Wright Stuff 2004
Notes by Bill Kuhl
New for the 2003 - 2004 Wright Stuff event were a number of significant rule changes, new products, and new sources of information. Most notable in the rule changes were the two separate size limitations for Division C (high school) and Division B (middle school). Changes in the rules regarding the plastic propeller requirements made way for use of the lightweight "Ikara" props that are competitive without scraping. Landing gear requirement for Division C planes was also dropped. A ribbon drop option for State and National level competition was added.
| Olympus C using 12" Ikara prop cut to 24 cm. My typical
time under 22' ceiling has been slightly over 3 minutes.
|
|
New Products for 2004
http://www.indoorfreeflight.com
 |
My Olympus B climbing out. Needed almost 2 grams of ballast
to reach 8 grams. Don Slusarczyk has redone his CD ROM and the plans for this years rules. I have built both his Olympus C and Olympus B, both planes fly very well and build quickly. |
"Competitive Wright Stuff – Closing the Gap Between Novice and Expert"
| Brian and Wayne Johnson have a new 90-page Wright Stuff book available. The book is geared to the Wright Stuff flyer who has some experience, but wants to move up to top-level performance. They have other products too for the serious Wright Stuff flyer. $34 postpaid for book. |
|
Geauga Precision Models
9113 Robinson Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024
Freedom Flight Models
http://www.freedomflightmodels.com |
A relatively new business selling products for the Wright Stuff market including a very competitive kit available in both B and C Division sizes. The kits include a very comprehensive instruction manual including tips for top performance. Dave Ziegler, owner of Freedom Flight Models, has a very nice website listing his products and some very good advice on getting top performance from a Wright Stuff plane. |
|
|
 |
|
Prop Pitch Gauge |
Division C plane built by Pat Seale |
Summary of 2004 Regional Contest Observations
In competition many teams were not taking advantage of what the new rules allowed. Many planes were considerably undersized or still had landing gear, a requirement dropped for Division C planes. Smaller planes are at a distinct disadvantage because of higher wing loading. Landing gear is extra weight and drag, also a disadvantage.
At the regional contest level it appears many teams either; did not know about the new Ikara props, were more comfortable scraping other props as in previous years, or possibly didn’t want to try anything new.
Rubber Issue
The most efficient rubber to power a model airplane; TAN II was discontinued in 2002. FAI offered two grades of rubber to replace TAN II; Tan Sport and Tan Super Sport. Tan Super Sport is suppose to have near the power of Tan II, but many people seem to disagree on this. There does seem to be a wide variation between batches of Tan Super Sport. Teams that have access to Tan II rubber that has been carefully stored, most likely have an advantage.
Another new sport rubber is Tru Torque Rubber, there are testimonials and performance data on this web site:
http://www.trutorquerubber.com
Ikara Propellers
Ikara has a variety of RTF and ARF indoor free flight models available which they offer as replacement props. The first prop that was used for SO is the replacement prop for their Super Dog and Bulldog penny planes. The 12" diameter prop weighs only 2.8 grams unmodified. 2004 Wright Stuff Division C call for a 24 cm diameter prop and Division B calls for 18.5 cm diameter prop, so the propellers must be trimmed to length to be legal.
The smaller prop is of a much higher pitch than the 12" prop. The plastic blade material appears to be different also, more translucent compared to the opaque plastic used on the 12" prop. The high pitch in the smaller prop does not appear to be ideal in planes that have a total 8 grams weight of 10 grams. Theoretically this should be an efficient pitch, but the plane must be constructed perfectly without warps and be able to fly with no un-necessary drag. The rubber must be wound to high-torque levels also.
Summary of 2004 Wright Stuff Rules
Division B - wing span 40 cm. 10 cm. chord and horizontal
stabilizer span of 28 cm.
Single two-bladed commercially made plastic propeller max. diameter of 18.5 cm.
Division C - wing span 52 cm. 13 cm. chord and horizontal
stabilizer span of 37 cm.
Single two-bladed commercially made plastic propeller max. diameter of 24 cm.
Okie Dokie Wright Stuff Plane - Designer Jerry Combs
| Jerry Combs had sent plans for a very successful Division B plane, another local modeler built the plane and it is flying very well. The stab is adjustable as well as the wing. |  |
< Return to Right Stuff for the Gold >
