Super Giant Scale Planes By James Goss      Since I have started building giant scale radio-controlled airplanes, I have been researching the possibility of building an experimental radio-controlled model plane. Models that weigh over 55 pounds are referred to as experimental. Actually the experimental class has a minimum weight of 55 pounds and a maximum weight of 100 pounds. Now as to how they arrived at this weight of 55 lbs, I have yet to find anybody with the AMA who can explain it to me. What is there about the 55 lb limit that makes it so special, why not have 50 lbs or 60 lbs as the reference, why 55? All the AMA rules seem to change when your plane exceeds this magic number of 55 lbs. As you know, rule four of the AMA safety code states that the maximum takeoff weight for any plane is 55 lbs. At the time this rule was enacted into the AMA safety rules, I don't think there were many radio-controlled models around that would exceed this standard. Now there is quite a few fellows around that think the way I do, “the bigger the better”. I don't really know what attracts me to the giant scale planes so much; maybe it's the raw power that is needed to get them off the ground and into the air. Maybe it's the sound of that gas engine echoing through the air or maybe it's the fact that they fly more like a full-scale plane, who knows, but I really do like building and flying them.      Not all AMA members will agree with me on the above statement that bigger is better. Now keep in mind that I still like small-scale planes just as much as I always have. It's just that now I can fly small-scale one day and giant-scale the next, a change of pace so to speak. There is a move on at this time to extend the 55-lb weight class to an amount greater than 55 lbs. Some modelers are saying, “Why do we need to push our luck”? They see no reasonable explanation for extending the current AMA weight limits for aircraft, and would like to do away with the experimental class all together. Most quarter and third scale planes will weigh in the neighborhood of 30 lbs, and as can be seen in the Tournament of Champions, this is a safe weight for competition aircraft. Do we really need model aircraft the size of full-scale planes? Why not, I think it would be really fun to fly a full-scale radio controlled plane, but I do see the concern of those modelers about the experimental class. We have been very lucky over the years when it comes to accidents with radio-controlled planes, and I am talking about all sizes, small and big. It doesn't take a physics professor to figure out that bigger planes have bigger accidents. These folks could be 100% correct about the matter, especially if the super giant-scale class jeopardized R/C as a whole. But I think if we follow the AMA rules for these giant scale planes, they will be safe to fly. If it weren't for AMA and the safety guidelines that we now have, I would hate to know what the future holds for model planes and this great sport that we now know. Like I said above, I love giant scale planes, but I would give them up in a minute if they were going to prevent us from flying and enjoying small-scale planes.      Since I have researched the requirements for planes over 55 pounds, I thought that you might be interested in knowing just what a plane and its pilot must go through in order to get AMA certified to fly in the experimental class. It is much more involved that I first thought. So here are some facts about planes over 55 lbs.      A permit to fly is required for each specific model before it is flown. To get this permit an AMA inspector will issue a temporary authorization to fly, valid only on the day of issue, so the test flights can be conducted. All test flights must take place at a site deemed suitable by the inspector and the inspector must be present for all test flights. Now this is a catch 22 because who in there right mind would not test fly the plane before they tried to get it certified? The first two test flights are called qualifying test flights and must show that there is no control surface flutter, that deflection of each control surface produces the correct response, and that the descent speeds can be controlled.      The next test must show that the plane will perform level maneuvers, flat turns, gentle climbs and dives, looping maneuvers, rolling maneuvers, inverted flight, spins, snap maneuvers, and unrestricted aerobatics. The builder will then be ask to sign a declaration that the materials and methods used in the construction of this model are suitable for the intended purpose.      Later flights during testing must be designed to demonstrate control and structural integrity. A little tighter than normal left and right hand turns, and a power dive, enough to add a little extra stress to check out the structural integrity. The final test flight conducted for the inspector shall demonstrate the entire flight envelope as might be flown at a sanctioned event. The appointed AMA inspector will issue certification to the owner and a copy to AMA Headquarters, showing that the aircraft is airworthy. If the pilot is other than the owner, this must be also noted on the certificate. Authorization must be renewed annually. This will require the same pre-flight inspection, and two checkout flights of 8 to 10 minutes duration.        The requirement for the pilot of an experimental class is as follows. He must have at least five years background in model design, construction, and piloting of radio controlled model aircraft. Has demonstrated successful flying experience of large models. Twenty successful flights of models over twenty-five pounds are required. This is another catch 22, how could you have had 20 flights if you must have certification first? A demonstrated ability to recognize stall and loss of aerodynamic control is also required, and the pilot must have 20/20 eye sight or vision correction to equal 20/20.      The vehicle shall be flown away from property and people at anytime, other than landing and take-off. It must occupy airspace that will permit safe impact on loss of control. Flight maneuvers must not exceed the design limits of the vehicle. Flight velocity shall not exceed 80 knots. (92 MPH) A flight log is mandatory. Each flight must be recorded in the log. Date, time, place, conditions, purpose and any other significant data should be included in each entry. The plane must have a minimum of 100-inch ounce torque servos and the wiring must be of required size with correct terminals for the load. You can't splice heave conductors onto a smaller sized terminal, the terminal must rated for the wire.      Well, as you can see there is a lot of extra work involved in getting one of these large planes certified to fly. If you are to be covered by AMA insurance, you can only fly one of these super giants at an AMA sponsored event. You will not be covered if you fly them at your regular field because you will be violating rule four, which states that in any case, the maximum permissible takeoff weight must not be more than 55 pounds. Must have a waver to this rule if you fly above 55 lbs. I am not sure I would have the energy needed to go through all this certification or not. It seems to take some of the fun out of the overall process of building and flying radio controlled planes.  I plan on building the half-scale Cap-232 this summer and maybe fly it this fall or winter, if all goes well.