I liked Paul's analogy of not using a Big Bertha driver out of a sand trap. I really don't think our high performance planes are that far apart, but just for discussion here are three categories:
Launching: A plane that pulls hard (good set up), cleans up well, low drag at high speed. Weight not critical, in fact if the winch can take it a little more helps. Good plane at this: NYK Thermalling: A plane that floats well but also has the ability to cruise from thermal to thermal. Can handle wind. Wingloading in these conditions can be a plus. Good plane at this: Icon Landing: A plane that flies slow well. Good low speed handling. Stable. Light weight helps by minimizing slide. Good plane at this: Mantis There are days when one plane can do two of these things really well, but rarely all three. I'm thinking of Phoenix a few years ago when a large group of us were flying Addictions...backwards. The heavier molded planes didn't seem to have as much of a problem. Then you have those soft thermal days when there isn't much wind and the floater is about the best you can use. All this is fine as we go chasing down the area in which we have a deficiency. Can't land? Get a Mantis. Can't thermal all over the sky? Get an Icon. Both planes, as a whole bunch of others are good enough multi purpose toys. What it really is all about is how skilled you are with the plane you choose. Most of us think there is a "silver bullet" out there when the only bullet is a lot of practice and familiarity with one plane. So the answer is to practice, but that is way too boring an answer. In the spirit of perpetuating the myth, I'd like to hear what everyone thinks is the best plane in each one of these categories, and why. JE -- Erickson Architects John R. Erickson, AIA 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.
