From: lew@4ccvw16.scg.hac.com (Lyman Lew)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Quickie 500 Needs to be REFORMED!!
Date: 14 Aug 92 01:32:56 GMT
Reply-To: lew@4ccvw16.UUCP (Lyman Lew)
Distribution: na
Organization: Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, CA

In article <ericw.713649487@hobbes> ericw@hobbes.amd.com (Eric Wedaa) writes:
>lew@4ccvt2.scg.hac.com (Lyman Lew) writes:
>
>
>1-4 are NOT good ideas!
>

I disagree, I believe they are very good ideas. They are the most
effective that's why I listed them first. Currently the rules state
that the contest directors rules whether an airplane is safe to
race or not. There is nothing empirical and nothing analytical to
determine if the airplane will stand the stress and strain of all
out racing, but just the discretion of the contest director. 

In Control Line, an airplane is pull tested to see if any part of
the control system will break. In Control Line speed, the airplane
must fly in an enclosed fence. There are also specifications spelled
out in the AMA rule book on how line ends should be made and type
of restraints should be implemented on handles. These examples given 
are designed to protect the public and the contestants from any 
possible mishaps.

>>5. Put fuel shutoffs of some kind on the engines should a wing 
>>depart from the fuselage.
>
>This should be easy enough to do.  (And is a good idea anyways...)
>You could just some sort of cable leading from inside the wing
>or some bolted on part of the wing, to the fuel line.  Then, if the 
>wing pops off, either A) it pulls the fuel line from the engine/gas tank,
>or B) (If your fuel line does not give) keeps the wing semi-attached
>to the fueselage.
>

I'm afraid fuel shut-offs are not going to do diddly squat in slowing
down a 3 pound wingless fuselage with an initial velocity plus one G.
Try dropping a three pound rock on your foot from 6ft. Then picture
a three pound airplane free-falling from a 100 ft. OUCH! The only
advantage to having a fuel shutoff is that one is not subjected to a
meat grinder should he/she ends up being skewered.

>>6. Install a drag chute in the fuselage should the wing depart
>>from the fuselage.
>
>A little harder to do, but still within the realms of possibility.
>glue a small cardboard tube (Toilet paper perhaps?) to the inside
>of the fuselage.  "Z" fold the parachute into the tube.  Tie the 
>anchor lines (correct name?) to the landing gear, and have an extra
>cord attached to the parachute.  When you install the wind, loop 
>the cord around a piece of tape, and attach the tape to the wind.
>Then if the wind comes off, it yanks the parachute out. 
>
>That's probably not a bad idea for a "beginners" plane anyways, 
>as I've seen more of them lose wings than any other type.
>
>
>>>>>Ericw

Parachutes are a possibility. I believe someone marketed one in one
of the magazines at one time. I think the the fuselages may have
to get wider and bigger to house a parachute, but that's ok. At
least that would have some effect in slowing down the airplanes.

For those who have never seen a pylon race, you are truly missing
an awesome and frightening spectacle (not to mention noisy too).
These airplanes are really hauling ass! The only thing more 
frightening is the sound of pulse jet lit up for speed run in
the Ukie circle!


Lyman Lew, lew@caesi.scg.hac.com