National Free Flight Society

SEN 3259

  1. In search of a F1Q models for a Junior competitor.
  2. Energy-based early functions in Q.
  3. Harvest Classic Report and results

 

In search of a F1Q models for a Junior competitor.

From: Sevak Malkhasyan
Please reach out with suggestions, pictures and $$$.
With F1Q becoming an official World Champs event, all suppliers are backed up with orders for months.
Sevak Malkhasyan
323 – 394 -3424
gtsfreeflight@gmail.com



Energy-based early functions in Q.
From:  Aram Schlosberg
.
I asked Massimo Ursicinio from freeflight electronics about enabling the energy limiter (EL) in a Q model to send a pre-motor-cutoff signal, defined in terms of energy to the eTimer, just like is send a signal when the model’s energy budget is depleted. A pre-motor-cutoff could be used to kick in the rudder or slow down the motor, when say 95% of the model’s energy budget has been reached.
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In a Q, the actual length of the motor run has a random component, depending on the battery’s characteristics and charge, the ambient temperature and the model’s climb pattern. The motor run will also be terminated by the eTimer if the motor run ceiling breached first.
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Suppose that the early function is set to say 18 seconds by the eTimer, it will be in effect between 0 and 2 seconds — depending whether the EL sent a signal before 18 seconds, between 18 and 20 seconds or above 20 seconds respectively. In other words, its length and effectiveness will vary each flight.
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In contrast, if the early-function is defined in terms of the ENERGY used, say 95% of the total budget energy and if the actual motor run is up to 20 seconds, then the time interval of the early cutoff function will be consistent across flights.
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Although Massimo thinks early functions are an interesting and useful idea, he claims it violates the prohibition on closed-loop-control-loops in free flight models.
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But closed-loop-control-loops require a SENSOR measuring things like altitude, acceleration, pitch etc that are used to control the model. Obviously, this does not apply to an EL, which is preset before the model is launched.
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Since ELs’ energy based motor termination signals are legal, the same apply to energy based early-function signals. Hopefully, they will be implemented soon. ///

Editorial Comment

Aram, it is my understanding that Massimo is the CIAM FFTSC’s Electronic expert, perhaps the USA TSC or FAI FF committee should ask the FFTS for an official ruling as this should be done before any development resources are wasted ?  I do agree with you that this does not seem to be a true closed loop.


Harvest Classic Report

Harvest Classic
John Clapp Memorial
American Cup/National Cup
Wawaywanda, NY
September 14-15 2024

The weather was exceptional — cool and calm, with the drift down the field from the northeast. Since the first segment at north end of the field was freshly planted, we had to use golf carts to reach the center to launch from. A few flights landed in the edge of the corn on the west.
Of note is the A altimeter flyoff between the Barrons on Sunday with a 4-minute max. The altitudes were read from the All-Tee altimeters in two brand new A models.  I had a wing detach from a Q model in climb, on a trimming flight after the contest. Evidently, the solid carbon 5 mm rod was already damaged in a previous hard landing.

Don Rousseau made Dawn Unlimited flight with a brand-new model. Kent Weaver made his first visit to the field from Pennsylvania.  Andrew was a very helpful assistant CD. We usually held this contest in October, but moved shifted it forward because of the Finals next month at Lost Hills.
Aram Schlosberg

Harvest Classic 2024
September 14,15, Wawaywanda NY
Flyoffs
1     2     3     4     5      EventTotal Contestant     Time meters
180   180   180   180   180      A      900 Peter Barron     240     66
180   180   180   180   180      A      900 Andrew Barron    240     42
.
150   150   150   150   150      B      750 Ron Felix
150   DNF   150   150   150      B      600 Aram Schlosberg
45    40    90    47    47      B      269 Jerry Gross
.
120   120   120    87    67      G      514 Bill Buss
97   120   101   107    71      G      496 Don Rousseau
65   120    43    77    98      G      403 Jerry Gross
.
H       34 Larry Pelatowski
.
180   180   180   180   180      Q      900 Yuda Avla
180   168   180   180   160      Q      868 Aram Schlosberg
.
120   120   120                  E36    360 Drake Hooke      127
120   120   120                  E36    360 Maria Noldy       66
.
120   120   120                  B-elc  360 Drake Hooke
.
44    35    41                  CatG   120 Kent  Weaver
21    51                        CatG    72 Ben Schultz
27    16    22                  CatG    65 Jerry Gross
4     4     4                  CatG    12Larry Pelatowski
.
120   105   120                  P30    345 Bill Buss
90    85   118                  P30    29 3Don Rousseau
120    60   102                  P30    282 Vic Nippert
120    57    75                  P30    252 Gerald Gross
80   110DNF                     P30    190 Ian Hurly
32    47    89                  P30    168 Kent  Weaver
87DNF   DNF                     P30     87 Larry Pelatowski
.
56   120    39                  HLG    215 Kent Weaver
71    96    34                  HLG    201 Larry Pelatowski
51    18    10                  HLG     79 Ben Schultz
.
DawnU   96 Don Rousseau


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…………..
Roger Morrell