I think Harley has some great ideas here. The main problem I see is in enforcing the "build it yourself" policy. On a competitive national scale, I think this would be very difficult to accomplish, and if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. Otherwise I think restricting the planes to be of all, or mostly wood construction, would solve this problem... here is why:
These past weeks there has been a lot of talk about the difficulty in creating a composite ship from scratch vs a wood ship from scratch. I have never made a composite ship from scratch, so I can't say from experience that one is more difficult then the other... but my hunch tells me that composite ships are more difficult (than wood) to create the first time, but are much easier to recreate after the first. This naturally means that composite ships lend themselves to ARFs a lot better then wood ships. Sure, you can buy wood ARFs built with cheap foreign labor, but for every one of those, you can find a dozen composite ARFs, and they must be mass produced. All of the cottage ultra-high performance manufacturers are using composites anyway, and I don't see them switching to wood... they just couldn't do it and survive... it's hard enough for them as it is. This means that if you are going to enter a contest with a wooden plane, chances are you built it yourself, either from a kit or from scratch. Ya, there will be a few people who buy used planes, or pay someone like Harley for one of his dream ships, but the supply of these planes isn't, and won't ever be enough that tons of folks would show up with purchased planes for a contest like this. Winch launch capable; it's not really difficult to achieve this, not even with an all-wood model. I agree with no size or control limits (initially anyway)... mainly to get people interested in the class. If the class really takes off, then perhaps this would need to be broken down into size or control surfaces, but initially, I think keeping it open would allow for a large audience to get it rolling. I definitely agree with not requiring the model to be of custom design by the builder/flyer and allowing kitted models to be used. This will definitely encourage the construction of new wood kits (a quickly dying breed), and give those who love to build and fly them a class where they can be competitive. As for trophy's.... I'm not picky. Just not coming in last is trophy enough for me, especially if I did it with something I made myself. How many of you are thinking "Ray Hayes Woodcrafters"? Me too. It seems to be about the same thing, though Harley's intent to allow composite ships really sets it apart. Unfortunately, providing a good means of ensuring that each ship (if composites are allowed) was in fact constructed by its pilot is not something I have an answer to. But if someone does have a way, then there should be no reason to not allow the composites in. After all, this is all about flying what you built. I completely understand those who don't have the time to build, and those who just don't have the desire. Lately, or perhaps just on the RSCE, it seems that these folks are the majority, but there HAVE to be enough people out there to make something like this happen, at least at the local club levels for now. Is there anyone else out there? Jeff >From: "Harley Michaelis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [RCSE] ABOUT THAT NEW CLASS. . . >Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 16:50:17 -0800 > > >I may be wrong, but I think there is merit in clearly establishing a >separate and new class for guys who show up and compete with stuff they >actually build. > >Would anyone participate? Predictions to the contrary, I think so, even if >only me in my area. There just have to be other builders around who would >go >for this, too, given incentive with a separate, honorable award that >respectfully recognizes the skill and dedication involved. This body of >such >talented builder/flyers mostly going unused is a waste of precious national >resources. > >After all, the moldie rage had to start with some guy taking a bold step to >"just do it". It hasn't been long and look how it has become so >fashionable. >It can go another direction if some imagination and motivation are applied. > >I love challenges. It fires up my creative juices to work on simple >solutions to complex problems. This is not an "us" and "them" issue. Just >another option. Here are my thoughts on a "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY) class; > >No size limits specified, no channel limits, no limit on # of airframes, >okay to switch during a contest. No sharing of ships between contestants. >Must be winch launch capable. CD may set skill classes if entry list >merits. >Same tasks and scoring as for other classes. Okay to use a DIY ship in >other >classes, as usual, subject to limitations of such classes as RES and >Nostalgia. > >To qualify as a DIY entry, the flyer must have > >(1) personally completed the airframe from a commercially-produced kit in >which the various materials and various parts involved in the wing and tail >pieces require full assembly. It may include a finished or >essentially-finished wood or composite fuselage or parts and materials for >such construction. Okay to use pre-cut cores. > >(2) been personally scratch-built by the flyer from basic modeling supplies >and materials. He can use his own or other available plans, building text >or >parts packages available. Okay to make use of a stock fuselage, if >available. Okay to use pre-cut cores. > >This opens the door for guys who might like to offer kits and have a market >for their trouble. It gives a free hand to builders to go any route they >wish, from simple to sophisticated. It offers an opportunity to put dormant >skills back to work or to develop some and be respected for it. > >Remember that the awards in the class should be not be just token ones. >They >should be as good as or better than for any other class so there is pride >and recognition in winning them, too. > >Okay, guys, let's hear you. Make yourself known on this exchange, pro or >con. CD's. . . announce it in your contest flyers and see what shows up to >take part. > > > > > >Harley Michaelis, 26 S. Roosevelt, Walla Walla, WA 99362, ph. (509) >529-2562 > >RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and >"unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
