Umm.. I did a google on.. yep, you guessed it.. SPA. And I imagine you KNOW how many hits I got on that, and not that I'm complaining, but I just did'nt want to go through all those hits for information.

So, I guess I am asking what is SPA, is there a web site, and can I get more information?

Thanks guys.

CGr

SPA is the Senior Pattern Organization, dedicated to pattern planes of pre-1976 design

www.seniorpattern.com

Other related organizations:

Vintage R/C Society
BPS - Ballistic Pattern Association

"modern" pattern is covered by the NSRCA - National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics

Thanks.

I am a member of the NSRCA and have flown some sportsman pattern, but never in a contest. As you can see by my signature, I have two modern pattern planes, the Excelleron 90 and the Venus II. Since I believe both are "modern" designs, neither would qualify for SPA. However, I am certainly willing and able to build something that would qualify.

I am the current President of the Atlantic County SkyBlazers RC club in Atlantic County, NJ. We fly mostly at our Strawberry field, which is a NJ Department of Forestry grass airstrip, and of course, with their permission. The field is a nice one, as you can see by looking at these coordinates on Google Earth. 39 29 23.03N 74 43 30.74W. If you don't have Google Earth, see the picture. (the runway is 3700 feet long).

Anyway, thanks for the information and the link to your web site. I've already visited and saved to my 'favorites'.

I will probably forward you a membership application soon.

Thanks again.

Dick. (CGRetired)

A NE chapter of the SPA is currently being formed. The original location was out of the U-fly hobby shop in Freehold N.J. I am the current VP of the chapter together with the Pres. Jim Hamilton are working to get this off the ground. Anyone interested in having fun and good flying should contact us. We are looking for people with ideas and a willingness to get involved.

Dick,
Looks like you guys have an awesome flying site down there in South Jersey. I fly out of ACY a bit for Pace airlines and I do believe I have seen your field from the air several times. I fly with the Monmouth Model airplane club in Freehold and our field is quite small, but we have a blast anyhow.
If you are really interested in SPA I can tell you this, it has been one of the best experiences I have had since I started to fly R/C 22 years ago. I have been involved in SPA since May of 2006 and attended a contest in Ashvelle the fall of that year. At the contest I flew fair at best, but that did not concern me because I had really enjoyed the event and meeting some really great people. I have made several friendships with many of the SPA members and of all the good I can say I think they are a fantastic bunch. The flying is competitive as any other type of contest, but the difference is that you compete with, not against other flyers. Additionally I like the type of planes they fly too, it does not cost me an arm and leg with a second mortgage to have a good airplane. Right now I fly a Kaos, and that seems to be one of the most capable planes in any class (there are quite a few others that are great too).
The folks at SPA are great people, they are very willing to help out, and have been ever so helpful in getting the NE chapter going. I can say that SPA is well worth the time and effort. If you have any question please email me at [email protected] with any questions or ideas.
Thanks,
Jim Hamilton

Jim:

Thanks for the information.

We just had our club election last evening, I steppd down as President after two years, but remain on as Secretary. We talked about some new activities for our club, one member suggested a large scale event, and I suggested, along with another member, that we have some sort of pattern or precision aerobatic event. SPA sounds like it might just be the ticket because many of our members are turned off by the competitive nature and the need to burn two or three gallons of fuel a week to remain competitive.

I have been looking for something to build or assemble (kit vs. arf) as I have a couple of engines sitting on the bench looking for a home. The Kaos sounds like it may be just the ticket. As does the SPA. Oh, is that the Tower Hobbies Kaos by any chance? I don't know if there is any other Kaos available.

I will have to talk to the new President and get a feel for what he may like to do. He is a big fan of SAM and enjoys contests. So, this may be something we can do, and I can do.. become a member that is.. and fly in that category. I just don't have the time to dedicate to practicing RC for Pattern as is necessary to become competitive.

Thanks again.

Dick.

Dick,

Bluejay Models has the designs for most of Joe Bridi's planes including the Kaos, Dirty Birdy & others. If I am not mistaken, www.bridiairplanes.com is the web site for Bluejay Models. I recently received my Dirty Birdy 60 kit from them and the wood quality and cutting was better than I expected for the price of the kit. However like most Bridi kits, the instructions are somewhat limited.

So, the Tower Kaos does not qualify?

The Tower Kaos is an SPA legal plane.

Thank you.

What other popular ARF type aircraft are SBA legal?

I just don't have the time to build a kit right now.

Thanks.

Dick.

Hey CG - I was attached to ZW-1/Lakehurst, many years ago. Check out Carolina Custom Models, Aztec Mfg. Do a search engine, don't have address in front of me.
Pictures attached: The Intruder in USN colors, is a World Models Kirkland Intruder, imported by Airborne Models. It is owned by Ed Kirtley from 'Howey in the Hills', FL. My Intruder is the red/white/blue one.

I stripped mine, re-covered with MK. The Chinese covering on some of these smaller models needs some help. My 86" Somenizi Yak is Chinese and the covering is great.
I have included 2 pics of my Phoenix VI. When you go to the SPA site, you can check out all the links for these type of planes.
There is another shipment of these Intruder's due around the end of this month. I have one on backorder, and they may go fast. I will have 2 of these for future SPA contest.

On this forum, classic pattern, scroll down to the subject: FLORIDA SPA/BPA contest, we just had last weekend up in Orlando area.
There are plenty of pictures there to see some of the old pattern planes.

Vince
Hobe Sound, FL
SPA 377
AMA 52779

Here is a link to Aztec Air:
http://aztecair.net/

To my knowledge..Dan doesn't have a website yet...But he can get you a brochure if you will contact him at:
[email protected]

Welcome...Wish you all success with the SPA and BPA activity!!

Have Fun...

Chuck

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the input. I am looking for a winter project after I finish with my Seagull Super Star (got it on sale last year, normally sells for 285, got it for 85.. close out.. couldn't resist.. have an OS 1.60 on board).

Anyway, the SPA and the planes planes sound like fun. I will check out those that you guys suggested. I have both an OS 46 and an OS 50 sitting around looking for a home. So, I will have plenty of power.

Vince, many of our club guys fly indoors at the large blimp hanger at Lakehurst. I have not yet been out there, but plan on it this winter. I have a couple of electrics to fly.

I also have a place in Bradenton. I go down there several times a year for about a week each time. I often head down to Venice to their field, which is a great flying field, but they are closed on Sundays (on county property and the county closes it on Sundays).

Thanks again.

CGr.

Has anyone converted a Kaos to tail dragger? If I do that, does it lose it's SPA status or authentication?

CGr

Dick:
According to the rules you can run either trike or conventional gear and still be SPA legal. Remember all those Daddy Rabbits in the pics were all trikes when designed. The taildragger is better for prop clearance if you use a 91FS but the trike still works well on a Kaos.

Hope this helps.

Have a good holiday season.

Peace

Mark O

Thanks Marko, Thanks everyone. I just ordered the Kaos from my LHS. Should be in by the end of the week. I had a $25 gift certificate with them that I got as a birthday present so that was the deciding factor for my going there.. besides, I usally go there anyway.

Sooo.. off we go. I am going to use my OS 50 SX on this plane. Should work out fine.

CGRetired,

It just so happens I did convert my Tower Kaos 40 to a tail dragger. I have attached pictures of my two Kaos's. As you can tell from the first picture, the landing gear is mounted right in front of the wing. All I did was epoxy 2 layers of 1/4" aircraft plywood inside the fuse, right in front of the former that holds the wing and only as wide as the landing gear. Then I just tapped them for the landing gear bolts. I also removed the sheeting from the bottom rear of the tail, sanded a wedge of hard balsa the length of the tail wheel mount and the full height of the fuselage and epoxied that in place so the screws in the Sullivan tail wheel assembly would have something to bite into. What suprised me most is the fact that I only had to add almost 3/8 oz of lead in front of the tail wheel to ballance the plane even with the two layers of plywood and the aluminum landing gear I used. The second picture WAS my first Kaos that I re-kitted last year.[:@]

An OS 50SX in your plane should be an awesome combination. My plane has a YS53 in it and I love the combination (even with all the pains I had getting it to fit)..

Good luck with your plane and keep us posted.

David.. thanks for thei information. I think I have an aluminum main gear in my back room somewhere.. I just need to find it.. It's a disaster back there.

i've used the sullivan tail wheel et up before and that will be fine. In fact, I think I have one of those back there too.. again.. ha..

I can't wait for the plane to come in now. I'll probably have it finished and waiting for a maiden flight until this darned weather changes a bit. We fly on grass, so I will use oversized wheels (not to oversized, perhaps 2.5 or 3 inch Dubros light weight.

Thanks again.

CGr.