Control Line: Aerobatics
THERE ARE FOUR popular systems for fuel delivery in precision aerobatics. These are: suction, uni-flow, muffler pressure, and clunk. Tank capacity seems pretty standard at 3.5 to 4.0 ounces for a .35 engine and 5.0 to 5.5 ounces for a .46; these tank sizes should allow for either AMA or FAI patterns. Unfortunately, no manufacturer makes a 5.0 ounce tank for Stunt yet, although Randy's Model Aeronautics (formerly Don's Tanks), 515 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 29464, may have one available by the time this article is published. As a reminder, the old Veco tank (now known as Clary) had a height of one in. and a width of two in. With this sizing, the length of the tank in inches equals the capacity in ounces. Therefore a five-in. long tank has a capacity of five ounces.
CL Stunt FAI Team Finals
STUNT FLIERS take note. You can fly backwards and still win the contest. Clockwise-flying Gene Schaffer, who has had an abundance of second-place finishes in national meets, won his first big title as he piled up 1880.67 points at the August 31 FAI tryouts in Dayton, Ohio. He will lead the United States team to Holland for the 1976 World Championships. Gene had a new airplane, a 47-ounce version of his time-tested Stunt Machine called the Statesman, with power by a Supertigre .46. His plane has a very slim silhouette but the judges seemed to be able to spot it often enough as they awarded the most points to the "New York style" of hard corners and small figures.
Control Line: Aerobatics
THE PRECISION AEROBATICS Nationals of 1975 will be remembered as the year of the wrecked planes that finished first, second, and third. Texan Bob Gieseke won his fourth Nationals flying a patched and epoxied "Gieseke Nobler" which was totaled on Friday morning just before qualifications. A quick trip to the motel room with the Gieseke family and Gus, their Shepherd pup, provided enough hands to repair the plane in time for qualifications. Les McDonald, a hobby supply salesman from Miami, Fla., moved up from last year's fifth place to a strong second place, only one point behind Bob. Les had a leadout end come apart on Thursday resulting in a broken stabilizer, cracked cowl, and some frayed nerves. Also on Thursday Ted Fancher, a 1974 finals qualifier, hit a tie-down bolt in the runway, resulting in a broken prop which shook apart the entire front end of his beautiful ship.
Control Line: Aerobatics
"How can I get into stunt competition?" How many times have we all heard this. Presently, with AMA rules, one must jump right into the full pattern against all corners, unless you happen to find a contest with the AMA Novice pattern. Lately, there have been several concepts offered to entice beginning flyers to come into the stunt world. The AMA Novice pattern was a step in the right direction allowing beginners to start with a simplified pattern. Otherwise, the only division is by ages. This means that the person in his 20's who is looking around for a hobby has to start competing against the best flyers right after he learns the full pattern. In so many other activities there are subtle ways of easing someone into competition. Golf and bowling have a handicap system. In tennis and swimming there are "Masters Age Groups" starting at 25 and going up in years. Radio Control (Gene, that's where they have those little boxes with the fishing poles coming out) instituted the A, B, C, and D pattern events to make it easier for someone to come up the ladder.
Control Line: Aerobatics
THE MODEL AIRPLANE industry production is at an all time high in number and quality of products. However, there are some items which stunt flyers would welcome and would make the production of the competition airplane somewhat easier. The writer hopes that some manufacturers will consider these items. First and most significant is the need for larger fuel tanks. Presently stunters can buy good 3-, 3.5- and 4-ounce tanks. However, with the meteoric rise in the use of the 40 and 46 engines there is a definite need for 4 3/4-, 5-, 5 1/4-, and 5 1/2-ounce tanks-at least a 5 1/4-ounce tank if only one would be made. The tanks should be two inches wide, and one inch in height, similar to the old Veco (now Clary) tanks. The fuel pickup tube should exit from the right side of the tank (looking from a top view) with the centerline being one-half inch from the bottom of the tank.
