Sorry . . I am ignorant. How does this work ?? (within the rules . . )

If it is to electronically control the engine revs for constant flight speed . . how will it maintain this constant speed in a vertical down line with the throttle off ? Doesn't gravity, air density and airframe drag control the speed in this condition ??

Controlling the "appearance" of constant speed flying F3A is relatively easy . . we have a throttle stick . It's the manoeuvres that give us trouble . As for the constant speed on vertical down lines . . I believe it is really about motor and prop choices, AND induced drag designed into the airframe. Mike might be able to help you with the airframe design here

I guess it's kind of similar to Formula 1 car racing. They change the rules, and engineers design new cars to operate as efficiently as possible within the new rules . . in F3A, they create new manoeuvres and pattern/aerobatic schedules. Often, a plane used competitively for schedules in "days gone by" will not fly some manoeuvres in the new schedules as well as it should, requiring modifications to the airframe. The latest appearance of F3A planes is a DIRECT result of airframe design meeting the requirements of these newer schedules, with increasingly complex manoeuvres involving integrated rolls in loops and circles, Knife edge snaps, etc., etc. . . none of which were flown (as far as I know) when the Taurus was competing. Hence . . the Taurus will NOT compete in F3A today ! . . not a chance . . even WITH a Pitot Tube. Sorry, Cees.



Cheers, JB