Trimming for speed
by Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
aseaholm@gmail.com
Trimming for speed is the most critical skill you can learn in RC Pylon Racing. An easy-to-fly racer is not only nice to have—it’s a must-have to go fast. I see too many good pilots struggling with poorly trimmed racers. Here are some helpful tips:
- Center of gravity: If it feels as though the racer is drifting into the pole flying toward Pylon One, add tail weight.
- Rudder trim: If the tail is flying high down the straights, trim in a couple of clicks of right rudder.
- Tip weight: If your model feels as though it dives in the turns, add lead tape on the top wing.
Print these tips, put them in your cellphone, or memorize them. I promise you will see your times drop with a well-trimmed racer.
Great Planes Quik-V6
In 2016, Great Planes released a new Q-500 ARF designed by Jim Allen: the Quik-V6. Anytime a major supplier caters to our sport, it’s noteworthy. The Quik-V6 is no exception.
I had a chance to fly two Quik-V6s at the Mile High Challenge RC Pylon Race, near Denver, in August 2016. Mark and Neil Martin built them as their first AMA Event 426 racers. I had the pleasure of conducting test flights and super tuning, which might or might not have taken a few flights longer than needed because of my sheer enjoyment of flying them.
The Quik-V6 is a smooth-flying racer and the price is hard to beat. The wheels were replaced with BB Wheels from Mike Helsel; otherwise, the setups were per the well-written instruction manual.
I highly recommend the Quik-V6 and will have one soon. Here are a few words from other Quik-V6 owners and its designer, Jim Allen:
“The Quik-V6 is a 100% plus for me. From package, documentation, and on to those first flights, it’s a winner. After reading over and following the ‘trim for flight’ instructions, I made four trim flights then went on to win the Nats in Q-500 AMA Event 424. At launch, the Quik-V6 makes a perfect climb to number one without touching the elevator.
“[I’m] looking forward to flying the
Quik-V6 in 426 events in the coming year. In my opinion, this airplane is a great [addition] to our sport, and at the $200 price point, I expect to see many on the course in the years ahead. I would like to see a ready-to-cover version.”
—Ken Van Tuyl
“I built the Quik-V6 exactly per the instructions and it flies great. I set fast time with a 1:14.89 in a Q-500 AMA Event 424 in Georgia earlier this year. My 10-year-old grandson called for me.”
—Dean Stone
“The Quik-V6 Quickie design and the Great Planes ARF [design] have exceeded my expectations. I started the design back in 2013. Dan Kane and I were talking in the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) booth at The Toledo Show: [R/C Model Expo] a few years back that Pylon, as a sport, needed a Q-500 ARF that was better and more competitive than [what] was currently available.
“He suggested I do another plane in my Quik-V series. When I finally got around to the CAD work, my hope
was to design a plane with ARF-type construction that could be very close in performance with the current composite wing and full-composite Quickies.
“The first contest [in Whittier, California] with my prototype in a side-by-side battle with Travis Flynn and his Chuck Bridge Vortex showed that [the] goal was accomplished. Winning several contests that year, including the 2014 Nats, was the final confirmation.
“When Great Planes decided to do an ARF of the airplane, I felt we had a chance to do for Pylon what Dan and I had talked about at The Toledo Show. Now we had to help the factory get the kits to the level of strength and quality that was needed to be what my prototypes showed they could be.
“The guys at Great Planes were great to work with and they understood what the market needed. The end result has been very cool to see. Shortly after hitting the market, the ARF kit saw its first Nats and a 424 Nats win for Ken Van Tuyl.
“Going into the last round, four of the top six airplanes were Quik-V6s, until two of those six had a midair with each other. It was a good start for what
I hope will be a shot in the arm for the sport going forward. Thanks again to the great folks at Great Planes for making it happen for Pylon Racing.”
—Jim Allen
For the complete Quik-V history, please see page 36 of the Quik-V6 instruction manual.
Cliff Telford Memorial
The annual Cliff Telford Memorial race was held at Tangerine Field, near Orlando, Florida, on December 3-4, 2016. Following are the results:
Q-500 (AMA Event 426)
Name Time Points
1. Matt Fehling 1:02.27 19
2. Gary Freeman Jr. 1:02.94 17
3. Ray Brown 1:03.43 17
Fast time: Craig Korsen 1:01.34
Q-500 (AMA Event 424)
Name Time Points
1. Ron Adams 1:26.95* 14
2. Jack Fehling 1:27.11 12
3. Jack Scherrer 1:33.19 9
*Fast time
Q-40 (AMA Event 422)
Name Time Points
1. Ray Brown 1:01.56 15
2. Randy Bridge 1:02.92 15
3. Tim Yousey 1:04.17 13
Fast time: Gabrial Tehan 1:00.91
Congratulations to all of the top finishers.
Growing the Family
The Cliff Telford Memorial race concluded with a special award for the Best New Caller, which was given to 10-year old Joshua Helms. Joshua is Dean Stone’s grandson, and by all accounts has become an exceptional caller.
Joshua received a Great Planes Quik-V6, thanks to Ray Brown’s generosity. We expect to see Joshua out on the course flying soon, in addition to calling for his grandpa. Well done, Dean, Ray, and Gary Freeman Sr. for extending the Pylon Racing family.
Congratulations, Joshua!
SOURCES:
NMPRA
www.nmpra.org
Great Planes Model Manufacturing
(800) 637-7660
www.greatplanes.com
