2026 Proposed Knowns

volvo164

volvo164

Laszlo
Joined
Nov 18, 2019
Messages
186
The 2026 proposed knowns are published. If anyone plans to compete next year, suggest you comment by Oct.1st. I don't see how on earth (actually up in the sky) one can fly these in a 115HP non inverted Citabria. The 1st option has a square, a 1/2 cuban after a steep turn, and then a 2x4 hesitation roll on the immelman (followed by a 2 point aileron roll). The 2nd option has a wedge with a vertical pull up to an inverted exit!! - followed by a 1/2 loop down. Then it has looping maneuver after an aileron roll (not possible without a break). Note: the 2 point hesitation roll in this year's sportsman is really tough in a low HP citabria. Both of the proposal retain in, but up the ante. If either of these are adopted, I'm giving up - and will not compete next year. In my comments, I will also ask that the demonstration / test pilot flight be filmed, and made available to public and judges. I was told by my club, that the routines are designed so that they're technically possible to fly in a 115HP Citabria, but not so that you can actually score well. I think maneuvers like the square, inverted exit from a vertical pull up, hesitation roll on the immelman, are all significantly increasing the risk of an inverted spin, as well as increased wear on these non inverted engines.
 
As I understand it, the benchmark airplane for the Sportsman category is the Decathlon which would have inverted systems. The Citabria is the benchmark for Primary. I think Intermediate is the Great Lakes.

I commend you for being involved enough to keep track of the sequence release and for sending in comments, it must have been a gut punch to see those sequences. However, can I help you to find a nice Decathlon or Super D??? Maybe this is a sign from the universe that you've paid your dues and have permission to change airplanes?
 
I thought the previous years the benchmark was the GCAA - i.e. 150-160 hp Citabria, non inverted. As this is my second airplane, I'm not in a position to upgrade to what I see on trade-a-plane. And since we love to use this plane for x-country trips as well, a big issue is that older Decathlons / Super Ds have dismal useful load. I was tempted by your Super D Bart - maybe in a few years, when retirement looks more assured.
 
By the way - yes - I'm still involved. Planning to again attend the Keene Classic, Oct. 4th. Would highly encourage folks to come - even if to watch. It's a single day event in Keene NH, sportsman only, 1 flight for everyone, no practice. Guys who are higher categories start with a negative handicap. Great way to enjoy an acro competition with the repetitions of multiple days, practice, etc. We start in the morning and are done by lunch. While a sanctioned event, it's as easy going as it could get. This will be my 3rd year - and it's a shame we don't see more people outside of the Nashua chapter participate.
 
I just looked at the Sportsman. I'm confused because the two links show two different sequences. I have an older Decathlon for sale that could fly these sequences, if the pilot's good enough. I'm not sure I am.
 
That's because there are 2 proposed sequences (i.e. they'll pick 1, or make up something else). Yes, usually there's only 1 proposed sequence. They're certainly doable in a Decathlon. But sportsman is supposed to be doable in a non inverted Citabria. Neither of these are. I can barely able to do the 2 point aileron roll - hesitate for just 1/2 second, with the engine quitting. Heck the engine just about quits even without a hesitation on a proper aileron roll (if you avoid loosing altitude).
 
I will agree that both of these routines are more challenging than the last two years of Sportsman sequences. In last years IAC Sport Aerobatics, Gordon Penner commented that these sequences were designed with a 150hp Decathlon and Citabria in mind. I'm guessing they might have been thinking of the 7KCAB, not a 7ECA. There are portions of the sequences that will challenge me also like the loop or hammerhead after the 180 degree turn.

You will most likely have to take one or two breaks to gain entry speed for some vertical maneuvers. But breaks are only a 5pt deduction, small price to pay instead of forcing a maneuver and botching it. And any line only has to be drawn, you don't have to extend it whether up, down, 45, or straight and level.

I used to own a 7ECA and I agree it will be difficult and not pretty and probably low scoring, but I think it's possible with strategic breaks. You are going to be at a disadvantage to the guy who shows up in an Extra in Sportsman. (but from what I've seen, those guys tend to have more money than skill. I was at a contest last year and watched a guy routinely fly out of the box)
 
The way things are going, IF I go to contest next year, I'll be watching from the ground.
 
Well, I'll have to take 2 breaks for the Sportsman: poor design from an energy retention perspective. There's no way to do a hammer after a steep turn, nor a sharkstooth after an aileron roll with my 7ECA. I guess with a Super D you'll be able to accelerate level to get to entry speed for these vertical maneuvers?
 
Since I don't have a my 150hp Decathlon anymore, I can't say for sure. I would have to exit the loop at about 160mph, enter the 180 turn (which is going to take a lot room at the speed) so you have to be positioned correctly in the box, hopefully still have about 130mph to start the hammer, which means as soon as vertical is established, you're kicking it over. Then continue a long enough downline to get at least 140mph to do the the sharkstooth. Again as soon as you establish vertical, you're pulling it over.

Since I can't try any of this stuff, I'm guessing I would have to take a break, to gain back some altitude. Breaks don't cost you that many points and are usually not the reason you won't score well vs flying a botched maneuver. Face it, Sportsman class is not designed for 115hp Citabrias, Cubs and Taylorcrafts anymore.
 
volvo164 said:
Well, I'll have to take 2 breaks for the Sportsman: poor design from an energy retention perspective. There's no way to do a hammer after a steep turn, nor a sharkstooth after an aileron roll with my 7ECA. I guess with a Super D you'll be able to accelerate level to get to entry speed for these vertical maneuvers?
Click to expand...
If you’d like to come down and try it in a 150 hp Decathlon STD., just say the word and we’ll meet up somewhere.
 
Flying in the Northeast hasn't been ideal - anyone try the sportsman sequence yet?
 
I think this sequence will be challenging in my 180 HP Super Decathlon. The first Immelmann, preceded by the Half-Cuban, won't be too bad. The Hammerhead, preceded by the 180 turn, will be hard to have enough energy for much of an upline. It may be hard to keep energy from the Hammerhead, through the roll, and into the Sharks Tooth. The last Immelmann should be okay since it comes after the Sharks Tooth, but the 2x4 is never my favorite since even the Decathlon struggles at the top (at least at the 7000 ft I am flying at). I would not enjoy flying this routine in a Citabria and do wish the Sportsman allowed lower-power aircraft to be competitive. I hope to give this a try in a few weeks
 
I've traded my Citabria for a 150HP Decathlon. So I'm more hopeful. I was just looking at the sequence again today. I think the hammer will be doable by traversing the box at full throttle and slight descent. But it would look better with a break prior. For the shark tooth, you get dinged for not having a rounded top, so you want even more entry speed than the hammer. Breaks are pretty cheap though, it's worth taking 2 breaks to get better scrores on the figures. I didn't get a chance to try the 2 point Immelman in my 7ECA - I think it would have been really messy.
 
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