Cat:pumptato-cat wrote: ↑February 24th, 2023, 2:21 pm Okay I'm back--12% now without charge?? I think my computer's secretly laughing at me...
Anyways here are my questions!
1) Are you allowed to set tables up on the sidelines? I'm worried this might interfere with others' official competition flights. (50'x100' gym width and length)
2) Are you allowed to impound/"check in" in multiple trips? So for example, "check in" one plane, go back to the table I bring to the competition, and then repeat the process with the next plane?
3) For any recent competitions you guys have attended, are trim flights normally allowed? The rules state that they may occur "At the Event Supervisor's discretion". Not sure if that that they're not allowed if the ES says they aren't.
4) Has anyone noticed significant variance between launch torque, different flying sites, and different climb height? I've noticed slight variances but I'm not sure if that is due to rubber or different air.
For official responses please refer to the FAQ system. Nothing said on here can be construed as "official". These are my opinions and observations. Have to say that when you ask "are you allowed".
1) We have ALWAYS brought our own table, it is part of our winding system (our torque meter Velcro's to the table). The rules allow "any tools". The table is a tool. But it will be up to you to be sure it is in a place that will not interfere. On a particularly small gym, set up in a corner. Otherwise, we tend to set up against the wall under a side basket. We had one year in Heli, in a racquetball court, where they did not want to allow the table. The students pointed to the rule and they allowed it.
2) Generally I have seen where you must bring everything you are checking in in one trip. Perhaps get a cart (like a 4-wheel hand cart/dolly) to haul your stuff and bring it to the table. One year at Nationals the kids put the first plane back into their box (at their table) after it was checked in (the rules did not have a box), and as they checked the second plane the worker asked where the first plane was. They pointed to the shipping box, and were forced to re-check the first plane (resulting in damage). For whatever reason they did not allow the shipping/protection box at the check-in, and so the kids tried to protect #1, and the officials did not allow it. Based on that long story, I would conclude that they want to keep everything "in sight" once checked. Therefore I would plan on bringing both planes to the table. Something like this may work: https://www.harborfreight.com/material- ... 58300.html. Larger sizes are available. At a smaller event, discuss with the ES before check-in, explain your situation, and see what they are willing to allow.
3) This is fully at the discretion of the ES. In a small gym and busy contest, it is likely not to be allowed. That happened at Wright State a few years ago at Nationals. They had a 1-hour slot at 7am where they allowed flights, but tiny gym and it was a dangerous (to the planes) zoo. When I ES, I allow flights when no official flight is flying (standard university aux gym). In a large facility I probably would say yes all the time. In a very small facility probably no. At many events you can go during morning impound times and might be able to get a few flights. But not guaranteed, and there could be basketball going on! If ES says no, then nope. If ED says no in event literature, or room is posted, then no. We generally try to get a test flight in outside of official time, but at Nationals this is often not allowed same-day. If test time is very limited prior to Nationals, then we may rent a gym nearby to get local testing done, as we were home at 6000 feet, so going to sea level required more testing. Generally if testing is permitted, it is done without allowing coaches to interact.
4) If the AC is off and the local altitude is the same as your home gym, and the temperature is similar, there should not be strong differences. There are many things that affect the altitude, including stress of the moment which can affect your winding, launch angle, and launch force. If all else is equal, especially this year, you may have shifts in the decalage of very small amounts, which in C this year could be quite significant. That is why we do not disassemble.
Coach Chuck
