Model Processing and Opening Ceremonies

Quick post this morning before the competition begins....

Yesterday was official processing of the models and equipment.   Lots of Hoo-ha and drama over the energy limiters.
Many of the Uni-logger energy limiters [used primarily by the Europeans] are showing test results as much as 15% more than the allowable energy cut-off.   This is very significant and could explain why some team posted some nice low times in the NeuCastle Cup while others could not get under 60 seconds.   I'm just saying......

This has thrown some teams into a tail spin one day before the official competition.  They must now change software loads in their limiters to bring them down to the legal limit of 1000 watt-minutes.   Then they must recalibrate their propellors to this new energy limit.    The contest administration has allowed one half day of practice and testing today so that teams can do this.   (One reason for this is that the watt limiter testing machine was not available for use during the NeuCastle Cup, so this is now a big surprise).    Therefore the competition will not begin until 12:30pm today.

Team Canada is running an energy limiter from Neumotors.com    It is a fixed value limiter that cannot be programmed by the pilot.  (At least not that we know of)    Therefore our limiters are OK -- in theory.   Assuming proper programming and calibration at the Neumotors factory.   So we had a good sleep-in this morning.   Light rain this morning will likely clear away by noon.  Presently sitting in the laundromat freshening my panties !!!    Mom always said wear clean underwear to a race !
:o)

Yesterday evening, the official opening ceremonies and team managers' meeting was held.   The ceremonies were short and sweet without political speeches.   Great !    It was nice to see all the teams in their official colors and waving their country's flag.

The team managers' meeting had lots of discussion about the energy limiter of course.    A few other minor issues but the NeuCastle Cup worked out most of those.   Too bad that the energy limiter testing machine was not given a dry run during the NeuCastle Cup.  

Yesterday during practice, Team Canada worked on propellors that will give us >60seconds of run time.  We had some success and feel confident we can achieve 60 seconds for ten laps and even break the elusive 59 second [Muncie] barrier.

The laundry is dry, more tonight.



Randy