Control Line: Navy Carrier
I DID NOT make it to the Canadian Nationals because of my job and my trip to the U.S. NATS, but Harry Higley did attend and sent along the following report of the Navy Carrier activities there: "For reasons of geography, this year's Canadian Nats provided a serious, intense, yet enjoyable competition for those Navy Carrier fliers who could attend. The part of the U.S. with the most interest in Carrier is much closer to London, Ont., the site of the Canadian Nats, than it is to Lake Charles, where the U.S. Nats was held. Hence, for many of our fliers, Canada was within reach while the U.S. Nats was a bit too far, though we all would like to have been present at the Louisiana gathering.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
BACK IN THE October issue, I mentioned the utility and simplicity of suction fuel systems. This month I will discuss pressure systems and related speed control methods. The primary advantage that most modelers think of when they consider pressure fuel systems is that pressure means more power. This is true because a pressure fuel system allows the use of a larger air intake on the engine. The power increase possible with a pressure system is, however, small when compared to a large suction type of intake, and intake area is just a small part of total engine performance. An additional advantage of pressure fuel systems for Carrier models is that they are insensitive to acceleration forces and aircraft attitude. Fuel tank placement is not critical, and this can be important in the rather cramped fuselages of some scale Carrier ships.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
I'VE BEEN receiving quite a few letters and phone calls about the new scoring system for Navy Carrier. Some were questions on how the points would be computed; others were comments on the scoring system, itself. One modeler was concerned that Carrier would not survive until the scoring could be changed back to the old system in two years. Many others are happy to see some reduction in the emphasis on high speed in Carrier. One pattern that emerged from the letters is that more people are going to be flying Carrier next year. The big reason for this seems to be a general feeling that since the new rules have reduced the emphasis on high speed, Carrier modelers can now compete effectively without going bankrupt buying super-hot engines.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
THE NATS is about a month away. If you haven't begun building yet, it is time to start! This year's Carrier events are shaping up to be the best in quite a few years. Dayton is centrally located among the major Carrier centers in the northern and eastern US with easy access by interstate highway. This may run the number of Carrier entries over the 200 mark. There are sure to be many past and present Nats winners and record holders attending, and the competition should be quite exciting. The Scale classes will lead off this year on Tuesday, August 3, with Profile following on Wednesday. Lu Baker will be directing the Carrier activities with two decks and nine hours of flying scheduled for each day.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
NOW THAT Carrier fliers have had some experience under the revised scoring system, it is becoming easier to associate high- and low-speed performance with the corresponding flight score. The confusion that was apparent at the beginning of the year has diminished considerably. I have been reviewing Carrier scores from many of the Carrier contests this year, and I have seen many scores reported to 0.01 point. Much of this is the result of old habits, but there is some concern that the change to 0.01 point scoring is a loss of accuracy that might create some problems in determining placing, particularly with flight scores being closer together. I have seen no duplicate scores yet (through mid-June), but the possibility does exist, and I would like to hear your views on resolving ties when they occur.
