Re: A program to support and promote F1D in the US (v2018)

From: William Gowen <wdgowen_at_gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2018 19:21:59 +0000

IMHO a mentor should help anyone who asks for help.

On Wed, Apr 4, 2018, 2:12 PM David Goorskey david.goorskey_at_gmail.com
[Indoor_Construction] <Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>
>
> Hi,
>
> I've been listening in on the discussions for a while now. I coach the
> Wright Stuff event for Science Olympiad at a middle school in Centerville,
> OH (near Dayton, OH). Last year, I grew interested in learning how to
> build and fly F1D planes and have been stoking interest in the kids I coach
> as well. The problem for us is that we don't really have anyone to teach
> us how to do anything here. We have learned so much on our own and from
> some help online, but even our 7g Wright Stuff planes are not exceptional.
> We have done very controlled experiments with changing propeller pitch,
> changing rubber thickness (as measured by linear density), and even
> changing to flared propellers we build ourselves. Nothing seems to boost
> our performance into the next level.
>
> Another local team does have help from someone who has mentored students
> in F1D before. In fact, one of those students was on the US Junior F1D
> team at the World Championship in Romania some years back. However, that
> person does not want to compromise the ability of the middle school team he
> coaches to beat up on everyone else in the flying events so he is
> understandably reluctant us. It appears to me that to get into F1D is
> enormously difficult without serious mentoring. We are nowhere near the
> point of needing top-level rubber, but some of the kids and I would like to
> get into F1D this Summer after the Science Olympiad competition season is
> over. Of course, we would like to improve our times in Wright Stuff as
> well.
>
> David Goorskey
> Watts Middle School Science Olympiad
> Centerville, Ohio
>
> On Wed, Apr 4, 2018 at 1:26 PM, Don DeLoach ddeloach_at_comcast.net
> [Indoor_Construction] <Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Great idea John. I applaud your efforts.
>>
>> DD
>>
>> On Apr 4, 2018, at 10:15 AM, john_kagan_at_hotmail.com
>> <john_kagan_at_hotmail..com> [Indoor_Construction] <
>> Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> One of the hurdles to becoming a serious contender in F1D is acquiring
>> the tools and materials necessary. Some of these resources are
>> available, though obscure – requiring a scavenger hunt to locate and
>> collect the bits and pieces. Others are more of a challenge, such as
>> tools that are no longer being machined or materials no longer in
>> production.
>>
>>
>>
>> 5/99 rubber falls in the latter category. It alone will not catapult an
>> average flyer to the top ranks. In fact, there is only a marginal
>> difference between it and other top batches, including the most recent
>> Super Sport vintages. But, when everything else in your program has been
>> refined, a small improvement can make a difference.
>>
>>
>>
>> A batch of 5/99 from anonymous source was brought to my attention, and I
>> decided to put together a program around it. The goal is to promote F1D in
>> the US, and support new and existing US F1D participants.
>>
>>
>>
>> A patron, who also wishes to remain anonymous, was willing to front funds
>> to purchase the rubber.
>>
>>
>>
>> Approved candidates will be given the opportunity to purchase rubber,
>> with the proceeds used to repay the patron. Successful candidates will
>> demonstrate both a need for the rubber and an aptitude and significant
>> interest in F1D. The goal is to provide an incentive for participating in
>> F1D, as well as to help develop and support promising US F1D flyers.
>>
>>
>>
>> The cost will be $200/lb, plus postage as applicable, in increments
>> between 1/4 to 1/2 lbs. The intention is to balance “distributing the
>> rubber to worthy candidates” with “stretching the supply as long as
>> possible”.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please bring candidates to my attention. The US F1D Team Selection
>> Committee will vote on candidates, with a simple majority of voting members
>> required for approval.
>>
>>
>>
>> The Team Selection committee is being used only as a convenient voting
>> group. This 5/99 rubber program is not part of the US Team Selection
>> program, and is not "team rubber".
>>
>>
>>
>> The patron reserves the right to cancel the program and sell off the
>> remaining rubber to minimize losses if, for example, a new superior batch
>> of rubber become imminent.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Received on Wed Apr 04 2018 - 19:22:13 CEST