ORIGINAL: ChazM
Top Gun works because FT invites only the best of the best, has just one location for the event every year and makes necessary changes yearly to keep up with the times.
I still think that USSMA is still living in the past, when WW2 heavy metal planes were the thing - and the rules still reflect that. SBDs, Hellcats, Skyraiders, Mustangs, etc are still the most advantageous a/c in qualifier competitions. Just fly your EIII in a Fly-Past Maneuver in a strong wing and hope you get thru 300 feet in under 10 seconds. Probably good for a 6.5.
/chuck
I did qualify for scalemasters this year with a Fokker D7 but was unable to attend. There is no doubt, I would have had a hard time winning, mainly because of my flight scores. not that it is impossible, but if any wind appears, the WW2 aircraft have a distinct advantage. I am currently getting ready to start building a new WW2 competition model just for this reason.
I am not pushing for any rule changes, this is just the nature of the scale event as I see it. I am new to scale but it is my future.