I'm new to ALES, not to flying, and have a few quesions.

1. Are thermal sniffers allowed?
2. how competitive would the Radian and/or Gentle Lady-type be?
3. Where can I get a copy of the rules for this event?
4. Are there any size/weight/wing loading restrictions?

thanks.

Howell

btw, I really don't like the word "newbie" (even though I are one) which is why I used the term novice. Guess at 75 (40 yrs RC) I'm too old to be a "newbie"

Howell,

1. Nope!
From the rules:
- Any device for the transmission of information from the model aircraft to the pilot or timer/helper which would assist the pilot in finding, locating or centering on thermal or slope lift is prohibited.
2. Yes! Absolutely. The only time I believe they aren't competitive is when the winds are above say 15kts.
3. http://www.ales-league.org/
4. Not unless the contest director specifies classes to be flown in.
btw; that's a long time in R/C!

Welcome to ALES, it's a fun, fabulous, easy to run format. If you want a scoring program I have one on the "Articles/Files" page of my website www.TailwindGliders.com
It is an MS Excel file but runs in Open Office and also Numbers for the MAC or iPad.

Curtis
Montana

Originally Posted by gwinhh

I'm new to ALES, not to flying, and have a few quesions.

1. Are thermal sniffers allowed?
2. how competitive would the Radian and/or Gentle Lady-type be?
3. Where can I get a copy of the rules for this event?
4. Are there any size/weight/wing loading restrictions?

thanks.

Howell

btw, I really don't like the word "newbie" (even though I are one) which is why I used the term novice. Guess at 75 (40 yrs RC) I'm too old to be a "newbie"

1. Depends on CD see ALES rules
2. The Radian is very competitive / The GL is not as competitive
3. http://www.ales-league.org/amaelec2012.pdf
4. Yes, see the ALES rules

You folks sure know how to make a guy feel welcome. Thanks for the information; I'll follow this up.

howell

Howell,
I second the motion for the Radian. Several of us in my club are using one and it is very competetive.
I would also suggest getting a Talking Timer stopwatch. You can set it in the countdown timer mode for practicing.
Juan

Don't forget to mod the Radian with a different battery and different prop.

Originally Posted by JuanF

Howell,
I would also suggest getting a Talking Timer stopwatch. You can set it in the countdown timer mode for practicing.
Juan

A Talking Timer is great, but if you have a mp3 player or phone that plays music you can download free countdown practice timers for 10, 5, 3 and 1 minute intervals for practice. The link is in post #2.

Curtis
Montana

Check out the scores (post #64) for the Alburqurque F5J event, which is and was an ALES event before there was ALES!
Buzz Averil flew a Gentle Lady in both classes after his primary aircraft was damaged beyond field repair. The only modification was the addition of flaps which looked to be about the width of the original trailing edge.
Don't write the GL off just yet.

Iain

On a light day, I'd prefer the GL to a Radian, since it doesn't flop all over the place the way a Radian that's been used a little does. (I just finished fixing the crushed nose on mine for the contest tomorrow that I ought to be resting up for by now.) And a GL with a modified airfoil (a bit of so called "phillips entry", say) would probably be far better than a Radian.

Anyway, last ALES contest I got a third place with my Radian, and I feel it was a bit of a handicap compared to the fancy 3 meter jobs. But they're not hopeless.

When I get my Chrysalis done, maybe I'll make an electric fuse and fly that in ALES. I bet it would be much better. Currently working on an electric fuse for a Majestic, 110 inch poly glider with non-flat bottom airfoil.