Re: Wing Posts Sockets (Tubes)

From: Bill Gowen <b.gowen_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 19:23:22 -0500

Actually my advice to the teams I've coached is to glue the posts in whether they're loose or not. Once the 8 minute clock starts there is no room for things to go wrong. A razor blade or pair of scissors will solve the transportation problem after the contest. Replacing the posts later is maybe a 15 minute job that can be done between regionals and state or between state and nationals. I know it's an extreme solution but I stand by it if winning is what you're interested in.

More Gowenisms:
Only one person handles the model. If there is a 2 person team, one person winds, the other loads the motor and launches. The tasks can be swapped for the second flight if desired. Two people can not safely handle an indoor model at the same time - especially for an official contest flight with the 8 minute clock running.

Two models are completely prepared and trimmed. I would choose the best model for the first flight. For the second flight either can be used depending on what happens on the first flight.

The first flight should be a little on the conservative side to get a decent score recorded.

The motor for the second flight is wound while the first flight is in the air. If the first flight was good you can go for more time on the second one. If the first one was a disaster then you do a conservative second flight.

Most of this is just common sense, but if you've ever watched one of these events I sure you were amazed at how many of the teams would have some sort of disaster during their official flights.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Received on Sun Feb 25 2007 - 17:03:47 CET