Originally posted by rdcracer
You cant honestly tell me you think a 60 inch plane on a day with any kind of wind could compete against these larger aircraft ............. My 12 year old son is going to compete this year with a GP 60 size extra 300.
I don't know what class your son flies, but if it is Basic, then perhaps smaller pattern type planes will level the field. As we know, pattern planes do fly better because they don't have to compromise flight characteristics in order to look like scale aerobats. For example, the GP Tracer is an economical kit choice ($80 from Tower) that can allow larger plane precision in a smaller size. More info here:
TRACER . Another larger possibility for .60 size engines is the $199 Cermark Javelin-II ARF, found here:
JAVELIN-II . There are others, I'm sure, but the thought here is that since Basic is the entry level class that allows ANY plane to compete, then here's a choice of tool that gives up little quarter to larger scale planes.
Anticipating a response, no, I don't see allowing pattern planes in other IMAC classes.I don't view Basic as a competition class, rather as a "get your feet wet" class. After one's feet are wet and he decides he likes IMAC, then moving up requires the prerequisite SCALE aerobat. After all, that's what separates us from pattern, right? They fly model airplanes, and we fly models
OF airplanes. Their planes fly well because of the design, and our planes fly well IN SPITE OF the design. Having said that, if your son is competing in a class higher than Basic, then yep, his .60 sized GP Extra is at a disadvantage.
The whole basis on judgment is how precise you enter and exit manures and by these terms no mater how good you are is going to put you at a major disadvantage with a smaller plane.
Silly me, here I was thinking that manuever entry and exit is something the PILOT did rather than something the PLANE did. I'm no expert, and I guess it shows.
We know he will probably have this major disadvantage. We will do it anyway just because of the competition and the enjoyment of going to these events.
You're right, maybe I AM in dreamland, but for me, the FUN factor of the competition, and sharing good times with friends, is the whole deal. The value of my trip isn't measured by where I placed on the scoreboard. Again, I focus on things I CAN control, and don't worry about things I can't.