I think the FAI solution works great. Limit the power on the winches. The resistored winches cut the power down and then everyone is nearly identical in power.
Now does this solve line breaks... somewhat... it certainly cuts it down a considerable amount if you lower the power and level the playing field. But breaks will still happen especially on windy days.
In the ESL we noticed that new spools from Memphis twine had bad spots in it. After clearing the breaks, the lines rarely broke. We don't respool between contests any more, only when the line gets ragged. This is consistent with my experience with my own clubs and also retriever lines too.
3 years ago at the nats I hit the pedal and broke the line. before I got any tension. Fortunately I got another winch. But the no relaunch policy doesn't allow for bad retrieves, or a previous bad launch. What about someone who launches before you and pulls the knot to exterme. or stresses the ring. The no relaunch doesn't work. BUT neither does letting the person relaunch with all the markers in the air.
Either let them launch again or relight the group. If you let them relight it must be point the plane to the ground and land... no dilly dallying.... anyone caught slowing up for a reading of air should forfeit their flight.
John wrote:
Mark,
Why not use a weak link of 225lb at the tow hook with 280-300 line on the winch? If the line breaks the weak link then they fly. You would need to be able to check the line quickly. That said. I feel that you are doing a great job with the series and everyone knows the rules. Everyone launches under the same rules. They can choose to stay home if they don't like the contest. You can't factor out all circumstances of launch problems. It is a roll of the dice. You pays you money and you takes you chances.
John
-----Original Message----- From: Marc Gellart [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 6:04 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [RCSE] OVSS and Line Breaks
Jim, Paul, Jack,and Jim: Great comments and you all have pretty much sited all the pros and cons about what we face at each and every contest. From what i know every one of the contests we will be flying 280 or 290 line this year that is having MOM formats, I know STL relined this weekend and all the winches that are coming are set up with the good stuff (actually one club event ona line I think eliminates the splices and they are even better then). Like all have said, that eliminates nearly all the issues right there. But, still what do we do? I have had folks saying to me that I should mandate line strength and such, I have taken the attitude in the past that the clubs run their show and OVSS just uses the scores generated. I realize that my free market approach appaers a bit loose, but I still feel that this approach is best since as has been pointed out that conditions can vary as well as equipment. I urge clubs in the direction that I feel is what the customer wants, i.e. MVSA going MOM format this year with the heavier line than they have ever used before, there was trepidation, but they will make folks happy with the choice. My answer to what I will do in STL since I am the CD there is to give line breaks in the first round and to call down the entire flight group, but after that the show is on and no more chances are available. That is my answer, and it can be used as a template, but each club is on their own with council from the wise among us. My 2 cents on the subject...
Marc RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
-- Jeff Steifel
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