Alright, so I just get back to the states and I have a msg and two emails telling me to "represent". Lmao you guys are killing me. (you guys know who you are.) I've read all the posts and I will tell a quick story before I hit the sack here at the hotel. I'll try to keep this short without the drama.
Along time ago when I was a kid I started flying and competing with remote control helicopters. At the same time I was trying to make just about anything fly using Tamiya 540 can motors. XV-15 tilt rotor, ducted fan jets, Baron28 helicopter, you name it. I also was trying to make a F-16 with a RK-049 fly (remember that one!) I bought it at the swap shop at the WRAM show in 1985. Well eventually I left the RC scene for many years. I would always tell people, that's something I USED to do. Until about 5 years ago. When I went to a local hobbyshop and bought a Kyosho Ducted fan F-16. I was amazed how far technology had come, I was also amazed at the price of these so called "turbines." I remember saying to one individual at that hobby shop "I would never want to fly it!" For a long time I just could not justify it. And then I flew that little thing around for like 4 months (had three of them!) Then I went to this thing called the first "Markham Park jet rally." And with the exception of about 4 guys, it was an all show no go event with everyone standing around looking at their pricey little toys. Everyone was nice to me with the exception of this "Grande hermano." who kept sayin stuff like "that guy has some nerve coming to a jet meet with an electric!" yada yada yada. But it did'nt matter because when those 4 dudes were'nt flying that little red and white EDF was. I may have had more flights than anybody out there that weekend. And when it was all over Sunday afternoon, I received an award for Best military ducted fan. Alot of the comments I received from the crowd that weekend when I would walk through were things like "it's nice to see something that we can afford." etc. etc. Since then I have decided to "justify" what is certainly a very rewarding hobby. But I have to admit that if it were'nt for that little Kyosho and the guys at Markham letting me fly, I probably would have never continued into jets the way I have. Because I found that this group of "jet guys." were really just a great bunch of people who all liked to have fun and were'nt really "exclusive." Even the Big Hermano who drives a "chicken" somewhere found it in him to accept an electric or two.(even though he still won't admit it!)
Now of course I do realize the problems that can arise when flying dissimiler aircraft in the same airspace can pose. (ATC anyone......NOT!) However, I think that we all have to take note that electrics ducted fans are far from what they used to be and many rival if not exceed in some cases the performance of Most propjets, some ducted fans and in the not too distant future some turbine aircraft. I am currently building a scale electric twin ducted fan that should not only be able to exceed 130+ mph but should also have no problem with 1.1+ and 9 minutes on the stopwatch. (staytuned) Of course with the advancements in Li-Polys, coreless motors, etc. This is easily attainable. As far as flying at the same contests, I do think that there may have to be some base guidelines that a CD may have to consider. Some things that come to mind are maybe a weight restriction? For instance most electric jets that weigh 8 to 10lbs or more have enough intertia to maintain at least 80mph due to the wing loading etc. Or in the case of the last big Jet event in Florida, "the scale hour" worked well. Maybe have two or three half hour periods in a day when EDF's could have the sky. I think the technology is right there within months of having some serious electric jets that if nothing else would be a real crowd pleaser at jet shows. When I think back to the birds I've had and how it all started for me, I never forget that little red and white F-16, that's probably the only reason I'm even in jets today.
Well guys, I'm off to bed.

Take Care,
Fly Safe

Bryce