1/2 Cuban Eight

    
       
   
Half Cuban Eight Model pulls up and executes five-eighths (5/8) inside loop to 45 degrees, hesitates, does one-half (1/2) roll, hesitates, then performs one-eight (1/8) inside loop back to level flight in the opposite direction as entry. Downgrades:
  1. Loop segments not round with the same size and radius.
  2. Model not at 45 degrees before and after half roll.
  3. Changes in heading in loop segments or after half roll.
  4. Half roll not centred in 45 degree line.
  5. No hesitations before or after half roll.

Before we start dissecting the manoeuvres, a word from your friendly webmaster about aligning your aircraft. It is vitally important that you do everything in your power to ensure that your plane is set up to perform the next manoeuvre BEFORE you begin its execution. That includes all of the following:
 

  • Wings perfectly LEVEL
  • Flight path parallel to the runway
  • Altitude constant

I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important these things are to the Novice class flier. They WILL make the difference between scoring well and scoring badly.
 

  • Half Cuban Eight: Model pulls up and executes five-eighths (5/8) inside loop to 45 degrees, hesitates, does one-half (1/2) roll, hesitates, then performs one-eight (1/8) inside loop back to level flight in the opposite direction as entry.
    • Read that description carefully. Here's how it's supposed to be done.
      1. Up elevator is smoothly added to make the plane fly a constant radius 5/8th inside loop to a 45 degree inverted dive. You will need to add down elevator at the completion of the loop to maintain the 45 degree down line
      2. Fly a straight line in a 45 degree inverted dive.
      3. Execute a one-half roll to upright flight.
      4. Fly a straight line. This line is still on the same 45 degree down line and must be the same length as the line immediately before the roll.
      5. Execute a one-eights (1/8) inside loop to level upright flight. Loop must be of constant radius, and radius must be the same as the 5/8th loop at beginning of manoeuvre. Exit altitude must be the same as entry altitude.
    • Now for the downgrades:
      1. Loop segments not round with the same size and radius.
        Both loop segments (1/8th and 5/8ths) must be of equal radius and must be ROUND!
      2. Model not at 45 degrees before and after half roll.
        Model must dive at 45 degrees. If the dive appears to be 45 degrees to the pilot, it's too shallow! That's because you're looking at it at an oblique angle, not straight on. If it is a true 45 degrees, it will appear more like 55-60 degrees from the pilot's perspective.
      3. Changes in heading in loop segments or after half roll.
        Model must remain parallel with the runway throughout the entire manoeuvre.
      4. Half roll not centred in 45 degree line.
        The two straight lines must be of equal length for the roll to be centred.
      5. No hesitations before or after half roll.
        If you skip either straight line segment (before or after the roll), deduct TWO points!