COURSE INFORMATION PAGE
This page contains the circuits course maps with descriptions and pertinent information week by week. This info will be released on the Sunday or Monday prior to that weeks event. This will give pilots time to practice on a similar course with the ac assigned to fine tune trim and get acquainted with its flight characteristics.
Course Obstacles
Pylons
Pylons are structures that: mark the boundary of the flight path, signal a change in direction or require a maneuver...to pass by going around or over. Pylons are either natural features on the selected course map...buildings, ships, natural terrain characteristics, etc.. or are items placed at a specific location by me. These will most likely be pillars of fire created by placement of a bomb. The fire from bombing as you will note from the picture has little or no smoke making it easily to identify from an aircraft crash. These will be placed at the beginning of match during the contestants practice time. Pylons that are fixed features on the map may also require the pilot to fly no higher than that structure.
Gates
Gates are 2 pylons placed in close proximity to each other. As with pylons, gates may be existing items already on the selected course map or 2 or more pillars of fire placed at specific locations by me. Gates will most generally be the entry and exit points to the course but are not limited to that. They may be an obstacle requiring the pilot to perform a specified maneuver: loop, half cuban, 360 degree turn, etc. In timed courses the clock will begin when the pilot breeches the "starting" gate and stops upon passing through the finish gate. In head to head competitions the first pilot to break the plane between the 2 pylons at the finish gate will be awarded the victory. Gates that consist of 2 or more fixed features on the map may also require the pilot to fly no higher than that structure.
COURSE CONFIGURATIONS
There will be 5 basic configurations for the race tracks:
A) Red Bull Track: Pilots fly through the pylons and obstacles of this track alone. The official time clock starts when the aircraft breaks the plain of the "Starting Gate". penalty seconds will be added to the pilots final score if the route around pylons is "cut short". If whole pylons are missed or an assigned maneuver skipped the pilot is disqualified. The pilots with the 4 shorted times will then fly the course again for final placement and points.
B) Reno Style track: This course is series of pylons staged an a multi sided configuration that does not cross over itself. It is flown by 2 pilots in a "head to head" match against the other. The race will generally begin from an airfield with the pilots side by side on the runway. They will take off and follow the several directional pylons to the course. They will enter the course through the "starting gate" and fly the prescribed number of laps ( generally 2). Penalty time will be added/subtracted to pilots for "shorting" a pylon. The official time clock will begin when the first plane crosses the finish line and stop when the second plane completes the course. Penalty time will then be awarded. If whole pylons are missed the pilot is disqualified.
C) Hybrid Reno/ Red Bull Track:
This course is flown like a Reno style race with the start commencing at an airport, 2 pilots head to head, with the time clock and penalties similar. This course will, however also incorporate and include one or more "maneuver" gates requiring the pilots to loop, fly a half cuban, reverse half cuban, 360 degree circle, etc. The same penalties and disqualifications apply as the Reno Style race.
D) Drag Race:
This can be either 1) a straight track beginning with a "Starting Gate" and ending after flying several miles on a prescribed course setting to the "Finish Line". Or can be set up with a "Starting Gate" and several pylons staged in a slalom configuration prior to the "Finish Line". The race will most likely begin from an airfield as will the Reno Style race.
In races without slalom pylons, the first plane to cross the "Finish Line" wins the heat. Winners will be bracketed in subsequent heats to determine placement and overall champion ( and points ).
On courses with slalom pylons, the offical clock will begin when the first aircraft crosses the "Finish Line" and stop witht he final contestant crosses. Any pentaltime will be acessed and awarded. Winners will be bracketed in subsequent heats to determine placement and overall champion ( and points ).
E) Figure "8":
This race is set between two pylons which the pilots must circle in a figure 8 flight path. The pilots will take off from an airfield and be guided by directional pylons. After entering the starting gate they will fly the prescribed number of laps which will endwhen the first pilot crosses the "Finish Line" ( which is the starting gate )
Fig 8 image...
Circuit Maps
Week #1 Jan 1 - 7
The Queen's Red Bull Challenge
Aircraft: I-16
Type of Race: Timed/ Against the Clock
Number of Laps: 2
Type of Track: Red Bull Obstacle
Starting Position: In air practice zone
Penalties: +1 second for each pylon missed
Disqualifications: Crashing during the race, failure to complete an assigned maneuver ( loop, half cuban, etc)
The Churchill Gambit
Type of Aircraft: Spitfire Mk IX
Type of race: 1 vs 1
Number of Laps: 2
Type of Track: Modified Drag Race
Starting Position: Take off from airfield ( Hawkinge)
Week #2 Jan 8 - 14
HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Type of Aircraft: Me109G2
Type of Race: Against the clock
Number of Laps: 1
The Don Corleone Invitational (and invite you can't refuse)
Aircraft: MC 202
Type of Race: 1 vs 1
Number of Laps: 2
Type of Track: Hybrid Reno/Red Bull Track
Starting Position: Take off from Airfield
Penalties: +1 second for each pylon missed
Disqualifications: Crashing during the race, failure to complete an assigned maneuver ( loop, half cuban, etc)
Week #3 Jan 15 - 21
Korsun Winter Round-Up
Aircraft Type: La-5
Type of Race: 1 vs 1
Number of Laps: 2
Type of Track: Reno
Starting Position: Take off from Shevy South Airfield
Airfield Info:
1 Airstrip: 0/18
Altitude: 235 feet ASL
Field conditions: ICY with possible obstructions ( Hay Bails )
CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
THE BERLIN BLACK TIE AFFAIR
Aircraft type: P 51 B/D ( pilots choice )
Type of Race: 1 vs 1
Number of Laps: 2
Type of Track: Modified Figure 8
Starting Position: Take off from Tempelhof Airdrome
Air Field Info:
3 air strips: 9/27 Left, Middle, & Right
Altitude: 223 Feet ASL
(IF needed ) Week #4 Jan 22 - 28
course 1
course 2 ( Championship Race ??)