Wright Stuff B

[bernard]

Where can I find the refs for Div B, Wright Stuff Airplane? I have the diagram showing dimensions, but where are the specs giving all the details?

Appreciate any help.

They are included in the rules manual, provided to coaches after team registration. Please note the footer on all diagrams: "The information here should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. The official rules in the current rules manual take precedence."

[freed2003]

are f1d plans applicable to Wright Stuff?

[bernard]

are f1d plans applicable to Wright Stuff?

The specifications for F1D make it quite different from Wright Stuff: 1.4 gram limit, 20 cm wing chord, 55 cm wing span, etc. It's quite the opposite of Wright Stuff, which involves much heavier plans and much smaller wing area. Tom Sanders (national event supervisor, the person presenting the first place scholarships at nationals) has mentioned that the dimensions are chosen such that planes built for Science Olympiad can be used in the AMA's P-18 category. Hip Pocket Aeronautic's Plan Gallery may have plans for P-18 and Wright Stuff.

[jander14indoor]

I will comment that you can learn a lot of valuable techniques about working with balsa and trimming planes from F1D that apply to SO.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[bernard]

I will comment that you can learn a lot of valuable techniques about working with balsa and trimming planes from F1D that apply to SO.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

Also, F1D is not the place to start if you're new to free flight.

[calgoddard]

I have been building and flying indoor duration rubber powered airplanes for 15 years. I am pretty good with Limited Penny Planes (3.1 gram minimum) but F1D is beyond my skill set.

An F1D model is so delicate that you have to walk very slowly to the launch point to avoid damaging the air frame. It is a relatively large model airplane yet it weighs only 1.4 grams under the new rules! A 2017 WS airplane is much smaller and with a minimum weight of 7.5 grams the wing loading is many times higher. An F1D prop has blades made of incredibly delicate frames covered with plastic film much thinner than that used as covering on Wright Stuff models.
Simply stated, a 2017 WS airplane is a tank compared to an F1D model.

An F1D model frequently uses a variable pitch mechanism on the prop which has parts so small you need to wear jewelers magnifying glasses in order to construct the same.

Kang Lee, two time world F1D champion and the current champion has encouraged me to try F1D and has written and published an absolutely terrific guide. Perhaps I will give F1D a go some day.

More on point, let me refer you to a marvelous article written a number of years ago by Chuck Markos. It is geared toward a person just taking on rubber powered indoor free flight modeling for the first time, and in particular, Wright Stuff. The title is "Science Olympiad Wright Stuff Event Construction Tips." Google his article and read it if you are competing in Wright Stuff and have never built and flown an indoor rubber powered airplane. I cannot think of a better resource unless you have an experienced mentor available in your area.

[bernard]

The article calgoddard references is on the national website: https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/fil ... iad5.0.pdf.

[jander14indoor]

Note, I didn't suggest building an F1D for beginning SO flyers. I suggested learning about how to build them. I could also add EZB. Particularly the article about the Hobby Shopper EZB. Again, not the place to start building, the thing is about the right size, but only weighs .5 to .7 gms, 1/10th the weight of an SO plane. However, the suggestions on selecting and manipulating balsa are invaluable.

Though once you've mastered SO planes, don't be frightened of F1Ds. Some of the top US flyers in the last 15 years came from Wright Stuff beginnings. They started F1D after only a couple of years with Wright Stuff.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[calgoddard]

Jeff -

Sorry, I didn't mean to infer that you suggested students start with F1D.

You are correct about successful WS fliers moving on to success with F1D.

David Yang was on the 2016 U.S. Junior F1D team. David built his first WS airplane in the winter of 2014. He was coached in F1D by Kang Lee, the current senior world F1D champion. Kang got his start in indoor rubber powered flying around 2010 when he coached his daughter in the WS event, as I recall.

Jeff, thanks for posting regularly. The information and guidance you provide to students are both excellent.

[bob_the_unicorn]

Hi, I'm a Wright Stuff newcomer in Div B. What rubber and bearing sizes/brands do you recommend? Also, any good starting plans that fit this year's rules? Thanks.