Wine Country Flyers Model Aircraft Club Forum

Any ideas on what classes should look like? Changes? Anyone?

Loved the racing this year, had a great time. I wouldn't mind having a fast one-design class for the "short course". Hope to see more Dogfighters next year. They are affordable and feel more comfortable than a EF-1 racer. I love the EF-1 class too, its just a different animal.

How about an "expert" Reno 450 class along with what we have now? Maybe go back to the no prop rule and allow some other motors for those of us who want to go faster?

BTW the only difference in price between the Dogfighter and EF-1 is the cost of the aircraft itself. The power system and radio are nearly identical in price. Good EF-1 packs can be had in the $40 range, so that's not an issue either. Jon, you should take a few laps on my Invictus, I'm biased but it flies a whole lot better than Dogfighter.  ;D

Personally, I would be happy with just 3 classes and adding in one more round of heats.

Sounds good Red! I would like to get away from the hand launching stuff tho

      Don't we have Dogfighter and Ef1 for those that want to go fast. Having 3 fast classes and 1 slow does not make sense to me. ??? Plus what $40 dollar packs are out there that will be competitive. I got lapped all year using Turnigy 65c bats. Switched to thunder power for the last race and was no longer Chasing everyone.  :oYa there are $40 packs out there, if you want to come in last. Just my 2 cents. ;D  Adam

Adam, you got lapped by one of these, and it was a loaner battery : http://www.hobbypartz.com/sky.html I have heard good things about these, while not $40, they certainly aren't $100 either: http://performancerclipos.com/page8.php?view=productPage&product=3&category=  The guy who won the NATS was using them. BTW, my Thunder Power pack is only 45C.

I say we drop the Dogfighter class due to low participation & add one more round of heats per day. This will be more racing for all in the same amount of time.

Seems like we're back to where we were last year, well almost.

Classes we have now:
The T-28 class is staying, I'm sure.  BUT, the Corsair has been discontinued and I'm wondering if they will also update the T-28 soon (as the gray version is discontinued, leaving only the white one).

Reno-450 is fun, but the planes themselves don't lend well to guys moving up (tough build, unless you have guidance) and they don't hold up well at all (Serious racers have at least 3 planes on hand ...)  Also, these airframes (the Afla's) will be gone very soon.

Dogfighter is a great combo, but no one really got into it?  Too fast for some, too foamie for others ....

EF-1 was awesome!  I must say, I was shocked at how many guys got into this class!  It's super fast, and very competitive.  This one will stay for next year.

Thoughts:
In my opinion, the beginners class has always been great and should make it one more season before needing to be changed (but might only make it mid way as well).  And, the highest level class is fine the way it is.

So this leaves the middle class, or classes, to be figured out?  Like I said last year, it's always worked well with car racing, to have a chassis (airframe) that works in multiple classes, with driver ability and power planet setting them apart.  So, maybe an expert T-28 class?  Or a toned down EF-1 class?

Here are a few observations, just my opinions for whatever they are worth: 
I'm not sure anything much faster than EF-1 is safe for the field? 
I'm not a fan of the long course layout, the diagonal feel is tough for those of us with medium skill levels.  There should be a class to run for those who don't want to be super serious about the racing, but want to come and participate. 
The steps in the ladder system are not conventional at this time, making it hard for racers to move up.
It's tough to please everyone, and I think it's awesome that you guys are trying!

Myself and a few other of my EF-1 buddies discussed a watered down version at some length, and I think it has merit. Our thought was to use same airframe/powerplant/esc but with only 3 cells and maybe a 9x9 prop (or whatever). That way it is a easy swap to go faster should you wish to move up, but will be a lighter, slower, less intimidating plane to get into.

I have a slab wing Cassutt (Wasbi) half built that I intended to experiment with this very set up. I too think we are the limits of our field, not sure what we can do, if anything,  The diagonal pylon layout is not ideal.

It would be nice to see a class that has Reno Unlimited style WW2 airplanes. The appeal of this type of plane will never die I believe! Further to make them go slower than any other class of prop driven aircraft sucks in my opion! EF-1's are cool dont get me wrong, but our club has the coolest airplanes as a second step up in the racing curcuit. What the heck???

What type of planes are you thinking of Tony? Nitro, or electric? Hand launched, or retracts etc?

What do you guy's think of having a meeting for the racers to discuss this. I find it hard to type things out so people don't take you the wrong way. ;D I was talking with Jake and he thinks it's a good idea. We would need to do it soon so we can have time to build whatever we decide on. What do ya think?

Electric, must be a WW2 fighter, retracts, minimum 50 inch wingspan, 4 cell, O.S. 50 motor, whatever prop, wood and glass construction

Adam,

A meeting would be good, then send a poll out to all who have raced this year and put it to a vote. I think that's the only way to be fair.

Tony,

Sounds like a builders class...is that what you mean? I'm afraid if it is, it would limit entries. ARF's are probably the way to go.

Eflite B model mustang is what I'm putting together its a ARF.

I may be getting way off track from by mentioning a new warbird class, but I personally love watching them race. There are ARF's avalible. Eflite mustang, Hanger 9 Corsair and some nitro planes that could be electrified. Or a larger than 31 inch foam warbird class and there's no shortage of those ARF's. I'm just putting an idea out there.

Now Tony, just cause you won an airplane at the xmas party lol....... ;D. Racing large scale electrics would be costly and probably out of my price range. :( Larger foamy warbird's are out there but they are made of epp or epo and don't modify well(if you trying to copy a Reno Unlimited racer), not like the thunder tiger warbirds anyway.   
   As for the meeting of minds I would like to get as many racers together as we can for it. We could email all the racers with a date and see how many we could gather together. Jake has told me his horizon rep said the t-28 may be revamped for the summer so we may be losing our entry level plane.  :'( Lot's of ideas to talk about.

Just my two cents here, but how about interested racers attend the next general meeting to discuss.
After all, that's why we have a monthly meeting.

Also, It seems that a "EPO Warbird with Retracts" class may be a good "level 2" class. There are abundant ARFs and RTFs in this category and speeds are reasonable out of the box.

-Jon

Jon take a look at the Hobbyking Rare Bear! 55 inch wingspan it's a cool foamie

Wow, Now we're talking!

Durafly Spitfire!

Durafly spifire 24 43 inch wingspan

So, what did you guys decide?  When's the first race?  Can I please run in the T-28 class again this year?

Hey guys,

Last night was the board meeting and racing was discussed at length. Steve Cole will take over the job of being race director with the additional support of myself and Tony.

We will be putting out some thoughts regarding the upcoming year, along with a simple poll to address some potential changes. Please keep an eye on this forum, as this will be where the results are tabulated. There will also be emails sent to notify those who have raced in the past to weigh in here as well.

One thing to note, there will not be much change to what we have now, at least for the first half of the season. We would like to consider a new class or perhaps a "pro" or "sportsman" division of current classes for the second half. We also are going to have a some type of a single event endurance or team race. Suggestions welcome!

Red