The SPA had an event at our field last year, and will have the Masters here this year. I was impressed by the laid back attitude during competition. Everyone seemed genuinely friendly and helpful to each other. The competition was exciting to watch both days. I found the SPA members to be exceptionally friendly to have at the field. I'm not sure if I'll join this year as my planes are not SPA legal, and it will be next year before I have anything built to compete with. Several members are building the new Taurus kits for the SPA. There are a lot of planes to choose from.

I don't think turbines are off subject at all. That is a bit narrow minded to say. It may be too soon to have a turbine flying decent pattern work, but definately not impossible. Turbine prices are coming down. I think a lot of people misunderstand what turbines really do. I flew full scale turbines for years and they aren't just zoom and boom engines. You could do some decent maneuvers with the right little turbine and the right airframe if you understood the strengths and weaknesses....like any 2 or 4 stroke engines have. It seems to me that a turbine would fit somewhere between 2 and 4 strokes with torque and spool up issues. Also, no P factors. Maybe stall turns would be tricky.....

Fuel would be an issue. The bigger turbines drink around 10 oz a minute from what I've read. I guess that part of the idea needs some work....