Flite Fest 2017 International Air Races

[RCBuildIdeas]

. . . The "Design" portion of this activity clearly is ground-up scale scratch building, but when it comes to the actual race, what degree of effort is required to enter a plane?...

Just a few more thoughts...Maybe the build off is a contest and the racing is another.

The build off has similar rules as other build offs - (like golden era of aviation being one constraint)

The Furey Cup and Bixler Trophy is open to all (RTFs, ARFs, scratch builds, FT planes, etc.)with the following constraints.

Novice level - Lower wing loading models, lower wattage power systems.
Intermediate - Higher wing loading models, Higher wattage power systems.
Advanced - models above the Intermediate level wing loading, models above the Intermediate wattage power systems.

just putting a few more ideas into the mix...

 

[rockyboy]

Just a few more thoughts...Maybe the build off is a contest and the racing is another

I like that idea - it helps with the 'I want to build a plane that someone else designed' - but we should limit the racing entrants to plane designs that are actually in the build contest and built to contest rules.

And then as a designer I could find/bribe a team pilot with better stick skills to represent!

 

[RCBuildIdeas]

...And then I as a designer and builder could find a team pilot with better stick skills to represent!

I was thinking along the same lines that it might be nice to find experienced pilots that are planning on attending FF2017 who would like to fly one of the build off planes. I might not get to FF2017, but it would still be nice to be able to enter a build off plane in the races. (if I get it built)

 

[Mid7night]

In searching for photos for the "What plane is this" thread, I stumbled upon this gem.... I think I'll be changing my plan from the Monomail to this unique monster:

The Dayton-Wright RB-1 Racer

 

[Craftydan]

In searching for photos for the "What plane is this" thread, I stumbled upon this gem.... I think I'll be changing my plan from the Monomail to this unique monster:

The Dayton-Wright RB-1 Racer

View attachment 73503

Check back on pp4.

FWIW, I approve

 

[Mid7night]

Check back on pp4.

FWIW, I approve

Aww man, I should've searched harder. There was no mention of the name so my initial search didn't find it.

What I love most about it is the variable camber mechanism (first of its kind), which I probably wouldn't replicate anyway on a DTFB racer, but I love the history and I love mechanisms.

 

[Craftydan]

Aww man, I should've searched harder. There was no mention of the name so my initial search didn't find it.

What I love most about it is the variable camber mechanism (first of its kind), which I probably wouldn't replicate anyway on a DTFB racer, but I love the history and I love mechanisms.

Mid7night ,

ABSOLUTELY no worries. Just pointing out I'd stumbled on her as well and thought she'd be a great model.

I haven't claimed it, she's yours if you want it

 

[HilldaFlyer]

I didn't realize there we were "reserving" a design. Personally I think it would be really great if someone wanted to build the one I'm going to attempt (Crosby CR-5), just to see how two approaches would be similar/different. Of course, I'm not suggesting the rule be different, I just think there is room for everybody, even if they want to build the same design.

 

[Craftydan]

Nope. No reserving . . . but sounded like Mid7night was about to back out of a really unique design.

If he wanted to back out, then that's fine, but I didn't want him to confuse my "I like it" with "Go away -- She's mine".

 

[jtbluefeather]

I've never done plans for a scratch build. Mostly just play with 3views and such. I'd like to do a Curtis F6C-6, because I like biplanes and have always loved the Hawk! If I build one around a FT power pod, I can still race, right?

 

[Mid7night]

Nope. No reserving . . . but sounded like Mid7night was about to back out of a really unique design.

If he wanted to back out, then that's fine, but I didn't want him to confuse my "I like it" with "Go away -- She's mine".

LOL, I don't back down that easy! I appreciated the clarification though.

Now go away, she's mine!

 

[rockyboy]

View attachment 73511

I've never done plans for a scratch build. Mostly just play with 3views and such. I'd like to do a Curtis F6C-6, because I like biplanes and have always loved the Hawk! If I build one around a FT power pod, I can still race, right?

Sure - she's a 1920's design so it'll fit right in!

 

[Corbarrad]

If anyone's still looking for an oddball flying machine to build:
I just came across this picture:

I know next to nothing about the plane except that it's supposedly an engineering model of a proposed Dornier entry for the 1929 Schneider Trophy...

 

[Corbarrad]

I don't think the Champ (1954) is in the Golden Era (1918-1939)

Reading through that page and the ones linked to it The design for the champ was bought from a preexisting company that produced a very similar craft before WW2 so you might as well call your "champ" a "chief" and fit right into the era.

 

[Craftydan]

Reading through that page and the ones linked to it The design for the champ was bought from a preexisting company that produced a very similar craft before WW2 so you might as well call your "champ" a "chief" and fit right into the era.

True . . . but the "Chief" in question is an RTF airframe, not a scratch design/build.

The Aeronca Chief wasn't a racer either, so as a subject it's bleeding outside of the theme even moreso than the fantasy and anachronistic "spirit of the era" airframes, who's future is still <ahem> up in the air.

 

[SP0NZ]

Finally caught up with this post. I will definitely be adding to this conversation moving forward. Just wanted to chime in right now and say that I have spoken to Flite Test about our idea for this community event for Flite Fest 2017. I'm happy to report that Flite Test is on board! We have a lot more time to work out the details for this event and I'm excited to see this evolve over the next several months.

 

[willsonman]

Thank you, Dan, for coordinating this and just plain being an awesome guy!

 

[rockyboy]

moreso than the fantasy and anachronistic "spirit of the era" airframes, who's future is still <ahem> up in the air.

*groan*

 

[Corbarrad]

True . . . but the "Chief" in question is an RTF airframe, not a scratch design/build.

The Aeronca Chief wasn't a racer either, so as a subject it's bleeding outside of the theme even moreso than the fantasy and anachronistic "spirit of the era" airframes, who's future is still <ahem> up in the air.

I guess you got me on two counts, there. I was just playing the devils advocate anyway.

Extra points for the pun. Not sure whether positive or negative points, though..

 

[RCBuildIdeas]

Finally caught up with this post. I will definitely be adding to this conversation moving forward. Just wanted to chime in right now and say that I have spoken to Flite Test about our idea for this community event for Flite Fest 2017. I'm happy to report that Flite Test is on board! We have a lot more time to work out the details for this event and I'm excited to see this evolve over the next several months.

Thanks to all who are coordinating this effort!! Should be fun. No hurry, but, would it be possible to get an estimate on when a draft version of the rules will be available? Please let me know if there is something I can help with. Thanks again.