ORIGINAL: 4u2nv-RCU
A year ago I bought a plane from a friend that I believed was SPA legal. It is called a Sunray and it is a Bipe tha has a stagger wing configuration with the bottom wing a gull shape. I bought the plane with a Hanno and a pipe and now realize that that is not legal. I will be danged if I am going to pull out the Hanno, it runs too sweet. I believe the option should be there for use of piped .60's. I know I am biased because of my situation but 1/2 of the nostalgia of the era is in those old screamiing motors!! I try to fly the current AMA patterns as well and can understand the desire to slow the plane to a more constant speed but to deny us the use of these motors in SPA seems to be contradictory to the spirit of the event to begin with. There is only one SPA event within a 500 mile radius of me now and I believe the more inclusive the rules the more likely for growth in contests and participation.
I understand what you're saying, and TRUST ME, the point has been made before.
Like I said earlier, there may some day be a major revision of SPA rules, but since it would greatly change the philosophy under which SPA was formed, it is not likely to happen soon...if ever.
If I were you, I would leave things exactly as you have them and enjoy your plane. You could even come to an SPA contest with it and try out the experience by flying Novice class, (you must fly an SPA legal plane in the higher classes). You would receive a certificate of participation. Your flights would not count towards final placement for awards, or national points standings.
"...Growth in contests and participation..." is what we're trying to do, but within the rules the organization has lived under since its beginning.
There are several SPA members from Texas, but not a formal chapter so far.
Beautiful BIPES.............enjoy them, and keep practicing