I'm moving up to Parker,CO and am looking for a field to fly at were I can do 3d without problems I've seen mile highs web site and wasnt to sure about it. So what are some other good 3d fields near parker or aurora.

Thanks,
Mark

I don't know where parker is in relation to Colorado springs, but I can tell you that, when it comes to flying 3d, or anything for that matter, Colorado springs SUCKS!!! If Parker is anywhere east of the Rockies, count on flying at a minimum altitude of 5000 feet, which equates to a minimum 20-25% loss of engine thrust and overall loss of flight performance. If it's west of the Rockies, you may get down to 4000. I am new to Colorado Springs (moved from so-cal as well) and haven't had a chance to get much flying in, but people say that real 3D is practically impossible unless you have an EXTREMELY light airplane with lots o' wing area. Unfortunately that's like asking for perpetual motion, because you usually need a larger, heavier engine to recover the rediculous power loss. I have an Extreme flight Yak which is a very light airframe, and I stuck with the DA 50. People at sea level are getting 71-7200RPM out of a brand new engine with a 22X8, while we, at 6800 feet, are lucky to get 68-6900, and I have effectively lost about 3 pounds of thrust because of it. I haven't had a chance to fly this plane yet, but I am not thrilled about having to deal with these losses.
To give you an idea of how bad it is, IMO, I am moving back to California and better model flying was one of only a few key factors in my decision.

You can fly 3D at the Arvada club in Golden. Also check out the Cherry Creek club at the reservoir. You might try Chatfield- but they don't enforce the AMA requirement too much and I found it uncomfortable. Not much frequency control or field amenities like tables and benches either.

I have a World Models 80" Extra w/G-62 and was flying it at Arvada field at 5973' altitude with a 22-10 prop at 7100RPM. It would hover at 3/4 throttle.

You can easily fly 3D with 40 size glow stuff. At 5973' it takes a .60 glow engine to hover a 5.5--6.0LB airframe at FULL THROTTLE. I had a 40 size Giles 3D that weighed 5 pounds RTF and I was running a TH .75 engine with an APC 13-5 prop and 15% fuel. It hovered at 1/2 throttle easily.

You can just barely hover a U-Can-Do 60 with a Saito 91 at that altitude, but it better be a cold morning. You won't get it to hover in the middle of the summer on a hot day. So, for extreme 3D performance on that airframe- you'd most likely need a 120-150 size engine.

It takes a HOT 50 or a decent 60 size engine (61FX or an EVO 61) to hover a TH Uproar 40 that weighs 4.5 pounds.

You can hover a H9 25% Cap 232 weighing just under 12 pounds with a ST3000. It's full throttle hovering--not much room for mistakes-- but you can do it. Prop it right. Big diameter and no more than an 8 pitch.

You can get a Sig 25% Cap 231EX to hover with a ST3000 and a 20-6 wood MA Schimitar---if you shave the weight and get it under 12 pounds. Not worth the trouble IMO. Mine weighed close to 14 pounds. Hard to lose 2 pounds on a model that size. I did it, but there's lighter stuff available today. I wouldn't buy a Sig- just to beat my head against the wall trying to get it under 12 pounds.

Generally- at 6000'--:

It takes a .60 engine to hover a 40 size plane-- better with a .70 or .80 engine
It takes a MINIMUM 1.20 engine to hover a 10 pound airframe at near full throttle
It takes a 1.80 engine to hover a 12 pound airframe at full throttle

And your DA50 turning 6800 RPM with a 22-8 won't do the trick on your 16 pound airframe-- get more cubic inches--a G-62 or a ZDZ 60 will do it just fine with a 22-10 prop around 7000-7200RPM. No substitute for more cubes.

Good luck with it.

Hope you can use that info to get yourself set up for some good 3D at 6000' elevation.

Rcpilet,thanks for the help i have a funtana 90 with a os 1.60 so I dont think I will have a power problem with it. Also what type of runways do the fields you listed have. Thanks for all the help.

Mark

It is a new engine and I am running lawnboy ashless 32:1. I am only planning on the 22X8 for break-in to keep the R's above 6500. Once broken in I will switch to the MSC 23X8. I have already run the engine with it and was getting 20 pounds of thrust...I don't foresee a problem with vertical performance - I just know it will be lacking compaired to sea level.
I also feel I may have some performance issues with the engine, as it has hardly any compression and just sounds weak. I will not know for sure until I get the 22X8 on it and tack it. I am running the hyde cannister and should get a 100-200 rpm increase out of it over stock. I also have the stock muffler and will do some tests with it...we'll have to see.
I only have to deal with this altitude for 5 more months, then it's back to Cali for me!

All I have to say is, get a RC glove, and try in the winter. I can't 3d with even my YS 1.40DZ in my DPM Ultimate 1.20 . I have seen some bigger airplanes (huge gassers) be successful, but the medium sizes are really tough. Fun Fly types work pretty well up here though. BTW, Parker is a nice area.

Arvada has the nicest runway-- by FAR. It's concrete. It's 750' long and 50' wide. Very nice pitts and frequency control. Excellent TX impound facilities. They got PLENTY of nice wooden "picnic table" style benches and a large (50'X50') canopy for shade. Nice starting tables right near the flightline to keep running engines away from the pitts. No running water and a Port-a-Let for bathroom facilities. No Electricity. Bring your lunch and your own lawnchair. Overall- very safe and a nice runway with good pitts.

Arvada also has a 600' +/- grass runway. VERY FRIENDLY guys. AMA required.

Cherry creek has an approx--400' asphalt runway No tables or setup area and they start and run engines in the pits-- pointed right at ya!! VERY FRIENDLY guys. AMA Required Overall- nice guys and a decent runway.

Chatfield has an approx 600'asphalt runway with a crossing runway 90degrees to the end that's also about 600' long. No tables or benches. Decent covered canopy about 30'X60'. Terrible pitts and frequency control. AMA----""kinda sorta, I guess --if you think ya need it--but we don't care"" Overall--pretty nice runways, but terrible pitts and not real safe.

On the DA 50--they take GALLONS of fuel to break in. And it will get a lot better with time. Most take at least 5 gallons to get nice. 10 gallons is just finally getitng broken in. I'd guess that you should be able to use a 22-10 on it--but I can't say what kind of RPM you'll get with that prop.

My G-62 is on the 5th gallon now. It's just getting smoother and smoother. I may jump to a 23-10 prop eventually. I'm still running 40:1 break-in oil in mine. I might switch to a synthetic Amsoil 50:1 after 5 more gallons.

I fly Arvada too- great site. Only busy in the mornings on nice weekends, evenings are way more chill. Rules are pretty well adhered to- almost every time I fly Phil (safety officer) gently reminds me that fast close passes (never this side of centerline) make people uncomfortable... [] Not to mention the mandatory $200 runway fee...

The Grass runway is... in progress- right now its more like small pebbles, sprouting grass, and prarie dog holes... Fighting an uphill battle there. Dave has his work cut out for him.

I have heard that Chatfield does get pretty crazy- but there are alot more accomplished 3-D pilots there FWIW. I will check it out when my Funtana gets finished.

Hehe- there are a few other flying attractions in the area- more like surfing though...

Chatfield also has a few jet flyers. Cool to watch, but kind of scary. Chatfield guys seem to make up the rules as they go. I don't like flying there at all, some guys will fly 3d behind the flightline!! Mile-Hi R/C is a pretty good one too. I used to fly there till I moved to Highlands Ranch. I currently have no home field but may go back to Mile-HI. www.milehirc.com if you are interested. Paved runways, some shelter, freq inpound, friendly people for the most part. Only downside is the location where it is is like prone to bad weather and wind and fog. 1 Mile down the road, no breeze, at the field 15 mph of wind or more!! pretty strange.