Not picking on you, Matt, it's just a good place to weigh in.... I've heard people say, C'mon, I'd love to fly against you with your 13 pound airplane. Tell ya what folks, anybody wants to make it a bet, and I'm game. Within reason; I'm not gonna beat Arch, Frack or Chip. BUT, I'll build up a 1250sqin wing for the Shinden and away we go. You need about 90 squares per pound, give or take, and just jacking up the weight limit will not affect performance by itself appreciably. I'd need to keep the power on a bit more a la' ballistic pattern of the 80's. Might use a gas engine, even. Raise it to 15 lb, and I'll build a 1450sqin wing and use a DA. All within 2m X 2m. A full 15 lb limit will probably put the EP's at a disadvantage again, though.
Brian
ORIGINAL: MTK
ORIGINAL: cmoulder
Or simply extend the 5115g limit to Masters and be done with it.
There are more and more options coming out every month for lightweight electric airframes with composite fuses and built-up wings/stabs (a la Sickle, Nuance), all of which make weight easily with economical components. My Sickle weighs in at 10 lb 8 oz with a Himax motor and CC Phx 85HV, APC prop and Zippy batts. The older e-conversions (like Brio) are at the end of their service lives anyway, and any still out there can make 11 lb 4 oz easily. Vanquish, Monolog and (hopefully soon) the 2M Osiris are some even less expensive options.
If the goal is to keep it cheap and competitive - and not to ignite a technology race - why jack the limit up to 11 lb 14.4 oz (5.4 kg)?
Maybe even the Extreme Flight Extra except with pattern sized wings and stabs from the Vansquish.....
I like the 10 pound 20 ounce limit if I had a vote. Hell I'd vote yes for the 10 pound 30 ounce limit too. That weight flies fine on current airframes