I am sure something will be worked out anyway!

so what is really going to happen are we going to Freestlye or fly fixed moves. I love to fly freestyle and i think that if a set pattern has to be flown then there will be a very poor showing of competiters. i probably wouldnt compete if a set pattern had to be flown.

T W again! I've gotta keep up with you guys cos the RCM&E artcile has to go next week! Luke is correct in a way, & as I mentioned that was my suggestion to the committee, not because that's what I necessarily prefer, just that it's a 'smaller' leap for you guys! A vid would be ideal, not sure it could be done in time for all those wishing to attend the 2004 event though. RCM&E should be including a ribbon diagram with luck, so that will help. I have a line diagram but not sure how to get it on this post! Email me [email protected] I can send you what I have. Don't forget, this is the top class sequence, the next class down will get a somewhat 'reduced' but similar sequence. That's not quite ready yet.

It is a little traumatic learning something new, a natural thing, done it so many times in the past with more sophisticated programmes than this. Try not to deny it just to make life easier, the best things need harder work! But at the same time if this is really not what you want, maybe it shouldn't happen.

I once again apologise, it's so easy for me to overlook the fact that some of you are a little less familiar with sequence drawings/explanations than I. But be assured, the amount of flexibility available within the proposed 'fixed' sequence is unprecedented & in my opinion allows the pilot considerable influence of a presentation. Coupled with the judge's flexibility at the 2004 event, you should feel a little more confident!

‘Flat top’ sees the model exit a vertical climb with minimal airspeed, stop & immediately enter the next figure. A 3D model can exit a vertical upline with almost zero airspeed & enter another figure. In this case it's simply a spin.

Knife edge turn: These are very attractive when done well. It's on the 45 upline, knife edge. A 180 then brings you down that same 45 line.

Stall Turns in this sequence are obviously not 'standard issue'. They are in fact partial stall turns, either to the 45 degree line or horizontal line. These also are rather attractive. They do need a degree of control finesse to execute well, but the spectators love them, believe me!

However, at the end of the day it's still your event, to be progressed at your speed. Where once F3A commanded the pages of magazines, (was good for my ego), now 3D has it all. I can only suggest where you might go to 'conquer all', the final word has to be yours!

Your comments are very much appreciated.

That KE turn sounds good.

I think the actual setout youve devisd is a good one. Keeps the juges happy and the enterants happier

Good. But what about the FREESTYLE part

er, if you read its the last 2 of the 3 frounds

Thank you if the last 2 rounds are still going to be freestyle then i will compete. What about you lot

Deffinatly!

good what class are you in and what are you flying

lower, havent any comp experience[&:]

Bottom class of how ever many there are [&:].

Must admit that last night I got to thinkin about the sequence, and when you do think about it there is still huge scope for artistic flair in that sequence, even though the underlying sequence is set.

I wont go into it here, I want to keep my tricks up my sleave but every manouver listed allows plenty of variation.

Terry, will all the classes have one round flown to music, or just the top one?

T W --- said I'd keep up, I do try to keep my word. There are only 2 classes, now known as 'Unlimited' (as one might expect), the other 'Advanced', (for new 'arrivals'), appropriate I reckon cos any of you guys are way better than the average club pilot. I'm pleased one or two are now beginning to see some light, but I'm still waiting on the very many others who have still to comment.

We have yet to decide on whether or not to carry the format totally from Unlimited down to Advanced. Unlimited is required to fly one Freestyle to music & one without.

The knife edge 45 turn is rather 'trick', but wait till you get to do the knife edge Stall Turn! But this is obviously destined for the Unlimited guys, power is required together with a more potent model. Advanced will, as I said, have a 'tamer' programme, sensibility!

The thing is, because there are 2 Freestyle rounds a pilot can take full advantage of these if it is preferable, cos 1 round will be dropped, (the lowest score obviously).

I have been practising knife edge circuits and figure eights, so this should not prove too difficult, the tricky part is changing from the upline to down line while doing it. Have not tried that yet [&:]. Though I presume that this wont be in the advance class, I would suggest something knife edge somewhere.

Cool, gives us a chance to try different approaches and see if it impresses the judges.

i actually like the sound of that TW, wow, ill be advance that makes me feel all good at flying[&:]

mo, serious this new format sounds good. im aactually now looking forward to it[X(]

im looking forward to this years comp,ive also been doing f3a last year and this year so that fixed schedule is cooli like the music idea,a freind off mine in my club mixed me a cd with various tracks in prep for this, cool[8D]

Good i like saying that im going to compete in the Advanced class sounds good. I to like the idea of the music and have a simple pattern set up. I am going to fly my Capiche 50. How old is everyone who is competing in the Advanced class

im 16 in april, ill be flying unlimited... I like the new format.. it'll keep everything interesting i'm sure.


One thing..will there be a good, powerful PA system there? An event like that really should be sponsored by the lend of one!

yeah that would help keep things running smoth. how long you all been flying

if its held on the 7th again, ill have been flying for 4 years and 7 days

Peter, i dont think nathan wanted the PA to run everything smooth, i think its ment for the MUSIC!

ok music it is. I have been flyinf for 11 months and 22 days. I am 16

Why not do as the heli boys do fly one round as an interpretation of a set piece of music, which allows freedom of expression but gives the judges a base to judge upon. Whilst on the subject of music I hope the organisers can arrange a decent PA system, the one at last years heli 3D masters was pathetic and only surpassed by the catering standards, if you were there you know!

..It must've been better than the PA at the freestyle comp!!

Or just get some LOUD speakers (that everyone can easily hear) to rig up on a D/c to A/c converter and a cd player.
Don't know wether something has been arranged or not.......but i might be able to bring along a set as a back up if the main PA fails......

www.freestylercaerobatics.ournet.co.uk

Hi to you all

I hope I have found the right place to post this message, I have been working on a fairly simple website for the RCM&E Terry Westrop Freestyle event, not very many of you will know me but I have been involved in F3A circles in the UK for the past 14 years. I served as chairman of the GBRCAA (Great Britain RC Aerobatic Association) for 3 years, before that I lived in Johannesburg South Africa for 20years and again was very involved with F3A; Terry was on the GBRCAA committee for two of the years that I was chairman serving as Technical adviser. He tried his hardest to convince the GBRCAA membership that the schedules needed to be more appealing to the crowds that came to watch aerobatics but with limited success. He is finally achieving his dream of creating RC aerobatics that are entertaining and interesting to the spectators.

I have been a friend of Terrys for many years and we have had our difference of opinions regarding the direction of the GBRCAA but it is an organisation for the furtherance of F3A. With the help of RCM&E a longstanding relationship that Terry has had, the Freestyle event has evolved, there is a now a platform for the furtherance of 3D freestyle RC aerobatics in the UK. This is quite an achievement on Terry's part. He doesn't give up easily that is why he was several times British F3A Champion.

I flew in the very first event with an F3A powered by a YS140FZ I came 3rd but after attending the 2003 event I wouldn't shape at all, you guys are so very good, I was amazed how far technically you have moved on since that first event (the 2000 event was the only one I had attended) At the last event I was amazed at the number of entries but felt sorry for Terry trying to do everything himself in running the event and being CD, so myself and a few others stepped in and helped Terry to run things. This prompted me to agree to become involved for this years event. I suggested that a Website would help to keep all of those that take part to be kept more up-to-date regarding last minute changes that we wish to tell you about, know body came forward so I now have the job!!

The Web address is www.freestylercaerobatics.ournet.co.uk it is now up and running so please have a look, on Gallery page 2 I am currently posting pictures of the 2003 event, several pictures need captions, when you see yourself please send me a caption for your picture I promise to get it entered without delay, also if you have pictures of your latest 3D machine please send them to me and I will either put them on a new page or if they are relevant to a past comp will enter them there. I have quite a few pictures from the 2002 event so will soon have a gallery for that year as well.

So remember the website address www.freestylercaerobatics.ournet.co.uk

Please send all correspondence to [email protected]

Kind regards to you all

John Mee

T W - so now you know the new site address, from John Mee, umpteen years in F3A, now sees the attraction of something new in aeros!

RCM&E have the provision of a PA system under their control, so I would presume it should prove quite effective. They are also looking into the provision of refreshments. A number of other issues are currently being addressed to improve the efficiency of the next event.

Advanced will have some Knife flight, don't be in doubt about that! Keep the suggestions coming so I can construct that programme appropriately, ie how much 'tamer' it should be.

It's rather interesting, but not really surprising, that aeros reamains the aspiration of most model pilots, even those of a very young age. In my day it was indeed F3A, for that was the 'business' then. Now it's the turn of 3D, but it's still aerobatics, developed for a new era.