Duane,

I think the issue has a lot to do with the fact that SPA offers a list of acceptable airplanes for SPA competition. It doesn't say "modified" airplanes, it simply says this or that design based on the date it was originally conceived. I recall when I wanted to build a 60 size version of Kirkland's Mustang X. I got hammered by SPA members. I was told about the unwritten "3% rule". But, as you know, the modifications allowed for O.S.91 airplanes are nowhere near the 3% rule. I've seen photos from SPA events with airplanes that don't even resemble the stated design.

All I ask for is consistancy in application of the rules. I don't see that enlarging or shrinking the original design parameters is worse than completely changing the original design parameters. Either we allow modifications or we don't. I don't care which way SPA goes so long as it's consistent in application of the rules. To me, if it looks like a Dirty Birdy it's a Dirty Birdy. I don't really care if it's a little larger or smaller. If it doesn't look like what it's supposed to be, then it's not in the spirit of the rules, but is, in fact, an original design. If SPA wants to allow original designs or more extreme modifications, that's OK with me too. I think we just want to know what's allowed and what isn't.

ChiefK