RCU Forums - groovy 50 3A

Quote:

ORIGINAL: budzolooking at the groovy 50 as my first pattern plane but whenever i see is name it says GROOVY 50 3A. whats with the 3A? because its not F3A does that mean you cant use it in competition? and what does F3A mean anyways?

The World Models Mfg. makes two different versions of the Groovy 50. One design is optimised for conventional pattern, and the other orientated to 3D. They are named respectively Groovy 50 3A and Groovy 50 3D as a means of discriminating between them. The 3A suffix indicates that version of the Groovy 50 is the one designed and intended for conventional pattern. The Groovy 3A is perfectly acceptable for competing in pattern competition, and would make a fine first pattern choice for Sportsman.

F3A is the FAI designator for official FAI R/C pattern world championship class just as F2D is the FAI C/L designator for FAI official world championship control-line combat class.

Within the sport of R/C pattern, fliers are graded into 4 sub-classes based upon their performance, each of which fly a different aerobatic sequence (schedule). Ordinarily fliers compete against similarly ranked competitors from within their respective class. Ranking from lowest to highest, the sub-classes are Sportsman, Advanced, Expert, and Masters. When Masters is flown at local or national competitions to the F3A schedule and rules, it is often referred to as F3A. Confused yet? And if that isn't confusing enough, anything pattern including pattern models of any size or competitors in any class in general are frequently referred to as "F3A", a misnomer adopted through by common usage.

You start out competing in Sportsman.