MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

07 AUGUST WING SPAN MAAALogo. Event organiser, Bruce de Chastel said it was an honour for Australia to host the first combined Radio Control Pylon Racing World Championships. “Prior to this event, the World Championships were held separately. With safety and location at the forefront of the organisers’ mind, Maryborough was chosen as the World Championship host town in Australia,” he said. “Radio control pylon racing is an adrenalin rush like few other offered in RC. The sport involves racing head-to- head against other pilots around a course, testing your flying ability and skill. “It was an aerial spectacular and a great event for the general public. People were able to meet and witness the world-class flying skills of local pilots, Christopher Callow (six-time World Champion) and Matthew Wood (Current World F3D Junior Champion).” Fuel/Glow powered model aircraft are driven by a tiny 6.5cc, methanol-fuelled 36,000 rpm engine and have a wingspan of 1.80 metres- this results in an outrageous acceleration, top speed and quick turns. “The F5D electric model aircraft are a minimum of 1kg on average. They are powered by a 5 cell Lipo battery between 200g and 400g includes wires, solder the lot. Then the limiter which stops the motor at a max of a 1000 watt/min of energy. It’s a game of match the propeller, motor, speed controller and battery to get 10 laps and 1000 watts in less than 60 seconds,” said Bruce. “This sport offers an adrenalin rush like no other, with the Pylon reaching speeds of up to 350km/hr.”