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TreneffRC
75 McIntosh Dr.
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 217-2868
info@treneffrc.com

© Copyright 2005-2008
TreneffRC

   

R/C Combat F.A.Q.s

  How do you fly combat?
What is the RCCA?

What are the RCCA combat classes?
What exactly is "Slow Survivable Combat"?
What criterion are put on an SSC design?
What exactly is "Open B" and "Limited B"?

What criterion are put on an B-class deign?
What is the sticky stuff I see pilots put on their wings?
   
How do you fly combat?
  Combat is the most exciting five minutes you can have in RC!  There's nothing like chasing your opponent as he dives for the deck, turning left and weaving right!  All of the sudden somebody's on your six!  You pull up and head for the sky.  You yank a hard left turn just barely escaping with your streamer still intact!  Now for revenge!

Combat is flown with a 30' streamer tied to each pilot's airplane.  The object is to cut your opponents' streamers while trying to keep your own streamer.  Points are awarded for how many kills (streamers) you get, and how much of your own streamer you bring back from battle.  It' the ultimate adrenaline rush!

Official contests are flown with as many as 11 planes in the air at one time, although 7-8 planes at a time is more common.  Pilots are given 90 seconds to get their plane airborne after which "Start Combat" is called and the battle rages for the next five minutes.  With so many planes in the air all chasing each other, the adrenaline level is intense!  A pilot will typically fly up to 8 of these battles in one day at an official (AMA sanctioned) contest.

Contests are a ton of fun, a great way to meet new guys, and offer the chance to fly against a lot of opponents.  But for most weekends, pilots fly "club-combat."  Typically after one guy gets into combat and lets his friends see how easily the planes fly and explains to them how much fun combat is, a handful of other guys will jump onboard.  Then the group of guys can fly informal combat matches at their home field whenever they want!   At our club we have about eight guys into combat right now and we usually fly 2 or 3 flights on Saturday or Sunday.  What's at stake?  A week's worth of bragging rights - don't let one buddy win several weeks in a row, or he'll never let you hear the end of it!!
 

 

What is the RCCA?
  The RCCA (Radio Control Combat Association) is a special interest group of the AMA. The purpose of this organization, and its web site, is to provide information, technical knowledge, and offer model aviation enthusiasts who love the War Planes of World War II and enjoy competition a place to share information, views and discussion with others who have similar interests.
 
What are the RCCA combat classes?
 

There were originally four Open classes of combat and two scale classes.  Open classes allow any aircraft design, while scale classes require the plane to resemble a WWII fighter.  The original Open classes were:

  • 1/2 A - up to .061 cu. in. displacement and 2.0 pounds maximum weight
  • A - Up to .15 cu. in. displacement and 2.5 pounds maximum weight
  • B - Up to .30 cu. in. displacement and 3.5 pounds maximum weight
  • C - Up to .47 cu. in. displacement and 5.0 pounds maximum weight

Two new classes that are currently "Provisional" (A provisional class is one where the validity of the concept and its rules are tested, and rules are created by the RCCA, not the AMA.), are Slow Survivable Combat and Limited B.  TreneffRC offers kits for SSC, Open B, and Limited B.
 

What exactly is "Slow Survivable Combat"?
  Slow Survivable Combat (SSC) a .15-size Open class which the RCCA started several years ago with restrictions to increase survivability and lower speed to increase fun.  SSC has achieved it's goals, both of lower speeds (50-55 mph, rather than 90 mph in Open B) and higher survivability.  Most SSC planes currently run in the 50-55 mph range, and this reduced speed eliminates a lot of damage in mid-airs.  SSC has been the RCCA's most popular combat class for three years running.  We recommend SSC as it is rapidly becoming the most popular class.
 

What criterion are put on an SSC design
  The RCCA website hosts the official SSC rules, but what follows are the major considerations.
   - Maximum .15 cu. in. engine retailing for less that $85.00, stock, with 8x3 Master airscrew propeller, which cannot turn over 17,500 RPMs on the ground.

  - Minimum aircraft weight of 2.5# (40 oz.) dry.
  - Minimum of 400 square inches of wing area.

The Battle Axe SSC  from TreneffRC meets all of the criterion for RCCA SSC.
 
What exactly is "Open B" and "Limited B"?
  Open B is the .25-size AMA Open class of combat.  Open B is much faster than SSC and thus better suited to experienced combat flyers who have already competed in SSC.  Limited B is a .25-size version of SSC, with the intent of lowering damage and leveling the playing field with RPM limits and a minimum weight.
 
What criterion are put on a B-class design?
  The RCCA website hosts the official rules for Open and Limited B, but what follows are the major considerations.
   - Maximum .29 cu. in. engine.  For Limited B RPMs are limited at 14,500 with an unmodified APC 10x3, Kavan yellow 10x4 or MAS 10x4 propeller

  - For Open B maximum aircraft weight of 3.5# (56 oz.) dry.  For Limited B minimum aircraft weight of 3.25# (52 oz.) dry.
  - Maximum of 600 square inches of wing area for Limited B.

The Battle Axe B  from TreneffRC meets all of the criterion for RCCA Open B and Limited B with no changes to the airframe and no adding weight.
 
What is the sticky stuff I see pilots put on their wings?
  At contests the majority of pilots put some sort of sticky paste/tape on the leading edge of their wings allowing them to increase cuts by snagging streamers with their wing.  The most commonly used substance is called Tanglefoot, which is a very sticky paste meant to trap insects.  A thin bead can be applied to the leading edge of the wing and will snag most streamers it touches.  BioControl Network in Brentwood, TN sells directly to the public.  See the links page for Biocontrol's contact information.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Real action at the Mid-America Combat Championship!
View the
Team Battle Axe Pilot Page


Chris Quinn, original designer of the Battle Axe, won "Prettiest Battle Axe" with his sky blue plane at the Mid-America RC Combat Championship in Jackson, TN.