RADIO CONTROL COMBAT WE HAVE recently some great examples easy have controversy cartoonist can draw flak does cartoons Like humorists cartoonists always teetering back forth across line controversy Safety another issue teeters fine line controversy RC Combat fine line controversy called fighting dry weight Fighting dry weight weight RC Combat model fuel its tanks past few years RC Combat has developed two major followings Scale 704 modelers Non-Scale Open Class modelers 704 fighting dry weight minor issue number reasons First rules restrict weight single-engine airplanes maximum weight 22 pounds rarely used maximum weight twin 25 pounds Ive seen twin fly Yet quick survey contest entry forms shows typical single-engine 704 model weighs somewhere between 1 pound 13 ounces 2 pounds 1 ounce wanted designs P-51 109 Spitfire Fw 190 can easily built less two pounds standard servos Larger designs difficult instance Zigg kit Grumman F6F Hellcat large model 1A2-scale terms requires mini everything make weight can done good thing designs come approximately two pounds because 1/12-scale Combat typical wing has about 200 square inches area scale size models reinforces weight limits because three pounds heavy wing loading /12scale design would just wouldnt fly well enough fun Open Class no uniform rules have evolved Controversy rages about what fighting dry weight safe Since Open Combat does have wing-area enginesize limits models help reinforce type safe weight Before Open RC Combat can really take off popularity like Scale RC Combat has issue must resolved What weight too heavy safe six pounds five pounds four three too much Im suggesting time step back look real issue No can determine what too heavy unless define too heavy what fourand five-pound models marketed Open RC Combat kits yet no rules focus four- five-pound airplanes will used safely Because set safety rules protecting modelers heavier modelsa set rules limiting weights areas engine sizes set rules defines crowd pilot spacing set rules prohibits hard-plastic metal major componentsno can answer questions whether models too heavy safely flown RC Combat perfectly feasible set safe fun rules can drawn up would allow heavier models compete Open RC Combat Lacking rules however cannot good conscience recommend promote models carry extra two January1997 127 Jeff Weiss Air Kill Products adjusts needle valve Sea Fury just before demonstration flight Aviation Expo Ankeny Iowa Rick Smith Minneapolis Minnesota Rising Sun Rick Smiths Zigg Zero waits own-design launch catapult theclaimed Top Dog Award Aviation Expo Combat demonstrations extremely popular crowdAviation Expo flying Zigg Zero FOR PROVEN POWER & PERFORMANCE FOX 25BB SCHNUERLE ENGINE Rated powerful popular 28 size engines FOX 15BB SCHNUERLE ENGINE powerful new motor brings new standard performance within reach sport modeler FLYOX! FOX 40 BALL BEARING AND FOX 40 ABC DELUX Comes Schnuerle Engine new EZ Single Needle carburetor Also available 40 Sport Bushing Engine FOX 45BB Schnuerle Engine comes E-Z Single Needle carburetor FOX 35 STUNT million modelers have learned fly motor FOX 46BB ABC SCHNUERLE ENGINE s equipped new Fox E-Z carburetor FOX 60174 BB RINGED PISTON OR FOX 60 ABC SCHNUERLE ENGINE Equipped new E-Z Single Needle carburetor FOX MANUFACTURING COMPANY 5305 TOWSON AVENUE FORT SMITH AR 72901 FLYFOXPHONE 501 646-1656 FAX 501 646-1757 three pounds needless weight call weight needless because hundreds modelers have demonstrated great-flying intensely fun RC Combat models Scale Open classes can built 15- 25-pound range standard servos 10- 25-size engine promoters excessively heavy models step up offer event goes can review event debate whether safeguards built rules sufficient Prior time debate whether model too heavy pointless promotion excessively heavy kits Open RC Combat models reckless RC Combat its very nature has inherent risk cold hard facts 1 occasional midair collisions 2 models no longer control after midair 3 plan minimize risk weight limits engine kills crowd placement spacing run greater risk hurting someone case continue fly RC Combat Because RC flying general carries similar set inherent risks last two models saw crash after midair both 40-size sport fliers just happened end up same place same time Yet RC Combat movement reduce inherent risks strictly enforcing weight limits safety rules unstated goal AMA 704 event have lower accident rate lower severity accidents modeling community general well road today will continue improve safety events season Yet despite rules RC Combat fastest-growing mostexciting events air today little models pack fun per pound fliers used cant have fun heavier model bigger engine run heavier risk personal injury Although may suffice strictly legal sense simple disclaimer stuffed kit does free manufacturer responsibility modeling community time promoting heavy RC Combat show us plan safe event definite highlight last summer great opportunity Combat fliers given Aviation Expo Ankeny Iowa Combat pilots flew several 704 dogfight demonstration flights crowds opportunity came Combat fliers rather quickly Scale RC racing event removed program local RC club Des Moines Modelairs came rescue suggesting could sponsor 704 event Aviation Expo air show unique blend model airplanes full-scale airplanes bit PT Barnum Coordinating efforts Ray Pick Modelairs Scott Anderson Eden Prairie Minnesota took charge arranging Combat fliers several states Almost half-a-dozen Combat segments flown crowd numbered thousands Despite being center stage less 15 minutes day counting long question-and-answer sessions catapult demos seemingly endless stream questions RC modelers barely enough time get everything done Scott helpers did great job serving RC Combat ambassadors large audience made up both modelers non-modelers certainly have thanks tireless effort Although Combat primarily crowd points tallied normal Combat event Top Dog Award show went Rick Smith Minneapolis Minnesota However support given Combat fliers kit manufactures like Zigg s Originals Air Kill Products made winners Combat demonstration extremely popular crowd understand another RC Combat demo has already requested next years Aviation Expo Until next time remember build light fly safe always check six irc raft Pads INCORPORATED WORLDS LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF SUPERIOR EPOXY-GLASS COWLS WHEEL PANTS B ACCESSORIES CALL NOW 810 677-0213 A FAX 810 677-0414 orders oniy Send $1 00 IOpen W -1E1 M ni$200 CeiieueMonday Friday IIiiI II$3OooutsideofUSA lOam-4pmEST 128 Model Aviation 4
