A nível de modelos aumentou a tendência para a dominação do Pulsar, nas versões 3200 ou 3600, pese embora o problema deste modelo com o nosso calor estival que provoca empenos "diferenciados" das superfícies de comando de modo que na asa "nada alinha com nada", se pretende duração de voo e facilidade de aterrar este modelo é incontornável. Nas motorizações imperam os motores sem escovas e com caixa reductora com bateria LiPo 2s nos "200W/kg" (maior hélice com maior razão de subida mantendo no limite da potência/peso) e LiPo 4s nos "200m" (hélice mais pequena com menor resistência aerodinâmica e maior velocidade horizontal para procurar a ascendente dentro dos 30s). 

  2010: quo vadis F5J? 

2010 was marked by unusual bad weather in Portugal, this caused the repeated postponement of several competitions; another kind of “heavy turbulence” was caused by the F5J Working Group, a multinational group of pilots appointed by the FAI F5 (Electric Flight) Sub-committee with the task of defining the F5J formula for thermal duration motorgliders with electric propulsion.

It is my personal opinion, after reading dozens of e-mail exchanged between the members of the WG, that although the majority of its members were in favour of keeping the “200m” rules as basis for the new class it became necessary to forward something different as a compromise with the minority. The main arguments for the change was that the “200m” formula was too easy and not suitable for a FAI formula and that it would be desirable to reward the pilot that launches his model lower. Of course that launching a model up to 200m (or any other height) can be an easy or hard way of flying the required 10 minutes but what is the problem if it is easy or difficult for every pilot flying in the same group?

The answer to these questions lie in the future, the formula evolution depends on what the clubs organize and the pilots like… or don’t. Back to the Portuguese reality, APSIA continued hosting “200m” events although attendance numbers declined; LIPA made a referendum and its members decided to have a single model (Topmodel Astra) trophy with the option of limited power or the use of the height logger/limiter as in the “200m” class plus the usual “200W/kg” events but with the decision to change to the “200m” set of rules in 2011, named by the Portuguese Aeromodelling Federation the “F5/200” national class. Goodbye to the model power/weight ratio checks but also goodbye to those impressive almost-vertical climbs “hanging” on the huge 20”x13” carbon propeller!

Regarding the model scene, the dominance of the Pulsar 3200/series increased, although our usual high Summer temperatures twist and warp the different control surfaces so much that after awhile no surface is aligned to each other… even so if one is looking for “floatability” and ease of spot landing the Pulsar is an obvious choice. Regarding powertrains the brushless geared motors dominate the scene, using 2s LiPo batteries in the “200W/kg” formula (using a big propeller for greater rate of climb within the power/weight ratio) and using 4s LiPo batteries in the “200m” formula (smaller propeller with less drag in the glide and with a greater horizontal speed for tracking thermals within the 30 seconds of the launch).