Hi everyone,
You may know for the last few years, I'd been offering a Rs 1000 prize for a 10 second flight, but had no success.
Yesterday I raised the prize to 5000, and someone did 10+ seconds within 24 hours!
That too with a paper plane, something I never expected.
Congratulations to Imperial Fire.

Then it occured to me that giving the entire kitty to one person encourages only one person.

So I'm starting a new contest with a Rs 5000 kitty, to be shared between the first 4 successful entries as 2000, 1500, 1000 and 500.

The objective is a 20 second flight.

I'll post rules and deadlines in a day or two, after waiting for suggestions, if any, from members.

All I'm trying to do is encourage a low cost introduction to the basics of how to build and fly model airplanes.

Do let me know if you think this is a good idea, or should be abandoned.

Regards

Edit
Changes made to entry fee and prize money.
See later posts

Strong chance of imperialfire winning this one as well.

Congratulations Imperial fire.

And well done Iyer sir for inciting the interest. If I may suggest, Can we organize something of this short where people can pay a nominal fee and register and then prepare for the contest to win. The pooled money can be the winning prize.



Edit:
This post moved here from 10 second thread

@tonystark,
Thanks for your interest and suggestion.
I've often wondered if it would work.

While I stubbornly pursue my attempts every year, to get at least 5-6 chuck gliders in the air, the facts are like this:

- last year Glidiator and Saikat offered to match the prize money, but the contest closed without a single entry
- before that the only successful entry was by Glidiator, but being an old hand, he released the prize in favour of the only other attempt (kiran rc, 7 seconds)

I think there simply isn't enough interest in a 10 or 20 second flight challenge, maybe because:
- youngsters think it too childish to build/ fly chuck gliders in this age of FPV Micro Quads
- they have never seen a proper chuck or catapult glider fly, so they have no idea of the possibilities
- no access to balsa
- prize not attractive enough

ONE MORE IDEA

Sometime back, Sanjayrai55, another old hand, suggested that I supply identical kits to participants.
If combined with your suggestion, it will involve cost of kit + postage + entry fee.

Lets look at the economics
Say 200 for kit + 50 postage + 250 entry fee, total 500.
Assume 5 entries, so 1250 entry fee.
I match it, so prize kitty 2500.
Or four prizes of 1000, 750, 500 and 250.

Target can be 10 seconds by hand launch, or 20 seconds by catapult.
Quite easy, no?

If I get 5 entrants, I could start this.
With luck, we may get a few sponsors to add to the prize money!

Waiting to hear from potential entrants.

Regards

This idea seems viable Iyer sir!!

Currently I'm in the process of making a chuck glider from EPP foam but I'm confused as to what to use for the spar. Don't have access to a lot of wood here sadly.

Quote from: asperised on October 07, 2020, 08:54:31 PM
This idea seems viable Iyer sir!!

Currently I'm in the process of making a chuck glider from EPP foam but I'm confused as to what to use for the spar. Don't have access to a lot of wood here sadly.

You're okay with this?
Say 200 for kit + 50 postage + 250 entry fee, total 500.
Assume 5 entries, so 1250 entry fee.
I match it, so prize kitty 2500.
Or four prizes of 1000, 750, 500 and 250.

Target can be 10 seconds by hand launch, or 20 seconds by catapult.

If so, we have 1 potential entry.
The first response I got was 'Not participating' from karthick ashwath!

Long way to go for minimum 5 entries.

Iyersir I will like to participate

Quote from: Rooster on October 07, 2020, 09:50:50 PM
Iyersir I will like to participate

You're okay with this?
Say 200 for kit + 50 postage + 250 entry fee, total 500.
Assume 5 entries, so 1250 entry fee.
I match it, so prize kitty 2500.
Or four prizes of 1000, 750, 500 and 250.

Target can be 10 seconds by hand launch, or 20 seconds by catapult.

If so, we have a 2nd potential entry.

Need 3 more at least...

Yes sir, Im okay with it.

Yes Iyersir I am fine with the kit

I will buy the kit and participate 

But I won't participate in the prizes

@KK Iyer Sir, I am also interested to participate.
But will also like to know the timeline/deadline before going into the venture

Quote from: K K Iyer on October 07, 2020, 07:38:29 PM

I've often wondered if it would work.

Its surely difficult Sir but the right motivation can make it happen. If people are into quads, lets have competition in that arena. may be for certain weight class, the longest hover time award or best aerial photoshots or something on this line?

I remember when I competed for BAJA in 2010 and 2011. It was not about the money, it was about learning & proving your own/team's design and challenging the front runners. A healthy environment can breed best of us. 20 sec is a good starter I believe.


We already have 3 entries here now. Statistically, 5 should not be difficult given the no. of member on this forum. Once those many entries are in, this can be kicked off.

On the other thought:

Many of the entrant would be the greenhorns, they have the enthusiasm and are willing to compete. Money is the biggest motivator but there can be other stuffs too. Like used/spare motors, props, 3d print services, balsa cutting services etc. These can also be offered along side. Those who possess used/spare parts can offer this as a prize money. Those who have 3D printer can offer the services at say high discounted rate (winner can win this service) likewise those with CNC can offer free balsa cutting coupons/service for winners. This way there would be lot on the table and enough to motivate people to take a dive.

The purpose here is to make hobby more fun and engaging. I am sure, whoever checked Imperial video would be checking how long that thing is flying. It was fun, as the way it should be.

@tonystark,
You're right. Money is not the only motivator, just the simplest.
There are a few examples:
- Sanjayrai55 often gives models away
- Glidiator gives kits away
- a few years ago, an American diplomat (theleabres) used to build electric schoolyard size models, and give them away for token amounts

I too used to give away stuff like props, prop adapters, linkage stoppers, hinges, horns etc.
And I used to lend motors, Escs, even TxRx.
But sometimes it was hard to get the stuff back, so I stopped.

If you are on RCGROUPS, you may have noticed that two veterans (60-80 age group), run 'build offs' every 6 months. Current theme is 'Vintage Glider'. Earlier themes were 'Early Age Revisit' for models you wish you had built long ago, but somehow never did. Or 'OZNoP' for plans for which there were no photos on OuterZone.co.uk. Or 'CAP', ie, Complete a Project, for incomplete builds or pending repairs.

Typically about 15 members register, and about 12 complete the project or build off.
Then there is a popularity poll. No prize, except for an occasional gift.
It's wonderful!

Good to see 4 enquires so far.
I'll try to get 6 kits ready by Sunday.
Slight delay as I don't have spruce or hard balsa for fuselage.
I have CF tubes, but that's too expensive for this project.
So I have to decide between CF, GF, or bamboo reinforcement!

Come on guys, can we have a few more applicants?
Don't worry about the rules and deadlines etc, they will be simple.

Which model?
See my forthcoming '2nd Chuck' thread...

Regards

Sir , can I too participate ? If the model is not too difficult to build , I too wish to be in (time constraints). Even though I was active around 4 years back , this is my reentry after a long time . Thank you .

@SI74,
Welcome aboard!
You are the guy who built my Indore Bipe and flew it in the badminton court and parking space in front of your palatial house. Right?

Time? No worry.
Since I'm providingthe kit, and glue, plasticine, sanding block, rubber bands etc, you need only 5 minutes.
Or 30 minutes if you want to sand the wing...
Regards

Yes sir, you have an excellent memory! of my builds ... Thanks a lot . Yes I had won one similar contest for rubber band plane ( lost my chance to win the 10 Sec prize )

Potential entrants so far

1. Asperised
2. Rooster
3. Sanjayrai55
4. Weekendflyer
5. SI74
6. Prabal276

See the prototype foamie here:
http://www.rcindia.org/kites-trains-free-flight-and-all-others/2nd-chuck-lunchbox/msg309510/#new

The kit for the contest will be balsa, not foam!

Edit:
Prabal added.

Sir,
I was a silent spectator until now. Please count me in as well.
( I hope you recall my Walkalong glider )

Now we are taking !!!

Come on guys lets do this.

Quote from: K K Iyer on October 08, 2020, 07:16:53 PM

Sir, I am there on RCgroups and RC universe. Only into Turbine jets.

But better late then never. I will dive into planes soon.

Quote from: prabal276 on October 09, 2020, 08:25:28 AM
Sir,
I was a silent spectator until now. Please count me in as well.
( I hope you recall my Walkalong glider )

Welcome aboard.
Added you to list of potential entrants.

Walkalong glider flying on wave lift from a cardboard sheet held in front of your chest. Right?

Regards

Hi all potential participants,

The economics of such a contest are:
5 entrants pay 500 each
Total 2500
Four prizes, 1000+750+500+250, total 2500
So I end up supplying free kits and even paying for shipping.
Not viable in the long run, is it?

And 4 prizes for 5 entries is too much, no?

If we had 10 entries, paying 500 each, total 5000,
After prize money of 2500, I'd be left with 2500,:for 10 kits @200+50 postage.

So I won't be out of pocket, as I was by rashly offering 5000 for a 10 second flight last week.

So can we have 10 participants?

I plan to send the first kit to Sanjayrai55.
As he's a participant but not a competitor, he can establish a base line for what can be easily achieved.
If the Lunchbox can easily do 10sec on hand launch, or 20second on catapult,
The minimum qualifying standard would be 15 second hand launch, 30 second catapult.

Sounds reasonable?

I'm thinking of a time frame like upto 30th Nov.

And rules like this:
1. Entry fee 200 for kit +50 shipping +250 towards prize, total 500
2. Flight duration is the criterion. Highest duration wins
3. As catapult can easily outperform hand launch, 15 seconds hand launch considered equal to 30 seconds by catapult.
4. If you don't want the kit, pay only 250 towards prize money. But you have to fly the same model.
5. Eligibility for prize, minimum 15 seconds hand launch, 30 seconds catapult.

6. Each entry flight supported by video
7. You can go on posting longer flights till the deadline.

If that sounds ok, I'll start making the kits.

Can I get 4 more participants?

Regards

Sounds sound! 

I think once you prepare and test fly the prototype, interest will spark.

Put up a build log and test flight, and some hints on trimming!