We tried this a while back (with a Gentle Lady). Things were looking up. We had some new members join and a lot of the club members picked up a GL and got her ready to fly. Unfortunately we seemed to have a problem finding a good day to organize the contest/fun fly. We would have a couple of people show up, or it would be too windy, seemed like everything kept getting in our way.
We made the rules pretty simple. Pretty much a stock Gentle Lady, with minimal kit bashing allowed. No spoilers (the model could have them, but they were to be taped down for the contest) and we had a minimum and maximum weight. We also allowed ballast as long as it was under the max weight, as well as changing the wing hold down to 2 cross posts rather than the "standard" GL wing hold down. No composites were allowed other than a small amount of glass to reinforce the wing at the center section. We even got the LHS here to discount the model for club members! I think it's a good idea, and I hope the club here decides to pick it back up again. Depending upon the age of the flyers I think DLG/HLG one design makes a better entry point than a 2M or 3M for a one design contest, unfortunately DLGs are generally more expensive and take more time to setup...but it seems like when I fly my DLG I get a lot more people that are interested vs when I fly something larger off a winch or high start. It seems like there is more interest in DLGs for younger flyers, but the skills needed to set one up and fly it properly are a little more advanced than a Gentle Lady. Jared -----Original Message----- From: John [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:54 AM To: Jeff Steifel; Ben Wilson Cc: Soaring; LOFT Subject: RE: [RCSE] Further 2-Meters thoughts Jeff, I may be way off base (and I'm sure you all will let me know) but I thing a revival of the one design low cost model contest would do more than anything we are now doing to get new and young pilots into the hobby. Even if it was a Spirit, Vista, or Fling 2M ARF type of model that would be an affordable entry for the new blood. If AMA or LSF would promote the idea of clubs having a once a week or month one design fly/contest it would give a venue for the new flyers. It could also be a real eye opener for the completive fliers. It would promote a leveling of the field to see who is the best pilot and thermal reader with the same basic low cost equipment (no pic's). It would be nice to see who can fly without a voice in the ear telling them where the lift is. John P.S. If anyone in LOFT would like to start a Wednesday night one-design fly let me know. I see where Tower Hobby has several entry-level ARF's that would be an easy and fast way to start. -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Steifel [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:45 AM To: Ben Wilson Cc: Soaring; LASS Soaring List Subject: Re: [RCSE] Further 2-Meters thoughts Ok, lets dispel the cost issue. There is a minor difference in cost for a RES two meter vs RES unlimited. either can be inexpensive or expensive (AVA like) There is a minor diff in cost for a full house 2m vs a full house unlimited. apples to apples. there is a larger diff between a res and anything full house. Competition makes you a better pilot. Competition can be great fun if you understand you will win and lose. Not everyone will be JW's or DP's, get over it and have some fun. THE HOBBY NEEDS MORE YOUTHS!!! Ed Wilson and the rest of the LASS club have done a great thing in supporting Lee. There is a good amount of time and effort being put into that young guy and it doesn't go unnoticed. I think we are all appreciative. Lee may be the next generation of fliers to carry the torch that allows the legacy of soaring to continue... Ben Wilson wrote: > I don't think that 2-meter is in jeopardy, though I would like to make > a few points to reinforce it's importance in the overall soaring world: > > 1. This hobby needs more youth(s) to continue to grow. > > 2. Youths (and many new soarers) don't have the experience or the > money to fly big ships. > > 3. Soaring is and will remain a hobby where competition is part and > parcel of the experience. > > 4. 2-meter at the NATS allows those new fliers to compete at a > national level in an event that they alone (and not their plane) are > the determining factor. > > Ed Wilson achieved something special this year: he mentored a young > dude with a small ship (but big dreams) with the intention of taking > him to the NATS. It's a great goal, and one that we think will keep > Lee and others like him in this hobby. 2-meter at the NATS is the > perfect event to show new fliers what soaring is all about. > > Since we already have, and will hopefully continue to have, a 2-meter > competition -- all we need is more Lee's, right? :) > > -- Jeff Steifel RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. 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