My club the, Hampton Roads Radio Control Inc, has an advid group of combat fliers that truly enjoys some very informal club combat. We have a group of about 6-8 regulars and another 4-6 some time combat enthusiasts and right now we combat for bragging rights. We are all using SPAD dogfighters powered with everything from 25 sized motors to 46's and having an absolute blast.
Recently, I asked my club president to ask at an interclub council meeting (about seven different clubs in the area meeting of the presidents) if any of the other club members would be interested in joining my club in a combat bout in the Spring, and he reported back to me there is INTEREST. I volunteered to layout some basic rules and requirements which I'll forward when completed to all the local area clubs recommending that all club members use at our local combat meets. If enough combat interest grows here in the Hampton Roads area I'll recommend each of the clubs takes a turn at hosting an event on a monthly rotating basis and where appropriate, start flying different bouts for different classes. Much like the North Carolina group that meets about once a month on the second Sunday, I'm proposing we also meet once a month (date still to be determined). For starters, I intend to use RCCA OPEN CLASS C rules so most of my club fliers will be able to use their present SPAD dogfighters without having to change out their motors, plus if anyone wants to go to the next level and compete at a sanctioned RCCA event, the rules we use will at least be close. Safety concerns will no doubt be the primary corner stone of our efforts, but I think making hard hats mandatory for everyone will be a hard sell for my club members who are used to flying without them.
The purpose of posting this thread is to solicit recommendations from those of you who have been there, done that and have experience in getting combat interest expanded beyond a club level to a regional area started. My goal is not to host a national level RCCA event nor to chase points, rather to provide an venue locally for folks to give combat flying a try. Any advice you might care to share or pitfalls I should avoid, I'm all ears. Thanks.
Gary Murdock