My three kids, Josiah Rose (17), Anjulie Sorbello (15), and Monet Ramacciotti (15) spent over 100 hours each building two F1D planes each, and over 25 hours in the gym testing and improving. they competed this last weekend in Lakehurst Hanger 1 (Hindenburg hanger). Josiah and Anjulie placed first and second, and made the team along with Andrew Welter of Pennsylvania. Monet had airplane troubles the first few days and earned a fourth place (Team Alternate).
The planes have a 55 cm wingspan, and weigh 1.4g minimum. All three kids built to weight. This was quite an experience,a s prior planes they built were smaller and 3.1g and 8g. The rubber is limited to 0.4g, which is a loop about 6.5" long of 0.050" wide rubber. Just a thin strand! The team trials consist of 9 rounds 3 per day, and the score is the sum of your best two flights. Despite being "indoors", the hanger is so large that it has its own weather, and so certain parts of the day are best (an hour before sunset). The hanger was about 190 feet to the girders in the middle. The name of the game is get high early, so lots of torque (assuming the plane can handle it), and then slow circles coming down.
The prior Youth Senior record for cat-4 sites (over 96' high) was 18:06 for a single flight.
Anjulie started Saturday with two exceptional flights, breaking the prior record with an 8:35, and then a 20:34. Monet struggled with airplane damage, and Josiah put in some respectable flights. On Sunday it was Josiah's turn, he put up back-to-back 22 minute flights (22:15 and 22:08), taking a strong lead. Andrew was running in third place with 17 and 15 minute flights. Sunday night Monet worked on resolving plane issues through midnight, and was ready Monday morning. She had some issues with the climbout, but posted a 16:21 in the first round. We finally got it all right for the last round. She posted a strong 20:04 late in the day, with a one-touch flight that reached over 180 feet. Andrew had one flight left, and his mentor pulled out all the stops. Andrew needed an 18:36 to take the lead back, and produced a 19:06 to take the two-flight lead back from Monet by a mere 35 seconds! Monet had a better single flight, but the score is the best two flights. The kids all beat the only returning team member form 2 years ago.
The kids will represent the USA in Romania in March 2020. Since they all flew better than the prior record, we expect a strong showing by the Junior team for the first time in many championships. I will be going as a coach. the team will be quite busy between now and March building additional planes, shipping containers, and testing new setups.
I am so proud of these kids. they are true competitors, willing to put in the time and effort to be successful. They are all fiercely independent, and want to do every step themselves, without help. Tell them a step, they learn it and do it. They never want to quit flying. These are not your typical "everyone is a winner" kids.
We will also be doing fundraising, and I will let you know when that happens.
Now, back to racing
Chuck Andraka
11H
