ken anderson. Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 hello Charlie- from my point of view I would say your choice of model isn't fit for your intention of taking the A test...if it isn't heavy enough it doesn't qualify/as set down in the rules of the test.....buy something that is more suitable.......... ken Anderson...ne...1 club examiners dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Sorry Ken, but I have to disagree. The test simply requires you to perform it with a model weighing over 1kg (including batteries). On the other hand, if you lightened a model supplied at over 1kg to less than that figure then it would not qualify. Edited By Martin Harris on 30/05/2015 10:05:18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Ken, not everyone has a car. I think the situation may well be the requirement for a model that is both light enough not to need a car for transport and is suitable to learn on then pass the A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Posted by kc on 30/05/2015 09:57:02: Ken, not everyone has a car. I think the situation may well be the requirement for a model that is both light enough not to need a car for transport and is suitable to learn on then pass the A. That maybe the case and for a club solo test it would be fine (if very wind affected) but it would not qualify as a model for a the A Test, the criteria is clearly stated "over 1kg" the A Test is a national standard and not subject to local variances Yes its only 50g under weight, but if you allow local variances where do you stop? 100g, 200g? 500g? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_B Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I think common sense plays a large part here. I have yet to see a model actually being weighed with a calibrated set of digital scales prior to a test and I would like to think that if a model was just a few Grammes under weight that the examiner would not be so pedantic as to not allow the candidate to continue. I think I'm correct in saying that the weight limit was introduced to prevent folks from taking their test with a shockie or indoor type model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Posted by Bill_B on 30/05/2015 10:31:18: I think common sense plays a large part here. I have yet to see a model actually being weighed with a calibrated set of digital scales prior to a test and I would like to think that if a model was just a few Grammes under weight that the examiner would not be so pedantic as to not allow the candidate to continue. I think I'm correct in saying that the weight limit was introduced to prevent folks from taking their test with a shockie or indoor type model. Lot of good sense spoken there Bill but I best not agree or i'll be in bother John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Dave, the discussion is not about cheating with the weight but rather about increasing the weight to over 1k by using a slightly larger Lipo and so fully meeting the A test requirements. Rules are rules and should be complied with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hi all! Now have a few sessions under my belt flying the parkzone Glassair and am really enjoying myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Sounds good to me Charlie, it put any weight on John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Posted by john stones 1 on 31/08/2015 18:37:01: Sounds good to me Charlie, it put any weight on John Hi John It has not put any weight on no. It has had a replacemont cowl though after a crash which ripped open the cowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Happens to us all Charlie, keep enjoying it John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Posted by john stones 1 on 31/08/2015 18:53:01: Happens to us all Charlie, keep enjoying it John Don't worry John I will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuphedd Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 All I did as KC said was to use a bigger lipo , , no problem , the scales showed it above the limit ! and it flew for longer ! cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hi Charlie, in all the discussion about weight another (very significant) issue seems to have slipped through almost unnoticed! If I understand correctly the Glassair has "flying aids" and while these can be reduced they cannot be completely turned-off - a residual stabilisation stays active. If that is so then you can't use the model in this form for the A-test - even if it is over the minimum weight threshold. This could be overcome by fitting an alternative Rx which does not have stabilisation features. I could be wrong - I am only going on my understanding of the Glassair and I have never flown one so that's not first hand knowledge. But I think you need to look into this quite urgently I think. TBH its probably more significant than the 50g under weight which is easily fixed. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 John, why not, in a post about 50 grammes. Half a century ago, I used to stick a pair of pliers in a Junior 60, to make the thing penetrate the wind better. 50 grammes is a bit of glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 31/08/2015 19:40:46: Hi Charlie, in all the discussion about weight another (very significant) issue seems to have slipped through almost unnoticed! If I understand correctly the Glassair has "flying aids" and while these can be reduced they cannot be completely turned-off - a residual stabilisation stays active. If that is so then you can't use the model in this form for the A-test - even if it is over the minimum weight threshold. This could be overcome by fitting an alternative Rx which does not have stabilisation features. I could be wrong - I am only going on my understanding of the Glassair and I have never flown one so that's not first hand knowledge. But I think you need to look into this quite urgently I think. TBH its probably more significant than the 50g under weight which is easily fixed. BEB Will look in to this. Thanks for the heads up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hi Charlie - you might not have seen this document. It is published by the BMFA and is for use by both the examiner and the candidate. It's well worth downloading it, printing it out and then reading it. You will find it very helpful as you train for your A. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Posted by Peter Jenkins on 31/08/2015 20:54:33: Hi Charlie - you might not have seen this document. It is published by the BMFA and is for use by both the examiner and the candidate. It's well worth downloading it, printing it out and then reading it. You will find it very helpful as you train for your A. Peter Thanks Peter Have downloaded as recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Howes Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Just stick a bit of blue tak on the CofG When you pass, just pull it off and throw it at the examiner. Rules are like politicians - best when ignored Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Posted by John Howes on 01/09/2015 13:10:59: Just stick a bit of blue tak on the CofG When you pass, just pull it off and throw it at the examiner. Rules are like politicians - best when ignored Might want to wait while he's posted his copy off first though John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 What a strange attitude! The A test is an "achievement" - in order to demonstrate this achievement there must be some limits otherwise it has little value. In my personal opinion, the weight limit is actually too low - I'm fairly sure that the A certificate was based on a typical 50 - 60 inch span i.c. trainer which has a lot more kinetic energy than a typical marginal 1 kg electric model. These models need far less precise control in order to land on a given area - most can simply dive off extra height without resulting in excessive speed. However, that's the figure that has been decreed and there is no latitude for exceptions - if the model weighs less than 1 kg it doesn't qualify for the scheme - a simple and easily measured (in the case of dispute or doubt) parameter. Why make a fuss? Charlie appears to have accepted the situation and any examiner knowingly passing someone on a non-qualifying model is devaluing the scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 You could argue allsorts of future events that may happen, someone may use his A gained on a little model then go fly a 30cc petrol job at a show/fly in, that he's not safe with, same could happen with someone who passed on a 6lb I.C trainer, There never will be the perfect cover all set of tests. It all rests on us taking our own responsibilitys seriously, you're attitude shown when flying day to day means more to me than 50g (and yes I accept it's the rule). Are we all sure our scales are not 50g out, have they all been sent off and calibrated and all read exactly the same. Concentrate on the safe and in control bit, let the Examiner worry about the 50g bit i'm sure they'll manage to work something out. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I think Charlie is one of the newer members of my club and I have a set of digital luggage scales verified by the Essex CC weights and measures Dept! ( you dont need to send off the scales, here in Essex they came round to my house by appointment - good service ) But that's not really the point - it's just important to have a plane that satisfies the BMFA Examiner on the day. Whether the Glasair also has a Rx that has some aids that prevent it being suitable for the A test is the question. Presumably just replacing the Rx with a normal Spektrum Rx would solve the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Knill Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Posted by kc on 02/09/2015 12:09:54: I think Charlie is one of the newer members of my club and I have a set of digital luggage scales verified by the Essex CC weights and measures Dept! ( you dont need to send off the scales, here in Essex they came round to my house by appointment - good service ) But that's not really the point - it's just important to have a plane that satisfies the BMFA Examiner on the day. Whether the Glasair also has a Rx that has some aids that prevent it being suitable for the A test is the question. Presumably just replacing the Rx with a normal Spektrum Rx would solve the problem. What a small world! At some point I will discuss with Pete about disabling of the gyro stabilization on my plane! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daren Graham - Cambria Funfighters Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I could be wrong here but I've never seen an examiner get the scales out anyway. Just add two ounces of led, job done. To be honest I've ownly ever weighed 3 models in thirty odd years and two of those only to enter a competition last year and this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.