Re: Re: A Braced EZB Challenge: Fun, Glory, and $$

From: Nick Ray <lasray_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 17:27:15 -0400

Johnson City is Cat IV with the fifteen meter circle being located at a
height of 32.9m/108ft. The apex ceiling hight is 35.3m/116ft at the
louvers.

On Sun, Sep 9, 2012 at 4:38 PM, Yuan Kang Lee <ykleetx_at_gmail.com> wrote:

> **
>
>
>
> Bracing on the motor stick is helpful for high torque launches. More
> precisely, for launches where the motor tension is high, and the motorstick
> bows as a result.
>
> Bracing will help at high sites like Lakehurst, Tustin, and Kibbie. It
> will also be helpful for Cat III sites like Johnson City.
>
> The other situation where bracing is helpful is in a low, smooth ceiling
> site. High torque/tension launches may be made at such a site. Probably all
> Cat I records for models without VP are made at these sites.
>
>
> --- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "Yuan Kang Lee" <ykleetx_at_...>
> wrote:
> >
> > This is a proposal. Please provide your feedback. I will start this
> challenge after considering your feedback.
> >
> > ===========================================
> >
> > A Braced EZB Challenge: Fun, Glory, and $$
> >
> > Background: The EZB event was originally introduced in 1961 as an entry
> level event, a "dumbed down" version of the many complex microfilm and
> paper models flown at that time. It quickly gained popularity because it
> was easier and quicker to build. At first, the EZB model weighed around 2.0
> g, and it was a sturdy model. Competition pressure would quickly bring the
> weight down. In 1968, Jim Richmond's Kokomo Bomber EZB weighed a svelt
> 0.74g. Model weights remained in the 0.75 g to 1.2 g range for the next 25
> years. In the early 1990's Larry Coslick and Walt Van Gorder brought down
> the EZB weight to near 0.5 g. Throughout the 1990's, the EZB was often the
> most popular event flown at USIC, with nearly 100 contestants.
> >
> > Today, the EZB is not a popular event. It is one of the least popular
> events. In order to be competitive at the national level, an EZB must weigh
> 0.45 g or less. Recently, the AMA Cat IV record was set using a 0.24 g EZB!
> >
> > The EZB model becomes more challenging to build and fly when it is
> around 0.5g and below. Many can't or decide not to build so light. But
> perhaps a bigger challenge is that the light EZB is often plagued by a
> motor stick that is not stiff enough. Instead of adding positively to the
> challenge, the weak motor stick becomes a cause of frustration and a
> barrier to continued effort.
> >
> > By rule, the EZB motor stick must be solid wood, which means bracing is
> not allowed. This rule makes the EZB motor stick easy to build. But there
> is a caveat. You can't just use any motor stick you cut up. Because the
> motor stick must be light, yet strong, you have to go through many
> candidate sticks. We have heard of the travails of many EZB fliers who have
> gone through hundreds of motor sticks before finding one that is good
> enough. This is one of the dues that the EZB flier must pay if he wants a
> good model.
> >
> > In contrast, an expert event like F1D uses a rolled motor tube for light
> weight, and the use of boron and bracing for added stiffness. The resulting
> motor stick is light and incredibly stiff. I have never heard of a F1D
> builder who has to go through hundreds of rolled tubes to find one that is
> stiff enough. In fact, almost every rolled tube is sufficiently stiff once
> it is reinforced with boron and tightened with bracing.
> >
> > Proposed Challenge:
> >
> > This proposal allows the use of wood bracing to be added to the solid
> wood motor stick of the EZB. The intent of this proposal is to remove the
> frustration of the weak motor stick so the EZB flier can focus on other
> aspects required for successful EZB flying.
> >
> > 1. For any braced EZB model that passes the 30-minute mark, the flier
> will be added to the 30-minute EZB Club of A History of EZB Flights. You
> will also receive $100 if your model weighs 0.6 g or above and $50 if your
> model weighs less than 0.6 g. (One prize per person per model weight class.)
> >
> > 2. The flier who has the highest time, regardless of model weight, will
> receive $250 and bragging rights.
> >
> > 3. If your EZB breaks an AMA record (Cat I, II, III, IV), you will be
> added to the Record Club of A History of EZB Flights. In addition, you will
> receive $100. (One prize per person, per Category)
> >
> > 4. All flights must be at a sanctioned contest or record trial.
> Processing of model by contest director is required. Photos of motor stick
> bracing must be provided.
> >
> > 5. Models, bracing techniques, fliers, etc. will all be documented in an
> article to be submitted to Free Flight Quarterly. Your glory will be widely
> known.
> >
> > 6. The Braced EZB Challenge starts today and finishes September 30, 2013.
> >
>
>
>
Received on Sun Sep 09 2012 - 14:27:17 CEST