ORIGINAL: vellum2
Mike, I like the idea of the Unlimited class. That may be a good way to include as many folks as possible. The key seems to be the size limit and the style of the pattern. Non-turnaround favors a faster, sleeker plane. I'd put an aurora or T2A against any wide body.
I was thinking of the trike idea myself - though I'd hate to make that a rule. trikes were popular because you could approach a 10 take off and landing easier than you could with a tail dragger. So I'm with Frank on this one - let that be your own chosen advantage or disadvantage... Just don't get upset with me if I get a 10 because i took off at half throttle, rotated directly in front of the judges and lifted off ever so slightly whilst retrating the 3 little wheels, nose gear first *G*
10CC seems like a recurring theme for most folks though. I'd hesitate to limit the years of design since the style of pattern really does dictate what airplanes to use. These were purpose built machines - designed to excell at the current pattern sequences. So keep the sequences in the spirit of the era and the designs will follow suite.
Joe W.
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Back in the day, I always thought it was insulting to judge a takeoff or a landing. If you made the takeoff, you competed, if you didn't, all was moot. We should hope that anyone that is a competent enough pilot to fly in an aerobatics competition would have the takeoff and landing down pat. Let's not resume judging these two maneuvers. That permits either kind of landing gear without penalty.
Having an Unlimited Class will make everyone else feel like a junior, second class participant. Let's keep the displacement to .61 with a pipe, .75 with a muffler. Let's make the four-strokes the same displacement as the two-strokes. Atmospherically respirated four-strokes can use .75 CID. Supercharged YS four-strokes, or any other supercharged four-stroke, you never know, can use .63 CID.
No electrics. This is a classic type of event.
As you can see, the more I think about it, the less in favor I am of larger displacements and expensive engines. Let's keep this a flying skill event. Not a money event.