ORIGINAL: Barry Cazier

Interesting question/comments. I think 3D is hovering but more. It starts with hover. And certainly that would not be consider standard aerobatics. I think waterfalls are 3D, harrier certainly is 3D, KE is questionable in my mind. I think that falls under aerobatics (pattern), blender is 3D if done right.

And here's where it gets questionable. Of course everyone is gonna say that "thick wing with a boom" aren't 3D planes. IE: UCD, TWIST, PROFILES, ETC. ETC. ETC. But I think they are the true 3D planes. The others are modified pattern planes or scale. To me the difference is in the way they flat spin. I've said this many times in many forums. A 3D plane will do an ultra flat flat spin and just stay there. Some call this a pinwheel. To me this is a maneuver that seperates the planes. The true 3D planes will do them the aerobatic/pattern/scale will not. That was my beef with the Yak, the Showtime, and many others. They do harriers, KE, etc well but won't do the pinwheel.

So if you're gonna say a fat winged, boomed, plane isn't a 3D plane but they will do a "pinwheel" then what are they? And if a Yak does great KE and good Harriers but not a good flat spin. What is it?

These forum will start a lot of heated discussion. Should be interesting.

Thanks
Barry