MODEL FLYING COMPETITIONS.

§ 1. From time to time flying competitions are arranged for model aeroplanes. Sometimes these competitions are entirely open, but more generally they are arranged by local clubs with both closed and open events.

No two programmes are probably exactly alike, but the following may be taken as fairly representative:—

1. Longest flight measured in a straight line (sometimes both with and against the wind).[48]

2. Stability (both longitudinal and transverse).

3. Longest glide when launched from a given height without power, but with motor and propeller attached.

4. Steering.

5. Greatest height.

6. The best all-round model, including, in addition to the above, excellence in building.

Generally so many "points" or marks are given for each test, and the model whose aggregate of points makes the largest total wins the prize; or more than one prize may be offered—

One for the longest flight.

One for the swiftest flight over a measured distance.

One for the greatest height.

One for stability and steering.

And one for the best all-round model.

The models are divided into classes:—

§ 2. Aero Models Association's Classification, etc.

All surfaces, whether vertical, horizontal, or otherwise, to be calculated together for the above classification.

All round efficiency—marks or points as percentages:—

Two prizes:—

One for length of flight.

One for all-round efficiency (marked as above).

Every competitor to be allowed three trials in each competition, the best only to count.

All flights to be measured in a straight line from the starting to the landing point.

Repairs may be made during the competition at the direction of the judges.[50]

There are one or two other points where flights are not made with and against the wind. The competitors are usually requested to start their models from within a given circle of (say) six feet diameter, and fly them in any direction they please.

"Gliding angle" means that the model is allowed to fall from a height (say) of 20 ft.

"Directional control," that the model is launched in some specified direction, and must pass as near as possible over some indicated point.

The models are practically always launched by hand.

§ 3. Those who desire to win prizes at such competitions would do well to keep the following points well in mind.

1. The distance is always measured in a straight line. It is absolutely essential that your model should be capable of flying (approximately) straight. To see, as I have done, model after model fly quite 150 to 200 yards and finish within 50 yards of the starting-point (credited flight 50 yards) is useless, and a severe strain on one's temper and patience.

2. Always enter more than one model, there nearly always is an entrance fee; never mind the extra shilling or so. Go in to win.

3. It is not necessary that these models should be replicas of one another. On some days a light fabric-covered model might stand the best chance; on another day, a swift flying wooden or metal aerofoil.

Against the wind the latter have an immense advantage; also if the day be a "gusty" one.[51]

4. Always make it a point of arriving early on the ground, so that you can make some trial flights beforehand. Every ground has its local peculiarities of air currents, etc.

5. Always be ready in time, or you may be disqualified. If you are flying a twin-screw model use a special winder, so that both propellers are wound up at the same time, and take a competent friend with you as assistant.

6. For all-round efficiency nothing but a good all-round model, which can be absolutely relied on to make a dozen (approximately) equivalent flights, is any good.

7. In an open distance competition, unless you have a model which you can rely on to make a minimum flight of 200 yards, do not enter unless you know for certain that none of the "crack" flyers will be present.

8. Do not neglect the smallest detail likely to lead to success; be prepared with spare parts, extra rubber, one or two handy tools, wire, thread, etc. Before a lecture, that prince of experimentalists, Faraday, was always careful to see that the stoppers of all the bottles were loose, so that there should be no delay or mishap.

9. If the rating of the model be by "weight" (1 oz., 2 oz., 4 oz., etc.) and not area, use a model weighing from 10 oz. to a pound.

10. If there is a greatest height prize, a helicopter model should win it.[52] (The writer has attained an altitude of between three and four hundred feet with such.) The altitude was arrived at by observation, not guesswork.

11. It is most important that your model should be able to "land" without damage, and, as far as possible, on an even keel; do not omit some form of "skid" or "shock-absorber" with the idea of saving weight, more especially if your model be a biplane, or the number of flights may be restricted to the number "one."

12. Since the best "gliding" angle and "flying" angle are not the same, being, say, 7° in the former case and 1°-3°, say, in the latter, an adjustable angle might in some cases be advantageous.

13. Never turn up at a competition with a model only just finished and practically untested which you have flown only on the morning of the competition, using old rubber and winding to 500 turns; result, a flight of 250 yards, say. Arrived on the competition ground you put on new rubber and wind to 750 turns, and expect a flight of a quarter of a mile at least; result 70 yards, measured in a straight line from the starting-point.

14. Directional control is the most difficult problem to overcome with any degree of success under all adverse conditions, and 15 per cent., in the writer's opinion, is far too low a percentage; by directional I include flying in a straight line; personally I would mark for all-round efficiency: (A) distance and stability, 50 per cent.; (B) directional control, 30 per cent.; (C) duration of flight, 20 per cent. In A the competitor would launch his model in any direction; in B as directed by the judges. No separate flights required for C.