Doug Holverson
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- Jul 4, 2012
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A friend is asking me about S8D out of the blue. I mainly know that it exists. Where does anyone begin?
SBEA friend is asking me about S8D out of the blue. I mainly know that it exists. Where does anyone begin?
Yes, there would be S8D for juniors and S8D/P for seniors with .9 meter and 1.1 meter wingspan requirements respectively I believe.MANY S8 flights flown today at the World Spacemodeling Championships near Austin. If I hadn't been so busy wrangling altimeters and data for the S1 flyers, I'd have watched some. Brian Muzek is among those participating today.
Really challenging conditions with gusty winds.
S8D would be S8 flown on D impulse motors.
If you come out again tomorrow for S2/P stop by the altimeter tent and say hello (if we're not swamped with business at the time).I came down to the WSMC for Wed afternoon and Thursday. I enjoyed seeing a number of the Jr S8D flights and the two fly off rounds Wed afternoon for S8E. Meant to be here sooner, but life is plan B.
During the fly off rounds, the top 5 (if I recall correctly, might have been 6) models were launched in rapid succession and flew more or less together. From my viewpoint, they all boosted up and transitioned in front of a big white cumulus cloud. A beautiful sight!
At the event now. The scale activity had a little rain after lunch, but is is beautiful again, a little cooler and things are about to resume.
There were some “exciting” scale flights this AM during Jr S7…. Not to worry: everyone survived, no injuries.
It is important to have a nearly vertical boost. The rules state that the model’s ascent trajectory must be within 30 degrees of either side vertical. It is difficult for the Range Safety Officer (RSO) to accurately judge the +/-30 degree “cone” when stationed near the launch site. Therefore, it’s important to have a smooth, near vertical boost to avoid being disqualified. Models that have jerky “stair stepping” trajectoriesLearning to control the S8D ( S8, too, for that matter ), during powered flight, is probably to most difficult obstacle to overcome . . . 99% + of S8-type models will not Boost "Hands-Off", successfully, to Apogee. Also, "S8-type" models are not launched vertically, but at a much shallower angle.
Dave F.
Agreed . . . I edited my previous post and inserted this video.It is important to have a nearly vertical boost. The rules state that the model’s ascent trajectory must be within 30 degrees of either side vertical. It is difficult for the Range Safety Officer (RSO) to accurately judge the +/-30 degree “cone” when stationed near the launch site. Therefore, it’s important to have a smooth, near vertical boost to avoid being disqualified. Models that have jerky “stair stepping” trajectories
Agreed . . . I edited my previous post and inserted this video.
Alas, could only be there Wed/Thur. Kept an eye out for you (saw you were going to be there via your posts). Ran in to a few folks I know.If you come out again tomorrow for S2/P stop by the altimeter tent and say hello (if we're not swamped with business at the time).
Perhaps, the late George Gassaway can "enlighten" you . . .You post still incorrectly states that S8 type models are not launched vertically.
Well, as frantic as it was in the altimeter tent on Friday it is just as well. I wouldn't have been able to give you more than 10 seconds. We expected 39 competitors in S2/P but four members of the Chinese team were added, so we had 43 people, each trying to get a flight in during a one hour round, then getting their Adrels read, results documented, then swapped with another altimeter (ad a topped up cell) for the next round. And we started the morning with 37 good Adrels (and two more released after a Romanian protest over a couple of S5 flights on Thursday was denied). Then repeat again for a third round, and after that they all wanted their deposits back. Avis, Dan, Will and I, even with some assistance from Rachel Nowak and Chris Kidwell, were swamped pretty much until the third round was over at 11:15.Alas, could only be there Wed/Thur. Kept an eye out for you (saw you were going to be there via your posts). Ran in to a few folks I know.
Sure enjoyed what I was able to see.
Highly unlikely to ever be another WSMC within a 2.5 hour drive from my house in the remainder of my lifetime….
Bernard, you and your wife rocked. It was great to have both of you participating as part of the Championships delivery team!We just got home — a one hour drive, four hour flight, then 20 minute drive.
The UK team would like to thank all of the Adrel operators for your serviceWell, as frantic as it was in the altimeter tent on Friday it is just as well. I wouldn't have been able to give you more than 10 seconds. We expected 39 competitors in S2/P but four members of the Chinese team were added, so we had 43 people, each trying to get a flight in during a one hour round, then getting their Adrels read, results documented, then swapped with another altimeter (ad a topped up cell) for the next round. And we started the morning with 37 good Adrels (and two more released after a Romanian protest over a couple of S5 flights on Thursday was denied). Then repeat again for a third round, and after that they all wanted their deposits back. Avis, Dan, Will and I, even with some assistance from Rachel Nowak and Steve Kidwell, were swamped pretty much until the third round was over at 11:15.
We just got home — a one hour drive, four hour flight, then 20 minute drive.
Thanks for being such great “customers”! It was my first WSMC and I was pleased that everyone got along so well and had such a good time!The UK team would like to thank all of the Adrel operators for your service
Learning to control the S8D ( S8, too, for that matter ), during powered flight, is probably the most difficult obstacle to overcome . . .
99% + of S8-type models will not Boost "Hands-Off", successfully, to Apogee.
Also, "S8-type" models are not launched vertically, but at a much shallower angle.
Dave F.
Can confirm that everyone was launching at about a 10-degree boost angle. Any closer to the 30-degree limit than that and you're giving up precious altitude and flirting with a DQ, any closer to vertical and you will have perspective challenges on boost.These photos are probably within 10 degrees of vertical from the latest WSMC
So, under unwavering conditions contestants have to do some pretty fancy flying to stay within the 30 degree cone and under the 400 foot limit?Can confirm that everyone was launching at about a 10-degree boost angle. Any closer to the 30-degree limit than that and you're giving up precious altitude and flirting with a DQ, any closer to vertical and you will have perspective challenges on boost.
Of particular note is the fact that this event was operated under an FAA-issued waiver to the 400' AGL altitude limit imposed upon UAS systems by Section 44808 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The team at the Academy of Model Aeronautics guided us through the process, which allowed flights to the base of Class E airspace over the launch site, or 1.200' AGL. This was one of the first waivers for these operations ever issued.
In addition all S8 pilots, both US and foreign, had all of the proper registration documentation to fly legally in the US.
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