Wright Stuff B

[coachchuckaahs]

Sorry if my tone came across bent out of shape, not intended. Thanks for replies, and I recognize the site is not official.

We did fly this week, and our first build flew well. Kids are excited to see their creation fly. Unfortunately, still too warm outside and we could not get A/C turned off, but we got the plane trimmed and got some decent times considering the rough conditions.

And we used a super-fat black Sharpie

Chuck

[fifty_missions]

Changes to Black-

There are a number of reasons for the markings already. The most predominant is for officials and especially the timers to track models in flight. This especially true in high ceiling sites such as the Illinois state flying site in an armory and Indiana's state site at a fieldhouse. As for black, there is no questioning on the color, period. It avoids issues of what is non-white or opaque.

This color marking is also for spectators so they, too, are able to track the models in flight. This can be difficult for them searching for a model with mostly clear covering rendering it to be quite stealthy especially when near the ceiling and bright lights.

Lastly, it also helps the photographers to better track the model while they are aiming heavy cameras. The flying events tend to get their attention as well as most spectators because we have accommodated the visual perception issue. Talk with any professional photographer, Black is one of their preferred colors for tracking an object.

Every year Science Olympiad introduces some degree of change especially in the flying events. This color change to Black is just one.

BTW, Black Tissue is probably the best way to go. Less chance to poke a hole or stretch in the covering during application and the color coverage is excellent. What very little mass it adds can be used to an advantage for basic trim designed into the model Just waft some spray adhesive over the Black tissue and apply. Make the tissue longer that the chord and simply wrap around the leading and trailing edges. Makes for a very clean install of Black.

Regards,
Fifty Missions

[kylg]

Does anybody know when Dave Zeigler will release the 2017-2018 division B wright stuff kit?
Also, Since there is no specific way to tell whether or not you used a "magic marker" to mark your model black, I assume that the decision will be subjective. One could argue the pigments in different brands of "magic marker" when applied evenly are almost identical to a black spray. One Idea I have right now is cutting open a "magic marker" and squeezing the pigment out, then diluting it with a liquid and spray and/or brush on. Technically I am using a magic marker.

[retired1]

Hi,
Dave is taking pre orders by email only at this time. Kits will be shipped the end of this month or early next month. He said that he plans to have his web site up the first of next month.
This years kit is a bit similar to last years with several improvements to make it easier to build.

I do not think that event supervisors are going to be terribly picky about the black panel if you have made a reasonable effort to comply. There is always the possibility of a purist for the ES, so do the best that you can to avoid problems.

[kylg]

So, how do you preorder the 2018 model? You go to freedom flight models, get his email, and request to pre-order? How would you pay him if it is in an email?

[kinghong1970]

So, how do you preorder the 2018 model? You go to freedom flight models, get his email, and request to pre-order? How would you pay him if it is in an email?

you go to his website, you can find his contact.
i suggest you email him and see what arrangements you can make with him.

paypal? credit card number over phone? get address and mail him a check? just some of the common techniques available in the e-commerce world these days.

cheers!

[SPP SciO]

On the subject of kits, and I mentioned it in the other thread but I’ll give another free advertisement here: check out Laser Cut Planes.

The first couple of years I coached SciO I ordered from Freedom Flight models (gliders then, and a few propeller planes to get started with Wright Stuff) and the quality of instructions and materials was excellent. However, it’s not a good place to start. We ultimately had more success building gliders from scratch, and then finding the Laser Cut Planes. LCP models went together quickly, without my intervention, and kids were flying much sooner.

It’s worth saying again that the skills to win are learned in the gym much moreso than at the work bench. If a kid plays baseball, a high-end bat won’t help him hit better until he learns the fundamentals of hitting. The same logic is why I’d strongly suggest going to Laser Cut Planes first, and consider Freedom Flight after some skills are in place.

It is a shame, that in a world of RC drones, this appears to be a dying hobby. I’ve never seen a brick and mortar store that sells kits like these (and you can buy almost anything in nyc). There are probably students who could really master this hobby, but only get the opportunity to work at it from age 12-14.

[kylg]

Thank you (kinghong1970) for the advice on how to pre-order the 2018 model on freedom flight models.
Also, thank you (SPP sciO) for reminding me of laser cut planes as an option.
I visited laser cut plane's website and the "vanguard p-18" is very familiar to me because I have seen many people use it at competition.
I realize laser cut planes can be very competitive yet still be very affordable but I have some questions about this year's plane they have.
They call it "Fruit Bat" and list describe it as "for the 2018 rule". What rule are they talking about? Is it the scioly rule or some other model airplane competition? Does it take advantage of this year's specs and follow specifications?

[kinghong1970]

Thank you (kinghong1970) for the advice on how to pre-order the 2018 model on freedom flight models.
Also, thank you (SPP sciO) for reminding me of laser cut planes as an option.
I visited laser cut plane's website and the "vanguard p-18" is very familiar to me because I have seen many people use it at competition.
I realize laser cut planes can be very competitive yet still be very affordable but I have some questions about this year's plane they have.
They call it "Fruit Bat" and list describe it as "for the 2018 rule". What rule are they talking about? Is it the scioly rule or some other model airplane competition? Does it take advantage of this year's specs and follow specifications?

This year spec on plane is different from last years
So last year kit if you have is good for kids practice but will not qualify to this year spec

[kylg]

Is there any experimentation on the design of the wright stuff planes? So far I've only seen one type of plane that generally flies good.
I am thinking of making a plane.