Did my very first OTS over head eight !!!

[Paul Taylor]

I have been watching some videos of guys flying OTS. The overhead eight looked very interesting. Entered from the side with what looks like a "S" shape first.

I did one today but it felt bassakwards at best.

[Dan McEntee]

   Since some OTS models can be a bit marginal on power, I think it's best to be facing the wind/judges when you start the maneuver. You can legally do it either way. Entering from upwind helps you out with a little more speed and can help you keep line tension. Keep up the practice. Old Tyme Stunt is a lot of fun.
   Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

[Sean McEntee]

       Vertical Eights can be hairy too.  That first loop and a half of the vertical eights in the AMA pattern is good for building speed for the outside loop, but the OTS pattern is dependent on making sure the intersection is high enough to pull out.  Praying helps too.  This is especialy true at high altitudes like Tucson....isnt it Dad?  

[john e. holliday]

The first time I seen anybody do over head eights was when I was just a kid, many,  many  moons ago.  It was years before I learned the AMA eights.   It was hard for me doing the AMA eights.

[Paul Taylor]

Dan,
Sounds like there is a story in Sean's post?

[Dan McEntee]

Dan,
Sounds like there is a story in Sean's post?

    I have one of the much admired "Best Crash" trophies from one of my early visits to VSC. I was flying a nice Ringmaster with a McCoy .35 Redhead that weighed a bit more than I liked. It was a breezy, warm day and I pancaked my Ringmaster at the bottom of the vertical eights with the expected results. There were several other crashes that year, but I won best crash because the nose of my airplane traveled along the ground and hit Ken Smith, who was judging in the next circle, in the ankle. He was one of the judges who awarded the best crash trophy, and since my aim was so good, and my parts had traveled the farthest, I was awarded the prize.
    Sean got to attend his first VSC in 1997 and flew a beater Ringmaster and duplicated my feat, but does  not have the coveted hardware to show for it.
   I do still have the wreckage of both airplanes!
   Type at you later,
   Dan

[Paul Taylor]

Hey Dan and Sean,

Could this be the the time and place?

[Dan McEntee]

  YEAH!! CHECK OUT SEAN'S COOL FLIP UPS!!!!!! . I really do think I have those around here someplace also!  That was the year that Sean pancaked a Ringmaster, 1997. I did it 5 or 6 years earlier. I'll have to get the trophy down and read it. it's pretty cool! Real nice solid wood base with the bust off cylinder from a Madewell .49 on top complete with spark plug! It really is one of my most treasured possessions!
   You should plan to make the trip to Tucson as soon as possible Paul and join in the fun. I'm going to try and go next year.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

    PS: And we both pretty much still look like that , too!

[Paul Taylor]

Last time I saw Sean was at WKSI last year. I think his hair was a little shorter.

And he was kicking butt with a RM!

[Jim Thomerson]

Incidentally, if you read the OTS rules for the vertical 8, you will see that you can fly it any way you want to so long as you do not enter from the top of the circle.   Everyone flies it like the diagram.  I have thought about flying it some other way, but my airplanes have refused to change their ways.  If you do decide to fly it differently, be sure the judges are OK with what you propose to do.   

[john e. holliday]

And the kid is still kicking butt when he can.   Was great to see him at VSC and share the banquet table.

[Sean McEntee]

Last time I saw Sean was at WKSI last year. I think his hair was a little shorter.

And he was kicking butt with a RM!

      I religated my Ringmaster to "pickle status" in favor of Cal Smith "Frisky Pete".  It really hauls the mail...very cute design and a very good flying model.

     VSC is a ton of fun...well worth the trip!