any of the old stuff still any good???

[IMACmike]

Hey pattern folks. I have been out of pattern since the mid 1990's and I am jones'n bad to get back into it. The problem is I have a lot of stuff left over and I'm thinking I'll do OK with it (I flew Advanced), but all of the new designs/engines look pretty awesome. I know I boils down to how the sticks are moved around, but all my stuff is the large 2c engines on pipes and retracts. Any thoughts...

[jfstrama]

Well,

Most people are doin' just fine on the old designs. There is also a group that uses nothing new:

http://www.seniorpattern.com/

They fly only pre-1975 pattern ships, so if your stuff is really old you could try them too!

MadDog Joe

[IMACmike]

I said my stuff was the mid 1990's! You know, OS 1.40rx, UAV Bully 1.20's, DJ2, etc. Although if the SPA was here on the west coast, I would definitely try it!! On th e new stuff, any one flying the fixed gear pattern planes now who used to also fly pattern when everyone had retracts? Have you noticed any real change in flight characteristics (other than flipping a switch?)

[mjfrederick]

I started flying pattern again about a year and a half ago with my late-80's designed airplane with a YS 61 and retracts. It wasn't great, but it got me started back. The newer designs with the larger fuselages and fixed gear are, in my opinion, much easier to keep at a constant speed throughout the flight, which is very desirable. As far as the fixed vs retracts, I don't really notice much difference, the gear does give a little bit of drag, but then again, that can be a good thing sometimes.

I say take what you have, and go fly. Learn the new sequences and have fun. I lucked out and got my hands on a Genesis with a 140DZ and all digital servos for a steal after only 2 contests back. You never know, you might go to a contest with your old equipment and find a great deal on some more recent designs that someone is trying to sell. The most important thing is to jump back in, no matter what you have.

[MarkNovack]

Your OS140RX will fly any 2x2 pattern with all the unlimited vertical needed to complete any sequence you want. Plus, it runs great on 10-15% nitro fuels.