Landing points tape

[Smoking Joe]

Trying to find out how to make a landing points tape, what are the intervals of points, what length should I make it or where I might find this information. Smoking Joe

[fprintf]

The tapes that I have seen were purpose-built from 3" wide material that were marked off in 1 inch intervals. I am not sure of the material, but it seemed pretty sturdy. I am surprised none of the contest fliers have responded where you can buy one - a quick google search didn't turn anything up.

For my LSF landings I just did a quick tape - made it out of string (actually masons twine), attached to a dowel that gets pounded into the ground through a peice of old cloth. The cloth just increases the visibility of "the spot". The string is about 10 feet long and has just two exact markings on it - LSF II @ 1.5 meters (just less than 5 feet) and LSF I @ 3 meters (just less than 10 feet). The markings were made with black marker, and then made more visible by attaching masking tape just behind the mark. I did 3 of my landings the other day and it worked well!

[Soarbird]

There are numerous methods for doing this but we have found that a length of webbing about 50mm wide is the answer. It is tough enough not to get damaged through normal wear and tear and presents no risk to an arriving aircraft.

We use a circular disk of foam 300mm (around 1 ft) with the webbing tape nailed to the centre of this. The tape it'self is marked off in 1 metre spaces as this is the system we use. Markings are made with a clothes marking pen which is pretty permanent.

A useful tip is that when using the spot for landings, run the tape away from the spot in the direction of the wind. It provides a great directional reference.

Hope this is of some help to you.

Soarbird

[BrianSmith]

I use lawn chair repair material from Wal-Mart...Plentiful and cheap....If it is just a practice tape, anything 10 ft long with 1 ft increments will do for me to practice with..Other wise check the AMA rule book..Or online at AMA..Brian Smith

[Smoking Joe]

I too am surprised no contest fliers on this forum knew what I what I was referring to. Hugh at rc universe answered my thread it is 3" increments starting at 100 points and descending. Thanks for the response. Smoking Joe

[BrianSmith]

I do fly a lot of contests....Not all clubs make the tape the same..I know of one club that has 100/75/50/25 increments....Lots of clubs just make the tape 20 ft long and the landing is just whatever amount they decide for in or out...Me, I just shoot at the pin.. ;o) Brian

[Smoking Joe]

I went to AMA web site and found same information in their rules section for sailplanes and according to them it is in 3" increments starting at 100 points. We flew for years here in Mobile and the Gulf Coast using the same type of type tape. My only guess is that it is up to CD to designate how landing points are to be determined, anyway my question was answered. Smoking Joe

[BrianSmith]

Do you know a great sailplane guy of the past named Fred Rettig..?? He can really teach you how to spot land..And one great person too..Brian Smith

[Smoking Joe]

Brian: Know Fred personally, good friend and wholesale customer of mine. Fred got me back into hobby recently with a gift of a BOT. My RC venture began in 75 and I flew and built to 85, mostly sailplanes, Windfree, Windrifter, Pierce Aero, Paragon, Drifter. Fred presently owns 2 full scale sailplanes and pilots them both. He and Charlie Waller both belonged to GCRC if I remember correctly back in the late 70's and early 80's.Good fliers and builders. Fred said he was going to fly with us sometime. Charlie has a AVA now and recently we E-Mailed each other good to hear from the old bunch. Fred and Charlie took it to next level around here. Joe

[BrianSmith]

Yes I find Fred to be one great person...
Charlie Waller was here for our contest this weekend..We spent some quality/flying time together . Also a very nice fun guy....He did mention being from your area...Take care..Brian