RE: No Nelson
sorry my bad here...I wasn't clear enough.
I was not saying race FAI planes. When people ***** and moan about cost due to crashing (mid-airs..hence "disposable" planes...) I was saying race one at a time. If you only have one plane in the air, you can't hit anyone. common sense tells you that.
FAI expenses.... I've spent FAR LESS on FAI then I every have on Q40 and Q500. Mostly because you don't crash much in FAI (that has to be because you don't race side by side, and you launch 1 second apart). The engines are about $125 more in FAI, and you do have to spend $80 on a pipe. So that's $200 more all together, than a Nelson. The engines however, are more durable than any Q40 engine out there. If you burn a piston, it's about $50 bucks for a new piston, no liner change. Heads are $25 - $30 bucks. Planes will run you $750 - $1200... (my last Proud Bird was $800 painted) Most FAI planes are painted in the mold. Same radio gear as Q40 and Q500, so no change. Props are about $20 - $40 range. They are full carbon layed up in a mold, they last forever. And you could make your own like we do.
AGAIN... I wasn't saying to race FAI planes. I too enjoy watching us smash our crap in the ground. It's hilarious!
RB