Bob, here is my take on the Carrier compitition at Brodak's. I have been  there 3 times so far and have even helped a bit, sandwitching my time there with other events.  By its' nature carrier is a rather laid back event in scheduling.  I would guess from watching past competitors amble up to the site that just about any time in the two days that you could break away would be the time to fly. Last year I was there and the event director for racing came after running the two racing events and participating in others coming to put in his profile attempts.  John Vulna runs a good contest, is able to conduct the events without demanding a schedule to be followed.  Please enter your plane, and with two whole days to put in official flights you will be able to fit your PA and OTS flights in and still have fun at the Carrier circle.

Now, I will be brief in describing the difference between Profile and Sportsman.  Sportsman is an unofficial AMA event which allows those of us who do not wish or cant push the envelope to compete for placing at a more laid back event.  The plane you use can be flown in either event, but not both, giving us "less than Nats quality fliers" a chance to win something and learn more if one wishes to move on to top level compitition. Much like the theory behind the "Postal Carrier Contest"

Everybody's got to start someplace, go for it!

Carrier has always been ALL DAY THURSDAY (up until now).

Last year, it was advertised as Thursday, but guys were flying practice on Wednesday and they sort of spontaneously let 'em put in OFFICIALS on Wednesday evening.  I wish that had been publicized, it would have helped me.

This year (2010) they put it in writing: Starting at noon Wednesday and all day Thursday.  This will help Carrier fit in with all the other events.

The intent of Sportsman Carrier is to give people a chance to fly carrier in a class where they are not competing with the more experienced fliers. It is similar to a novice class. When you get too good in Sportsman you are expected to move up to the Open class. The reason for allowing sliders is that this is a training ground for the open event and competitors who want to progress to open class should be able to fly under the same conditions that they will find in the open class. When they become more proficient they do not have to add a slider, or if they do not want to use a slider they are free to do so. I have seen some very good scores in Sportsman by competitors that have fixed leadouts.

I spent about 3 years in Sportsman until I was at a skill level (and equipment level) that would be suitable for Open class competition. It was a great way to get started in carrier without having to score 300+ points. I know of some flyers that just compete in Sportsman and have for many years. Give it a try.

As far as being competitive with MO-1's, that is not necessarily the plane to beat these days. Looking at the top 20 list there are more non-MO-1's than MO-1's.

Here is a clarification of how I run carrier at Brodak's.  Official flying starts at noon Wed. I will be available to process entries starting Wed. morning. Flight order is determined by a sign up sheet. When you are ready to fly, (anytime after you airplane has been processed) simply sign up to fly. When called to fly you have 5 min to get to the deck and 5 min's to start, multi-engines get more time per AMA rules. Any event can be flown on either day and in any order. I also allow practice flights if the deck is open. Official flights have priority. This allows people flying other events  opportunity to fly two events on one day.

The reason we went to 1 1/2 days was that one day is not quite enough time for the number of entries to get all attempts in. In carrier there are three attempts for two scores. An attempt is not official unless the contestant signals for low speed. Once two scores or three attempts  are made you are finished.

Can I use an electric starter?

Bob, electric starters are recommended.  Saves time and fingers with some of the high powered stuff.  Remember to have fun. 

Thanks for the info and help. Should be exciting as my 4th or 5th flight ever in Carrier (and on the FJ) will probably be an official. Will probably fly my officials on Thursday as that is OTS day and I fly OTS just for fun. I entered Profile, didn't want to take the 10 point hit in Sportsman although maybe that is what I really should have done. Might be able to change to Sportsman? What do you guys think?

Sure hope the FJ survives, we have a Postal Carrier event planed to be held sometime later in the season and it would be nice to still have the FJ