In a catagory with flyers in single digits, there's no need to join a SIG to discuss an issue. I know my Contest Board Rep and I can talk to him any time, without going through a bureaucracy.
So what's wrong with just using the 15 like the rules intend? Too many $100 engines to compete against? A custom-made left hand crank isn't enough of an advantage? I'm sure a $1,200 electric system will do a fine job of pricing the peasants out of "your" event.
Well, there are a couple of points to consider here - The contest board makes rules, but most of the rules are
submitted by (or through) the Advisory Committees - and the AC's are run by the SIG's. So if you choose to
ignore the SIG, your voice will be drowned out by the NCAC.
Secondly, the rules made by the Contest Board do not apply to "local rule", "fun-fly", "unofficial", or any other
definition of an event not specifically spelled out in the rule book. So, .15 carrier (and Skyray, and nostalgia) at
the NATS are sponsored by, administered by and run by the SIG, in this case the NCS. So again, if you choose
NOT to participate in the NCS, you give up your voice in the running of the unofficial events.
Frankly, I have built and flown an electric carrier plane. If I were dead serious on trying to win any of the
events that will allow them, I WOULD NOT use an electric at this point. But I am still working on mine and
and that opinion could change. As for "investment", I've got less money in my electrics than someone who
buys a Nelson for any AMA event, even BEFORE he puts his left-hand crank in it. So that argument doesn't
hold much water. As for the "motor can't stop" argument, I must admit that I agree with this point. Once
an electric system is debugged, the ability to completely stop and restart the motor IS an advantage over
a glow motor - I would add to my local rules that if the motor stops and restarts, the flight is over. Just like
if forward motion stops, the flight if over.
As a contest director, I'm going to try using the NCS guidelines next Spring in .15 and in Skyray.
We will probably have "rulebook" electric classes combined, percent of record, competing only against any
other electrics that may show up. We already combine Skyray with Sportsman just to get people to enter
more events. In other words, bring ALL YOUR Planes if you want, we'll find a way to allow you to fly them.
As a CD of a contest that includes Navy Carrier, my prime concern is keeping the deck busy, from the first
flight until the 5:00 pm cutoff. That is my ONLY concern - growing the number of flyers and flights in
Navy Carrier. If electrics help to that end, then my reaction is "Bring 'em on". We will evaluate scores after
the contest and add that knowledge to the total to see if there is a method to fairly combine the two. But
without the flights, there is no knowledge gained. My opinion is that the NCS is interested in advancing the
Navy Carrier event, and if embracing electrics gains on that front then that is what they (we) will do.
Oh, and just a personal opinion -- I'll be GREATLY surprised if any electric wins against a decent turnout
of glow entries in any event for some time to come, regardless of cost. The ability to "dump amps" does not
necessarily translate into performance gains.... (yet).
Mike A