2007 F5J Overview2007 F5J Overview

Seattle Area Soaring SocietySeattle Area Soaring Society

TopicsTopics

What is F5J?What is F5J? Current activitiesCurrent activities

– WorldwideWorldwide– NorthwestNorthwest

CategoriesCategories– Speed 400Speed 400– Outrunner Class (“Albuquerque” Rules)Outrunner Class (“Albuquerque” Rules)– 7 Cell7 Cell– Unlimited Unlimited

CompetitionsCompetitions

What is F5J?What is F5J?

Broad category for thermal duration, Broad category for thermal duration, electric powered sailplanes electric powered sailplanes

Not yet an official FAI categoryNot yet an official FAI category Different classes range from simple, Different classes range from simple,

inexpensive setups to state-of-the-art inexpensive setups to state-of-the-art very high performance planesvery high performance planes

Competitions are great fun and much Competitions are great fun and much simpler to run than Thermal Durationsimpler to run than Thermal Duration– No winchesNo winches– Man-on-man is easy to coordinateMan-on-man is easy to coordinate

F5J EvolutionF5J Evolution

New technologies in electric RC are benefiting F5JNew technologies in electric RC are benefiting F5J– Brushless motorsBrushless motors– Lipoly cellsLipoly cells

BenefitsBenefits– Lighter e.g. equivalent outrunner class plane is Lighter e.g. equivalent outrunner class plane is 5oz 5oz

lighterlighter than a speed 400 plane than a speed 400 plane– Much simpler maintenanceMuch simpler maintenance– More accessible for beginnersMore accessible for beginners– No more expensive than older setupsNo more expensive than older setups

F5J ActivitiesF5J Activities

Still relatively casual in the USStill relatively casual in the US ““Big” CompetitionsBig” Competitions

– NatsNats– Alberquerue F5J WCAlberquerue F5J WC

InternetInternet– x5J on RCGroupsx5J on RCGroups

LocalLocal– SASS 2007 F5J SeasonSASS 2007 F5J Season– SRAC Duration ContestsSRAC Duration Contests

F5J ClassesF5J Classes

Speed 400Speed 400 Outrunner (“Albuquerque” Rules)Outrunner (“Albuquerque” Rules) 7 cell (Limited Rules)7 cell (Limited Rules) UnlimitedUnlimited

F5J – Typical Speed 400 and F5J – Typical Speed 400 and Outrunner PlanesOutrunner Planes

F5J – “Out-of-the-Box” ideas for F5J – “Out-of-the-Box” ideas for Speed 400 /Outrunner planesSpeed 400 /Outrunner planes

F5J – Speed 400F5J – Speed 400

Original inexpensive setup and still popular todayOriginal inexpensive setup and still popular today– However, Outrunner class is rapidly taking overHowever, Outrunner class is rapidly taking over– In one big contest last year, Outrunner entrants In one big contest last year, Outrunner entrants

outnumbered Speed 400 2.5:1 even though Outrunner outnumbered Speed 400 2.5:1 even though Outrunner had only been introduced the year beforehad only been introduced the year before

Speed 400 can motorSpeed 400 can motor– Gearbox allowedGearbox allowed

7 or 8 cell Nicad or Nimh cells7 or 8 cell Nicad or Nimh cells

Goal of this design was a 50% better climb rate using Goal of this design was a 50% better climb rate using simpler, more efficient technology that is no more simpler, more efficient technology that is no more expensive expensive

Same planes as Speed 400Same planes as Speed 400 Inexpensive setupInexpensive setup

– Simple brushless outrunner motor with long life (many seasons)Simple brushless outrunner motor with long life (many seasons) 28mm diameter and 16mm length28mm diameter and 16mm length Hacker A20-20L is by far the most popular at the momentHacker A20-20L is by far the most popular at the moment EFlight xxx is also a good choice (Galaxy has these)EFlight xxx is also a good choice (Galaxy has these)

– No gearboxNo gearbox– Lipo batteriesLipo batteries

2s (2 cells in series) pack limit2s (2 cells in series) pack limit Twice the capacity of typical Speed 400 packsTwice the capacity of typical Speed 400 packs No need to recharge to optimize performanceNo need to recharge to optimize performance

– Overall setup is ~5 oz lighter than a Speed 400Overall setup is ~5 oz lighter than a Speed 400

F5J – Outrunner ClassF5J – Outrunner Class

F5J – Outrunner ClassF5J – Outrunner Class

Inexpensive yet high performance setup:Inexpensive yet high performance setup:

Cost Comparison for Speed 400 and Outrunner Class Setups

Speed 400 Outrunner

Motor 30$ Limited life - 3 Motors 105$ Hacker A20-20L including speed controller

Gearbox 60$ Cosmotech -$ Speed Controller 40$ -$

Batteries 24$ 8 cell 1100 50$

2100 mAhr pack (twice the capacity of the Speed 400 pack)

Total 154$ 155$

F5J – 7 CellF5J – 7 Cell

Sometimes being referred to as “Limited”Sometimes being referred to as “Limited” MANY competitions now allowing either 7 MANY competitions now allowing either 7

Nicads/NiMh or 2 Lipol CellsNicads/NiMh or 2 Lipol Cells No airframe limitations so a wide range of planes No airframe limitations so a wide range of planes

can compete effectively. Most common is large can compete effectively. Most common is large floaters e.g. AVAefloaters e.g. AVAe

F5J UnlimitedF5J Unlimited The ultimate in airframe and power plant The ultimate in airframe and power plant

technology. No limits on airframe or power plant! technology. No limits on airframe or power plant! Arc welders with wings …Arc welders with wings …

Top contenders draw >>100 Amps and climb Top contenders draw >>100 Amps and climb vertically and almost a mile/minutevertically and almost a mile/minute

Typical planes are e-converted unlimited winch-Typical planes are e-converted unlimited winch-launch planes such as Pikes, Graphites, etc.launch planes such as Pikes, Graphites, etc.

F5J Competition FormatF5J Competition Format

Very similar to winch-launched competitionsVery similar to winch-launched competitions Man-on-Man makes this a lot of funMan-on-Man makes this a lot of fun Launch phaseLaunch phase

– Fixed or pilot-determined motor run timeFixed or pilot-determined motor run time– Pilot-determined makes for more exciting competitionPilot-determined makes for more exciting competition

Duration TaskDuration Task– 5, 7, 10 minutes just like TD5, 7, 10 minutes just like TD

Landing TaskLanding Task– Land at 10:00 for example on the spotLand at 10:00 for example on the spot– Just like TD (except everyone is landing at the same Just like TD (except everyone is landing at the same

time!)time!)

F5J SummaryF5J Summary

Rapidly growing new category with Rapidly growing new category with emphasis on funemphasis on fun– Very accessible to first-time competition/F5J Very accessible to first-time competition/F5J

pilotspilots Highly competitive planes not much more Highly competitive planes not much more

expensive than winch-launched sailplanesexpensive than winch-launched sailplanes SASS ‘07 F5J Season will be a blastSASS ‘07 F5J Season will be a blast Get your planes ready!!Get your planes ready!! Dave and Trevor are ready to helpDave and Trevor are ready to help