Wright Stuff C

[coachchuckaahs]

I am a big proponent of finding the optimal. So you have to go beyond optimal to find it. If your data says it gets better with each increase of pitch, keep going until it reverses. Then back off a bit.

Keep in mind though that this is a many-variable game. Sometimes chasing so far out of "ordinary" will box you in. Quite some time ago we were seeing improvements with a certain pitch combination (low pitch) that went against the norm. But then things stalled, and we could not get decent performance. It took an experience (world champion) indoor flyer one look to say "you need more pitch. A LOT more pitch". We listened, and things worked again. So, it is good to verify that you are not totally off your rocker, but then again unless you push the boundaries, you will only be as good as what others have tried.

Keep good notes so that you can go back when you find you have gone off the cliff!

In this case, I think you will find a clear answer.

Coach Chuck

[sciencegirl03]

I am a big proponent of finding the optimal. So you have to go beyond optimal to find it. If your data says it gets better with each increase of pitch, keep going until it reverses. Then back off a bit.

Keep in mind though that this is a many-variable game. Sometimes chasing so far out of "ordinary" will box you in. Quite some time ago we were seeing improvements with a certain pitch combination (low pitch) that went against the norm. But then things stalled, and we could not get decent performance. It took an experience (world champion) indoor flyer one look to say "you need more pitch. A LOT more pitch". We listened, and things worked again. So, it is good to verify that you are not totally off your rocker, but then again unless you push the boundaries, you will only be as good as what others have tried.

Keep good notes so that you can go back when you find you have gone off the cliff!

In this case, I think you will find a clear answer.

Coach Chuck

Got it, thanks for the advice. I will try experimenting more to push the boundaries!

[coachchuckaahs]

NOTE:

A new FAQ was added, and then modified. This has to do with sizing and measurement of your wing. The modified version recognizes that hand-built wing(s) will differ slightly in size, so by definition one is larger and is thus the wing. This clarifies the question of whether a true tandem is legal. The original, but now crossed out, interpretation was that a "true tandem" is a construction violation.

Be sure you understand how this new FAQ may impact your wing markings!

Coach Chuck

[Rossyspsce]

NOTE:

A new FAQ was added, and then modified. This has to do with sizing and measurement of your wing. The modified version recognizes that hand-built wing(s) will differ slightly in size, so by definition one is larger and is thus the wing. This clarifies the question of whether a true tandem is legal. The original, but now crossed out, interpretation was that a "true tandem" is a construction violation.

Be sure you understand how this new FAQ may impact your wing markings!

Coach Chuck

My understanding of this is building two 35x7cm wings will be allowed. Wdym by wing markings? Is this in reference to the winglets?

[coachchuckaahs]

That is my understanding too. That is based on the interpretation that with hand built, one will be larger than the other.

Markings I am referring to the bonus markings, which must be on the wing.

Coach Chuck

[klastyioer]

That is my understanding too. That is based on the interpretation that with hand built, one will be larger than the other.

Markings I am referring to the bonus markings, which must be on the wing.

Coach Chuck

couldnt you just mark both just incase? they cant dq you for having black sharpie on ur mylar lol

also im still kind of confused, theyre both allowed to be 35x7 right?
i dont get what the hand built larger thing

[coachchuckaahs]

It appears the initial response to the question was that it is a competition violation to have a wing and a stab both the same size, because the wing is "defined as the single largest surface". However, it appears they re-thought this, and concluded that even if both are built in the same fixture, at some level, they differ in size, and thus one is bigger than the other. It may only be a thousandth of an inch, but these are hand-built and thus will indeed differ. Therefore, one is larger than the other, and thus is the wing..

But, if your surfaces are very close in size to each other, you may consider marking all surfaces per the bonus rule.

Coach Chuck

[klastyioer]

It appears the initial response to the question was that it is a competition violation to have a wing and a stab both the same size, because the wing is "defined as the single largest surface". However, it appears they re-thought this, and concluded that even if both are built in the same fixture, at some level, they differ in size, and thus one is bigger than the other. It may only be a thousandth of an inch, but these are hand-built and thus will indeed differ. Therefore, one is larger than the other, and thus is the wing..

But, if your surfaces are very close in size to each other, you may consider marking all surfaces per the bonus rule.

Coach Chuck

so its kind of like theres no possible way for a hand built set of parts are identical in size so like you should be fine cause one will def be larger?

and i probably will just to be safe because theres no harm in doing so

[coachchuckaahs]

Yes, that appears to be the conclusion. And that was Dave's position when he introduced the kit.

I think they would be hard pressed to argue that the surfaces are identical.

Coach Chuck

[bjt4888]

Agree with everything noted by Coach Chuck.

In order to address the wing and stabilizer size and definition issues, my teams built a design with a 34.8 x 6.9 cm forward horizontal surface, with winglets and bonus markings, that is by definition the wing since the rear horizontal surface was built to 34.6 x 6.9 cm.

We were thinking that this would be the simplest configuration for the event supervisors to check in.

We technically didn’t think that we needed to build like this, just Wanted to avoid the possibility of students defending canard configuration with an ES that might not be knowledgeable of airplane design.

I posted a FAQ question related to this at the beginning of the season, as I’m sure others did also, so I’m glad a better clarification is on the official SO website finally. As an ES for our local invitational, I judged effectively the same as this clarification.

Brian T