I aim for the plane.....figure by the time I get there the streamer will be in the way

I gave up aiming for the other planes ages ago. I like to go after the pilots - it's much more interesting. The planes usually take care of themselves after that.

Al

Alan,

I knew there was a reason I hadn't made it out to combat at your field yet!!!!

Jeff

Geez Al, and your scared when I fly my Diamond dust??????????

Jeff,

Snell approved helmet is always an option! Hey, when you guys combat, do have a "box" you stay within? Obviously not over the pilot/pits, but how about altitude or width? Some of our best fights a few years ago have been at 5 - 10 feet AGL with some really rip-snorting cartwheels. Also, the occasional high-altitude spar-snapping dive is good for kicks.

Oh, and John - regarding the Diamond Dust . . . . I don't think I've ever seen anything buzz so loud and go so fast so low so close. Makes 50' separation seem like 5! I'll have to get one of those Hogans Heros helmets with the spike on top.

Al

Al,

Last year we didn't adhere to any hard and fast rules however, we did have a "box" of sorts. If you are familiar with our field, we were to try to keep our planes out over the tall grass. We did stray a bit closer at times. We did not limit our altitude and we did have at least one guy whose favorite tactic was to try and lure the others down REAL LOW!!! We have formed a combat commitee and we are going to meet sometime before Bell-Airs' Jan. meeting which is on the 21st. If you would like to come to the commitee meeting we are going to discuss our rules and safety procedures and probably set some dates for combat meets. It might be a good idea to have you along for input as it could benefit both clubs to follow the same basic rules. Let me know if you are interested and I will let you know when the meeting is.

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

That sounds good - i'd like to come along to that meeting if that's OK with the guys having a "Northerner" attend. A few rules sound like a good idea - and i like the thought of having clubs run things along the same lines. If we have inter-club matches, we'll start on the same page. Plus, we could pursue an arrangement where we could have the two fields to use - weather and use permitting.

We need to get John B up to speed, I think he is going to work on getting a interclub match going. I'll see if i can e-mail him to view this thread.

Al

That is what I was thinking, too. I am sure the others would agree that it is in everyones best interest to work together on this. John should come to our meeting too. Besides, most of us Bell-Air combat guys have heard so much about you "Northerners", but we've never met. I will try to get our new Pres. to firm up a date and let you and John B. know when and where! I am sorry I could not make your meeting last night. Schedule was a little tight w/ the kids, plus I had a date with some fiberglass cloth and resin!!!

Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks - it all sounds good to me. Let me know when you have the date firmed up, I also e-mailed John B.

I understand about the kids! ( and the resin ) I have two myself (kids). One of the guys brought his, and it got me thinking that most of the places we have meetings, there is no reason why kids couldn't come along in future.

I'll catch up with you somewhere. You'll have to come out to the field when it stops pissing.

AL

If you want a set of rules for laid back club combat, then have a look at these:

http://www.sportcombat.rcplanet.com/rules.html

If you want more strict rules with a National Points System, (and some equipment limitations that might make it tough to get club combat interested) then look at these:

http://www.rccombat.com/asp/rules/rules.htm

If nothing else, both of these have a set of written rules so you don't have to re-invent the wheel, and increase the chance that if you decide to do combat outside your club, at least you will be flying by some set of nationally recognized rules.

Good luck, and have fun!!

Hey all,
Puter has been on the blink last couple days, just got it working again.
AL I will find out more at the meeting, can'tget jerry to say anything or commit to any dates, cant blame him, wants to talk to the other combatters first.
John

Thanks for the pointer Chuck,

I've copied these two sets of rules and I'll make sure that everyone has a look so we can make some educated decisions early on in the process. Failing that, just flailing around in the sky ain't all that bad!

AL

Jeff,

I don't see why we couldn't do the balloon / paint-gun thing at our field anytime. We have over 60 acres of mowed grass and no conflicts with other flyers at this point.

AL