Radio
Control Model Aircraft Aerobatics in Scotland
Beginner's Guide
First,
let me say that you have made a good choice. If
you have a Bronze and want to really improve, there is no better
way than take part in the monthy radio control model aircraft
aerobatic competitions throughout Scotland. You get better, you
learn and you have a great time. When you get a minute why not
check out my Beginner's
Diary - an account of my first year in radio control model
aerobatics then have a read at Malcolm
Harris' "Airtime" article. Then take a few minutes
to read. There are more links at the bottom of the page.
WHO?
You
:)
Radio control model aircraft aerobatic competitions in Scotland
are run by a Contest Director (CD) on behalf of the Scottish Aeromodellers
Association. He agrees the dates and venues with the various clubs,
arranges score-keepers, and collates the scores over each competition.
Any flier with a bronze or equivallent can take part.
WHERE?
The competitions take part at various locations throughout Scotland.
This is the 2010 events list:
| Day |
Date |
What |
Where |
| Saturday |
20th
March |
F3a |
League
Lanark |
| Saturday |
10th
April |
F3a |
League
Dumfries (TC Selection) |
| Saturday |
15th
May |
F3a |
League Glenrothes (TC Selection) |
| Saturday |
29th May |
F3a |
League Mount Lothian |
| Sunday |
20th
June |
F3a |
League Tarbolton |
| Sat/Sun |
14/15th
Aug |
F3a |
Scottish
Nationals (Castle Kennedy, Stranraer) |
| Sunday |
19th Sept |
F3a |
CVF |
| Saturday |
9th
Oct |
F3a |
MacMerry / Drem (TC Selection) |
| Visitors and newcommers are positively encouraged to come along to both the fly-ins and the competitions. Help & advice freely available. |
Campbell
Cup, awarded to the Intermediate League Winner, 2005.
Flair Swallow 66" Wingspan, Yamada YS120AC
WHEN?
One competition is run each month from about the end of March
through to October. In addition the top competitors might take
part in international competitions. Everyone who holds an SAA
Silver or equivalent is eligable for the Scottish Nationals competition.
Competitors
normally arrive about 09:00 for setting up and practice, with
the first serious flight taking place around about 10:00 AM. Three
rounds are flown i.e. you get 3 flights, each marked by the judges.
One of the other pilots will act as a caller, giving you the next
manouver in plenty of time. Lunchtime gives a chance for some
relaxing flying and most comps are finished by about 3:30 / 4:00
PM
WHAT?
Of premier consideration is the model and engine. One pilot
was using a Kyosho Majestic in 2003 and an Excelsior in 2004.
A young lad from East Fortune has been using an Acro-wot which
seems good enough (plenty on Ebay or Adtrader) and will do everything
you need to do to start with. A Chilli Breeze is another great
choice. You
need to be slightly overpowered but nothing too wild. Engines
in my book should be quiet. I have used the Travel Air with an
Irvine 53, my CAP232 with a Laser 150, and Excelsior followed
by a 120 powered Swallow which was awesome. My current models
are an Angel's Shadow, an Evolis and a Synergy.
 |
 |
 |
| Glen's
68" CAP232 with Thunder Tiger 90 four-stroke - replaced
with a Laser 150 :) |
Dave
Smith Excelsior with MVVS 90 2-stroke |
Flair
Swallow with Yamada 120 four-stroke and pipe |
My
advice is to speak to existing aerobatic fliers to get the latest
views on the current models as there are new ones appearing all
the time.
HOW?
You do not need a silver to do aerobatics unless you want
to fly at the Nationals and you will do a far better silver after
a year of aerobatics. (If you are doing a silver I'd recommend
attending a couple of test days to see the standard required).
My view is the sooner you start, the sooner you will benifit.
You need to see the standard to aim for and you'll only see that
at the comps. Also, you will only learn by flying with people
of that standard. The big difference is the intensity. It is one
manouver on every pass, sometimes 2. All manouvers are either
right in front of you - not when the model just happens to be
in level flight. You can either fly Sportsman or Standard. If
you do the Standard / Intermediate schedule you can miss out the
bits you don't want to do. Next time you are out why not try doing
2 loops dead in front of you. Then progress to a roll either side
of the centre line. Then 2 loops in front of you followed by a
turn followed by 2 rolls.
ENGINES
At
entry level anything does the job but as you progress, Yamada
4-stroke engines are the norm but don't be put off if you are
just starting.
LINKS
& MORE INFORMATION
How
to be an Awesome Pilot (a great and entertaining read
from Troy Built Models)
Troy
Newman's Blog on Pattern Flying
http://www.gbrcaa.org/
The main UK web site for F3a and a great forum. Also contains
call sheets, diagrams and some videos of the schedules.
http://www.3drc.info/
- again, a great forum for f3a as well as 3D
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_101/tt.htm
The font of all knowledge. RC Universe.
"Getting
Started in Aerobatics" by Malcolm Harris, Airtime Autumn
Issue 2002
Mathew
Howitt's Scottish Aerobatics web site (Pilot profiles,
models, manouvers, advice & more)
The
aerobatic schedule diagrams are here http://www.gbrcaa.org/
although I believe they change slightly each year - not that it
makes much difference at beginner's level
Just
to make you drool, all the top models come from
http://www.probuild-uk.co.uk/
(models, accessories, Yamada engines)
Two
Stroke Tuned Pipe Exhaust Systems. by By Andy Ellison, Courtesy
of Barry's Radio Control Model Aricraft Page
Directions
to Tarbolton:
Direction
to BURNS COUNTRY FLYERS SITE AT BOGHEAD FARM TARBOLTON.
From
Glasgow follow M77 to 3rd exit for Kilmarnock( Q8 ) garage for
A76 Dumfries
Pass through 1 roundabout HMP Kilmarnock at 2nd roundabout take
right A719 to Ayr
Follow road for approx 4 miles to signpost for Tarbolton turn
left ( before steep hill )
TURN Immediately LEFT onto FAILMILL ROAD follow single track road
for approx 1 mile
Site is on left at last telegraph pole.
From
Dumfries through Mauchline to first roundabout take left onto
A719 ,as above. NB if at Tarbolton you see a fishery you have
missed the road so turn back and take road on right before major
junction. Hope this is of some help in finding the site. Tarbolton
is a small village and if anyone cant find the site the nearest
well known landmark is (the dump) waste centre.
please note from A719 at turn for Tarbolton turn immediately left.
Map
to Macmerry / Drem?
