<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 5/12/2003 10:11:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Peter.Pennisi@publicworks.qld.gov.au writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:<B>F3A Biplanes have a future! </B><BR>
Date:5/12/2003 10:11:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time<BR>
From:<A HREF="mailto:Peter.Pennisi@publicworks.qld.gov.au">Peter.Pennisi@publicworks.qld.gov.au</A><BR>
Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A><BR>
To:<A HREF="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A><BR>
<I>Sent from the Internet </I><BR>
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Hi all,<BR>
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I had to opportunity to watch a F3A biplane fly for a short while in the<BR>
hands of a very capable pilot last weekend. The model was built by a local<BR>
kit manufacturer who adapted a set of wings to Carrera 2000 (Designed by<BR>
Peter Goldsmith)as an experiment. <BR>
<BR>
The model was flown briefly through the P03 schedule until an unfortunate<BR>
problem resulted in the model having to land minus wings on one side of the<BR>
fuse (More on that later) Anyway the flight looked very impressive<BR>
especially in the broader speed envelope the model was capable of flying in.<BR>
The model was powered with a YS140DZ and weighed about 10.5pounds.<BR>
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The very experienced F3A pilot commented how impressed he was with the model<BR>
and felt it was already better than his current monoplane. Particular<BR>
comments he made was that it spins, stall turns and rolls great snaps would<BR>
have been great until half the wing was ripped off as a result of<BR>
overstressing.<BR>
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What this pilot did as the wings tore off was truly impressive. With the<BR>
wings completely ripped off from one side of the fuse he had the initiative<BR>
to throttle up and fly the model in knife-edge and fly it around to make a<BR>
crash landing approach. The end result was a few scratches to the fuse and a<BR>
broken prop. This was one of the most impressive things I have seen.<BR>
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It is a pity I didn't have my video camera with me as it certainly would<BR>
have been great to see over and over again.<BR>
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I was very sceptical about F3A biplanes in Pattern until I saw this model<BR>
fly on the weekend. I have no doubt that will be taken seriously at the next<BR>
world champs. <BR>
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Follow this link to view the model prior to it crashing.<BR>
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http://www.qpfa.org.au/neil/a_couple_of_stories_from_behind_.html<BR>
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Regards,<BR>
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Peter<BR>
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Peter,<BR>
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Bipes make a great deal of sense in the present F3A environment with its snaps, rolling loops and assymetric maneuvers in general. And as far as speed control is concerned the bipe should have the advantage. Whether they overtake the monoplanes in F3A overall, well the jury hasn't even gone to the deliberation room yet.<BR>
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Personally I like bipes, but I like Nat Penton's purpose built mono, The Express, even better. Form trully follows function in this design, which Nat has perfected in over 15 years of refinement. I would love to see one of the top pilots fly this model for 50 flights and really wring it out.<BR>
<BR>
regards<BR>
<BR>
Matt Kebabjian</FONT></HTML>