Best plane for AMA Pattern competition
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Tench745
Master member
Low wing loading, and a large prop?
Based on the published specs the Epilogue has a wing loading of around 26.2 oz/in² and a cubing loading of 10.3. I suspect that large fuselage acts like a lifting body in the turns too.
L Edge
Master member
Welcome to the world of AMA pattern. My son and I entered pattern competitions many many moons ago starting of with the Ugly Stick, Kaos, Patricia and the Dirty Birdy etc. My advice to you is your are serious in exploring this area, get a plane that is designed strictly for pattern. We used tune pipes, retractable gear, etc. Now a days, foam, electric seems the way to go.
Some advice is that plane setup is 3/4 of the battle(tuning horizontal and vertical are important). So you need to search for the correct model that can do what you want it to do. Yes, even pattern ships very in design. The last 1/4(flying) is your understanding what factors are involved and how you approach the maneuver it to give it a 9/10.
Don't know where you live, but check if there are any AMA clubs in the area, might find someone willing to part(sell or give) equipment and possible introduce you to someone in the club who can be helpful.
Enjoy!!!!
Every RC pilot should watch this F3A Basics video series. It is beautiful to see this ballet in the sky. Without question my biggest detriment to smooth flying is not having my airplanes trimmed properly. I suspect many of us suffer the same. I would sure like to see FT start promoting this type of flying by bringing out some pattern designs in foam board.
cdfigueredo
Elite member
Please guys, take a look to this model:
https://jivaro-models.org/homepage/homepage.htm
It is made out of depron but should be easy tu use foamboard instead. I made one and it flies really well. Nice pattern airplane. Here it is:
Check my build log here: https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/depron-weatboard-f3a-pattern-aircraft-attempt.65489/
https://jivaro-models.org/homepage/homepage.htm
It is made out of depron but should be easy tu use foamboard instead. I made one and it flies really well. Nice pattern airplane. Here it is:
Check my build log here: https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/depron-weatboard-f3a-pattern-aircraft-attempt.65489/
So, I happen to know the guy who placed 1st (Chris Avellino) in the Sportsman category at the 2022 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout; he flies an AJ Aircraft 91" Raven for pattern flight. His caller for that event, Dave Ellis, won a number of IMAC events in the Southwest region as well in the Novice category, and was flying an Extreme Flight 70" Extra 300. For pattern flying, there may be other planes out there, but from what I've seen the majority of wins happening with (at least in the Southwest region) they've been with Extras or Edges.
Now, do you need to go with one of those types of planes? No. You can certainly fly others, and many have and many do.
Foamboard planes, however, I wouldn't put any of them up in competition against some of the bigger planes. They don't have the mass that the bigger planes do, and in all honesty, that mass makes a big difference in the precision flying, since it's not quite as twitchy or affected by wind as a smaller/lighter plane.
If you're just wanting to practice basic maneuvers, sure, a foamboard plane will let you get the concept down, but if you're going to be doing serious competition, I think you'll want something bigger with more mass.
Now, do you need to go with one of those types of planes? No. You can certainly fly others, and many have and many do.
Foamboard planes, however, I wouldn't put any of them up in competition against some of the bigger planes. They don't have the mass that the bigger planes do, and in all honesty, that mass makes a big difference in the precision flying, since it's not quite as twitchy or affected by wind as a smaller/lighter plane.If you're just wanting to practice basic maneuvers, sure, a foamboard plane will let you get the concept down, but if you're going to be doing serious competition, I think you'll want something bigger with more mass.
L Edge
Master member
I would tend to buy a pattern model them try to build one especially in foam. Main reason is the airfoil shape is important as well as straightness, symmetry, twist , etc. It did not take long to realize that we had to move from my builds to having a "MASTER BUILDER" who uses a granite table and micrometers etc., to get it right. What a difference in trimming!!
With that said, I am telling you to do is get a molded foam model that you have researched and others that agree is a starter and go from there. I had a jedi in the family and he needed top equipment to compete. Even had to move the glow fuel tank over the CG so as the fuel ran down so it did not effect the maneuvers.
If FT made the pattern model, very few would be sold.
With that said, I am telling you to do is get a molded foam model that you have researched and others that agree is a starter and go from there. I had a jedi in the family and he needed top equipment to compete. Even had to move the glow fuel tank over the CG so as the fuel ran down so it did not effect the maneuvers.
If FT made the pattern model, very few would be sold.
The "Queen Elizabeth" is a beautiful plane. I can't argue that an FT foam board plane could ever compete in AMA pattern at other than the beginner level. But were always looking for new FT FB designs, and this would be a good inexpensive introduction to pattern flying, and something different at the flying field. I fly at a fantastic field in Lee Summit, MO. Every plane and power combo are flown here, conducting every maneuver you can imagine, except one: precision aerobatics. I'm trying to get it going.
My plane built by turning the Simple Stick fuselage upside down has been flown by our field master flyer, and it flies very well. He trimmed it out for me, and I will give it a try next time out. Very little trim adjustment was required. It is underpowered for serious aerobatic work, but I'll leave it alone until I can handle it. it is a simple conversion to turn the Simple Stick into a low wing model.
L Edge
Master member
Why don't you find the design specs and try a Super Kaos without a canopy and scale it. In fact, the canopy removed gave it better performance. Big question is how you make the wing. He won every meet on the circuit.
danskis
Master member
Just an FYI - a book on aerobatics
Amazon.com: Model Aircraft Precision Aerobatics Edition 2: A Guide for Beginners and Improvers: 9798401423078: Jenkins, Peter J: Books
Amazon.com: Model Aircraft Precision Aerobatics Edition 2: A Guide for Beginners and Improvers: 9798401423078: Jenkins, Peter J: Books
L Edge
Master member
L Edge
Master member
Don't forget to do the trimming in vertical. Big factor is the correct prop in the process and position of thrust line.. On the average, it use to take 15 to 25 runs to trim it.
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L Edge
Master member
There is a range of speed(around 3/4 throttle and probably 70 to 90 mph) to do most maneuvers. Going vert requires more throttle and less descending. Doing a 8 pt roll you had to slow down to get it in for the judges. So it varies.
Timing is the big thing, say doing a stall turn, you need to have the judges see it come to a rest, rotate and back down. Timing of the position of the throttle, when to kick the rudder in and correct if you have to to get top score.
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