RC Pylon Racing

Author: Aaron "AJ" Seaholm

Randy Bridge holding his daughter beside a Q-40 model aircraft

Bad fast

by Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
aseaholm@gmail.com

This month, I’m focusing on the fastest official RC Pylon Racing class flown in the US: AMA Event 422 or Q-40. Q-40 has been an AMA official event since the early 1990s. The rules have remained stable throughout this period. This stability has created a wide range of competitive engine and airframe combinations. The models designed for this class resemble some of the most elegant full-scale aircraft ever built. I am a big fan of Q-40.

For the first time, I now have Q-40s that were not designed and built by Lyle Larson. Lyle has indicated his intention to retire from building. I figured it was time to test some new Q-40 aircraft and get ready for the next chapter—not to mention that I have flown the venerable Proud Bird II for more than a decade and it is time to learn something new.

I added a Loki, Strega, and two Proud Birds to my fleet and will be providing my observations during 2018. Stay tuned.

Hard Lesson

The Loki, from CMAD Racing, is a Miss Dara with landing gear in the wing. It was my first new Q-40. The Loki/Miss Dara has been laying down blistering times around the world and winning races. CMAD Racing owner Tom Scott, and Dara/Loki designers Dan Kane and Jerry Small, have been friends for decades.

Dan Kane built a work of art for me with panel lines, a great paint scheme, and my name handwritten under the canopy—it’s sweet. It arrived in Wichita, Kansas, the Friday before the Mike Tallman Legacy Race, held in September 2017. In my infinite wisdom, I proceeded to assemble the tail wrong and crashed it during its first flight. I guess there are still some lessons that are best learned the hard way. Lesson: Screws for the removable stabilizer elevators go in the top, not the bottom.

The good news was that Dan agreed to build another Loki, and I planned to fly it at the Phoenix Q-40 Classic, which was scheduled to take place February 24-25, 2018. I’m guessing I’ll have plenty of “help” assembling and test-flying number two.

2017 NMPRA Championship Race

The 2017 National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) Championship Race was held at the new Old Julian Airport (OJA) in Liberty, North Carolina. The inaugural event was wiped out by a hurricane in 2015. This time, eight rounds of wicked-fast RC Pylon Racing took place October 14-15, 2017.

Race hosts Mabel and Mike Langlois

created the “new” OJA because of their years of preparation and their love for RC Pylon Racing. Mabel and Mike are two of the most genuine people you will meet. It is people such as Mable and Mike who make RC Pylon Racing amazing. A tip of the hat to the Langlois family.

2017 NMPRA Championship Race
Q-40

Name　　　　　　　　 Time　 Points
1. Emil Broberg　　　　 0:57.72*　31
2. Gary Schmidt　　　　 0:58.39　 31
3. Robert Van den Bosch　1:00.20　29
4. Gunnar Broberg　　　 0:59.88　28
5. Lloyd Burnham　　　　1:04.72　27
6. Gino Del Ponte　　　 0:59.42　27
7. Gabriel Tahhan　　　 0:58.48　26
8. Duane Hulen　　　　 1:01.53　26
9. Tim Yousey　　　　　1:03.48　26
10. Matt Fehling　　　 1:00.55　24
*Fast time

After eight hard-fought rounds, it came down to a flyoff between Swedish speedster Emil Broberg and the reigning US National Champion, Gary Schmidt. Gary had bested Emil in an earlier heat, but Emil was not to be denied. Emil took the flyoff and top honors. He laid down a blazing-fast 0:57.72 to also capture fast-time honors.

Mabel and Mike Langlois standing together — Mabel and Mike Langlois are the architects of the new OJA and the 2017 NMPRA Championship Race. Photo by Lee Von Der Hey.

Red, white, and black RC racing airplane — The author’s Italian-built Strega from Paolo Racing.

Mountain scenery and balloons over an RC flying field — Scenery from the Jefco Aeromod’lers club, the host site of the 2018 NMPRA Championship Race in Denver.

Emil’s father, Gunnar, took fourth place behind top Dutch competitor Robert Van den Bosch. It was great to see so many talented international pilots at the top of the leaderboard.

Congratulations to Lloyd Burnham for rounding out the top five.

2018 NMPRA Championship Race

The 2018 NMPRA Championship Race will be hosted by the Jefco Aeromod’lers club in Denver, August 25-26. Hank Diepenbroek has been the driving force behind the resurgence of RC Pylon Racing in Colorado.

I look forward to seeing everyone flying hard at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a mile above sea level. I can attest that the scenery, site, and hospitality are worthy of this championship race.

Cliff Telford Memorial Race

Gary Freeman and the Remote Control Association of Central Florida hosted the annual Cliff Telford Memorial Race in Apopka, Florida, December 1-3, 2017. The contest featured six rounds of Q-500 (AMA Event 426) and five rounds of Q-40. Tom Scott and Randy Bridge took home the top spots.

Randy also took fast time in both classes. Apparently, fatherhood is not slowing him down.