Giant Scale Air Racing

Where to Begin 

(What we've learned about racing the big birds.)

You may have seen a write-up in one of the popular model aviation magazines.  You may have seen one of your local R/C flyers testing or practicing with his Giant Scale Racing plane.  You might have attended a Giant Scale Air Race at one of the USRA series races.  You may have just stumbled on this subject as a result of a web search.  Or you just decided you wanted to try something new in the vast field of Radio Control miniature aircraft flying.  One thing is for sure – this is a fascinating area of Radio Control Modeling that you could be a part of. 

Think Professional

To start with, consider this analogy:  “Anyone can drive a car but there are only a few dozen NASCAR race drivers.”  Why?  Well, it takes a commitment.  It takes a dedication of time and effort as well as a set of skills that are not all that common. Giant Scale Racers are a special breed.  They are the top of their field of Radio Control Pilots.  Not to say they are any better than the top Aerobatic pilots or the finest Scale Builders and flyers. They have honed their skills in this discipline to be able to become “professional” R/C pilots.  The word “Professional” is very important here.  There are times when spectators will pay to watch these Giant Scale Race Pilots fly.  There are times when the winners will be paid money for their winnings.  Sometimes this money runs into the amounts that  will interest the IRS.  If you are a big winner and you have not treated your flying as a business, you may be sharing your winnings with Uncle Sam.  In order to mitigate this, you will need to keep track of your expenses in order to offset your winnings.  This doesn’t mean that you cannot just buy/build an airplane and come race with us. You don’t need a business or a license or even a sponsor.  You just need an airplane, an entry fee and membership in a couple organizations.  Now that sounds simple and it might be a little over simplified but the truth is, that is it.  Buy a plane, read the rules pay your money and come race with us. This page is written to show you how simple it is and help you make the decisions that are necessary to get started.

Pick your place

There are a lot of decisions to make and they pretty much need to be made early so that you can focus on your goal.  We could assume that you want to be a Giant Scale Race Pilot.  But if you just want to be a part of the experience, there are many ways that you can get in on the action and up-close-and-personal with the racers without learning to fly or forking out Mega Bucks for a racing machine.  You can be a Course Worker for the race organizer or you can be a crew member of a race team.  

    Course Workers

Each race event requires dozens of “course workers” to count laps, time races, tally scores, line-up heats, even fuel the aircraft and impound the radios.  These important positions are often filled with dedicated volunteers that are not necessarily pilots or even modelers.  When there aren't enough volunteers some positions must be filled by contestants or maybe even left unattended.  They are absolutely necessary in order to carryout a racing event and are greatly appreciated by the promoters, sponsors and racers.  Often rewarded with complimentary meals, gifts, raffle prizes and Thank Yous, Course Workers usually have the best seats in the house where the roar of the engines rings in their ears and they have up-to-the-second information on the results and standings of the competitors.  If you want to take your time and get to understand the system before you decide how you want to race, then try volunteering as a course worker before you spend your money on a race airplane.  We would appreciate your help.

    Helper

Each race airplane, regardless of class, requires a “team” of people to operate it. Basicaly there is the Pilot and the Caller.  Recently there has been a requirement to have a "Third Man" on the starting line for the short time while starting and launching the aircrafty  This "Third Man" enables the pilot and caller get the airplane started and get themselves situated for the flight behind the pilot stations while the Third Man holds the airplane and positions it on the runway for release.  Once the airplane is launched, the Third Man moves himself behind the safety line to watch the race at a safe distance.  He can then, assist in recovery of the airplane after landing.  It's a simple but important and necessary crew position.  Some teams will share their crewmembers to perform this task in different heat races.  Some teams have a designated Third Man that is familiar with the airplane and the pilot's signals and makes the competition and team run smooth and seamlessly.  If you are not ready to dive in and invest in a new race plane, this is a very good place to start.  You can work your way into a race team and learn how a team runs before getting too committed financially.  This is a volunteer position that does not require any skills, or membership in any organization.  You will be required to sign a liability waiver and get an armband what will allow you up to the starting line when your team is ready to race.  Many teams travel cross-country to attend a race and cannot afford to transport and house a Third Man so they will look for volunteers at the race venue for help.  Just make yourself available and you are in.

    Caller

Along with the Third man and almost as important as the pilot is the “Caller”.  The Pilot and Caller work as a team to guide the airplane around the race course using the shortest distance necessary to round the pylons and through the other air traffic.  The Caller got his name because he announces to the pilot when it is time to make the turn around the pylon.  Each team has their own systems for conducting this relationship between the pilot and caller.  Some pilots depend on their caller to tell them when to turn.  Others use the caller as a confirmation of a legal turn by watching for an indication of a cut.  Yet other pilots use the Caller only as a “spotter” during racing and landings.  Some racers use other racers or other team pilots for their Callers.  This places a skilled pilot at the ready to assist if something should happen to the pilot or airplane that needs qualified assistance.  In most cases, the Caller is an integral part of the racing team with the pilot and they train and practice their race skills to operate as a finely oiled machine.  Often the Caller’s name is recognized along with the pilot as the “Team” that earned the win.  If you want to be a Caller, you will want to get up-close-and-personal with a pilot and race team and make a commitment to working with the pilot.  It is a good opportunity to get intimately involved with the airplane and assist the pilot and team in the preparation and maintenance of the aircraft.  This is your best opportunity to help you decide whether you want to be a pilot and if so, what class and airplane design you want to fly.  You can’t get any closer to the action without spending your money.  Some Callers are actually aircraft owners or sponsors that just don’t have the skills or desire to do the piloting.  They might sponsor or build the airplane and let a more skilled pilot do the flying.  But they are in the middle of the action and can play a part in the outcome of the race.

    Pilot

So, you have decided that you want to be a Giant Scale Race Pilot.  If you are already a team member you probably don’t need this basic information.  You already know whom you can go to for information and advice.  This page is intended for the Radio Control enthusiast that wants to break into the GSR experience and cannot find the information either on the web or in his local area that he needs in order to make an educated decision on what class to choose and what airplane to fly within that class.  Each racing class has its own character and purpose but there is most likely a class that will fit you and your skills or goals.  In order for you to really find out if this is a sport for you, I highly suggest that you attend a USRA race event as an absolute minimum.  Spend a day or two walking among the pits (it’s free) and talk to the various race teams and pilots and see for yourself the quality of craftsmanship and precision machinery that it takes to compete in this Radio Control spectacle of Giant Scale Air Racing.  Feel free to ask about the racing classes and rules.  Try to understand and associate each aircraft with their classes.  Try to determine what you can handle and how much you can afford.  You might even make a friend and join an existing team or you may find that you need to form your own team.  It any case - it is a "team" event and you cannot expect to go it alone. Make a friend and get some help.

Your first official step would be to join the Unlimited Scale Racing Association (USRA).  It does not require any qualification or skill or license.  But it will get you current information on Rules and Aircraft Specifications.  You will also keep informed about the race dates and locations.