Brodak 1/2 A Stunt

[bob whitney]

At the  Brodak 1/2 A stunt is the .5 oz tank event separate from the regular full pattern event  RAD

[Dennis Adamisin]

At the  Brodak 1/2 A stunt is the .5 oz tank event separate from the regular full pattern event  RAD

Hi Rad
Not a separate event.  Take as many flights as needed to complete the pattern.

[Dick Byron]

1.5 oz is normal to complete pattern.

[944_Jim]

Hi Rad
Not a separate event.  Take as many flights as needed to complete the pattern.

This is irrelevant beyond just watching this develop. I'll more than likely never get to go to Brodak's. I am just curious, which is driving my understanding. I do like the idea as I fly small.

I have to wonder if the pitstop may distract the pilot to the point of losing track of where in the pattern the pilot is. I see coordination between pilot and crew chief as being paramount to successfully engaging the complete pattern.


Does this really mean fly out the tank, land/refill/launch, and then continue the pattern?
The challenge will be knowing the plane so well that one knows exactly how long his plane can fly on one tank...and I suspect this will change based on where pilot/plane is in the pattern sequence.

How would one handle the flame out? Anticipate and fly a few laps to flame-out, then prep and continue where left off?

I seem to remember "the smalls" were allowed one lap between stunts as a fuel management tool. And if I understand this correctly, does this mean back to two laps between stunts?

Thanks for the enlightenment.

[Paul Smith]

Per Jim's issues:

Yes, a pro stunt pilot would carry the proper amount of fuel to complete the pattern as in AMA and FAI stunt.  The pit stop provision allows less advanced entrants to use Babe Bees, Golden Bees, and Black Widows without modification.  I expect that the prizes will be won by people with the correct run time.

The lap(s) after stunts is another point.  For a regular stunter, two laps is about 10 seconds to judge the stunt and record the score.
One lap for a 1/2A is only 2-3 seconds.  That's not much judgement time.  Maybe THREE laps would be better for 1/2A's.
Get a bugger tank or make the pit stop(s).

[944_Jim]

I've heard of chicken hopper tanks, but have no idea what a bugger tank is.

I like the idea of three laps between stunts. So that makes for maybe 5 stunts per tank, land/re-fuel and continue on...wash, rinse, repeat until all stunts are completed.

That actually sounds learnable to this neophyte parking lot pilot! It breaks the pattern up into short dance routines.

But it still won't get me to Brodak's. Sigh. I hope the attendees have a fun time!

[Steve Berry]

I like the idea of three laps between stunts. So that makes for maybe 5 stunts per tank, land/re-fuel and continue on...wash, rinse, repeat until all stunts are completed.

That brings up a really interesting thought. If it takes 3 flights to complete the pattern doing the above, which landing is judged as "the" landing? Only the last one? All 3? Same for take off...I would think only the initial take off would count, but I'm curious as to what happen with the others.

Like Jim, I'm not anticipating going to Brodaks anytime soon  but am curious about this scenario.

Steve

[944_Jim]

If it takes 3 flights to complete the pattern doing the above, which landing is judged as "the" landing? Only the last one? All 3? Same for take off...I would think only the initial take off would count...
Steve

Steve, we are the Sideliners. So I mention two options as only dream sheet solutions. After all, we aren't going. I'm neither skilled enough, nor build well, nor fly bold enough to be classed in this competition at any level.

Besides, I suspect contestants to be rank beginners (but better than me). This is to keep them from being absolutely overwhelmed...if the stunts don't get them first. So this one is for the "newbies."

Option #1 intended primarily to minimize work for all concerned.
First take off counts as normal...make it pretty for points. The remaining take-offs are all about getting in the air and finishing the routine.
Make the last landing count...it may not matter if the pilot blew the first two. Especially if the landings impair the abilities of the pilot/plane from continuing. Getting to the end is going to be difficult enough considering pit stops. Consider this one the Freshman class.


There may be that guy campaigning a Tercel, Pinto...maybe even a Southridge CNC Hyper Viper clone. He would be the competitive guy that has already put in air miles and time in other contests. This is the contestant who considers his top-shelf build a major component of getting into this competition, and wants the challenge of flying BIG while staying small. He needs no crutch as described above in Option 1.

Second option (and more work for everyone):
Make all take-offs and landings valuable to scoring. Either weight specific ones or average them to get values. I think this one requires  much effort on everybody's part. Consider this one the Senior Class.
I doubt anyone would compete in this one with a true Cox Hyper Viper or Super Chipmunk.

I've done loops, inverted, really weak wingovers. But I haven't gotten to true RWOs yet. In short, even the first option would be impossible for me right now.

Again, I'm just thinking out loud. Unless I can plan a Brodak's trip to coincide with a TR6/Roadster Factory trip, I have no box to check on this one.

[goozgog]

Hey 944 Jim,

   Paul Smith probably has the best info
about this event.

  You might be approaching this from the wrong
angle. It's supposed to be a "just for fun" event.
  I'm pretty sure that most competitors would
welcome your participation no matter what.

   The 1/2A event at Brodak's had lots of entries.
and spectators when I flew in it. Cheers for any
attempted maneuver and groans for every fail.

  As always, the best prepared person will prevail.

  Something I regret about the pattern I flew was
only flying one lap between maneuvers as the rules
allowed. It was windy and I was hedging my bets,
but I wasn't doing my best.
  Come and play and try your best.
You won't regret it.

Cheers! - K.

[Dennis Adamisin]

GoozGog  +1

I was one of the judges last year, Allen Buck & I chatted with each pilot before flight to see what their plan was.  Left to our own devices we would judge the FIRST landing.  I don't recall that we had any hand launches, but if someone HAD hand launched It would have been scored. 

As a judge I greatly prefer that 2nd lap between maneuvers even if it means flying an extra flight.

It was HOT, & windy, as I recall, we only had ONE complete flight.  for the record the MOST "pro" set-up was not the winner  A pessimist would say the bar is pretty low!!!  Get a complete pattern, over as many launches as it takes and you have an inside track to make the podium...

TO ALL, the event is for fun; run what you brung, make some new best buds & cheer each other on! 

[944_Jim]

This wouldn't be the first time I over-thought something. But with dialog, I actually have a take-away from this. Again, not a contestant. Nor was I trying to change things...rather, just sticking words to options for something I will most likely never do (the contest, that is).

I do like the idea of breaking the pattern up into short segments. This should eliminate the need for a larger, heavier tank. That in turn, allows for lighter, better performing models. And the pay-off means I can attempt stunts that my brick-heavy builds can't fly.

Thanks for the sounding board guys. Enjoy your camaraderie and light-hearted competition. I hope to see videos. I love watching all of them, even the clunkers and dead-ringers.

[Chuck Matheny]

I'm almost 68 and have never flown the complete stunt routine....not even with just my Dog as the only spectator.
My strategy... for someday DOMINATING all categories of C/L stunt is to first master 1/2A..since the inevitable crashes are much easier to deal with.
Then by about the time I turn 74 [or so] I should be ready to move up to .40 sized and then be a major force to be reckoned with...

[Mark Weiss]

WILL DAVIS AND I HAVE SCHEDULED THE 1/2A STUNT CONTEST IN THE MORNING WHEN THE WINDS ARE AT THEIR LIGHTEST.

BRING AN AIRPLANE AND ENJOY YOURSELF!

MARK