Perhaps this thread can become a resource for the SPA newbie. Please post your lessons learned and any recommendations that could assist us SPA newbies to successfully join the ranks of "seasoned" classic pattern flyers. As we all know, time is short and precious. What are your recommendations to shorten the learning curve?

Thank you!
Texan

As a SPA newbie myself, I have learned a few things... such as: don't try to remake the organization. They have a very specific mission statement and they tend to resist suggestions for changes to the "rules". SPA is not looking to "evolve" with the times. We're stuck in the 60's and early 70's and we like it that way. SPA members are a very friendly and social group, but don't "flame" the email group with off topic issues or inflammatory topics such as politics or religion. They will needle each other endlessly, but politics and\or religion, or arguments about changing the rules really frost some members. Go to as many SPA contests as you can. That's where the organization really shines.... I'm currently building a SPA legal model for the up-coming contest season (my first). Go to the website... they have lots to good stuff there. As I make more mistakes with SPA, I'll update my advice.

ChiefK

ChiefK,
Thanks for your insight. Please post your experiences with planes, engines, practice routines, contests... it's all helpful!

Texan

1. Slow Down - this is not a race!
2. Less Throw, More Expo
3. If you are not straight and level well before you begin a maneuver, you will not score well.

WELCOME TEXAN! As a newbe myself I can give you the advice Iam getting from mymentor. First get an SPA legal airplane. I used aGreat Planes Ugly stick with a Saito .72 with a Futaba computer radio. Practice flying parallel to the runway with procedure turns at each end until you are very consistant. Read and reread the advice onthe SPA website about becoming a betterflyer and the judging guide then Peactice-Practice-Practice. The perfect flight will be at the bottom of the 100 thgallon of fuel!
Don't know how many contests you will find in Texas, so if you can travel this waylet some of us know andwe will be sure to showyou a good time! John SPA 469

Texan,

I haven't competed in a SPA contest as yet.... actually, I haven't competed at all for almost 35 years. In the 70's, flew the real deal pattern planes of the day, Intruder, Mach 1, Dirty Birdy, and Troublemaker. Webra power was where it was at. Went to the '74 Nats with my Troublemaker, flew in the AMA novice class, got a second place trophy. Started flying again last year with a Sig Somethin' Extra. Now flying a Seagull Ultimate (OS .75AX) and a Juno Tsunami (OS .55AX). Currently building a scratch, all wood Deception to SPA rules for my Webra Speed .61. No organized practice plan as yet. Haven't flown in a month due to the string of weather issues. Will try to get serious about the SPA Sportsman class maneuvers when the weather clears up, but my teaching schedule will limit me to weekends until May.

Oh yeah, FC, you OBVIOUSLY know classic pattern.... "starting now"....

Hook

ChiefK, that is one sweet TMkr, and a nice a**s Comp Pro-Line to go along with it.
Tex, keep in mind that when you fly at various meets your background frame of reference will vary (change). When you arrive at a meet, look at the flight lines and note any particular points of reference to use as a "end points". Flying ataconstant altitude will not be very difficult if your mind knows the referenced end points that it intends to aim (the model) for. Then it's a simple matter of practice, practice, practice..... and more practice.... did I say practice? Oh yeah, just practice..... Justmy few cents worth.
I'm sure this thread will bring many, many moregreat ideas, a great onewas to start itso welcome to the most fun a RCer will have (well, at least a vintage RCer!)
Mark

ChiefK,
That Troublemaker is a good looking plane... and a winning combo.

Texan,

There is an old saying that success is 90% pilot and 10% plane ( you nay adjust your choice of percentages...) The point is that nothing will succeed like practice, practice, practice. That being said, there are many suitable designs out there - just pick one that suits your taste and flying style. Also, consider that you don't need to go do an OS 91 4-stroke as many do. In the Novice and Sportsman patterns there are no maneuvers for which vertical performance is heavily weighted. A good 2-stroke can do well. My Cutlass with an OS 55AX was very satisfactory in Sportsman. So, you can keep the cost down and put the savings towards more fuel! Also, the 55AX is about the same size and power as the engines that were in use for those planes designed in the late 60s and early 70s so it fits well, balances well, and performs well in these designs. I have one in my Kwik Fli III, as well, and it is a perfect match.

Jeff

Now I need to figure out what & how to practice... I don't want to "burn-in" any bad habbits.

By the way, does the SPA have any problem with Macs one piece mufflers?

No problem as long as it is a muffler. Actually, there are some "tuned mufflers" that are in use and no one has complained. They do tend to be louder, though.

Jeff

I have a Macs on my Intruder. Mainly because it is 1 oz. lighter than the cast stock muffler. No one in the SPA has tried to run me off yet. I am not winning, either!!

FC84,
Cuzyou gottapractice,read the posts man, like Skylane says you gotta practice man;seriously, practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and practice, and....
did I say practice....
LOL just having fun, but practice!
hook

I agree with Hook practice, practice, practice.

Fly the plane you desire but practice. Repetition, Repetition.

When I get in the groove I burn a gallon to a gallon and a half of fuel a day. Then I see results.

I do have access to a private Field.

A private field!!! Dang it but you'll be the envy of us all Pitstop!!
hook

The heavy practice requirement brings up another question:

Durability & reliability, what have you discovered to keep your equipment in good condition... what holds up to the abuse? what doesn't? Most weekend flyers aren't use to considering this level of durability. I would like to plan ahead and build for durability & reliability. Are there choices of equipment that seem to work out better in the long run?

I assume building & covering to prevent oil soaking is pretty critical!

Good question Tex. Since you have to go glo for SPA (and should for classic...ouch, ouch, ok ok) just be sure to bring plenty of paper towels and "juice". Personally, I made up a few gallons (and will again) of water with ( I think it was) Dawn detergent and some vinegar and ammonia. It was cheap and worked great in the day. The Dawn cut the oil, the ammonia didn't streak, and the vinegar did whatever Gramps said it would do. Seriously, it worked so I plan to do it again to keep the ship clean. Otherwise try 409. Clean the radio with the aerosol dust cans you use for your PC or Mac, get em at Radio Shack. For after run oil I always used MMO (marvel mystery oil), never use WD-40 asit attracts water. I hear
Mobil 1 is very good and I plan to try it. Occasionally blow the dust out of the fuse with a low, low psi blow nozzle/gun. Always check connections, remember EMS forelectrical, mechanical, and surgical (EMS). Surgical meaning tubing for fuel or air (retracts). Many will recall when we used surgical tubing for fuel lines (right?). If retracts are used, use appropriate care considering if they're air or mechanicals. It helps to build a checlklist as you go, and then use it! In the day, with no PC's so readily available, it was an arduous task to do that but it is rather easy today. I'm sure you'll get many more ideas so be ready to copy and paste, copy and paste, copy......
hook

Sorry, long day, but yesbuilding & covering to prevent oil soaking is very, very,critical! Just take your time and read around here. There is some very, very good info around the threads.
hook

Okay,

Durability and Reliability that’s what pattern is all about.

For the plane and you to stay consistent maintenance is a must.

Everything has a life expectancy, how long it lasts before failure but also when it becomes inconsistent.

Keep an eye on your linkage, look for slop and replace what’s needed.

I don’t want to get into brand names or my personal preferences, but you know the old saying” you get what you pay for”.

Good Luck

When I go to the field the Intruder goes with me. I don't think a fellow can get enough practice because the wind and the weather conditions change constantly. Three inside loops are one thing with the wind going with you. They are totally different in a cross wind or even no wind! Even going from left to right or right to left is different, at least for me.
Durability is not a problem. Do a good pre-flight check, a post flight check, run a bit of castor in your fuel, put a glow plug and wrench in your pocket. Just be sure to watch out for inverted sink holes and moving trees!!!
Parallel to the runway with procedure turn at each end for 3 gallons...yeah! Good start!

Great thread, Texan.

Any tips about auto-training?

Practice, practice, practice of any wrong technique will just reinforce bad habits, I believe.

I found that you are exactly correct - it is very easy to practice bad habits without realizing it. A coach/observer can make very helpful comments with some basic training as to what the maneuvers should look like. I have been fortunate these past two years in that my wife enjoys the SPA camaraderie and, yes, there are a lot of wives who come to the contests. Linda has turned into a great caller and she can make good and helpful observations about my flying. It helps.

Jeff

I have found that it is very helpful to keep a log book. I have logs going back to 1974 and when I built my second Cutlass I could look up what I did back in 1977 with the first. It helps to write down what the problems were and how - or if - you fixed them. This will also remind you of problem areas.

As far as dependability is concerned - remember Murphy. He was an optimist. If anything can go wrong, it will. And at the worst possible time. Check over the equipment with an eye towards wear points, possible failures, etc. You will be surprised how many flights you can get with properly maintained equipment.

Jeff

Me and my dad both use Ultra Thrust mufflers on our Rossi's and no one has ever said anything to us, they are kinda loud but it is the only muffler that sounds and almost performs as well as a tuned pipe.

As far as practice goes my first full year of pattern I thought someone didn't like me, But once I realized that my dad was coaching instead of complaining I got better. Somone watching your manuvers can tell you what you can't see, sounds crazy but I have seen it first hand.....

David

SPA#431....something or another