Control Line: Speed
Gene Hempel
REVIVAL TIME—Part II
The last Speed column (July 1984) really generated quite a bit of interest. In fact, there was so much that I didn't realize there were so many people concerned about changing the Speed rules. A number of suggestions presented have merit to be submitted as rules proposals for the upcoming rules cycle.
Today's AMA CL Speed Events
- 1/2A — Engine: .0000–.0504; Restriction: None; Comments: None
- A — Engine: .0505–.1525; Restriction: None; Comments: None
- B — Engine: .1526–.3051; Restriction: None; Comments: Should be no Juniors
- D — Engine: .3052–.65; Restriction: Open (Srs. allowed); Comments: Should be Open only
- 1/2A Profile Proto — Engine: .0000–.0504; Restriction: Juniors only; Comments: Good!
- 1/2A Profile Proto (Provisional) — Engine: .0000–.0504; Restriction: Seniors only; Comments: None
- Formula "21" — Engine: .0900–.2135; Restriction: Juniors only; Comments: Great! Remove Provisional status
- Formula "40" — Engine: .2800–.4028; Restriction: Sr.-Op. only; Comments: Fine
- Jet — Engine: tail pipe area; Restriction: None; Comments: Should be no Juniors
This table came from a reader's letter and gives the writer's comments on the existing AMA CL Speed events.
The writer also emphasized the need to see real CL modeling — real control-line flying, not Cox or Testor's plastic toys. There must be dedicated individuals to get the ball rolling in Speed flying: someone who loves it and is experienced enough to be a resource for newcomers. The noise problem will have to be addressed, or we'll never get those "close-in" flying sites. Remember what I said about four-stroke Speed events?
Now, a brief examination of Speed — and most other — events. In AMA competition, for ever so long, the "string of spaghetti" approach has been taken to the various events: you take an event and snip it into Junior, Senior, and Open. Never mind what the event is, just take the easy way out, as far as age-groups go! Lately, however, there has been a glimmer of understanding that this is not always a good thing. Formula "21", 1/2A Profile Proto, Formula "40", D Speed, for example, illustrate that consideration of age and ability matters.
Looking back, the ability to manage the whole operation varies tremendously with age, and consideration must be given when competition events/classes are being finalized. Years ago (around 1952), a couple of younger friends were "into" Speed — one was the builder/pilot, and the other was the trusted assistant. As Juniors, they were trying to compete in D Speed with a Dooling .61‑powered Hell Razor. Most of the time, they could never get it started — or, if they did, could not get it running well enough to complete a successful hand launch and first lap.
At one small meet in Pennsylvania, after repairing an overlooked leak in the fuel tank with match solder (!), they got a successful flight — a Junior D Speed record of about 155 mph. Hair-raising! Another youngster in this area kept trying to fly, yet all of his peers were down on him, and I doubt that he ever flew one of his planes successfully. Who was I to try to discourage them? Even if I'd wanted to, I was only about four years older.
What I'm pointing at is that, in Speed, major consideration must be given to keeping younger modelers out of some events — for safety's sake. In addition, why should we let them beat their brains out trying to cope with an event they're not psychologically or physically prepared for? Cost must be remembered as a factor, too. Don't encourage younger fliers to get into events which can be horrendously expensive.
Reader Letter: Ross McMullen (Silver Spring, MD)
OK, Hempel, you asked for it, again! Here's another double-barrelled blast about Speed from a non-Speed flier (but who always wanted to).
In my last letter to you on this subject (June 24, 1983), I had some thoughts on what it would take to revive Speed. In general, my thinking is still the same. First priority is to get flying sites — and ones near civilization, where people can easily get to.
In my previous letter I mentioned that there should be a Standard Class, a Modified Standard Class, and an Unlimited Class. Maybe the world is not ready for this yet. I'll re-iterate a bit: let's have a Standard Class and an Unlimited Class. The Standard Class would use our existing Speed rules with the following additions: standard fuel only; no tuned pipes; and two-line control systems only. The Unlimited Class would allow just about anything except gaseous boosts, tetranitromethane, and metalized powders.
Here are my proposed new events, with their restrictions:
- Formula "21" — Juniors only
- Formula "40" — Senior-Open
In addition, I think that the 1984–1985 AMA rule book, paragraph 17 of Section 23 (CL Speed), needs to be revised by adding the following sentence just before the last sentence of the paragraph: "In addition, models should maintain a flight altitude which is generally at (or above) the height of the pilot's hand holding the control handle." The last sentence of the paragraph would then be revised to read: "Maintenance of flight outside of these limits, as specified for the various classes, for more than one-half lap shall constitute a foul."
I still think we need a class limited to a specific engine — and maybe a specific plane — for beginners.
You do a good job with your column. Keep up the good work.
— Ross McMullen
Closing
That's all for this month. Comments on Ross' letter should be sent to me:
Gene Hempel 301 N. Yale Dr. Garland, TX 75042
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
