F3A 2004-2005 Team Canada F3A. What is F3A Precision Aerobatics?
Welcome to the Team Canada F3A site. Perhaps you are a random visitor to our site and may not have an understanding of what the F3A designation stands for or means when it comes to flying radio-controlled airplanes. I'd like to offer a brief overview. If you have any questions (because I have left lots of detail out) then please don't hesitate to ask.
Description: F3A Precision Aerobatics.
Model Criteria.
First, there are strict criteria defining what the limitations of a competition F3A Pattern airplane is. It is a model airplane not more than 2 meters in wingspan and fuselage length, and can not weigh more than 11 pounds or 5 Kg. Also there is a noise limitation where the qualifying model running at full power cannot register more that 92 DB at 3 meters over a grass surface. After that anything goes. A competitive pattern plane would be designed in a way that it does all required maneuvers well. There are only subtleties that differentiate today's top flying models. However, when the maneuvers or flying style change drastically, then so do the model designs.
F3A Style of flight.
In F3A flight, the challenge is for the pilot to be (and convey to the audience) in complete control of his/her model for the whole time the model is airborne. F3A patterns have evolved over the years to the point that a pilot must have strict control over the model for about 7 to 10 minutes in the air. By using a combination of 4 control inputs (via radio control) in a designated airspace marked out on land for judging reference, a pilot controls the model to do a series of challenging maneuvers, one leading into another in a series with no breaks from takeoff until landing. The desirable resulting effect would display to the viewer, total control, smooth and precise movements, display enormous vertical power while maintaining calm and maintaining a reasonable noise output.
What Maneuvers do we fly this year?
Click here for the page with the maneuver listing for all classes 2004/05
Why would I want to do this as a model hobbyist ?
There are a few reasons why a person that fly's remote control airplanes would want to try F3A turnaround pattern. If you ask a group of pilots that do fly pattern I'm sure that you would not have agreement as to what the most compelling reason would be, but let me give you a short list of reasons to choose from that may be compelling to you.
- Challenging way in which to fly a model airplane
- A reason to go flying again and again
- Nice airplane designs, involved in developing cutting edge technology
- Fooling around with cool engines, fuel, electronics and the model airplane mechanics
- Building airplanes
- Engaging in challenging competition.
- Associating with fun intelligent people (meeting people from around the world)
I'm sure that there are more reasons than this list offers that would motivate one to fly pattern. Many of these reasons are shared with all the different designations of our hobby. From Sport flying all the way to Giant scale each designation offers it's own challenges and appeals.
Why I chose pattern in particular lends itself to personal preference, and for me a key reason. I needed a challenge and a goal to go for each time I was up in the air. Flying aimlessly in the sky for me was appealing for the first year or two of my time in this sport however it got old very fast. The F3A Pattern style is why I am still in the sport.
If you are a newcomer to this hobby and you are interested, perhaps F3A Pattern is for you too.
dez
