NSRCA Officers

Hear from Your NSRCA Officers

President

Charlie Barrera 2627 Silver Shadow | Conroe, TX. 77304 936.404.0063 charliebarrera@consolidated.net

Hello again, everyone. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I’m hoping that you’ve asked Santa for all those special pattern gifts. As this holiday season begins, let’s reflect on this past year.

Of course, the biggest event of the year, which continues to this day, is the Corona virus pandemic. We’ve endured social distancing, mask wearing, washing hands for 20 seconds, and the effects this has had on our economy. States have slowly opened up, allowing restaurants and bars to reopen, only to close again as the spike in infections increased. Just this week, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals announced a vaccine that is 90% effective. We’re all hoping and praying that this will be approved by our health care professionals and finally have a solution to the disease.

We’ve had many pattern contests cancel because of the pandemic. Those contests that remained on the schedule had minimal participation because of Covid. Our biggest disappointment was the cancelling of the Pattern NATS. This board deliberated for several board meetings, only to conclude that it was in the best interest of our members to not participate. However, in September, through the leadership of Bill Pritchett and Matt Finley, the D4 Championships hosted the USA Team Trials. It was a big success. Besides providing the venue for the D4 Champions, the D4 Championships allowed a team to be selected to represent the USA at the 2021 World FAI F3A competition. Congratulations to the Team!

There were 63 participants at the event. I attended the contest, which was held in Muncie, IN, and had the flavor of the Pattern NATS. I saw old friends that I see every year at the NATS and made new friends, too. Planning for next year’s NATS and the World competition has begun. The World’s will be held in Muncie, and the NATS will immediately follow. I’m hoping that you are making plans to attend both events.

At our last board meeting, we agreed that a link and icon should be included on our web site promoting F3P flying. With the weather changing for the winter months, many pattern flyers resign to indoor flying, particularly in the northern climates. Sal Piu, our D1 DVP, has taken on this task of creating links on our web site for F3P flying. You might notice an article in the monthly KFactor about F3P. These articles are interesting, and I am amazed at the size and weight, or lack thereof, of these models. Sal informs me of the different classes of models: Sport Aerobatics, Competitive above 100 grams, and the Ultimate F3P international competitive class.

Sport Aerobatics are flown for fun and enjoyment, flown in a “mixed crowd”, and lead toward precision aerobatics competition. Competitive above 100g generally include models around 100g in weight. The Ultimate F3P class are models flown at the international level, where models generally weigh between 40 to 70 grams, and are built up from extremely light-weight materials, motors, props, servos, etc. Forty to 70 grams? Imagine that. Models that weigh less than 3 ounces. Maybe you’ve seen the uTube videos of these models. They perform with such grace and agility, stopping/starting in midflight, reversing direction, spinning, and with the delicacy of a falling leaf and the precision of our F3A models. They are so light in weight that air conditioning ducts must be either turned off or directed away from the performance area.

Another area that I think should be promoted by the NSRCA and included on our web site is EDF ducted fan precision aerobatics. With the introduction of light and powerful electric motors, the EDF category of models has taken off, no pun intended, in popularity. I own two EDF jets – the Avanti S and a Motion RC T-33. Both are 80mm fan jets and fly very well. At recent contests in my district (before the pandemic), EDF competition was included in the venue. The maneuvers are simple and flight times only last about 3 minutes in duration. This short flight time is, of course, because of the high amperage draw of the motors. A typical 6s 4000mah battery flight time is about 4 minutes, with about a minute reserve. I would encourage you to investigate this new aspect of our sport. Here is the link to the EDF Jet aerobatic maneuvers: https://www.jetaerobatics.org/ uploads/1/4/9/3/14935512/2020_f3s_edf_ schedule_w_details_1.pdf. I have reported on precision aerobatics flying of these models in previous KFactor articles.

I am soliciting to our membership a call for help. We do not have a Contest Director (CD) for the 2021 Pattern NATS. The event will be held from July 20-24, 2021, at the International Aeromodelling Center in Muncie, IN. It is well attended in past years, with contestants numbering to over 70. If you are interested or know someone that might be interested in CDing this event, please contact your respective DVP or email me directly and volunteer. Your help will be greatly appreciated. The date seems far away now, but time for planning this event hastens as we move into next year.

I hope you have a special project in mind for the upcoming pattern season next year. One of the off-season projects that I have is to fully inspect my competition models and repair or replace worn parts that have endured the season. This inspection, repair, and replacement of parts include the

motor, ESC, servos, linkages, control horns, and the like. I very methodically begin this process from the nose of the model and continue to the tail.

The motor, of course, takes the most wear and tear. I visually inspect the condition of the case (electric is what I fly) and look for any discoloration. Discoloration indicates that the motor has been running hot, or, has possibly overheated during flight. I look at the winding through the front (or back) of the motor (out runner) and observe the condition of the copper windings. They should look fresh with no discoloration. Geared in runner motors require disassembly, and lubrication with the recommended silicone grease about every 75 flights.

During normal competition through the season, after a flight, I regularly feel the temperature of the back plate of the spinner. If this is warm or hot, I investigate further. I have an IR temperature gauge, that I take temperature readings. I’ve found through experience that temperature over 180 degrees may warrant as a minimum an inspection for any problem that might cause the engine to run hot. Sometimes this might entail changing the bearings.

I visually inspect the ESC for overheating. Discoloration of the case could possibly indicate that the ESC is running hot. A simple remedy of might be to properly vent the ESC by directing airflow through the cowl into the fuselage. This might entail fabricating flow deflectors inside the cowl, directing airflow down and onto the ESC. Most electric models have an exhaust port on the underbelly of the fuselage. Inspect this to ensure that it hasn’t become congested. In some models, a larger exhaust port may be needed, so modification of the port might be necessary. A rule of thumb that I’ve learned is that the exhaust port on the bottom on the fuselage should be twice as large (in area) as the cowl vents. I also look at the wiring from the ESC. This should be in good condition. Check the solder joints for integrity.

I inspect all the servos for integrity. I check control horns, fasteners, and linkage to be in good condition. I use a pull-pull cable for the rudder, and I ensure that it is in good condition and at the recommended tension. An area that is easily neglected is the landing gear and the gear block that it is attached to. This is the part of the model that takes the most abuse. Sometimes landings can be “hard” and even though the gear struts and wheels look normal, the gear block structure can be cracked, or possibly broken. If this is the case, repair as necessary.

Another area that is sometimes overlooked is the wing tube, both the shuck that is in the fuselage, and the tube in each wing half. Look for cracks around the glue joints. With the wing tube in the fuselage, gently move it and see that it is firm and not moving. Do this for the fuselage and each wing half. If there is any movement, this may indicate that the wing has been “moving” during flight. If you’ve had some strange trim problems, wing movement can certainly explain this.

Inspect the wing adjustors. Inspect the horizontal stabilizer, particularly the stabilizer tube and where it enters each stab half and fuselage. Again, any movement must be repaired. Inspect the anti-rotation pin and socket.

Regular maintenance can prevent any surprises when you are flying. You will also have a model that will last for years.

Until next time… Fly straight; keep your radiuses constant and stay in the box.

Charlie Barrera…OUT!

Vice President Secretary

Heedo Yun 4610 Willow Pond Ct. \ Sugar Land, Tx 77479 281.512.9163 | Heedo.Yun@gmail.com

We are approaching the end of the year - the holiday seasons! Year end is a time when we usually get together with family, friends, and loved ones and enjoy our lives together. I wish you all a memorable holiday season ahead.

Next year, we are implementing 2 year terms for the Executive Council officers – President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. To my knowledge, the currently serving officers will continue serving in the next term with the exception of the position of Vice President, which remains vacant. Please let the Executive Council know if you are willing to volunteer as Vice President of our club. Volunteering is fun and rewarding!

This year’s pattern contest activities were limited nationwide and in Canada due to the global pandemic. Let us look forward to more activities in 2021, including the local pattern contests, the NATS, and particularly the World Championship event that will be held in the U.S.A.!

Happy Holidays, Heedo Yun

John Decker 2878 Carrera Ct | League City, TX 77573 281-627-9474 | johndecker@sbcglobal.net

It is that time of year to think about renewing your NSRCA dues. Dozens of members have already renewed, and it is greatly appreciated. It is super easy. Sign into the NSRCA.US website, go to “Join”, and follow the instructions. Using PayPal is really easy too. Your $40 yearly dues support; the design and production of the Kfactor, administering the NATS, supporting the District Championships, supporting the World Championship teams, and a myriad of other expenses mostly related to Website support software. All of your officers, District VP’s, committee members like the currently impaneled Sequence Development Committee are all volunteers and contribute their time to support precision aerobatics. Get some practice time as weather allows this winter and spring and look forward to seeing everyone on the contest trail in 2021. Always land wheels down, John Decker

SAFETY FIRST ❄ Happy Holidays! May you be filled with health and happiness in the New Year! Fly Safe!