At the Knights of the Round Circle, we are planning to try out a new fun-fly event.  The idea is to fly aerobatics in a very fast and easy to judge manner using the simplest of models.  The Sarpoulos designs from Blackhawk models and the Sig 1/2A Skyray come to mind as readily available kits that would be useable.

Here are the proposed rules:

Kwikee Stunt Rules

This event is designed to be flown with the simplest of engine/aircraft configurations.  It is intended for fun-fly contests.  The flights are very short, and the judging is simple.  The flight becomes a total performance rather than an assembly of maneuvers.  Tutus optional.

Aircraft:

*  Flat plate airfoil only.  Any design, any size.  Kit or “homebrew” designs are OK.
*  Power is any single engine .061 c.i. or smaller or .105 c.i. multi-engine combination *
*  Any propeller allowed.
*  Any tank size allowed, but the pattern only takes just over 2 minutes so you might as well keep it small (about ˝ ounce for a Tee Dee .051 or AP Wasp .061)

Fuel and lines:

*  Must meet a 5 lb pull test.  No line length requirement.  AMA line sizes required.
*  Any fuel allowed.

Flight:

The maneuvers are the same as the PAMPA pattern and in the same order.  However, there are no intermediate laps, and only one repetition is required.

Maximum flight time 5 minutes from start signal.  Pilot may be at the handle when signaling to maximize available flight duration.

There will be 3 flights for each contestant, the best 2 scores summed for the final score.

Judging:

The flights will be judged as a whole, rather than individual scores for each maneuver.  Scores will be from 1 to 10 for the entire performance. 

All contestants will judge all flights (except their own, of course) and (if there are more than 5 contestants) the high and low scores deleted.  The remaining scores will be averaged.

*   2 x .051s, 3 x .035s, 5 x .020s, 10 x .010s  Whatever floats your boat.


What do you guys think?

Hi Larry,

I like the idea, simple.  Kind of like the types of planes I like to build these days and about the only type of flying I get to do.

If I was to add one comment or suggestion it would be to set the engine upper limit to .105 cu in, single or multi. My reasoning is that there are still lots of norvel .074's and Thunder tiger .07's and enya .09's and OS .10's (not to mention diesels) around and planes built a little larger with flat plate wings and on a bit longer lines than you might have for the typical 049/061 might make it appealing to a bit larger audience - might actually fly a bit better too. I am limited at the RC field I fly at to 50' lines max so I only fly the smaller planes. The 049/061's are fun but something a bit bigger with a bit larger engine has a bit more presence and is a bit more tractable as well.

Don't forget Bruce Feaver's White Lightning design http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/cl_sp_white_lightening.htm

my 2 cents.

cheers, Graham

After doing battle with the Skyray and Golden Bee, and also trying out a Black Widow on the plane, I don't think that a reed engine can be made to be competitive.  The Golden Bee hasn't enough power, and the Black Widow not enough duration.  I suppose there are component combinations and props and fuel that can do the job, but I want the event to be easy to prepare for, not a technical nightmare.

Definitely recomment going to an engine with a tank.  The Medallion, Big Mig, modified Brodak MK 1, and AP Wasp will all do the pattern nicely on a standard tank.  Of course adding uniflo venting will improve the stunt run consistency.  Tee Dees, AME, Stehls, VA and similar engines will need to run pressure to get a reliable pattern.

Hey Larry,

I have taken your idea of the Kwikee Stunt to heart and have started working on something suitable.  It will be the new home for one one of my AP 061 (with Cox bits) and probably a spinner too. It will be another variant of the Ringmaster build like and sized similar to the Sarpolous 1/2a control line designs and I hope to have it done for the Oct 3/4 weekend for the big Ringmaster 2nd Annual Fly-A-Thon (kind of like a world wide fun fly non-contest).

I will pass on details.

cheers, Graham in Ottawa Canada