EMAC in San Diego

[Uncle Brett]

On February 28th I drove 90 miles down the freeway to beautiful Mission Bay in San Diego , CA to watch an EMAC contest and talk to Steve Dente (1bwana1) one of the originators of EMAC, and find out what it’s all about. What’s EMAC some of you might be asking? For those of you that don’t know what EMAC is or how it started, Steve filled me in. Here’s what he had to say.


FG: OK Steve, what’s “EMAC”?
SD: EMAC is basically the same thing as IMAC, the major difference being that it’s electric powered airplanes only, no gas or glow engines are allowed.

FG: So you have the same classes and fly the same Aresti sequences that IMAC flies?
SD: Yes, However at this point we only have classes up to Intermediate.

FG: So, Basic, Sportsman, and Intermediate are the only classes you are running, why no Advanced and Unlimited?
SD: EMAC is a new and growing contest series that, so far, is only being flown here in San Diego, so the number of pilots is limited. We might only have one or two qualified pilots to run the upper classes so the competition would be quite limited. By keeping Intermediate as the top class, we can have 12-15 pilots competing in that class, which makes it much more interesting and fun.

FG: Do you have an Unknown round in the Sportsman and Intermediate classes?
SD: No, not at this time. However, we will throw in an Unknown round at the last contest of the year for Sportsman and Intermediate. As the series grows and more pilots register, we will probably add an Advanced class.

FG: So, how did EMAC start? How did you guys come up with this idea?
SD: About three years ago in Tucson, I was having dinner with Tim Attaway, Steve Nelson, and Pedro Brantuas. I was talking to them about my days racing Autocross and how inexpensive and fun that competition was. We decided that it would be a cool idea to start a competition at our local Electric club field, The Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego, http://sefsd.org/, based on the same principle as the Autocross series, which is safe, fun and inexpensive competition. In other words, it’s a “run whatcha brung” kind of thing. I mean, take a look around at the planes that are competing today. We have everything from a 35% H9 Extra to a foamy Acromaster. (Indeed, there was a gentleman named John Forrester competing with a foamy!). It’s all about FUN.

FG: So you don’t stick to IMAC rules concerning scale airplanes in all but the Basic class?
SD: No, you can fly anything you want in any class, as long as it’s electric powered.

FG: Is there an entry fee?
SD: No, there’s no entry fee. You do have to be an AMA member though. In addition, we give out trophies for each class at the end of the year.

FG: I noticed that you are running eight contests this year, how are the class winners chosen?
SD: Yes, we hold the contests once a month with the last one scheduled for the end of October. The winners are decided based on the pilot’s top four scores during the year.

FG: How about Freestyle? Do you have a Freestyle competition also?
SD: No, not at this point. We do have noontime demos though. (As witnessed, Jeff Szuber and Josh (Bonedoc) Young put on killer demos).

FG: A few years ago in your inaugural season, Max and I came down here to watch the competition. I’ve noticed a big difference in the sizes of planes flown back then and what’s being flown today. I see a lot of 50cc size planes and even a 100cc size plane. What’s your take on this?
SD: Well, The price on electric gear has come down dramatically over the last few years, especially the price of batteries. Most of the 50cc size planes are running 12s LiPos in the 5000 mAh range which only just a few years ago could set you back around $600-$700. Today, a battery that size cost about $180-$200. In addition, the price of the rest of the electric power system from motors to speed controllers has dropped significantly making it more affordable to go bigger.

FG: Well, as we all know, “Bigger flys Better”, but doesn’t that give a huge advantage to the pilot that can afford to go big.
SD: Not necessarily. As in Autocross, it’s not horsepower that wins races; it’s the driver’s skill behind the wheel. A good pilot with a 60 size airplane will beat a mediocre pilot with a 100cc size plane any day. What you have to remember is that even though this is a competition, the main thing is the fun and camaraderie. After all, it’s not like we’re going for points to make the Shootout.

FG: Good point. I see this as a great way for pilots of all flying abilities that are curious about IMAC to get their feet wet.
SD: Indeed. We have quite a few pilots that started in this series that are now flying IMAC here in the SW region.

FG: Is this the only place that flies EMAC, or are there any other fields around the country that hold this kind of competition?
SD: So far, this is the only field, but I would love to see it grow and spread around the rest of the country.

FG: Thanks Steve. Is there anything else you want to add?
SD: Yes, I’d like to encourage any club out there to give this a try. I feel this is a great and inexpensive way to have a fun competition and at the same time promote IMAC style flying to everyone.

[McFueler]

This is a cool ideal maybe we can get something like this started on this side of the country.

[danielph]

Sweet! Ya' got any more pics? I'd really like to see them!

[1bwana1]

This event has really added to our local flying community. If any of you would like to get something similar started in your area, I will offer some advice.

Many people are interested in precision flying, but are not ready to make the commitment to expense, and travel that IMAC requires. The one day format, at a local field is easy for anyone to get involved with.

Start by using the resources in your local community. Talk to your local IMAC guys, their knowledge will be essential. We started by having a trimming clinic, where people could bring their planes and get help in setting them up. We also went over the sequences, and gave a brief introduction to judging and scoring.

Pass out the sequences, and get people started practicing together. When others see their fellow fliers practicing and having fun, they tend to want to get involved.

Make sure you stress the fun, and learning rather than the competition.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have, I, and other FG members who are involved with this will be glad to help.

-STEVE-

[1bwana1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by danielph
	Sweet! Ya' got any more pics? I'd really like to see them!

Sure, I'll post some more throughout the thead.

[kenbeanie]

Very kool maybe our guys would go for something like this they are not big plane friendly at all.

[Sukhoikid]

I think this is a great idea, but I would like to see a size limit since bigger electrics would cost more money. (35%-40%) I am not sure of price of the bigger electric motors, batteries, and speed controllers, but last I check it wasnt cheap. It would be cool to stay a class for up to a 55" wingspan plane. You could almost fly anywhere with that size!

[dubd]

Steve, Sounds like a GREAT idea! I'd definitely join you guys if I lived in the area. Looks FUN!

[1bwana1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Sukhoikid
	I think this is a great idea, but I would like to see a size limit since bigger electrics would cost more money. (35%-40%) I am not sure of price of the bigger electric motors, batteries, and speed controllers, but last I check it wasnt cheap. It would be cool to stay a class for up to a 55" wingspan plane. You could almost fly anywhere with that size!

That's what is great about the local events. You can have any rules your group decides on.

[lazyboyflyer]

Good article Uncle Brett, now put together an EMAC plane and come join us in the fun. The next contest is April 4th, be there!

[Trisquire]

The Silent Flyer's field. My favorite San Diego destination. That and Torrey Pines of course.

Tom

[Reza]

Good stuff guys! Just a quick question, is below really the case? a 12s lipo is $200? I guess an 8S 5350 cost me $400 about a year ago. Have they changed this much?

"Most of the 50cc size planes are running 12s LiPos in the 5000 mAh range which only just a few years ago could set you back around $600-$700. Today, a battery that size cost about $180-$200."

[grimgrinnin]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Reza
	a 12s lipo is $200?

Yup:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=8582
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=8586
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=7300

[BoneDoc]

http://vimeo.com/3415744

Here's my little attempt at doing freestyle to music .

[BoneDoc]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Reza
	Good stuff guys! Just a quick question, is below really the case? a 12s lipo is $200? I guess an 8S 5350 cost me $400 about a year ago. Have they changed this much? "Most of the 50cc size planes are running 12s LiPos in the 5000 mAh range which only just a few years ago could set you back around $600-$700. Today, a battery that size cost about $180-$200."

Yep, you better believe it! .