Possible race planes for fun MOM series racing

[Doc James Hammond]

I agree with Wayne on the flying wings thing for beginners. I don't remember him saying that they do not have the performance, he said "Beginners" and "performance tuning". For instance, the way that I take it, A 2 servo flying wing can only teach the beginner so much. What about flaps, snap flaps, V-tails, crow, butterfly... Maybe he SHOULD have said he would like to see beginners start with something with a little more of a learning curve. So that they will understand other parts of the racing more in future events.

Chris, I appreciate all of that. My point at the time was that it seemed a bit high-handed to ban a certain type of model out of hand. I'm pretty sure that nobody who was not very experienced would even think of flying wings. I surely never even thought of beginners for this type. Just contributing another idea thats all. I do appreciate how much Wayne cares about this.

Perhaps someone that starts a new race should start a thread, JUST for the group that is racing, to communicate with each other. Sort of an official race thread. I would also keep it public so that everyone can follow along, but ask that if you are not part of the race group please refrain from posting.

A bit of history: This was never a public thing in the beginning. It started off as a private conversation beginning with the death of the ISR and MoM racing between me, Red and Ollie. Wayne got involved a bit later and tried his best to resurrect the race with the club, which then ran it. Well, we all know that went south, though no fault of Wayne's, and that was when we started to talk about getting ANY kind of MoM race going. Small/readily available/cheap seemed to be the largest attractor, so that the way it went, Ollie got his design pen out and the rest is history.

I am not trying to single out anyone, but I guess I am going to have to here. The races have started, the rules established, MOVE ON. HAVE FUN.
Wayne, As I see it you are the one who started this circuit, so for now, you are the "Head Honcho" for this run. Just say it, so there is no question, you do not want to be, or just can not be, the "Head Honcho" in the foreseeable future events. For whatever reason.

I agree. But that would mean taking on the organisation. I hope Wayne can do this and agree for many reasons.

James, I like and respect you. But, You are just far too far away to participate in, start, or run a racing circuit here unfortunately. You do not have power to make any of the decisions if you are not going to be able to take part.

I never thought I had any power, nor did I want to. My main ideas have been to classify what has and is being done into a Printie model race in order to keep the field even for anyone who might want to participate. Technically, right now there are no rules, and in theory I could turn up with and race anything - even a power plane. It is just a matter of setting the ground rules, and since all of the models so far have been printed, lets call it printed and keep this class to printed models, whatever configuration. That's it. Having said what I wanted to say, I do hope some rules come out soon.

Honestly, if it were me - and I will be the first to admit I know nothing about printed models - I'd call it 60" class.

Rules:

60" or below wing span.
Any kind of model construction.
Safety inspection before racing.

That's it.

From what I understand, this circuit is almost over. That means;
Someone, Volunteer to keep the "Printie" circuit going.
Someone, Volunteer to start and run a Wing circuit.
Someone, Volunteer to start and run an open class circuit.
Someone, Volunteer to start and run a Mouldie circuit.
Someone, Just Volunteer to start SOMETHING.
If you don't, this will likely die.

Totally agree. Right now its pett much down to you guys at Aloft for making the models available, Ollie for doing the Slingshot Printie design in the first place and pretty much Ollie with help from Red at times to run the races.

This bickering is what is going to ruin this whole thing.

No Bickering here, Chris, I just make my points - I hope politely. For the flying wing thing, I'm sure Wayne just threw up his hands and yelled NOT ANOTHER COMPLICATION! - In his situation, I may have done the same thing.

I guess what I am trying to say is this, suggestions are good, just don't expect them to be implemented immediately.
It is as simple as that. If you want a specific kind of racing, START A GROUP. That is all this circuit was supposed to show. Pick your favorite airframe and run with it. Not everyone will want to be a part of it, but I guarantee it will be a BLAST!
WHOEVER starts and runs the circuit gets to suggest and/or make the rules for said circuit up front. Then if changes need to be made, there can be a vote between the pilots in the circuit.
Now, that said, I am not even racing. I am just tired wasting time reading the bickering to try to find something useful.
So I am out.
Lets Focus on the fun folks.

Totally agree. It's all, or should be, about the fun. But passion is also good.

There again, if I have twisted anyone's knickers with my suggstions I do humbly apologise.

Semper deinceps, semper sursum!

Doc.

After printing more than 60 kits, I think I’ve earned the right to say a few words here.

The model definitely has its particularities and weaknesses, especially considering that it’s a 3D-printed model. But honestly, there is no real alternative. I was able to get the price so low that you simply can’t find anything comparable for $70 — a race-ready airplane that you can have assembled and flying within a few hours.

And yes, I mean a few hours. If someone wants to spend more time glassing it, reinforcing it, adding ballast, or doing whatever else they want, go for it! That’s part of the fun.

But why are we inventing so many rules? Guys, I think we’re missing the whole point here. The point is to have fun, make friends, go flying together, laugh at each other when someone does something stupid, and just enjoy the hobby. Come on, it’s not that hard to understand.

As others have already said, there’s no money being bet, no prize on the line, and unless I missed something, nobody is racing for a piece of land! Hahahaha.

Let’s not lose sight of what this is really about: getting together with our friends and meeting people we sometimes only get to see at events or when we go flying.

Friendship means a lot to me. Whether I win, lose, or completely destroy my airplane, honestly, I don’t really care.

Because when all is said and done, what I’m going to take away from this are the memories and the moments I shared with all of you.

kisses love you all

Agree with all that, Raphael, and I am sure everyone (even a non-flyer like me) would like to thank you for your great efforts.

My only suggested rules are/have been to keep this class for printed models. Thats all I have been saying. If you want to race an open (construction) 60", then it can be done as we all know.

Cheers,

Doc.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

My last word here.

It's really great that MoM racing is happening, and I hope it keeps going and flourishing, hopefully with new models and participants

(And flying wings)

My hope is for an eventual return to what I will term "Open Class" MoM as it used to be. In betwen time, I hope a more organised and hopefully regularly run 60" "anything goes" class like the SLoT guys have, can spread.

Will I just live in hope? Maybe.

Meanwhile its time to have fun, and there is more of that coming up with another Printie race soon.

Have a really great time, guys, and don't forget the barracking!

Cheers,

Doc.

 

[zeo0nie1]

I don't think an open class is appropriate for me or the other new racers. It turns it into a very involved arms race. I'd rather be honing my flying skills than purchasing performance.

My first plane was a flying wing BTW lol. I actually want to slope AER planes to have more control but they're incredibly difficult to find in the sizes that are appropriate for me, I assume for a reason.