Dear Friends

trying to support a couple of friends over here, I would like your advice on the feasibility of c/l promotional indoor electric combat project.
 
The idea is to provide the typically young and ambitous indoor flyers with an attractive "toy" challenging their reflexes and eventually leading the way to "regular" c/l. In order to make use of inexpensive materials available from hobbyshops, or to be found on the shelf of indoor flyers, the basic outlines shall be:

Depron-airplane shape, size: Similar to F2D,  wingspan 20 in approx.
(Spectra-) Line length: 20 - 25 ft
Speed: 3-4 sec / lap
Bout time: 90 sec.
Inflight control of power: 2.4 Ghz radio, pilot operated

Any idea if and how such a project could be realized?

Thanks, Peter

Hello Peter,
I like it!
Howard, you are a bad influence ... and I like that!
Seriously, it is a marvelous idea, farming a receptive pool of prospective CL flyers.
The only thing I'd change is to give both transmitters to the Umpire.
The pilots will be able to communicate with him or her verbally without problem.
Best Regards and Happy Holiday,
Dean P. 

Peter,
That is a wonderful idea, although I would just use a timer to limit the length of the match to say 3 minutes with specified motor size and esc and batterys leaving the plane design to the competitors. Using the existing fast combat rules with the addition of tethers on the major components to keep things safe. Hate to see someone hit with a battery or a motor. Dang, this is the sort of thing that could wake up CL for a lot of people. Some basic design parameters on plane size say maximum 250 sq. in wing would probably work well with 30 ft. lines and could maybe use a spectra based material for lines.

Great idea 

Scott 

I see your point, Peter, but I still beg to disagree. Why is this?
Combat is a non-contact sport in much the same sense as Basketball 
Managing a transmitter with the free hand while dancing in the center of the circle ... I don't think it will work very well. Of course, these questions would easily be sorted out in two or three trial events!
I will keep this in mind.
Merry Bah-Humbug to All,
     Dean

When suggesting 20-25 ft. lines this was to allow high airspeed while keeping the pilot's rotational speed manageable. I forgot to mention that this does not require the ceiling being higher than line lenght. All you (pilots) have to do is keep away from hitting not only the ground, but the ceiling, too. And to fly the airplane, manage power and cut your opponent's streamer, of course.

Peter G

This is a very interesting idea. How many places and what sort of places would be available for flying such machines? Seems to me that the venue is the biggest problem, as it is with any model flying.

John W

With lines you dont crash into the walls!

Some notes - better late than never :-)

- I think line length will be limiting. Usually we (stunt) fly on 5m long lines and it gives a chance to fly in usual gym for basketball.
- Howard is right, crashed battery can burn, but we have also Lion and life cells in capacity approximately 1Ah. May be it can be usefull. I can imagine model for two such cells in targer weight 200g and power 100W ... span 800-1000mm
- it will ceratinly need to find some limitation for power ... R/C guys has limited prop size and on ground RPM

the model is very soft itself and we fly with rubber mounted props, so it is not very danger ... but I must say that I saw cut nose in half and guy did long red marked path running to the doctor 

give both transmitters to the Umpire.

That sounds like a good idea. Probably reduces crash damage.

Still, I think the floor would need to be protected, unless the venue has a floor where minor damage is acceptable anyway.