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

From: Yuan Kang Lee <ykleetx_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:08:28 -0000

Had a brain fart there.

Yes, Johnson City is Cat IV, but it sure flies like a Cat III! FYI, I back off my EZB about 8% of turns at launch in Johnson CIty. I don't do that at Lakehurst :)

--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, Nick Ray <lasray@...> wrote:
>
> 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_...> 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@>
> > 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 - 15:08:30 CEST