So traditionalists will simply avoid this entire argument.

I applaud Michael and Bob's comments above. But I think at the very least, it is fun to speculate. And I enjoy the opportunity to do so with you all. I'm not saying we SHOULD change the rules, but of course it does seem attractive to eliminate whatever seems unproductive. Yet I also see and appreciate an argument for stability.

When I Google "FAI 5 KG weight limit" I get a few sites in RCU, but not too much beyond this:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10162438
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_26...tm.htm#2690495

"Googling" the history of FAI rules outside a forum such as this does not give one the "cultural appreciation" of why and how the rules came into being. And to Michael's point, if we don't know why, shouldn't we find out?

Joe Chovan
Syracuse, NY
NSRCA 4433