DBF Q&A #2
Question: We have a question about the configuration of the speedloader: Is it possible to construct a speedloader that would not have a closed volume?
Answer: The speedloader can be open, with the closing side being part of the airframe. For example, the speedloader could be an open box which is inserted into the airframe and the airframe hatch could "close" the payload volume.
Question: Can we use different speedloaders at the same time. Is it possible to fly with three speedloaders each with a different capacity (for example 20, 30, and 50 balls).
Answer: You can have several different speedloaders ready to fly on different flights of the same contest flight period. You could then select which loader to use for each flight. All would have to be the same size and shape, but would have different numbers of balls loaded.
You could also have 2 loaders which are carried at the same time, provided you always carry two loaders. The 2 loaders could have different weights or numbers of balls in them to allow balancing the payloads about the cg.
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General Information Update:
Several teams have made changes to the team rosters. If you have sent in a change and have received a confirmation e-mail your change has been registered. I have not yet updated the members lists on the web site. We will update the web site lists once, probably in February, to reflect all changes I have received by that time.
Many teams have inquired about the possibility of having guests attend the fly-off. We will be meeting with the Webster representatives right after the new year, and will discuss what provisions can be made for outside visitors at that time. I also am working on if we can provide the ability to ship aircraft direct to the contest site. I should be able to provide answers to these questions in early January.
We have obtained a list of hotels in the area of the contest, and that information is attached to this e-mail. If arriving by air, you can fly in to Ronald Regan (was National), Baltimore/Washington International, or Dullas airports. Be aware that Dullas is about an hour further from the contest site than either of the other two airports.
For our foreign competitors, I'd like to make sure you are aware that you can not rent a car (or truck) in the US without a credit card. They will accept cash for final payment, but will still require you to present a valid credit card for you to pick up the vehicle.
We will be setting up a preliminary contest schedule for distribution after the new year. In general, Friday 20 April will be for tech inspections and test flights. All teams are encouraged to plan their travel to attend the Friday tech inspections so you are ready to fly on Saturday. We will do tech inspections on Saturday and Sunday, but that will delay your ability to fly during the first rounds of the contest on Saturday. Saturday and Sunday will both be contest flight days. We will normally fly between about 8 am and 5 pm each day, with the awards presentations after the flight period on Sunday. It is nominally a two hour drive from Webster back to the closer airports, so if leaving on Sunday you should consider flights leaving after 9pm.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
-Greg
Gregory S. Page
ITT SES
2560 Huntington Ave
Alexandria VA 22303
202-404-1251
202-767-6194 FAX
email: gregory.s.page@nrl.navy.mil
email: greg.page@itt.com
Contest web page: http://amber.aae.uiuc.edu/~aiaadbf
HOTELS AND MOTELS WITHIN 15 MILES OF NAS PATUXENT RIVER
BEST WESTERN (formerly PATUXENT INN) -California. (301) 862-4100.
$76.00, $59.00/military, $64.00 corporate and AAA/AARP rate. $5.00
extra for each adult. Continental breakfast. Restaurant, tennis
courts, jogging trail, and pool available. No pets. Accept MC, V, D,
DC, and AE.
COMFORT INN BEACON MARINA- Solomons. (410) 326-6303.
Single/Double -$79.00 (April 30-May 27,1999), $89.00 (May
28-Oct. 16,1999), $69.00 (Oct. 17-Dec. 30, 1999). Military rate,
Sunday- Thursday except special holidays -$59.00/single and
$65.00/double. Restaurant, continental breakfast. Pool and hot tub
available. 10% off rate for AAA or AARP at certain times. No pets
allowed. Accept MC, V, D, AE, and DC.
DAYS INN -Lexington Park. (301) 863-6666.
Single $74.00+ tax, $59.00+ tax/military, $66.60+ tax/AAA or
AARP. King bed $74.00. Double $78.00+ tax, $63.00+ tax/military,
$70.20+ tax/AAA AARP. King bed $78.00. Additional adults add $4.00.
Efficiencies available. Pets allowed. Pool. Accept MC, V, D, DC, and
AE.
EXTENDED STAY OF AMERICA -Lexington Park, (240) 725- 0100 or (800) EXTSTAY.
Queen/2 doubles $64.00/night or $289.00/week. King $64.00/night or
$319.00/week. suite $79.00/night or $379.001week. All rooms have
complete kitchenettes. 24 hour laundry facility. No pets. MC, V, D,
AE, and DC accepted.
HAMPTON INN -Lexington Park, (301) 863-3200, Fax (301) 863-7865.
Single -$65.00 + tax, Double -$75.00 + tax (2 or more), Military
..$59.00 + tax. No pets. Outdoor pool, continental breakfast,
cable/HBO, fitness facility, business center, meeting rooms and guest
laundry. AMEX MC, V, D, DC, AE.
HOLIDAY INN SELECT, Conference Center and Marina -Solomons.
(410) 326-6311 or (800)-HOLIDAY.
Single -$94.00 Sun.-Thurs, $99.00 Fri.-Sat, SS9.00 + tax/military
(based on availability). Double- $104.00 Sun.-Thurs, $109.00
Fri.-Sat. $69.00 + tax/military (based on availability). Pets allowed
(State at time of reservation.). Pool, restaurant, laundry service
Mon-Fri, tennis courts, sauna, and nautilus center available. Accepts
MC, V, D, AE, DC.
RELAX INN -Leonardtown. (301) 475-3011.
Single -$35.00+ tax. Double -$40.00+ tax. Military save by paying no
tax on room. No pets. Accepts most charge cards.
SUPER 8- California. (301) 862-9822.
Single -$49.35 (including tax). 10% military discount can be applied
to these rates. Double -$55.65 (including tax). 10% military discount
can be applied to these rates. Pets allowed with permission. Accept
MC, V, D, AE, DC and NC.
****Rates are subject to change so call for verification and reservations.