I searched here and on google and can't get a clear answer on the following distinctions between different kinds of planes and flying:

1. The difference between 3D flying and aerobatic flying. I know 3D planes look funny (very unappealing to me), but what can they do that aerobatic planes can't?

2. Sport Flying: Are there special planes for this? Or can you just fly anything?

3. What are "Profile planes"?

4. What are "Fun flyers?" Why is there a seperate category for these? Can they do something special to?

5. What exactly is a Pylon racer? I am taking a leap here and assuming you race them. I see pictures and they seem to all have a V tail. But can you race different kinds or is there one type of Pylon racer? Can you only build those from kit? Do they use special engines? What is the "Pylon" part? Is that the material they are made of?

6. As far as "extreme speed" prop planes: Are there special engines and planes used for this? Or can you take anything and make it into an extreme speed prop plane by modifying engine/prop/design etc...

I'd rather ask it all here all at once and hope someone answers than start a new post in each forum about it... Thanks! I know the questions may seem like common sense, and I've searched for exact definitions in the "abbreviations" thread but didn't see any. Maybe I missed it.

1. 3D flying is one style of aerobatic flying. 3D planes do a lot of flying while stalled (the wing is not "flying") like hovering, torque rolls, upward spins, all sorts of funny flips and spins. More traditional aerobatic competition (Pattern or F3A) is more about precision: straight lines, really round loops, etc. Almost any plane can do some aerobatics but might not be competitive at high levels.

2. Sport Flying... there was a long thread to define this ... I'd say it is flying without any competitive goals. The planes are more geared towards everyday usability than performance in some specific area.

3. Profile planes have very simple fuselages. Basically a profile plank, instead of three dimensional.

4. Fun fly planes are a lot like 3D, as far as I can tell. More skinny fuselages, I think.

5. Pylon racers are used to race around pylons. There are several different classes, some mandate boxy fuselages, some require distant resemblance to full size planes, some just give a few measurements to limit the design.

6. Extreme speed... some planes are good for going fast, some will not go fast whatever engine you put on. Engines do make a difference too.

Thanks perttime. That helps. I may have been confusing 3D planes with profile. I thought 3D's were the one's with flat fuselages.

The term "Sport Flying" seems misleading. They should call it "leisure flying" or something.

All a sport flyer is is a basic airplane. It has more performance than a trainer because it doesn't have the self-righting characteristics, and it can do basic aerobatics and go moderately fast.

All 3d is a form of flying its where the wing is stalled and no longer creating lift the prop is what is keeping the plane in the air

profiles can be used or full fuse planes (in profile circles full fuse planse are some times referred to as "fat" for obvious reasons.)

One more thing "extreme speed"

These planes are going 120+mph turning VERY high rpm (anywhere from 18k to 35k rpm) the wings are SUPER thin and everything possible is done to reduce drag, props are short but very high pitched flight times are most of the time short as for high speed you take a HUGE engine on a TINY plane meaning not much room for fuel

Some planes dont use a carb that is there WOT full time not very forgiving, There control surfaces are very small to avoid fluter

A bit more about the term "Fun Fly" - A "Fun Fly" is an event. The club advertises it, people from nearby (maybe from quite a distance) come to fly, have fun, and maybe compete in some mild competitions, like timed landings, spot landings, under the Limbo stick, and there are a lot more events that can be put on. The prize is usually a trophy or plaque or something goofy.

Anyway, then a plane that's good for "Fun Fly" competition is one that's easy to fly and land. Your speed plane or Warbird might not fit that description, and maybe not your trainer, but a Four-Star would.

There are probably other ways to look at this, and some of the other categories.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

I suppose many profile planes are designed for 3D flying: lots of thrust, light weight, large control surfaces. (easy to fix after you crash while hovering at low altitude...)

Fun Fly has been a pretty vague concept for me, but from Scars description I realised why I had trouble separating those planes from 3D planes: controllability at low speeds seems to be an advantage in both. Many 3D planes have very deep fuselages for knife edge flight but that does not seem such a high priority for Fun Fly

And then there are specialized models for the type of event that you are considering. The plane that can win the looping contest, may not be the best for the climb and glide, or the egg drop, or some other event. My favorite fun fly plane is a highly modified Sig Senorita. Very little dihedral, full span flapperons, enlarged tail surfaces, and a tuned to the teeth Webra .32 speed GT with a tuned pipe. It will run for the clouds, and when you cut the engine, the light wing loading turns it into a feather. It does not do quite so well in some of the other events though.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

Thanks for all the input so far. Lots of vague terms starting to become clear for me.

There should be a sticky on this topic or something... Like, "Distinctions between subcategories of the RC airplane hobby"