RADIO CONTROL: SCALE AEROBATICS
Eric Hawkinson
319 Yellowstone Avenue, Billings, MT 59101-1728
In the world of fixed-wing RC aircraft, one of the most appealing segments is the scale aerobatics machine. Starting with the Citabrias, Zlins, and Pitts Specials, through the current crop of Sukhois, Extras, and Giles 202s, these aircraft have the lines, looks, and performance that attract a wide range of folks. You'll find scale aerobats in all sizes—from tiny .049-powered models to the fire-breathing giants that are pushed to the edge at the Tournament of Champions and for any size and budget in between.
Building and flying these machines is the focus of this new column. Of course, there is already a great Scale column in Model Aviation, and the Precision Aerobatics column enjoys a long history and one of the best writers in RC. But scale aerobatics is a specialized segment of the hobby, halfway between the Scale and Pattern groups—not exactly in step with either, and often getting lost in the shuffle.
So we have decided to see what the response is to a column that will attempt to specifically address the needs and wishes of those who fly aerobatics with miniature replicas of full-scale aircraft. You can help tremendously by sending me your questions, tips, photographs, and anything else of interest to your fellow scale aerobatics enthusiasts.
Column intent
Right off the bat, we need to discuss what the intent of the column is, and what it is not. I have very little use for political discussions, regardless of the topic, and those types of issues that are relevant are covered elsewhere by the folks who deal with such things.
This column will be broad enough to include items of interest to many persons, whether or not they actively compete in contests. I hope to be able to cover topics that are of interest to pilots who are just starting and also topics that are useful to the more experienced pilot. Building, finishing, setup, trimming, and flying are fair game when it comes to topics for discussion.
Since there is a fairly wide range of subinterests within the scale aerobatics crowd, I will also try to bring you views, tips, and comments from a number of other pilots who concentrate on this type of flying and building.
My background
My first modeling efforts were the Guillows and Comet free-flight models that many of you probably built in the "old days." I built my first at age seven (31 years ago) and have never been far from a room filled with balsa dust. I taught myself to fly RC at age 14, and as soon as I made a successful takeoff I started trying to teach myself to fly aerobatics. I'll let you know if/when that task is ever completed. I live in Billings, Montana and belong to the Billings Flying Mustangs club.
At present it's fair to say that I'm hopelessly addicted to just about anything that flies. My primary interest is in precision aerobatics competition (Pattern) where I fly in the Masters class at a reasonably competitive level.
As with many Pattern pilots, I am also drawn to the larger, more realistic airplanes and wilder antics common to the IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatics Club) and airshow folks, and I try to keep at least one scale aerobat in the hangar. The hangar also includes a few scale RC combat mounts, because sometimes you just have to go play Walter Mitty awhile, and the new Combat class is a perfect way to do that.
Finally, I have a blast with the pair of Kalt .30 Baron helicopters in my shop—machines that are excellent for improving your skills and deflating your ego.
"The type of aircraft and flying that are involved in scale aerobatics are somewhat beyond the basic or trainer levels." For the most part I'll assume that you are past the buddy box stage and that you are interested in improving your skills and your enjoyment through building and flying aerobatics.
Whether or not your ultimate goal is to compete is a personal decision; I love competition and the added incentive it gives to continue to push the envelope of my skills. I also love drawing pictures in the sky on a nice summer day, just for the sheer joy of it.
IMAC and competition
When mentioning the competition aspects of scale aerobatics flying, you are probably talking about IMAC—the AMA-recognized Special Interest Group for scale aerobatics competition. IMAC officials work with the full-scale competition organization (IAC) to come up with competition sequences each year that closely resemble those used in the full-scale competitions. You have probably seen their sequences in this magazine—they are published each year in one of the spring issues.
IMAC, as described in its bylaws, is:
- to develop competition rules and guidelines for miniature RC aerobatics based upon full-scale aerobatic practice,
- to promote the sport of miniature RC aerobatics through communication and leadership, and
- to encourage those interested in entering the sport of miniature RC aerobatics.
Most of the scale aerobatics competitions in our country are organized under the IMAC umbrella and fly according to current IMAC sequences, rules, and judging criteria.
IMAC is a small group, but at present it is experiencing rapid growth. The present-day availability of a large number of very good kits and power plants in all sizes certainly helps; there have never been so many different aircraft in so many different sizes and versions that can be built into great-flying models.
A very committed group of volunteer leaders and a new, professionally produced newsletter mailed via first-class postage on a quarterly basis are also helping to gain new interest and membership. In most cases you do not have to be an IMAC member to enter an IMAC contest. (Some contests offer no discount on entry fees for those who belong to IMAC.) Present dues are $15 for a calendar year and you can send that amount, payable to IMAC, to:
Allan Young IMAC Sec./Treas. 2027 Norse Drive #26 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Tournament of Champions
One scale aerobatics contest that is not an IMAC event (but uses the IMAC flying format) is the well-known Tournament of Champions, hosted by William Bennett in Las Vegas. This invitational competition is now slated to be an annual affair. The TOC is the extreme cutting edge of scale aerobatics, featuring the world's top pilots flying huge model aircraft through Known and Unknown sequences, plus radical Freestyle maneuvers that most people find almost impossible to believe.
It's probably accurate to call this event the ultimate goal for the hard-core scale aerobatics fanatic. For most of us, the prospects of an invitation to the TOC are pretty slim. Unless you had a large amount of time, money, and sponsorship available, you probably couldn't hope to enter at that level anyway. That's okay, because at that level the competition would usually be a lot like a job rather than a hobby. Most of us will be better served if we set our goals at more realistic levels.
Most likely, the most universal goal is to have fun. Following very closely is the goal of becoming the best pilot we can be. Anybody can have fun and improve their flying skills by simply following a structured program of flight that includes performing the various aerobatic maneuvers as precisely as possible.
How you can help
Space is running short for this installment, so I'll close with a plea for your input. The only way that this column can be what you want it to be is for you to tell me what you would like to see. Please send:
- your questions and comments,
- photographs of scale aerobatics aircraft (send duplicate prints whenever possible),
- building and finishing tips,
- anything else you would like to see covered.
If you desire a personal response, please include a SASE.
Until next time, have fun and fly safely!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
