RC Aerobatics: The Latest News

Time and again, F3A aerobatics has been declared dead by pessimists. Ambitious plans for giant models (F3M) and jets (F3S) have faded away. Only indoor aerobatics (F3P) has gained widespread acceptance after a strong start. Aerobatic competitions for large scale models are organized by a commission or interest group—the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) of the American Model Aircraft Association (AMA). The organization explicitly calls its sport “Scale Aerobatics.” In my view, this is a welcome alternative to F3A models, which hardly resemble manned aerobatic aircraft anymore. The following classes are flown: Basic, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, Unlimited, Freestyle, and Seniors. Seven competitions are also scheduled in Europe this year: Hungary, Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.
(https://www.imaceurope.com)

The impact of the increasing demands of F3A programs is becoming a major challenge not only for the athletes themselves but also for the judges. There is a lack of plans or even concepts for introducing young people to RC aerobatics—and not just in Switzerland. A possible approach was developed some time ago in the NOS region with “Sportflyers.” Simple two-level maneuver programs—“Basics” and “Upper”—often using very simple models—have consistently attracted ten or more participants to competitive flying. Other regions have joined the Sportflyers initiative. However, it must be clearly stated here: Organizing competitions—which should be designed to require as little effort as possible—is not enough on its own. In addition,

1. Looping
2. Half Reverse Cuban Eight
3. Roll
4. Humpty Bump with a half roll upward
5. Double Immelmann with half rolls
6. Turn (or steep turn) with 2 half rolls
7. Inverted flight
8. Immelmann (half loop with half roll)
9. Spin with 3 rotations

A support system must be established: Several training sessions are needed before the competitions. Only these sessions give the juniors more confidence. Added to this is the group dynamic, within which most of them feel supported. The “Young SilentWings” project also makes a significant contribution. The market offers very nice ready-to-fly models suitable for aerobatics. Equipping these aircraft with a powerplant and RC system requires a fair amount of experience. This is a significant challenge—not just for young people. This is where the project comes in. Together, instructors and young people work on getting the aircraft airworthy, right up to the test flight. “Jetflyers” represent another interesting aerobatics class. The young people themselves have shown us the fantastic flying possibilities offered by these small foam jets. These prove to be a wonderful and attractive complement to the other two classes. Young people should fly what’s fun, too.

• September 7: Erlen Airfield, Breitenbach,
  Felix Andres,
  felix.andres@bluewin.ch
• September 14: MG Riggisberg Airfield,
  Daniela Schmitter,
  daniela.schmitter@bluewin.ch
• September 21: Uster MG Airfield, Nänikon,
  Emil Giezendanner,
  ebi.giezendanner@bluewin.ch

1. Triangle from above
2. Half square loop with half roll
3. Square loop on the tip with 2 half rolls
4. Figure 9 with a half roll
5. 4 consecutive quarter rolls
6. Turn with half roll (downward)
7. Double Immelmann with 3 half rolls
8. Humpty Bump with a half roll
9. Half roll – loop – half roll
10. Half square loop on a corner
11. Half cloverleaf
12. Reverse ET
13. Twist with 2 rotations

1. Cuban Eight
2. Backflip
3. Loop with a full roll at the top
4. 2 half rolls in opposite directions
5. Combined Immelmann
6. 4-point roll

Max. flight time: 4 min. (excluding takeoff and landing)

Models: Electric-powered
Maximum flight weight: 4.0 kg