A Note From The Competition Director

For the last six years I have been running thermal competitions and instead of using a tow line or bungee to achieve a satisfactory launch height, we have been using simple direct drive electric motors costing under £10 (as per the rules). Our site is a flattish one and throughout the year, during both Summer and Winter, lift has been detected and maximum flights (of 10 minutes) have been achieved.

There are two classes, the rules will be listed below.  Firstly the 600E class has consisted mainly of the following models: electrified Gentle Lady 2.0m, Cloud Hopper 2.0m, Astro Challenger 1.8m, Swift 1.8m and the Apollo 2.3m. This is a healthy mixture of built up construction from plans or kits and ARTF models and the Apollo design from club member Peter Kessell. This design, which Peter has developed using his considerable experience from many BARCS league thermal contests in years gone by, has also been supplied by Peter as an excellent ARTF to club members (a plan has been published in the May 2006 RCM&E). It has proven to be both competitive and with its carbon fibre wing spars extremely strong. I am sure that there are other designs that someone will produce that would be equally competitive (there’s a challenge!), the emphasis is on low cost but high performance, always remembering that this is a “thermal competition” designed for all ages and abilities.

The battery pack almost universally adopted is the 1300CP, nothing smaller, and minimum weight of batteries, leads and plug to be 235g (Nicad or Nickel Metal Hydride and 7 cells as per the rules). To keep things simple and inexpensive the maximum number of servos allowed is 3 (rudder, elevator and optional top wing mounted barn door type air brake/spoiler only – this to help on landing or to come down from that almighty boomer!). Most competitors use the Graupner 8 x 4.5 or 9 x 5 folding prop and a 35 amp ESC (electronic speed controller).

During 2004 I introduced a new “Round Robin” matchplay format where pilots launched at the same time and the last one down was the winner. Simple isn’t it! For both classes (400E and 600E) and all contests during 2007 a motor run of 45 seconds is allowed and if pilots find good lift a maximum of 15 minutes is imposed and the contest considered a draw – they will have earned it believe me – you try it!  These motor run times enable safe launch heights, but pilots still need to find lift early in the flight (remember it is a thermal competition!) but will leave more reserve in the battery to be used if necessary at the landing stage. Timing stops at this stage either on landing or switching on the motor but it does allow the opportunity to tidy up the landing and go round again if necessary, so that you survive to fly again!

During the 2006 season our competitions continued to develop a lot of interest amongst club members, and camaraderie amongst the competitors. Results were often very close and not decided until the very last flight. The four rounds of the clubs 600E Electric Thermal Competition produced some very close competition and first place overall was in doubt until the last day – gripping stuff!!!!!!!!!

As we enter our 7th year, I look forward to an even more competitive, even more interesting year of Electric Thermal competitions. We already have some new recruits preparing for next season (if you need help or guidance just ask me or any of the current competitors). The MONTHLY POSTAL competition from FEBRUARY through to OCTOBER (8 rounds with the best 6 to count) and the club ELECTRIC THERMAL competition held over 5 rounds (with the best 4 results to count) on specified dates throughout the summer will be run under the now well established Round Robin matchplay format (see the club events calendar for 2007 dates). We have achieved stability with the rules with only the minimum of change over the last 6 years, designed to keep the cost low and maintain safety. The rules are listed below, remember the 400E class and the 600E class can now compete against each other in the Round Robin Matchplay events. What are you waiting for?????????? HAPPY THERMALLING, from your Contest Director Christopher Hague (email: christopher.hague@ntlworldcom)