Hi Bob, nothing directed at any particular individual, but I do have an issue with electrics. I have felt since day one, that electrics should compete in a division for electrics only and I have made my opinion public for some time now. I'm not old fashion, but I guess you can call me a perfectionist. IMHO, being able to set up a fuel burner to run right and do the pattern is what it is all about. I've heard replies to my opinion in the form of "well you still have to fly and steer the plane through the pattern," true, but the electric motor does away with one aspect of the competition. The ability to show up at a contest with a plane, that starts and runs right, after signaling the judges. A plane that "chugs" around in level flight and kicks in with power during the maneuvers. Yes I know...there is a point of technology involved with the set up (programming) of an electric, as I've been told. I'm all in favor of advancements in these types of technologies, but when the technologies takes advantage of a "contest," I begin to lose interest in our part of the hobby. I'm sorry, I have no desire to compete with or build an electric airplane. As I said in the beginning of my reply. My opinion is not directed at anyone in particular.
Congratulations to the top five and all of the other contestants, who I know, worked hard to get there.
Norm
Sigh... Okay, Norm, please understand that you are entitled to your opinion, and I will fight to the death your right to have it. Having cleared that up let's take a look at the rule book for our event. Nowhere does it suggest that having the knowledge or the necessity to set up a glow engine is in any way a part of the event before or after the introduction of electric power. This event is about geometry scribed on the inner face of an invisible hemisphere. Yes, there is a component of being able to build and finish the model also.
The fact that you enjoy the challenge of setting up a glow engine to perform as you wish it to is a personal thing for you. No one should feel the need to have to accept that challenge if they don't want to. For some that challenge is easy, and for some it is hard, but in any case there are no points available for the act of doing it, nor should there be.
Setting up an electric power system may be easier in your mind, but for some it is not. Many are so entrenched in glow thinking that they are having trouble learning the necessary lessons to use electric effectively.
Before glow came along there was ignition. Now, there was a challenge! When glow did come along I'm told there were many who hated the idea. Now anyone could get a powerful engine to perform well and without the need for so much engine knowledge. Let the record show that glow prevailed and did so for a long time. Heck, it is still very viable and will be for years to come. Does that mean we should stop all development of power systems for our event? If we were to subscribe to that way of thinking, we would all still be driving horse-drawn carriages.
Why do some people feel that the event was to be forever based on internal combustion power? If that were the case it would have been named "Internal Combustion Precision Aerobatics." It was instead named Precision Aerobatics. And it has been an event ripe with technical advancements throughout its years. So we are to now stop those advancements because some don't care for a new power mode?
I'm always amused by the fact that when electric power was first used in a CL Stunt model, some people suggested that it should have its own event because it would never have the power potential that glow had, and so would never be competitive with glow powered models. Now, just a few short years later, many of those same people are crying that electric models have a performance advantage over glow, and should have their own event for that reason. The fact is that just today, on the nation's largest stage in CL Stunt flying, a glow powered model won the National Championships! Doesn't seem like there is an advantage for electric over glow in light of that result. Of course the next three spots were taken by electric powered models, and the second placing model was only a couple of points behind over two flights and 30 maneuvers. Gee, could it be that we have achieved parity? What an awful thing!
Let's keep our eyes on the ball, guys; this event is about flying geometry, building and finishing. It is also an event that has always welcomed new ideas and new technologies... right up to the point when someone actually made an electric model competitive with a glow model, and then the specter of censorship appeared. In fact, there have been contests that have penalized those who had the temerity to show up with an electric powered model. In some cases a 10 or more point penalty. Hey, now there's a way to grow the event and make people welcome...
Bottom line: Electric power is here to stay, and it will continue to improve over the years to come. I don't think you will ever hear any electric flier suggest in the future that glow models should have their own event. Listen, and please listen good. There are so few of us in the entire universe that fly CL Stunt models that it behooves all of us to get along. If you feel that electric powered models have an advantage over what you are flying, there is no rule that says you can't also fly electric. Conversely, there is no rule that says you have to give up your glow engines. Just fly what you like, and get along with all the other children.
I thought all of this was behind us by now; but I fear it will continue to be a major issue that will do nothing but tear us apart.
Bob Hunt
Topic: LIVE SCORES!!!! Open Semifinal and Advanced final (Read 3774 times)
