Dean Bird
Lifetime Supporter
Hello everyone. My new CARF-Models 2013 Series 122” Extra 330SC in the Yellow Chequer scheme has arrived.
I wanted to share the research I did before I decided to go with the CARF-Models 122” Extra 330SC. Last fall I knew I was ready for a new airplane for IMAC competition. I had been flying a 118” Extra 300 and having a blast. I had no idea what I wanted to get.
For my new airplane I wanted to find out what the top competitors are looking for in a competition airframe. I contacted the U.S. pilots in the top seven at the 2012 Clover Creek Invitational and the 2012 Tucson Shootout. The U.S. pilots in the top seven at those two events included eight pilots.
I contacted those eight pilots and asked them five quick questions about airframes for IMAC style competition.
- What would you consider the optimal wingspan and weight for sequence work?
- What is the wingspan and weight of the airframe you flew at the CCI/TAS?
- What do you consider the advantages and disadvantages of a wood airframe?
- What do you consider the advantages and disadvantages of a composite airframe?
- What do you look for in a competition airframe?
Seven of the eight responded and they were all very insightful, helpful, and encouraging about the research. They were impressed that I was taking the time to really research what I thought would be the best airframe for me. I also got responses from one of the builders/callers for one of the pilots. That was another interesting perspective.
After talking with these seven pilots, it boiled down to a few common themes.
- The sweet spot for wingspan was 121” to 124”
- The sweet spot for weight for five of the seven pilots was between 41 and 42.5 pounds
Two of them were outside that norm and preferred 39 pounds. One of the pilots wants 41.5 pounds for calm conditions and prefers his 43 pound backup plane in windy conditions.
Based on all that, I still think I’ve hit a good average with the 121” to 124” wingspan with a weight between 41 and 42.5 pounds.
I wanted to share the research I did before I decided to go with the CARF-Models 122” Extra 330SC. Last fall I knew I was ready for a new airplane for IMAC competition. I had been flying a 118” Extra 300 and having a blast. I had no idea what I wanted to get.
For my new airplane I wanted to find out what the top competitors are looking for in a competition airframe. I contacted the U.S. pilots in the top seven at the 2012 Clover Creek Invitational and the 2012 Tucson Shootout. The U.S. pilots in the top seven at those two events included eight pilots.
I contacted those eight pilots and asked them five quick questions about airframes for IMAC style competition.
- What would you consider the optimal wingspan and weight for sequence work?
- What is the wingspan and weight of the airframe you flew at the CCI/TAS?
- What do you consider the advantages and disadvantages of a wood airframe?
- What do you consider the advantages and disadvantages of a composite airframe?
- What do you look for in a competition airframe?
Seven of the eight responded and they were all very insightful, helpful, and encouraging about the research. They were impressed that I was taking the time to really research what I thought would be the best airframe for me. I also got responses from one of the builders/callers for one of the pilots. That was another interesting perspective.
After talking with these seven pilots, it boiled down to a few common themes.
- The sweet spot for wingspan was 121” to 124”
- The sweet spot for weight for five of the seven pilots was between 41 and 42.5 pounds
Two of them were outside that norm and preferred 39 pounds. One of the pilots wants 41.5 pounds for calm conditions and prefers his 43 pound backup plane in windy conditions.
Based on all that, I still think I’ve hit a good average with the 121” to 124” wingspan with a weight between 41 and 42.5 pounds.
