NMPRA

This is NOT about racing, but is where I have spent tremendous effort this year mentoring some high school kids. Since I have discussed this with many at recent races, I was encouraged to put an update on the forum.

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
Coach Chuck with the team after Monet's 20+ flight. LR: Chuck, Monet, Josiah, Anjulie

What a fabulous story and great dedication by these kids and their coach! Keep up the good work and let us know about fund raising and I am sure there will be support from the members of the NMPRA!

Mike

Those planes are soo Cool, prop barely turns, and they seem to Float as opposed two fly,,, so delicate,,, was always fascinated by them !

Great job Coach!

XXOO

Scotty

That's awesome congratulations to the team I know you have spent a lot of time with them

that's awesome Chuck! great work,

That's awesome Chuck! As Mike said, please keep us updated as far as their fundraising and testing/practice!

And guess what, they may be eligible for financial support from the Telford scholarship fund. Is that cool or what!!!!!!!
So proud of our membership.

Congratulations Coach!

Chuck, you and your students are to be congratulated. It is great to see the passion you and the kids have. Looking forward to great success. Lloyd

What an amazing accomplishment. Congrats to you and your pilots!! Gary Freeman Jr, Travis Flynn, Drew Telford and I have some good Romania stories for you! Soak it all in and best of luck to all of you!

DK

For those who have not built and flown these types of models, you should understand that this is no easy task. My hat is off to you Chuck. This post is one of the best posts I have ever seen on this forum. Thanks for sharing Sir. Von Der Hey.

Thank you all for your kind words of support.

I do have to say, this has been the most rewarding aspect of my aviation hobby, ever. I spend a whole weekend supporting the kids, and come home with a bigger smile on my face than any event that I have actually flown in.

This all started by helping a group of Science Olympiad kids a few years ago. Having basic knowledge of flight, plus balsa and gluing, was enough to get started. This past year was a whirlwind, building Limited Penny Planes for a competition, and then going for the F1D team. The other stuff seems simple now, F1D took a LOT of time.

If you want this same fun, I can help you get in touch with a SO team in your area. Or, you can mentor kids in outdoor free flight, R/C, anything. Kids LOVE aviation! We, as long-time hobbyists, need to look to mentoring a new generation. Will they eventually pylon race? I don't know. But several of my kids are now planning careers in aviation sciences. It makes a difference, one kid at a time!

I also know that these kids will have a good shot at the Cliff Telford scholarship, as that scholarship considers FAI and AMA competition participation and results. One aspect of AMA scholarships is that the kids MUST be AMA members for 3 years to apply. This means getting them as they enter high school, and providing ongoing mentorship.

Try it! It has been an awesome ride!

Chuck

Great job Chuck! Within the pylon community you are a "stick and microfilm" whisperer. Reading about your indoor rubber competition in a pylon thread has me "coming out of the closet" so to speak. About 20 years ago, after a 30 year hiatus from model aviation, I stumbled across some indoor rubber guys who were flying duration stuff in Hanger One (photo attached) at Moffett Field on weekends. This got me into building stick and tissue rubber model aircraft, which as odd as it sounds soon lead me to glow powered sport R/C and ultimately to pylon aircraft. Hanger One was one of the ultimate indoor flying sites in the United States with 20 - 30 people (including some of international competitors) showing up on the weekends. My class of choice was scale and peanut scale. The Gee Bee taking flight was definitely a sight to see. No 19 minute flights here, more like 19 seconds. Good luck to you and your team!

Tom Hegland

Thanks Tom, that was a neat memory! We missed you this weekend at Whittier!

Chuck

In an interesting twist, the FAI has instituted new rules for World Championships, which apply to the 2020 event. In order to encourage female participation, they now define a team as 3 members, or 4 members if at least one member is a female!

Since we have two Junior females, Monet gets to participate as a full team member!

The score for the team will be the sum of the scores from the highest three individuals on the team. If the team medals, all four receive a medal and stand on the podium. In addition, if at least 3 women participate, there is a podium for women as well!

Exciting times

Note that this also applies to F3D (JoAnne)!

Chuck