Chailey Common open XC Fun Day 15th August

[Allen the soarer]

I am restarting the old XC comp
As its almost slope and almost thermal, I had no idea where to put it so I put it here
Here's a link to the thread
http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,60730.0.html

[jetpipe]

Apparently that thread is "off limits" to me.................obviously the site contains highly confidential information and only the select few can gain access so don't expect too many people at the X-country !!

[richard]

for some reason RCMF done allow their gliding section to be read by non-members. If you sign up to the forum you should see it ok.

[Robin Sleight]

Have you a provisional date in mind for any ressurected Asdown XC?

[Allen the soarer]

Dates are the last thing on my mind at the mo
that is a very flexable subject
My main worries at the mo
is to find ways to open the comp up to more modern methods of flight
using hand tows is fine for the older type of floaters but not so great for modern moulded gliders and then there is power
need to create launch limits etc
so many things to think about at the mo
the only thing set in stone is IT WILL HAPPEN 

[milquetoast]

to be honest mate, saying this away from rcmf, I think letting in electric is a bad idea.  Electric has it's place, but if anyone tells me they are heading for a wood or bad land out and they have a fan on the front they are not going to use it, I wouldn't believe it for a second. So what happens then? they land an re-launch......? or second time declare them self out of the comp?

that's the problem with leccy, you just get in to power to weight ratio arguments and heigh limiters and all that other stuff.  That's not in the spirit of what the competition is about.  The whole point of the exercise surely is the challenging of combining slope and thermal/x-country flying. electric just detracts from that. 

in my example above it's like the difference between foamies and epp models on the slope. you never get the same feeling of risk and excitement from an epp model as you know it won't break.

[richard]

The more the merrier for me. The combined electric, winch, bungee and DLG competitions that are starting to appear, do work really well.

For me having multi-format competitions adds an enjoyable extra dimension of trying to beat another type of model AND getting to meet pilots I would not normally have the chance to fly with.

If you are not keen on electric... this gives you a chance to beat them with your own type of model, and show them the way

[milquetoast]

you wouldn't beat them though, as it's massive advantage that it bound to be (mis)used. 
The It's the old "i'll only use it to get out of trouble in an emergency" argument that you always hear.

it's not about beating electric or proving a point about which type of model is best, it's just about having a comp that, although fun, has some meaning. 

[mitch]

In thermal ‘e’ comps, both of the bmfa height limited variety and  barcs 200w/kg class (which are essentially the same), it is not permitted to restart the motor during a flight after the launch climb is completed. I assume the Ashdown would follow similar rules.

It is of course very easy to re start, but to do so the competitor has to decide what’s more important. Trying to win a round/comp, possibly saving your model to fly again or even more important maybe preventing a crash which in a public area could be,.....well quite serious.  In any event the decision to re start your motor wins you a zero for that slot or.

Don’t see how this makes any comp less meaningful, but I suppose the risk of losing an unpowered glider is greater so that definitely is much more trouser bothering .

[milquetoast]

it just doesn't seem right to me. surely the whole point of the excitement of a X-country comp is the risk of pushing out with no safety net.

You would also have to use heigh limiters or whatever. I can't everyone buying or fitting one of those, tbh.  It seems like they can't settle on a set of rules in main e-soaring leagues, never mind one off comps. 

[mitch]

it just doesn't seem right to me. surely the whole point of the excitement of a X-country comp is the risk of pushing out with no safety net.

Hmmm. Different strokes for different fokes I suppose ? Maybe this is what killed off the old event ?

You would also have to use heigh limiters or whatever. I can't everyone buying or fitting one of those, tbh.  It seems like they can't settle on a set of rules in main e-soaring leagues, never mind one off comps. 

Only lekky models would need a limiter, and anyone flying these has probably got one already.
Both height limited and energy limited rules have remained basically unchanged now for 2 years.

I may not be able to get to this event myself but I'm sure it could attract a lot of flyers if it's open to all model types.

[richard]

Of course if height limited models were found to have a significant advantage, then simply reducing the max-launch-height setting can redress the balance.

lekky models are not for me (yet), but I enjoy the opportunity to fly against them

[Robin Sleight]

One of the issues with the Ashdown site is that the chosen launch point depends on the wind direction and thus may well be some significant distance from any car parking.  This makes power winches impractical for pure gliders but hand tow, even two man hand tow as per F3J might be just OK for many wind directions.  Even hand towing was a major issue for an easterly wind with the only practical route being down a fairly steep path such that the tower was out of sight of the launcher (requiring an intermadiate signaller) and only about 100metres of line was possible anyhow.  Electric models would overcome these problems and, if rules allow them, they are likely to be the weapon of choice due to the very real towing problems at the site for many wind directions (esp. but not only easterly).  THe final two comps run there had easterlies forcing a less than desirable course to be defined plus the significant problems for launching as mentioned.  That led to the drop in support coupled with a general decline.  Landing out is of course more of an issue for electrics with their concentrated weight of battery etc.

[winchman]

Hi,

I think a revival of this comp would be great.
A point you may wish to clarify beforehand.
As a member of a local club to the forest, the East Grinsted Model Fling Club, I understand that the BMFA has a licence, from the authorities that oversee the forest, to hold a limited number of organised competitions per year.
This quota may be used in holding area FF events. If this were the case, and the comp take place outside of this agreement, there would be a risk of being told to stop the event and leave the forest  by a warden, some of who are not aeromodeller friendly!

Shane

[Allen the soarer]

A poll regarding the dates for this event has started on the large forum 
sounds a bit like RC soups  ( http://www.rcgroups.com -  no problem mentioning this forum on here )  edited by Hayley

It will be open to Hand launch
and electric launch GLIDERS only

there will be NO power winch

I will soon be attending the Tonbridge BMFA meet to iron out the legalities