RC PYLON RACING
AMA EVENTS 424 AND 426
By Tim Lampe | tim.lampe@hotmail.com
IT SEEMS THAT the 424 pilots always have the most fun. AMA 424 is the rule book designation for the class called Sport Quickie. As a matter of reference, the other Quickie 500 (Q-500) class is 426/Super Sport Quickie.
The 426/Super Sport Quickie class is significantly faster than 424/Sport. Although there are no “beginner” classes in three-pole RC Pylon Racing, 424 is a good place to start. You’ll find a mix of true beginner pilots, as well as some intermediate and advanced pilots.
Both classes use a tried-and-tested formula of a minimum weight of 3.75 pounds, a minimum wing area of 500 sq. in., minimum and maximum wingspans of 50 inches and 52 inches, respectively, a constant chord for at least 47-1/2 inches, and a minimum airfoil thickness for the same distance. These wing constraints result in the characteristic “Hershey bar” shape. Virtually all Q-500 airplanes use the V-tail, partly for reduced drag and partly because it’s en vogue.
Rules permit the following four engines: the Jett 424 Q-500 .40 engine, the Jett 426 Q-500 .40 engine with a 424 conversion, the Thunder Tiger .40 Pro, and the Evolution .46. The latter two engines are no longer in production but are still available on the internet or in the Pylon Racing community.
A more recent development in 424 is the introduction of electric systems to fly alongside the glow-powered airplanes. The rules proposal will be voted on soon and would allow 424 aircraft to be powered by the same motor, battery, and ESC as Electric Formula 1 (EF1), with the APC 9 x 6E propeller. This setup has undergone in-race testing by a few members of the Can-Am
Pylon Society (CAPS) and has proven to be comparable and competitive with the glow-engine options.
Regarding airplanes, in addition to several fully composite airframes that are available internationally, if you prefer conventional, wood, or wood/foam models, check out the Quickie 500 balsa kit from Old School Model Works that even includes a hatch for the battery. Dan Kane also offers a kit that is competitive in both 424 and 426 that features a foam-core wing and an all-wood, built-up fuselage and tail.
Have a look at Manzano Laser Works for the all-wood Quik-V7 fuselage kit. A link on the company’s website will direct you to the designer, Jim Allen, for a foam-core wing and landing gear. Last among the “local” wood models, check out the options by Matney Models, including the Viper Dog E. Finally, if you must have a composite model, see the Shadow by CMAD Racing.
Now that I’ve briefly covered the equipment, let’s get back to the fun of 424. It’s a somewhat basic format, more economical,
and not the fastest. Although 424 is competitive, it might be slightly more relaxed. Rest assured, Pylon Racing is still fun and thrilling at any speed. Whenever several airplanes are competing on the same course at the same time—that’s racing!
Darby Riley’s Reentry Into Pylon Racing
After a 25-year hiatus, Darby Riley decided to reenter Pylon Racing in the 424 class at the Moonshot Pylon Race, hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club on June 3-4. Darby arrived Sunday ready to race, but there was a mechanical problem and his new airplane was destroyed on the first lap of his first heat—but there was help!
Fellow Pylon racer Dan Kane retrieved an airplane given to him by another modeler, Craig Greening. Dennis Cranfill loaned his Spektrum DX18 to set up the new airplane, which was virtually bind-and-fly. Dan and Darby test-flew it during the lunch break, and with Craig Grunkemeyer launching and calling, Darby was able to compete in the final three rounds, even turning a respectable low time.
This is an inspiring story for sure, but it’s typical of what continually happens in the Pylon Racing community.
SOURCES:
National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
www.nmpra.net
Dub Jett Model Engines and Accessories/Jett Aerotech
dubjett@gmail.com
www.dubjett.com
Old School Model Works
(513) 755-7494
www.oldschoolmodelworks.com
Dan Kane Jr.
kanedjr@hotmail.com
Manzano Laser Works
www.manzanolaser.com
Matney Models
(734) 848-8195
www.matneymodels.com
CMAD Racing
(513) 604-6464
www.cmadracing.com
