multiflyer,

We have a cross country event run annually by a local club and this new bird is intended to make the most of our past experience competing in it. Being once a year, the design will have to serve multi-function. One of the design characteristics we are going for is very wide speed range. We have flown a scale Cub previously and it was hampered by limited speed during the up-wind legs. Our new design is to be very clean without struts, tail braces, or any more fuselage than necessary. As clean as it will be, we want some help bleeding energy on landing, thus the flaps. Side benefit of the flaps is the washout affect when deployed.

Cross country flying is about the most fun you can have with an RC transmitter in your hand, especially in a competitive environment. We have talked about long distance flying, but have not put a working plan together. In the end, the airplane is no more than 25% of an ability to compete. The drive team is critical to success as they have to meet an unknown drive time and maintain precision following a map. Anything can get in the way of success. With all the best planning, equipment, and skill, there is still nothing like having luck on your side. Landing wheels first with a whole airplane after three 40 minute grulling flights is one of the greatest feelings you can experience. You should try it sometime!

Bedford