What's Good Range?
| " If your engine-on test loses more than 20% range, investigate." |
You should now have two sets of numbers. Ideally, they'll match. Most times, especially with spark ignition engines, you'll see a slight reduction in ground range. How much is too much? Here's a rule-of-thumb most fellows are following:
If your engine-on test loses more than 20% range, investigate.
The thinking is that a 10% error could be due to the testing system. However, I've seen some fellows who've had their engine-on test result in 1/3rd the range of their engine-off test - a clear indication that something isn't right.
So the big question is: what is good range, and what's a minimum to fly? Variables are going to contribute greatly to the numbers you've received. I've had some basic sport models, tested on blacktop, with perfectly tuned systems exceed 500 feet of ground range. How low to go is largely a personal matter, reflecting your personal desire to accept risk. In polling most JR team members, internal and external, the rule that most seem comfortable with, measured under "normal conditions"- grass, level, model on ground is this:
Minimums:
Engine off: 175 feet (60 paces)
Engine running: 150 feet (50 paces)
In Conclusion
Range testing is a technique. Like all modeling techniques, it's open to interpretation and adaptation. I've checked this system with some of the top radio guys in the country and they've given it a "thumbs up" for methodology. So before you deviate, you might try it this way first.
If nothing else, hopefully you will have improved awareness of the range testing process. Most JR flyers I've met are interested in high performance, and as a whole are better-than-average modellers. I hope this will help protect your investment.
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