ShawnK
09-20-2006, 10:36 AM
What are the plans for everyone else?
To learn how to fly worth a crap. :roll:
I'm such a rank beginner that you probably don't want to hear my trivial trials, but my focus for next year will be to continue hammering the basics. Among the more notable points:
* Starts and Stops: My climbs and descents always tend to have a bounce in them at the end. I've not yet got the feel for how aggressively (??) to apply collective to stop a maneuver without overcompensating or causing the heli to bounce (especially on the stops). The situation's even worse when descending with power.
* Colective management during pirouettes: I tried a bi-directional collective to tail rotor mix to keep the heli from climbing or descending during the 90 and 180 poirouettes, but it didn't work too well. Either I needed to use a multi-point curve instead of a straight one, or I need to just learn to fly the damned thing without a comp mix. Probably the latter.
* Upstairs visual orientation: Side-in hovering at eye level is going pretty well for me, but at the top of the Class 1 spike with 90 and 180 piro's, I can't keep the heli stationary. I'm still not used to the visual presentation of the heli at altitude. Same goes for the tops of the rectangle and inverted triangle.
* Physical setup: I'm happy with my cyclic response, and my collective response setup is getting pretty close. However, I can't seem to get the dampening to settle down. I'm mast bumping all over the place (especially in the wind), and it doesn't really seem to matter what headspeed I run at.
Like I said, pretty dull in comparison, but it's my cross to bear nonetheless. :oops:
The good thing is, I've suddenly gone through 3 cases of fuel without any mishaps, which is a personal record for me. I've also received many compliments from fellow pilots that my flying has become much smoother overall this season, and appears to be much more controlled than before, so maybe there's hope for me after all.
My goal (if I can make it to the event) is a podium finish at the 2007 Class 1 Nationals. I don't know if that's overly ambitious or not (it'd be my first event, if I'm able to attend), but it seems like a good goal.
DavidH
12-06-2006, 01:46 PM
http://www.modelaircraft.org/Comp/2007Proposals/rchelicopter.htm
RCH-07-5 – 431, 432, 433
4.3.3 Electric motor(s); maximum 42V with no load and one battery change after hovering maneuvers. A maximum of two minutes shall be allowed for a battery change and will not be charged against flight time.
6. Contest Area Layout. Use 2006 F3C layout
17.2.1 Class I – 8 minutes
17.2.2 Class II- 8 minutes
17.2.3 Class III- 8 minutes
19.1. Class I
19.1.1 Tail-in Vertical Rectangle
19.1.2 Tail-in Inverted Triangle
19.1.3 Spike with 90 and 180 Degree Pirouettes
19.1.4 Straight Flight Out, Procedure Turn, Straight Flight Back
19.1.5 Stall Turn
19.1.6 Cobra Vee
19.1.7 1 Axial Roll
19.1.8 Landing Approach to Eye Level Hover
19.2 Class II
19.2.1 Vertical Rectangle with 90 Degree Pirouettes
19.2.2 Vertical Circle with 180 Degree Pirouette
19.2.3 Inverted Vertical Triangle with 180 Degree Pirouettes
19.2.4 Loop (uu)
19.2.5 540 Degree Stall Turn (du)
19.2.6 Slow Roll (dd)
19.2.7 Pushover with ½ Roll Down (ud)
19.2.8 Translational landing (uu)
19.3. Class III
19.3.1 Vertical rectangle with 360 Degree Pirouettes
19.3.2 Inverted Vertical Triangle with 180 Degree Pirouettes
19.3.3 Vertical Hourglass with 180 Degree Pirouettes.
19.3.4 2 Consecutive Axial Rolls (dd)
19.3.5 Rolling Stall Turn Plus 540 Stall Turn (ud)
19.3.6 Stall with Pullback Recovery (uu)
19.3.7 Cobra Roll with ½ Rolls (dd)
19.3.8 180 Degree Autorotation (du)
28.6.1 Class I. Pilot position shall be fixed to the four (4) meter pad on the side of the box closest to the judges. If the pilot moves from the fixed position from the beginning to the end of the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
28.6.2 Class II. Pilot position shall be fixed to the four (4) meter pad on the side of the box closest to the judges. If the pilot moves from the fixed position from the beginning to the end of the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
28.6.3 Class III. Pilot position shall be fixed to the four (4) meter pad on the side of the box closest to the judges. If the pilot moves from the fixed position from the beginning to the end of the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
29.1 Class I
Take offs and landings are in the one (1) meter circle with minor downgrade if skids are touching the lines.
29.1.1 Tail-in Vertical Rectangle. Model is positioned tail toward the pilot. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, maintaining a constant heading, altitude, and speed, hovers sideways either direction to the flag, pauses, rises vertically two (2) meters, pauses, hovers sideways across the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, descends vertically two (2) meters, pauses, hovers back to the central helipad, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Pilot Position
Take Off
Vertical hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering lines (3)
Stops (6)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.1.2 Tail-in Inverted Triangle. Model takes off from the central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, climbs sideways two (2) meters to the either flag, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose toward the central helipad, pauses, flies over the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, descends two (2) meters sideways back to the central helipad, pauses, descends vertically to land on central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Take Off
Diagonal hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering lines (3)
Stops (6)
Landing
Constant Altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.1.3 Spike with 90 and 180 Degree Pirouettes. Model Takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, turns 90 degrees either direction, pauses, climbs two (2) meters, pauses, turns 180 degrees tail in, pauses, descends two (2) meters, pauses, turns 90 degree nose out, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Take Off
Vertical hovering lines (2)
Rotations not 90 degrees (2)
Rotation not 180 degrees
Stops (6)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.1.4 Straight Flight Out, Procedure Turn, Straight Flight Back. Maintaining constant altitude, the model flies straight and level past the midline, executes a 90 degree turn away from the judges and then an immediate 270 degree turn in the opposite direction, and flies straight in the opposite direction down the original line of flight.
Downgrading Guide:
Flight not parallel to flightline
Turn not 90 degrees
Turn not 270 degrees
Constant altitude
Entry and exit not same line
Positioning
29.1.5 Stall Turn. Model flies straight and level past the centerline for ten (10) meters minimum, then climbs vertically with a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 180 degrees in yaw so that the nose points straight downward. While diving, the model follows the same path as the beginning of the maneuver. The start and finish of the pull up should be on the midline and the vertical line is offset in the direction of flight.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Climb and descent paths different
End of climb not vertical
Rotation is before or after end of climb
Rotation is more or less than 180 degrees
Drift occurs during climb, rotation, or descent
Exit line
Positioning
29.1.6 Cobra Vee. Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters and climbs at a smoothly rounded curve for 45 degrees, flies straight for ten (10) meters minimum, executes a sharp 90 degree pushover to descend at 45 degrees, descends in a straight line for ten (10) meters minimum, recovers to level flight in a smoothly rounded curve that matches the initial pull, flies straight and level for ten (10) meters at the original altitude. Maneuver should be centered on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Entry climb is more or less than 45 degrees
No straight flight in climb
Pushover is more or less than 90 degrees
No straight flight in descent
Pullout is more or less than 45 degrees
Maneuver is not in a vertical plane
Positioning
29.1.7 1 Axial Roll. Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters, executes one axial roll and flies straight and level for ten (10) meters
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Roll is more or less than 360 degrees
Heading changes during roll
Altitude changes during roll
Exit line
Positioning
29.1.8 Landing Approach to Eye Level Hover. Beginning at a minimum altitude of ten (10) meters, the model will descend in a straight line parallel to the flight line, maintaining a constant rate of descent to an eye level hover over the three (3) meter central helipad, turns 90 degrees to tail in, and hovers for two (2) seconds.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Descent is not smooth or at a constant rate
Hover is not stationary over central helipad
29.2 Class II.
Takeoffs and landings are in the one (1) meter circle
29.2.1 Vertical Rectangle with 90 Degree Pirouettes. Model is positioned tail toward the pilot. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, model turns 90 degrees in either direction, pauses, model flies forward to the flag, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, climbs vertically two (2) meters, pauses, turns 90 degrees toward the central helipad, pauses, flies across the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, descends vertically two (2) meters, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose toward central helipad, pauses, flies forward to central helipad, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Pilot position
Take Off
Vertical hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering lines (3)
Rotations are more or less than 90 degrees
Stops (12)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.2.2 Vertical Circle with 180 Degree Pirouette. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, model turns 90 degrees in either direction, pauses, model flies forward and begins a vertical ½ circle with the 90 degree point over the flag, model pauses at the top and executes a 180 degree pirouette, pauses, flies forward and completes a ½ circle with the 270 degree point over the flag, finishing over the central helipad, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Take Off
Half circles not constant radius (2)
Pirouette more or less than 180 degrees
Pirouettes more or less than 90 degrees
Stops
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.2.3 Inverted Vertical Triangle with 90 Degree Pirouettes. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, turns 90 degrees in either direction, pauses, flies forward and climbs two (2) meters over the flag, pauses, turns nose out 180 degrees nose toward the central helipad, pauses, flies across the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees nose toward the central helipad, pauses, flies forward and descends two (2) meters to the central helipad, pauses, turns 90 degrees nose out, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrade Guide:
Take Off
Diagonal hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering line
Pirouettes more or less than 90 degrees
Pirouettes more or less than 180 degrees
Stops (8)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.2.4 Loop (uu). Model flies straight and for ten (10) meters, performs a loop maintaining the nose in the direction of flight, flies straight and level for ten (10) meters at the same altitude as the entry of the maneuver. Maneuver should be centered on the midline.
Downgrade Guide:
Entry line
Loop is not constant radius
Loop is not in a vertical plane
Exit line
Positioning
29.2.5 540 Degree Stall Turn (du). Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters, then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 540 degrees about the yaw axis so that the model points nose downward. While diving, the model follows the same path as the beginning of the maneuver. Entry and exit should be at the same altitude. Beginning and end of the pullup should be at the midline and the vertical line should be offset in the direction of flight.
Downgrade Guide:
Entry line
Climb and descent paths are different
End of climb is not vertical
Rotation begins before or after end of climb
Rotation is more or less than 540 degrees
Maneuver not in a vertical plane
Drift occurs during climb, rotation, or descent
Exit line
Positioning
29.2.6 Slow Roll (dd). Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters, executes a slow roll of duration no less than 3 seconds, and flies straight and level for ten (10) meters. Maneuver is centered on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Roll is more or less than 360 degrees
Roll is less than 3 seconds
Heading changes during roll
Altitude changes during roll
Exit line
Positioning
29.2.7 Pushover with ½ Roll Down (ud). Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters, then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees. When the vertical climb stops, the model pushes forward 90 degrees and comes into a stationary hover, pauses for four(4) seconds, then pushes nose down. When vertical, the model executes a ½ roll, pulls horizontal in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees and recovers to straight and level flight. Entry and exit altitude should be at the same altitude and the vertical line should be on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Pullup is not smooth
End of climb is not vertical
Flip is more or less that 180 degrees
Downline is not vertical
Roll is more or less than 180 degrees
Pullout is not smooth
Pullout does not match pullup
Exit line
Positioning
29.2.8 Translational landing (uu). At an altitude of no less than ten (10) meters and on a heading parallel to the flightline, the model begins a constant rate translational descent to a landing on the central helipad. If the skids are completely inside the central helipad, a maximum of ten (10) points can be earned. If the skids are touching the one (1) meter circle of the central helipad, a maximum of nine (9) points can be earned. If the model lands inside the three (3) circle, a maximum of eight (8) points can be earned. If the skids are on or outside the three (3) meter circle, a maximum of five (5) points can be earned.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Descent is not smooth or at constant angle
Landing is not on central helipad
Heading is not constant or parallel to flightline
Model hovers more than briefly before landing
Landing is rough
29.3 Class III.
Take offs and landings are from the one (1) meter circle
29.3.1 Vertical rectangle with 360 Degree Pirouettes. Model is positioned with nose parallel to the flightline. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, flies backward to the flag, pauses, executes a 360 degree pirouette while climbing four (4) meters, pauses, flies forward over the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, descends two (2) meters, pauses, performs a stationary 360 degree pirouette in the opposite direction, pauses, descends two (2) meters, pauses, flies backward to the central helipad, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Pilot position
Take Off
Vertical hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering lines (3)
Rotations are more or less than 360 degrees
Climb and rotations not at constant rate
Stops (8)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.3.2 Inverted Vertical Triangle with 180 Degree Pirouettes. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, climbs backward at a 45 degree angle to the flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees either direction, pauses, flies backward across the central helipad to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees in either direction, pauses, descends backwards at 45 degrees to the central helipad, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Take Off
Diagonal hovering lines (2)
Horizontal hovering line
Rotations are more or less than 180 degrees
Stops (6)
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.3.3 Vertical Hourglass with 180 Degree Pirouettes. Model takes off from central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, pauses, flies backward to the flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees in either direction, pauses, climbs backward four (4) meters to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees in either direction, flies backward across the central helipad to the flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees in either direction, pauses, descends backwards four (4) meters to the opposite flag, pauses, turns 180 degrees in either direction, pauses, flies backward to the central helipad, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
Take Off
Diagonal hovering lines (3)
Horizontal hovering line
Rotations are more or less than 180 degrees
Stops (10 )
Landing
Constant altitude
Constant speed
Constant heading
Positioning
29.3.4 2 Consecutive Axial Rolls (dd). Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters and performs two (2) consecutive axial rolls in the same direction and flies ten (10) meters straight and level. The model should be upright as it crosses the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Rolls are more or less than 720 degrees
Heading changes during rolls
Altitude changes during rolls
Exit line
Positioning
29.3.5 Rolling Stall Turn Plus 540 Stall Turn (ud). Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees. When the model is vertical it executes a 180 degree roll and continues upward at least one model length. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 180 degrees about the yaw axis so that the model points nose downward. While diving, the model does a ½ inside loop with the bottom at the same altitude as the entry. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 540 degrees in the yaw axis so that the model points nose downward. While diving, the model follows the same path as the climb and flies straight and level. The bottom of the ½ loop is centered on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Pullup is not smooth
Roll is more or less than 180 degrees
End of climbs are not vertical
Rotations begin before or after end of climb
Rotations are more or less than 180 degrees
Maneuver not in a vertical plane
Center of ½ loop is not on the midline
29.3.6 Stall with Pullback Recovery (uu) Model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees. When the model is vertical, it executes a ½ forward flip while traveling backwards and maintaining altitude until the model points vertically nose downward. While diving, the model executes in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees and flies straight and level at the same altitude as the entry.
Downgrading Guide:
Pullup was not smooth
Model did not stop vertically
Model lost or gained altitude during pullback.
Model was not stopped vertically before descent.
Descent was not vertical.
Pullout was not smooth or did not match entry
Exit not at same altitude as entry.
Positioning
29.3.7 Cobra Roll with ½ Rolls (dd) the model flies straight and level for ten (10) meters then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 45 degrees. The model flies straight for a minimum of five (5) meters, does a ½ roll to inverted, and continues straight for an additional five (5) meters minimum. At the midline, the model executes a sharp 90 degree inside loop, flies straight for five (5) meters minimum, does a ½ roll to upright, continues straight for five (5) meters minimum, recovers smoothly to level flight, and flies straight and level for ten (10) meters.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Ascending and/or descending segments were not at 45 degrees.
Rolls more or less than 180 degrees.
Pull was more or less than 90 degrees.
Straight segments before and after half rolls were not recognizable.
Ascending and Descending pull-ups are not smooth.
Entry and exit altitude not the same.
Positioning
29.3.8 Autorotation with 180 Degree Turn (du) Model flies at a minimum altitude of twenty (20) meters with a speed less than required for stationary flight. The engine must be stopped before the model crosses the midline and begins a 180 degree turn to land on the central helipad. Maneuver begins at the midline. If the skids are inside the central helipad, a maximum of ten (10) points can be earned. If the skids are touching the circle of the central helipad, a maximum of nine (9) points can be earned. If the skids are outside the central helipad, a maximum of eight (8) points can be earned. If the skids are on or outside the three (3) meter circle, a maximum of five (5) points can be earned.
Downgrading Guide:
Entry line
Model made a hard landing.
Model landed while it still had forward speed.
Model did not perform an exact 180° turn.
Model did not maintain a constant rate of descent during 180° turn.
Model did not maintain a constant turning rate during 180° turn.
Flight path was stretched to reach helipad or square.
If engine was still running after crossing midline, score will be zero.