JQUID,

It is great to see that this form of pattern is getting the attention it deserves !!! I thought I would chime in here with a couple of opinions. I believe the engine limit should be left at 1.2 TWO OR FOUR STROKE. As others have pointed out, the RE .61 two strokes are not really available at the local hobby shop BUT.... they are available. I point to Jett Engineeering as a source. I would prefer not to have the 4 strokes as these planes simply were not designed for them. I kit four Ballistic Birds and you try to stuff a 1.20 4 stroke in any of them and you'll have quite a mess on your hands. Instead of an engine limit, I vote for a cut off off of designed/flown prior to 1984 and/or a wingspan limit of 72". As others have said, you stuff a 1.20 4 stroke in a .60 sized pattern ship and you have a nose heavy blob.
The other thing is the tricycle retracts.... I feel that's important to the heritage of these planes. The thing that made Ballistic Pattern as popular as it was/is was the spectacle/sound of the retracts and tuned pipes. These two things obviously led up to the 3rd factor which is SPEED. Keep in mind THIS is the rear reason that you had spectators at the early meets. It was exciting to watch these planes. Remember, to get the public involved, you must put on a show. I've just attended an SPA meet and I can tell you one thing for certain. POWER does NOT win contests in Ballistic Pattern. Skill does. The idea that a you need a bigger 4 stroke to win is just not true. More to come, but I want to volunteer any help/support I can for this rebirth of Ballistic Pattern.

Dan


Carolina Custom Aircraft