Weight limit discussion

[Gene Maurice]

Dave,

 

I’ve got an 11½  pound Aries. To get it down to 5 kg will cost me hundreds
of dollars (carbon pipe, carbon tube, etc.). How does an increased weight
limit equate to costing me more? I’m not sure I understand this logic. How
and where will I spend MORE to add weight. Buy a gas engine? The gassers in
the size category we’re talking about are substantially less $ than a DZ and
don’t produce near the power my OS 160’s do.

 

If the top dogs are building/flying at 10#, a pound below the limit, what
exactly will you do with another pound? Make their planes stronger and more
durable? Boy, that would be bad for everyone.  

 

BTW, if heavier flys better, add lead, it’s cheap.  

 

Gene Maurice

gene.maurice at comcast.net

Plano, TX

NSRCA 877

AMA 3408

 

  _____  

From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of DaveL322 at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 3:46 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: Weight limit discussion

 

Buddy,

 

Point one - if the average weight of the top models now is 9.75 lbs (I think
pretty accurate), and the average weight of the "average" model is 10.75
lbs, both will have a higher average cost if the average weights shift to 10
and 12.5 lbs (which will unquestionably happen if the weight limit is
increased).

 

The professional, aspiring professional, and non-professional are all
influenced by the top F3A flyers and the top Masters flyers (albeit it to a
lesser extent).  The top F3A flyers drive much of the airplane and product
design/manufacturing.  You can not remove the influence of the top F3A
flyers on the whole of pattern, and the majority of flyers will emulate the
top flyers.

 

The top competitors will push the envelope and the masses will follow.  It
has always been that way, and it always will be - the nature of competition
does not change, nor does the nature of a competitive human or a human
striving for perfection.

 

Dave

 

-------------- Original message -------------- 



Dave 

In answer to the following parts of your post (had to split it up to big for
the list to handle)

 

Raise the weight limit in pattern, and the 2x2m monoplane will get bigger
and more costly (and the most competitive examples will still probably be
under 11 lbs, but the "average" plane won't be).

So far this is my point exactly. If we are to make AMA pattern an inclusive
event we in my opinion must include the average competitor. Those who have
higher aspirations will do what they must to achieve perfection and a weight
rule change will have little effect on those who aspire to compete on a
higher level.

 

Raise the weight limit in pattern while leaving unlimited displacement and
the 2x2m box, and the 2x2m monoplane will no longer be the most competive
design - the most competitive design will be a purpose designed pattern bipe
that will be substantially more expensive (money, time, maintenance) than
the current day designs.

 

If you don't think a purpose design pattern bipe would be the best, ask
Chip.  He will tell you without reservation he would not have flown his
Double Visions in the past few years if he did not think it was the best
plane.

Yes, but you also need to consider the level of competition and his goals.
Lets face it Chip is playing to the world in an arena composed of
professionals making him a member of an exclusive group that for the most
part excludes the rank and file of pattern. Here again I believe AMA pattern
should be structured to attract all of the rank and file while affording
those who aspire to greatness the opportunity to compete on a higher level
without effecting or excluding those who make up the core of the pattern
community or those who interested in joining it 

Buddy

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