Flyinfool Posted March 2, 2011 #1 Posted March 2, 2011 Well it is official that I will be in Fort Worth TX from March 18 to 20. Airline tickets are bought and room is booked. I was volunteered/railroaded into helping a group of "kids" at Marquette University with their engineering competition. The task is to design a radio control aircraft to carry as much weight as possible within the design limitations. The rules do allow them to bring in an experienced pilot to fly the aircraft for safety reasons. That would be where I come in. I guess they do not want barly flyable 50lb aircraft wandering around out of control. This sounds like fun. I just do not know if I can keep up with these college seniors all night after the official stuff is over..... I think this could be fun.
Guest tx2sturgis Posted March 2, 2011 #2 Posted March 2, 2011 I guess they do not want barly flyable 50lb aircraft wandering around out of control. This sounds like fun. I just do not know if I can keep up with these college seniors all night after the official stuff is over..... I think this could be fun. You did not say if you have experience flying RC aircraft...I wish you the best and it does sound like fun...but if you have no experience flying RC, then you will most likely crash the plane soon after takeoff. At least get it on video.
Flyinfool Posted March 2, 2011 Author #3 Posted March 2, 2011 You did not say if you have experience flying RC aircraft...I wish you the best and it does sound like fun...but if you have no experience flying RC, then you will most likely crash the plane soon after takeoff. At least get it on video. I don't have as much experience flying RC as some. I still consider myself a rookie. I've only been in the fool aircraft modeling hobby for the last 45 years, RC for the last 40. Video will be someone else job, I have seen the plane and I think I will have my hands full controlling it. I just hope it is NOT some fool heat wave like in the 60s or even higher. I'll melt.
Scooter Bob Posted March 3, 2011 #4 Posted March 3, 2011 I'm hopin' for a rainout, and postponement for 1 week. Then I'll be down there to watch. Either Way, Have fun Jeff, Scooter Bob
Flyinfool Posted March 3, 2011 Author #5 Posted March 3, 2011 I never asked if there was a weather contingency plan. I have flown in some pretty nasty weather.
IH Truck Guy Posted March 3, 2011 #6 Posted March 3, 2011 Jeff,good luck with the contest... The only advice I can give ya is to pace yourself...
Guest tx2sturgis Posted March 3, 2011 #7 Posted March 3, 2011 I don't have as much experience flying RC as some. I still consider myself a rookie. I've only been in the fool aircraft modeling hobby for the last 45 years, RC for the last 40. Video will be someone else job, I have seen the plane and I think I will have my hands full controlling it. I just hope it is NOT some fool heat wave like in the 60s or even higher. I'll melt. Ok...cool. But I have known some pilots of full-size aircraft, who assumed that RC would be simple, only to try it for the first time, lose control 10 feet up and spin that sucker into the dirt....Undoubtedly, you have seen the same. It sounds like you will have it fully under control....even more reason for us to see the video!
Flyinfool Posted March 3, 2011 Author #8 Posted March 3, 2011 I have trained many full size pilots to fly RC. one even made the comment "I am a captain on a 747 so I am sure I can handle one of these toys" It was fun to watch:rotf: and I did eventually teach him how to fly his second RC model. I do also have a PPL so I do know the challenges. I'm thinking it will be a riot, especially as the weights get higher and some of the aircraft start to surpass there limits. The event is structured that the teams have to submit a written and oral report predicting what their max weight will be and describing all of their design and construction data. The report is 1/3 of the score. So it is not just who carries the most weight which is also 1/3 of the score but who is closest to their design limits which is the last 1/3 of the score.
Flyinfool Posted March 18, 2011 Author #9 Posted March 18, 2011 Oh man, the weather looks to be crazy this weekend. Highs in the 80s with a stiff breeze. I thought it was HOT out here today when it hit 60. The wind will help the planes get up in the required 200 feet but if there is any turbulance with that wind it may tear some planes apart. Should be an interesting weekend. Just in case there is any one here that wants to come and watch the carnage, the flying field is; Thunderbird Field, Lake Benbrook, 9733 MARYVILLE LN, FORT WORTH, TX, 76036 My flight down there leaves in a couple of hours.
Scooter Bob Posted March 18, 2011 #10 Posted March 18, 2011 Have a great time Jeff. Wish I could watch. Hey, maybe there'll be a huge updraft, and you'll still be tryin' to land her come next Friday!! Enjoy, Scooter Bob
Scooter Bob Posted March 18, 2011 #11 Posted March 18, 2011 Hey, maybe there'll be a huge updraft, and you'll still be tryin' to land her come next Friday!! Yee Haa, I just read another thread on here, and it turns out there might be some glowing particles to help keep it aloft till I get there next Friday. Later, Scooter Bob
Scooter Bob Posted March 21, 2011 #12 Posted March 21, 2011 So Jeff, How did the flying go?? Later, Scooter Bob
Flyinfool Posted March 22, 2011 Author #13 Posted March 22, 2011 Ummm.... Not very good. The weather was terrible. It was ungodly hot, in the upper 80's, I almost died from the heat. The wind was 20 gusting to 30 and it was a cross wind to the runway. The teams design could not handle the crosswind and the landing gear collapsed to the side after about the first 10 feet of takeoff roll, causing major structural damage. So it never did fly. Of the 65 teams from around the world that were there, by the end of Sunday there were only about a dozen flyable aircraft left. Lots of carnage, great fun.
Blooz Posted March 22, 2011 #14 Posted March 22, 2011 Man... How did I miss this ? Sorry the weather didn't co-operate!
Scooter Bob Posted March 23, 2011 #15 Posted March 23, 2011 Ummm.... Not very good. The weather was terrible. It was ungodly hot, in the upper 80's, I almost died from the heat. The wind was 20 gusting to 30 and it was a cross wind to the runway. The teams design could not handle the crosswind and the landing gear collapsed to the side after about the first 10 feet of takeoff roll, causing major structural damage. So it never did fly. Of the 65 teams from around the world that were there, by the end of Sunday there were only about a dozen flyable aircraft left. Lots of carnage, great fun. Bummer, I hope you don't get fired over this. Aren't all plane crashes "pilot error":confused24: Hope you had fun anyway, Scooter Bob
muaymendez1 Posted March 23, 2011 #16 Posted March 23, 2011 aww wthat sucks I was hoping to hear you were doing knife edes and 3d aerobatics with that thing. is there any footage on youtube of the day. spomeone must have beeen taking video.
Flyinfool Posted March 23, 2011 Author #17 Posted March 23, 2011 If you go to youtube and search for "SAE Aero Design" there are lots of vids from previous years, I did not see any up from this year yet. I'm sure it is just a matter of time, Many teams drove long distances to the event and are just getting home.
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