histarter
Oct 21, 2006, 11:31 AM
Today everything has to be perfect with micromanagement occurring on every aspect of a toy Airplane's flight (as an example). The launch of a model with a bungee creates the need to scientifically cull the rubber for freshness, test the rubber for stroke regulation (with concern for high accuracy – while using a crude measuring device that is great for a 'ballpark' evaluation). Use the winch instead? It must be state-of-art (with a 'needed' computer monitor for battery condition i.e. to replicate rubber tension concern)! [Oops, the computer might just happen now!] :eek:
The gallant experts of old did not concern themselves with such trivia. They simply strove for getting the best they could muster, while doing a flight that needed exposure to lift to accomplish task via the pilot's skills. Their philosophy was that everyone is in the same boat - so lets go for it. If they were in the air (at any altitude) they were competing, and this attitude is the one that needs reinforcing by lowering the launch altitude to force more ingenuity from pilots.
Lets get to toy sailplane's events. AMA, TD, F3B, F3J, RES have been proven to be excellent formats for staged events, however it not a good training aid or stimulator for newbies, experiments, innovators (that work outside the box), nor is it good competition for the sport flyers that only wish to dabble in soaring for their amusement.
Their appears to be only one solution in attempting to broaden the soaring horizon – and that is not to create a new event but instead add an appendage onto the current formats that should increase participation. The appendage would be an experimenter's class. Launch limited by HAM histart, or sport winch of 15 lbs or less tension and 100 meters to turnaround.
Now comes the pressure for the current cult to bend somewhat to insure survival! A current sailplane meet is held, and the new experimenter's group to fly with the other contestants - although their launching is restricted (about 1/3d the launch altitude of the unlimited group).
Instead take the flight score of the experimenters, and double it! If a youngster takes his GL and has the wining score after doing the 4 or 5 rounds of competition against the “experts”, he truly deserves the trophy! In fact if an “expert” wishes to experiment with his beloved AVA, BD or any other super high tech machine, with the belief he can accomplish the 'handicapped' task easily through doubling his score, more power to him - because the odds are stacked against it happening. Now I am not trying to promote International events to be operated with an 'experimenters appendage'. It's just for AMA Nationals on down to enhance both camaraderie while exposing dabblers to the peak of organized soaring - while they attempt to compete at the level they can handle. ;)
The basic purpose is to make the organized soaring events grow in popularity without destroying the affection a modeler has for his creation. Psychologically, if a new contestant is brought into the adventure, the thought of 'Winning' is far fetched for him. But, if the newbie sees a reasonable score that he can improve upon, his probability of toughing it out for a future win is better as he gains experience! Hopefully, having more user friendly competition just may expand the contest experience for a wider range of flyers – which happens to be my basic goal. :D
The gallant experts of old did not concern themselves with such trivia. They simply strove for getting the best they could muster, while doing a flight that needed exposure to lift to accomplish task via the pilot's skills. Their philosophy was that everyone is in the same boat - so lets go for it. If they were in the air (at any altitude) they were competing, and this attitude is the one that needs reinforcing by lowering the launch altitude to force more ingenuity from pilots.
Lets get to toy sailplane's events. AMA, TD, F3B, F3J, RES have been proven to be excellent formats for staged events, however it not a good training aid or stimulator for newbies, experiments, innovators (that work outside the box), nor is it good competition for the sport flyers that only wish to dabble in soaring for their amusement.
Their appears to be only one solution in attempting to broaden the soaring horizon – and that is not to create a new event but instead add an appendage onto the current formats that should increase participation. The appendage would be an experimenter's class. Launch limited by HAM histart, or sport winch of 15 lbs or less tension and 100 meters to turnaround.
Now comes the pressure for the current cult to bend somewhat to insure survival! A current sailplane meet is held, and the new experimenter's group to fly with the other contestants - although their launching is restricted (about 1/3d the launch altitude of the unlimited group).
Instead take the flight score of the experimenters, and double it! If a youngster takes his GL and has the wining score after doing the 4 or 5 rounds of competition against the “experts”, he truly deserves the trophy! In fact if an “expert” wishes to experiment with his beloved AVA, BD or any other super high tech machine, with the belief he can accomplish the 'handicapped' task easily through doubling his score, more power to him - because the odds are stacked against it happening. Now I am not trying to promote International events to be operated with an 'experimenters appendage'. It's just for AMA Nationals on down to enhance both camaraderie while exposing dabblers to the peak of organized soaring - while they attempt to compete at the level they can handle. ;)
The basic purpose is to make the organized soaring events grow in popularity without destroying the affection a modeler has for his creation. Psychologically, if a new contestant is brought into the adventure, the thought of 'Winning' is far fetched for him. But, if the newbie sees a reasonable score that he can improve upon, his probability of toughing it out for a future win is better as he gains experience! Hopefully, having more user friendly competition just may expand the contest experience for a wider range of flyers – which happens to be my basic goal. :D