The 3DRCForums -Discuss Anything Thread-

[AKfreak]

Some observations from an old guy that's been around the hobby for a while....

Take any plane you want, and fly basic with it, and don't worry about what others are flying or what's up with a guy who would rather win basic five times than compete in Sportsman. I never understood that either but you have to expect it.

The events are fun, and it's more about the social thing than competing. I can tell that you had a good time, so don't pass up the experience if you can afford it. It ain't cheap, but if you are into it, it's no different than a hardcore boating or golf addiction.

40% planes have an advantage, they say, because they present better in the air to the judges. But IMO, the judges will give the advantage to the guys that have invested the most time, money, and effort, into the sport/hobby.

The MXS you have now, with a low rate mix, will be a great plane to get involved with. The 78 Extra is another -- less expensive and time consuming to build than giant scale planes, easy to power and transport, and a great plane to learn and practice with.

Practicing the sequences is actually fun and will definitely make you a better pilot. The trick is to pick the right plane, make it your IMAC plane, and focus on that plane all the time, during practice. Switching planes all the time makes it tough to get really good, really fast.

As popular as 3D is today, a good sequence pilot still gets more respect from more people in the hobby. Jesky, Leseberg, Somenzini, Hyde, Shulman... they all made a name for themselves in TOC and IMAC.

Freestyle has some 3D, but is mostly big sky XA, and that's what judges look for. So there may be a chankshaft thrown into the routine, but it's at the top of a big rolling loop, for example.

Most serious IMAC guys used to build their own planes from kits... Carden and Godfrey Extra 300's were the top shelf planes, and Dalton is another. The advantage of a kit is that you can make modifications to suit your flying, if you know what you're doing.

PAU makes some nice ARFs for IMAC, but the big Extreme Flight Extra 300 would be my first ARF choice. A really solid competitor.

Take this as simply my opinion, because you will find that everyone involved with IMAC has one

Oh, and if you watch the video of Joe S flying the custom Carden Edge, I think you may see something interesting. I won't say what, but check it out and remember it's the first time he flew it.

what a wonderful post to wake up to. I will check out the video and report back. I think I will continue to practice the maneuvers. Believe it or not, I like to do that big sky stiff. Its more fun to do than it is to watch.
[MENTION=26]Ohio AV8TOR[/MENTION] those vents are actually called a NACA vent. They are made after the fact, and they allow air to flow for cooling with minimal disturbance to the air flow over the fuse. So there you go.

 

[Ohio AV8TOR]

Oh, and if you watch the video of Joe S flying the custom Carden Edge, I think you may see something interesting. I won't say what, but check it out and remember it's the first time he flew it.

Just watched it - that Snake was very interesting and super tight - as always crazy good for first pull on the sticks - awesome Pop Tops with little energy before entering - crazy tight knife edge spins - I had no sound so if something was said I missed it. Looks like IMAC planes can freestyle with the best of them

 

[Aeroplayin]

Things happening quick here but I did post something at the bottom of the previous page about the Carden.

Another thing is that the Edge has outboard ailerons and flaps, which were programmed to work for crowing, but also in sync so Joe was able to get some 3D-size control surfaces. But his landing reminded me of the first time Tom landed a Godfrey. The engine actually deadsticked and he had to bring it in right away. There was virtually no wind, so it didn't matter which way he landed, so he flew the plane to within four feet, and waited for the plane to settle... with no power, and a symmetrical wing, the plane continued to 'fly' down the runway. I told him that he better pilot the plane onto the runway because there wasn't much runway left, which he did. Again, I'm talking about a 36 pound, 126 inch wingspan plane that wants to fly. Joe, too, had to go around and use the flaps to get the plane to land, finally.

If I'm not mistaken, 3D ARFs in the 126 inch range, will come on about 42 to 47 pounds.

I think the question in the video from Joe's mom, about 'why is everyone laughing?', is because not many guys get to see IMAC royalty breakdance.

 

[AKfreak]

Just watched it - that Snake was very interesting and super tight - as always crazy good for first pull on the sticks - awesome Pop Tops with little energy before entering - crazy tight knife edge spins - I had no sound so if something was said I missed it. Looks like IMAC planes can freestyle with the best of them

I watched it two times, and I noticed he changed his Hacker shirt to a Gens Ace to take a still with a sharpie at the end. He only did crankshafts at the end of another maneuver. I also noticed he slipped to land instead of using the flaps on the split ailerons. I also noticed he tested the stall characteristics several times at the end before he landed. I love how this plane unloads and transitions to floating on the prop. Its amazing to watch him play with these machines.

Ok, now do tell what you found interesting.

I also will say that plane is so so nice. I found this. Loo at the Carbon Fiber truss work, WOW. Simply amazing! It makes me want to build a Kit for myself.
[video=youtube_share;ZsQKHWhCmyo]http://youtu.be/ZsQKHWhCmyo[/video]

 

[Enterprise]

Trying to get my 110 Yak to land was a real chore at times. It just kept wanting to fly with the high deck angle and giving the up elevator to brake just put it back into the air.

If they made EF 125" Extra in the Red White and Blue scheme still I am not sure I could resist. Luckily the blue scheme is aweful to my eyes.

Edit. I just looked and they have that scheme back in, plus the scheme from the 104/91/60. Ah geez, good thing my season is over.

 

[alawson999]

I tried to prep for my first IMAC comp this year. I am committed to improving my XA skills.

I lost focus due to the size of my flying site. A bit small and ringed with large trees.

F3p might be a better avenue to improving my skills, but instead of 40% planes, the dollars go up exponentially as the auw grams goes down.

I've decided to ignore peer pressure to out spend , and just try to fly better every day

For me, that is more than enough.

 

[Aeroplayin]

I tried to prep for my first IMAC comp this year. I am committed to improving my XA skills. I lost focus due to the size of my flying site. A bit small and ringed with large trees. F3p might be a better avenue to improving my skills, but instead of 40% planes, the dollars go up exponentially as the auw grams goes down.

I've decided to ignore peer pressure to out spend, and just try to fly better every day

For me, that is more than enough.

Great attitude to have. Don't lose it. The field size and configuration is one of the reasons why we gave up the 40% airframes too. We used to go to events at Deland and Daytona, where there is so much more length, back and forth, than we have.

Edit. I just looked and they have that scheme back in, plus the scheme from the 104/91/60. Ah geez, good thing my season is over.

Crap... I did NOT need to hear that. :facepalm: The blue was the 91 scheme I was going to get.

Ok, now do tell what you found interesting.

Haha… I wrote this on the previous page when things were moving quickly this morning.

http://www.3drcforums.com/showthrea...-Anything-Thread&p=74624&viewfull=1#post74624

Here are some IMAC planes you may recognize... Andrew's Godfrey Extra 300, Leseberg's Godfrey Extra 300, and Tom (barely 12 years old) taking second at the Florida Youthmaster with... yep, a Godfrey Extra 300. The last pic is one from the big Northwest IMAC event. I only saved it because I realized that the first four planes in the lineup were Godfreys and you have to go way down to find an ARF, which I think it a Pilot Yak-54. Not that I'm partial -- but I'd take a Carden in a heartbeat too.

 

[Enterprise]

I guess if I were super serious the question would be to build a Daulton MLE over the winter or just get the EF ARF.

 

[Aeroplayin]

Matt, I just realized from the second video that it's Brad's buddy's Carden.

As far as choices, I don't even have the room to build anymore, even if I wanted to. 240 ft from the Gulf of Mexico means no basements either. Get Tony to build one for you, if you want a Dalton, or drop in on Chris one day and see if he'll let you test fly the 125 EF Extra. I'm sure he'd let you. Something about those thick sheeted foam wings, tho. Me likey.

One thing... there are only a few guys that consider themselves pro-builders that I'd let build me a plane. I cringe when I read some of the build threads and see what they do to these planes, and use "added strength" to explain away "added weight". It makes sense to some buyers, and to some furniture builders , but in most cases, they simply added weight and moved the fracture point.

 

[AKfreak]

Great attitude to have. Don't lose it. The field size and configuration is one of the reasons why we gave up the 40% airframes too. We used to go to events at Deland and Daytona, where there is so much more length, back and forth, than we have.



Crap... I did NOT need to hear that. :facepalm: The blue was the 91 scheme I was going to get.



Haha… I wrote this on the previous page when things were moving quickly this morning.

http://www.3drcforums.com/showthrea...-Anything-Thread&p=74624&viewfull=1#post74624

Here are some IMAC planes you may recognize... Andrew's Godfrey Extra 300, Leseberg's Godfrey Extra 300, and Tom (barely 12 years old) taking second at the Florida Youthmaster with... yep, a Godfrey Extra 300. The last pic is one from the big Northwest IMAC event. I only saved it because I realized that the first four planes in the lineup were Godfreys and you have to go way down to find an ARF, which I think it a Pilot Yak-54. Not that I'm partial -- but I'd take a Carden in a heartbeat too.

View attachment 31062View attachment 31063View attachment 31064View attachment 31065

I saw Andrews Godfrey in person with a DA200 a few weeks back here in Vegas. What an incredible plane!