North USRA coast challenge

Model Airplane News, Jan 2003 by Bell, Rick

"GENTLEMEN! START YOUR ENGINES!" was the cry I heard at the Unlimited Scale Racing Association's (USRA) Third Annual North Coast Challenge on the weekend of August 15 to 18. This giant-scale racing event was held at the Ashtabula County Airport in Jefferson, OH. Hosted by the Mentor Area Radio Control Society (MARCS) R/C Club, it was one of the finest races-at one of the greatest facilities-I've ever attended. (Many thanks to airport director Steve Vibbard for his wonderful hospitality.) Contestants came from as far away as Hawaii to race-and race they did! Under the guidance of race director Tony Husak and his hardworking team, heat after heat ran without a hitch.

I've been to many races over the years, but this was my first giant-scale event, and it was impressive. From the sound of fire-breathing engines on the tarmac to the extreme speeds of the unlimited and experimental racers, it was truly awesome. I really wasn't prepared for the beauty and sheer size of the models and the skill required of the pilots. Quick thumbs and confidence were as much a requirement as was a reliable engine.

EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR!

As in past USRA events, several classes were run: Biplane, AT-6, Formula One, Thompson Trophy, Unlimited, Experimental and Dominator. The AT-6 class, in which piloting skill plays the biggest role, really impressed me. All engines must be box-stock Zenoah G-- 62s, and the event organizers supply the fuel and props to each contestant. Plus, the planes must meet minimum parameters or risk disqualification. The kicker, in the AT-6 class, though, is that the winner of the gold race goes home without his engine. To ensure that the engine is stock, it's removed from the plane after the race and sent to a qualified inspector and torn down for examination. Sure keeps you honest!

To put on a first-class event of this size, you need a first-class contest director and volunteers-a lot of volunteers. Approximately 45 worked at the race and behind the scenes. This is where Tony Husak's experience was so important; it was his third year running the show, and he knew how to keep things moving.

This year, more than 40 pilots flew in the various classes. After a pilot briefing each morning where workers and pilots could bring up any concerns, several heats were flown each day. Safety was heavily emphasized at the briefings, and I'm happy to report that there were no incidents. The racing was exciting with many neck-and-neck heats, especially in AT-6 and Formula One; some were a little too close, as those involved in midairs will tell you. For sheer excitement, Unlimited and Experimental really got the adrenaline going! The speeds of those brutes approached 220mph, and for a few laps, even above! Four-second lap times weren't uncommon. Whew!

SPONSORS

Events of this magnitude aren't possible without the generosity of its many sponsors. The purse for the North Coast Challenge was more than $9,000 in prize money and goodies. Horizon Hobby, Airtronics, Aerosport, Robart, TruTurn, KT Aviation, Ed Rankin Designs and others contributed, and the MARCS thanks them all.

IN THE FUTURE

The USRA is the premier organization for giant-scale racing and has high hopes for its continued growth. The Dominator class is an example of the strides made to bring newcomers into the sport. Other changes are being considered to reduce the cost of participating in this heart-- thumping hobby. For more information about giant-scale racing, contact Unlimited Scale Racing Association (USRA), P.O. Box 396, Mentor, OH 44060, or www.usrainfo.org.

DATA LOGGER ONBOARD DATA RECORDER

NASCAR RACERS DO IT, as do Formula 1 and drag racers; in fact, it's done in just about every form of racing. What is it? The onboard recording of real-time performance data during a race, and the Aerosport EDL-IV Data Logger is the weapon of choice in giant-scale racing. The unit consists of a solid-state onboard data logger that captures information on such important performance parameters as exhaust gas temperature, airspeed, engine rpm and lap time as they happen. It then allows the racer to optimize the mixture settings, propeller selection, engine-cooling requirements and even his "lines" around the racecourse. After a race, the information can be viewed on a hand-held display or downloaded to a laptop computer.

For the unit to work, various sensors must be installed on the model. For rpm, a Hall-effect sensor is mounted on the engine lugs and magnet in the rear of the spinner backplate. To capture engine temperature, a thermocouple is installed in the muffler as close as possible to the exhaust port. And just like full-scale aircraft, a Pitot tube must be installed in the leading edge of the wing. Thesensor contains a diaphram that measures the pressure of the oncoming air.

After one race, I was able to see the Data Logger in action. When the pilot brought his model back to his work area, he plugged the hand-held unit into the plane to capture the information from the onboard recorder. Then he plugged the hand-held unit into a laptop computer and downloaded the data, which was then printed out in graph form: engine rpm and lap time for each lap and engine temperature for the heat that had just been raced. Based on that information, the pilot was able to determine that he had pulled too hard in the turns because the engine rpm had dropped off and then picked up again. Now it was easy for the pilot to adjust the plane's control throws and run a smoother next race.