Jerry; I have been around the horn on this issue before, specifically in regards to the Sport scale competition at the NATS, only there it was the reverse issue. While rewriting the rules for an AMA rules change proposal, I was trying to institute a clause in rules that would not subtract points from the static scoring because a scale guy DID have dark on the bottom of his wings. Many scale guys do this anyway, especially we who take the soaring aspect of the scale sailplane sport seriously. We often fly at altitudes in excess of 3,000' AGL. I once checked, by altimeter, my altitude at 3500' flying a six meter Nimbus 4, scary to be sure, as it's very thin wings were disappearing every 1/2 turn or so. That plane had dark red ultracote stripes under the wings for about 2/3's the outer span. In reality it did little at extreme altitudes but helped at 2000 or less. I now use a solid dark color under the wings of planes I decide I will soar very high or planes that have extremely high aspect ratio's. My first point (and opinion) is that any serious flyer who enters the X country scale event will most likely either have dark under his wings already or has the eyes and experience to know what his plane is doing at extreme altitudes. I don't think you will get many scale purists flying their pristine 100% scale hangar queens at a Cross country event. I have some German friends who would be glad and willing to travel to the U.S. for such a great scale event, but don't tell them they have to have black on their wings, they will laugh. It is a cultural thing. So why not leave it up to the pilot? why does this have to be mandatory? Certainly a good idea, but depending on the sailplane more or less effective. Besides it is his loss, scale planes have a value in excess of $6,000.00 in some cases, most will take adequate precautions to avoid losing same.
Case in point. I could bring my 1/2.2 swift with scale wingtip extensions (7 meter span), out altitude any other plane at the event, (not due to pilot skill, believe me) and it has no dark under the wings, why? Because the root chord is 23" which to a large extent negates the need for any color under the wing. It is a virtual overcast when flying overhead. Another issue is that the use of a vario gives a lot of info about what your plane is doing, it might be better, and make more sense to require a vario rather than a cosmetic touch. That would level the playing field, and give everyone the same tools. New varios are soon to be ready, if they are not already, which will give speed, plus altitude, and variometer info. with that set up you could fly by wire, until you re-acquire your plane. What I would suggest, if you feel the need to require dark under the wings for all pilots as mandatory, is to simply announce in advance that this will be a requirement, and leave it up to the pilot to apply something BEFORE the event. An easy fix would be low temp iron on covering like ultracote, lightly tacked on in wide stripes, closely spaced together.(for ease of application) Your right, no body is going to let you paint anything on their plane at the event, but if they know before hand they can mentally prepare and come up with a solution. . I guess a lot depends on the kind of scale pilot you want to attract to the event. I am automatically thinking of scale planes with 5 meter minimum spans to be competitive. if this is open to 4 meter class planes through 7 meters that is a problem in itself. Scale planes come in all sizes and aspect ratios. Are you planning to run classes based on span or area? To date the X country plane is rather a monolithic entity, much as the TD plane is basically the same plane in different colors, scale goes beyond that realm, How are you going to handle that. John Derstine Always willing to take the opposing view as devils advocate. -----Original Message----- From: JMiller [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 12:48 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [RCSE] Wing colorings Hi all, We are in need of help and or advice in coloring the bottom half of wings. NO PAINT Some parameters are; it must be dark in color, easy to apply, like spraying on and the most important need is it must be water soluble, so it can be washed off an the end of day or weekend and so that the wing cores won't be damaged during removal. We are in the planning stages of a scale aero tow cross country event for next year at Montague, CA. The reason for the need is we don't want anyone eliminated from attending this event because of the scale guys not wanting to paint the bottom of their wings just for this event, thereby causing them to just say "not my scale plane". So if we can get something we can apply at the contest site for them, and they can wash it off before they go home or after they get there maybe they will make the trip to try it out. Anyone have any reasonable easy ideas to post? Of course you understand the reasoning behind this, if they get high with white wings them might lose it, dark rules. Jerry Miller SOSS - Medford, OR John Derstine Endless Mountain Models RD# 3 Box 336 Gillett PA 16925 570-596-2392 RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
