T-6 Pylon Racing League Formed

If you have ever wanted to participate in pylon racing, but thought that the planes were too noisy, too fast or too expensive, then this new league is for you.  Silent, slow, simple and inexpensive fun is the intent of the new racing formula developed for early morning/evening action at Pinnacle Street.  Just like the full scale T-6 racing class at the National Air Races in Reno, this formula relies on bone-stock, graceful, rugged and serviceable warbird trainers for low-pressure competition.  Anyone who has successfully soloed an aileron trainer and assembled an ARF kit has the skills necessary skill to compete in this league.  A standard aircraft formula with minimum weight ensures all entrants will have competitive aircraft.  The racing format assures every competitor a chance to win up to the last lap of every race. 

 The Airplanes

All airplanes are to be the AT-6 Texans available from Fan-Tastic Models (www.fan-tasticmodels.com).  This molded polystyrene foam kit has a 31-1/2” wingspan, 21” fuselage length and weighs around 7-1/2 oz. ready to race.  It features aileron, elevator and speed control.  The motor chosen for the league is the popular GWS IPS DXA geared power unit with a GWS 9 x 7 prop.  This is the tiny motor used in the GWS Lite Stick and Tiger moth kits.  The standard battery pack has seven  "KAN" 250mah nimh cells, which allows for 7-8 minutes of racing action per charge.  Most modelers will complete this kit in 7 to 10 hours. Painting and finishing the plane in a historic, visible or just plane silly manner is what takes up most of the time.  The plane goes together with foam-safe CA, epoxy, Probond or white glue.  Repairs after seemingly devastating mid-airs and other incidents can usually be accomplished at the field with 5-minute epoxy.  Here is a list of parts, along with projected costs, needed to get started:

NOTE: For racing you MUST use the Airplane, motor, battery, and prop listed. Servos, receiver and speed control are your choice. 

COLOR OF THE MODELS AND RADIO FREQUENCY

Because some race events will be flown by more than one model at the same time, it is important that each model has a unique color scheme, and uses a different radio frequency than other models being flown at the same time.

Frequency control will be done using the same pole as it used at the field for normal sport flying. Do not turn on your radio if you do not have a pin in the correct position on the pole.

When finishing your model please use a color scheme that has not already been used by someone in the 495th R/C Squadron.  Check this web space, or contact the people listed at the end of this document to see what colors have not yet been used.

As of 24 August 2004, the following colors have been used:

The Race Course

Pylon Racing Events and Rules

GENERAL:

The Race Official is in charge. All Pilots must do as instructed by the Race Official at all times. This includes landing immediately if so ordered.

There are two events.

1. Time Trial

Time trails are flown by a single pilot and can be either 7 or 10 laps in length. The number of laps will be decided by the Race Official, based on weather conditions and other activity at the field. The object is to complete the laps in the shortest time possible. The Race Official will inform the pilot of the specific Start procedure to be used (which can vary based on the weather conditions). In general, the Pilot will declare that he has begun the Time trial and the Race Official will start to time the Pilot when he first passes the Start/Finish Pole.

If a pilot flies inside an Orange Cone, the Race Official will order the Pilot to return to the cone and fly outside it.

2. Head-to-Head Race Heats

Heats are flown by between 2 and 4 Pilots simultaneously, and can be of either 7 or 10 laps in length.  The number of laps will be decided by the Race Official, based on weather conditions and other activity at the field.

The Heat begins from a simultaneous hand launch from the Pilot Stations in the direction of the Start/Finish Pole, and the Heat is finished when all flyers have passed the Start/Finish Pole after the final lap.

If a pilot flies inside an Orange Cone, the Race Official will order the Pilot to move to the rear of the pack of flyers in a position 10 feet behind the last aircraft.

If a Pilot falls hopelessly behind and is lapped by the rest of the pack, the Race Official will instruct the Pilot to move to the rear of the pack of flyers in a position 10 feet behind the last aircraft. The Pilot will then be considered back on the same lap as the rest of the field.  In this way all pilots will be in a competitive position up to the last lap of the Heat.

3. It's a Blast

The sight of two or more of these planes rounding a pylon together is mesmerizing.  The test races have resulted in extremely tight contests that are decided by the flyer making the smoothest circuit around the pylons.  The planes themselves are slow and stable yet capable of loops and rolls.  They make great sport planes for sunset flights around the local ball field.  They are fun to build and can be detailed as warbirds, Reno racers or just left plain and simple.  They are also a great introduction to electric flight for those glow fliers who might like to try it out.  The intent of the league is low pressure fun for those flying, and humorous entertainment for the spectators. Chris Parent, Jack Berglund and Mike Tully are available to assist you with any questions you may have about building and flying the planes or the race formula.

For more information, please contact Mike Tulley.