ORIGINAL: BERUSTY
Classic Pattern Event in Chicago...2010?
Personally, the SPA rules allow allow for airplanes that ''look'' like classics with MAJOR deviations to fuselage length, wing stab location and prohibit the actual ''replication'' of the original model including engine selection and landing gear configuration.
I will allow ''ANY'' classic design (even the 25% deviations allowed in SPA), ANY power plant and ANY landing gear...pilot skill will be measured using AMA rules.
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
Dusty;
No need to embellish your comments in order to make your point. Yes SPA has a so-called Duck Rule that allows some tweaking, and some pilots "tweak" more than others...but most of the modificationa are small such as lengthening the fuselange by 1-2 inches to counterbalance the extra weight of the .91 FS, (which in itself was allowed because of noise restrictiions at one of the primary contest sites several years back).
If you don't agree with that practice that's fine, but I don't understand the reason for the "pot shots" from 8178 and now from you since they serve no constructive purpose... you won't change anything, just "stir the pot". Neither of you has come to an SPA event. If you had you'd know there is a lot more to SPA than the "actual replication" of the original design. The precise replication of the planform is not the primary purpose of SPA, it's competition with vintage airplanes that are simple and inexpensive, (the real reason retracts and pipes are not allowed). It is a good organization with good people.
Recently we are seeing more of a return to the .60 2-stroke, (at several contest sites without strict noise regs), and electrics are becoming much more common.
Promotion of any "classic pattern" event is a great idea. Good luck with it.
Duane