Hi Guys,
This thread really illustrates why we all keep coming back for more with our single axis toy airplanes. Most of us just get such a kick out of fiddling all the time. I enjoyed the comments of Dennis to Kim D when Kim explained exactly what to go and buy to make a really good electric stunter that will work. It will also save bucks and avoid buying of stuff that "may" not work. These were really good suggestions. but so many of us get a great kick out of trying all kinds of alternative ways, and in this manner we satisfy our enquiring minds.
Dean, if you get called names........so what?? At least you are being noticed, and of course you get a nice warm fuzzy feeling when time proves the point. When I started out on my 3-D simulation thing, and dared to challenge the stunt rules, I was called many things. The best one that I got via e-mail, was the one that said that I must be sniffing too much diesel. It's all in good fun.
On the point of flying in the wind, I always thought that for a simple set-up, the diesel really handles the wind on the downwing accelleration problems, better than most. Electric with a good governor set-up is even better. I was lucky to fly Rob Metkemeijer's Yatsenko Shark with his prototype .77 glow engine at out Nats last month. It is a long-stroke, 6-port AAC design with a rear intake, and was swinging a 14" 3-bladed prop. The weight of this work of art, is around 280 grams. It only used about 90 cc of fuel for the flight, so I guess that it is choke down quite a lot. Our altitude here in Johannesburg South Africa, is close to 6000 ft. ASL. This engine just "growls" through the flight with very little 2/4 break. It did not accelerate much in the gusty weather, but then when I flew it, the wind was reasonable, and not like typical "world champs" weather in Europe.
Rob flew my Electron afterwards as well, and he was most impressed by the power and solid constant speed. He noted that it is a little deceptive when you watch the electric models, because they just don't sound powerful. I remember talking to Peter Germann at the last world champs and he said that the electric models just don't seem to handle the overhead maneuvers well in the wind. He said that it was quite visible to him in fact. Ask Igor, who placed 2nd in some of the worst wind and turbulence that I've seen at world champs, if he had no line tension overhead.
Another guy that I have the greatest respect for, is Gilbert Beringer. He has certainly experimented as much or more than most of us. He also flew many diesels by the way. He told me some years ago, that in good stunt conditions, a 2/4 break system is hard to beat, but in bad turbulence, a constant speed system is much more predictable, and therefore easier to score good points with. He found that 4-strokes gave him a similar performance to diesels.......without the smell. In similar manner, electric motors in governor mode are even better.
I fly my Electron on about 69 foot lines, or just a little under full length. I like the extra "space" for the maneuvers. I have flown my model at 4.7 to 5.2 secs/lap and it is still fine to perform a good pattern. My choice is obviously the slowest that I can get away with, but like the great Windy always says, it's the speed through the maneuvers that is important and not the level flight lap times. I've timed all of the systems in use today, and if you take a top pilot flying a ST 60, 4-banger, or tuned pipe system, they all take a similar time through each maneuver. The 2-stroke glow engine will purr around at a good 4-cycle, and then speed up through the maneuvers.
So, I don't think that the line length is really a problem, within reason anyway. It all comes down to what you are comfortable with. I just don't like trying to get used to different line lengths. Strong, smooth wind is not the real problem. In Landres at the world champs for example, even in lighter wind, the turbulence, especially on the grass field, was horrendous. The great thing about electric, is that you fly faster by setting the rpm accurately (if you have the right governor system), and you can fly a good pattern even at 4.7 secs/lap, because it just doesn't go faster.