Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
09-13-2008 | 09:31 PM
#51
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From: La Jolla, CA
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
I have been flying IMAC so far, but I have my first pattern plane on the way. It's a CA-Models Passport Deluxe Version, which will be electric powered. I have seen numerous mid-airs in IMAC contests even with the safety break rules. I have even called a safety break on two occasions. I don't think I have ever seen one called unjustifiably to clean up a maneuver that is going badly. I have been reading (lurking) this forum to get better aquainted withy the pattern world. I was surprised to read on this thread that this is not allowed in pattern. It's a safety issue, not a competitive one, and in my opinion should be allowed. I know many will feel that I shouldn't voice this opinion until I have actually become part of the pattern community, and you are probably right. In any case, this would not keep me from competing. I look forward to flying some pattern next year, and meeting you guys.
09-13-2008 | 09:57 PM
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From: Randolph,
NJ
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
I have been flying IMAC so far, but I have my first pattern plane on the way.
09-14-2008 | 08:39 PM
#53
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
ORIGINAL: NJRCFLYER2
Hi Dave:
For perspective, I've been to about 40 local pattern contests over 5 seasons, as well as 4 Pattern NATS. There have been three midairs that I know about in those local contests, one that caused minor damage to both models, one with a total loss of both, and one with a loss of one and major damage to the other. At the '04 NATS, there were 2 mid-airs I can remember from the FAI line. There may have been others over '05 through '07, but I don't recall any. There were none in '08. Particularly with the NATS, where two of the three flying sites at Muncie have the same class going simultaneously on both flight lines, and with a higher percentage of pilots of pilots who hold a consistent line than at local contests, there is a low number of midairs overall. This years there were 128 pilots competing at the NATS; typical numbers are 110-120 each year.
Since there's virtually no cross box stuff in Pattern, except the occasional Humpty with options, you can pretty much pick a line and stay in or out from where the other guy is most of the time. Not a perfect solution, but it helps some.
Hi Dave:
For perspective, I've been to about 40 local pattern contests over 5 seasons, as well as 4 Pattern NATS. There have been three midairs that I know about in those local contests, one that caused minor damage to both models, one with a total loss of both, and one with a loss of one and major damage to the other. At the '04 NATS, there were 2 mid-airs I can remember from the FAI line. There may have been others over '05 through '07, but I don't recall any. There were none in '08. Particularly with the NATS, where two of the three flying sites at Muncie have the same class going simultaneously on both flight lines, and with a higher percentage of pilots of pilots who hold a consistent line than at local contests, there is a low number of midairs overall. This years there were 128 pilots competing at the NATS; typical numbers are 110-120 each year.
Since there's virtually no cross box stuff in Pattern, except the occasional Humpty with options, you can pretty much pick a line and stay in or out from where the other guy is most of the time. Not a perfect solution, but it helps some.
I appreciate what you're saying, Ed, and you're right that it is the exception not the rule. I just like not having to choose to take a bad score in the event I think I need to bail- it's the having your hands tied thing for me.
Assuming we agree that it's not normally an issue, is there still a strong argument against allowing avoidance? Where does the resistance come from? Just trying to understand.
I had just come to the conclusion that it's no big deal and, bam, I see another one from Huntsville this weekend- an Oxai Pinnacle and a Black Magic got together.... pics on the home page over at FG.com
PS- got a bunch of flights in today and the OS140 seems to be running well now. I'll probably have some more questions this week, though!
09-14-2008 | 08:51 PM
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From: Randolph,
NJ
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
Dave:
You could always make a rules proposal and see what happens. I don't know if there's a bunch of resistance to it or not, but when I talk to people about it, they tend to not see much value to it. Tradition maybe, I don't know.
Glad to hear the RX is humming along well. I'm getting some really good runs out of my 120AX as I dial in my Aquila. That's one heck of a nice little engine and it drops right into the bolt pattern of a 140RX, though it is a little shorter.
You could always make a rules proposal and see what happens. I don't know if there's a bunch of resistance to it or not, but when I talk to people about it, they tend to not see much value to it. Tradition maybe, I don't know.
Glad to hear the RX is humming along well. I'm getting some really good runs out of my 120AX as I dial in my Aquila. That's one heck of a nice little engine and it drops right into the bolt pattern of a 140RX, though it is a little shorter.
09-18-2008 | 04:28 PM
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From: northampton, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
Hi Tom
I remember the field. A few years ago was actually 9 years ago!!!
I still keep my hand in flyingso 2nd at the Nats was good.
I may wander over to Portugal next year for the Worlds to watch. Will you make it?
All the best
Brandon
I remember the field. A few years ago was actually 9 years ago!!!
I still keep my hand in flyingso 2nd at the Nats was good.
I may wander over to Portugal next year for the Worlds to watch. Will you make it?
All the best
Brandon
10-20-2008 | 03:43 PM
#57
RE: Mid Air @ Winston Salem Pattern Contest
Hey Buff,
If your seeing this post I have a 140RX low time and new bearings,............your welcome to it!
Bill Holsten
Fliton Team pilot
www.fliton.com
www.flitoncompetition.com
If your seeing this post I have a 140RX low time and new bearings,............your welcome to it!
Bill Holsten
Fliton Team pilot
www.fliton.com
www.flitoncompetition.com
