I don't know how much fuel a YS140DZ might need, but I do know it was not uncommon to see 20-24 oz tanks, which was one of the reasons I always favored the 2C which have a much better power to weight ratio, even if it didn't have the same peak power.
I think any plane that is going to have a tech inspected after a flight should be -
- impounded immediately by an official, without being touched by the pilot or his helper
- the TX should also be immediately impounded
Obviously the pilot/helper should be allowed to shut down/unplug/depressurize, etc the radio, plane, etc. While cumbersome, I see this as the only way to ensure post flight tech inspection is fair to all.
The point about needing to get lipos on charge ASAP is very valid, my opinion. On the FAI semifinals day in 2009 (not AMA, but applicable since the same effective format was used), flight order rotations were changed (to correct an error), and one competitor ended up short on time to charge his "competition" pack. It was great to see practically all the competitors on that line looking for solutions, and in the end, enough time was available to complete the charging. It would seem reasonable to me to have a minimum time between flights.
Regards,
Dave Lockhart
ORIGINAL: TonyF
Arch,
The older YS engines can't get through a pattern with .9 pounds of fuel? I find that hard to believe. And what is harder about weighing the models for one round in the finals before they take-off then weighing them after they land? They go from the scales to the ready box. Simple. Right now there are two problems with weighing after the flight. A glow guy gets to empty his tanks. Unless someone watches them do that, what's to say they don't do something like pull other equipment out of the plane, like a regulator or a battery? With an electric model, especially in the Finals, you need to get the battery on charge ASAP. The delay in the weight check after the flight can be a real problem, especially if you only have one or two ''contest'' packs. I guess I just don't understand the difference.