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| Pilots, timers, helpers,
enthusiasts etc. at SAM 27's first Limited Altitude meet |
Spectacular Show
Five pilots flew 5 rounds each on a typical windy
spring day, to try out the SAM 27 limited altitude rules.
They put on a spectacular show for the spectators,
starting with a formation takeoff and vertical climb to 200 meters
(654 ft.), the altitude cutoff.
See Warm-up Rules
Big Thanks to the pilots and timers (who were
busier than expected) for performing in Chip's "Voluntary
Experiment".
Pilots:
Dick Irwin, Greg Huffman, Aric Wilmunder, Chip Buss, Andrew
Tickle
Timers:
Karl Tulp, Mike Sidwell, Bob Rose, Ed Solenberger, Otto
Wiederkehr
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| Prior to the first mass
takeoff -- checking last minute things. |
How we did the Mass Takeoffs
There was no problem with the formation mass
takeoff. But because of the wind strength the planes rolled
backwards while waiting to takeoff (should we install brakes?).
So the timers volunteered to hold on to the planes on the runway
until the moment of takeoff. This solved the takeoff problem
completely.
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| Preparing for the
starter's gun at takeoff. Ed is holding back Greg's 108 in. Dallaire
against the wind. Otto is placing Aric's 49 in Cleveland Viking
into position. These vertical formation climbs, straight up to 200 meters
(654) feet, are exciting for pilots and spectators alike. |
But there was still another problem to
solve. It was too windy (and and too directly down runway) to
make "diagonal" takeoffs, as we had planned. Everyone had to
take off directly down the runway. This made it hard to clear
the timers by the 25 foot AMA safety margin.
Chip solved this problem by changing from formation
takeoff to
rapid sequence takeoff. Each pilot had to wait until the runway
ahead was clear of timers before taking off. This worked
perfectly for the remaining 4 rounds. It also showed how
unbelievably fast and agile our timers are.
Hand Launch? You Gotta
be Joking....
For a warm-up meet, pilots showed good competitive
spirit. For a measly 5 point advantage all pilots made takeoffs
rather that the (safer?) hand launch. That's all 5 pilots
choosing to use their takeoff skills 25 times out of 25 with no
problem. Hand launches -- zero! What are those wheels for
anyway?
Landings -- We got work
to do there..
Only seven out of 25 landings were on the runway -- but
they were good ones! There were also a number of good ones just
short of the runway. The problem was the usual one -- the wind,
and setting up the final part of the flight to make both the
exact time and the runway. Clearly
the landing skills were worth a lot more than the mere 5 points
awarded. The soaring purists say the landing points are
irrelevant, which is true if you don't score any. But for
all-round fliers the question is how well can you really control
that plane?
Avoiding Landing
Congestion
There were no landing congestion problems. We used the
same rule they use at San Francisco -- after landing on the main
runway DO NOT PARK there. Just taxi off smartly or re-takeoff --
what are those motors and wheels for anyway?
A touch-and-go and a re-takeoff were also demonstrated. These
work the best (when needed) as they are easier than taxiing Old
Timers when its windy. You can then make a normal "full-stop"
landing later when the approach is clear. |
RESULTS
1) Aric Wilmunder 2) Dick Irwin 3) Greg Huffman 4) Andrew
Tickle 5) Chip Buss
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Some
Immediate Answers
Power
As to the preferred kind of power setup -- 5 out
of 5 were hi-climbers. There were no "slow and majestic" queens.
Not surprising since powerful brushless motors and batteries
(40C and up) are now so inexpensive. (See
hobbyking.com)
Size of Plane
Sizes ranged from Greg's
intimidating red and black 108" Dallaire to Aric's 49" Cleveland
Viking -- hardly bigger than a Speed 400. Results depended more
on skill than size, which was the whole idea. There was no
evidence of any advantage to larger or smaller planes. |
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| Ed and Greg with the
big Dallaire |
Steve and Chip with the
Rocketeer |
DEBREIFING SHEET
(completed by all pilots)
See Debrief Sheet
Prefer reducing need for eagle vision
Yes 4/5
Limiting altitude for powered climb
Yes 5/5
Altitude Switches
Most of the flyers used the CAM altitude switch for the first time and
had no problems.
CAM switch experience good Yes
5/5
Fast Climb vs Slow and Majestic If there was no
preference, both were counted.
Fast vs slow Yes 4/5.
Prefer precision target times to maxes
Yes 4/5
Prefer points for takeoff vs hand-launch
Yes 5/5
Prefer landing points
Yes 4/5
Extra points for flying non-recent SAM Champs entry
to encourage building less frequently seen Old
Timers
Yes 3/5
Fine tuning recommended for next contest
1) 15 landing points instead of 5,
otherwise they are sacrificed to meet the target time.
2)
3,4,5,6,7 min rounds (Eliminate 2 min round, add 7
min)
3)
Score is best 4 of 5 rounds (reduces bad luck)
4) First 3 rounds
at 20 min intervals, starting at 9:30
May 17 Limited Altitude
Meet Rules
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