KeilKraft “SENATOR” Global Postal Challenge (From the Spring 2005 Thermal Journal)

First kitted by KeilKraft in 1950, the ‘Senator’ has become recognised as an excellent design that combines simple robust structure with outstanding performance. Very popular in British ‘Vintage’ events, it also can do well in North American ‘Category III’ classes – Nostalgia Rubber, Moffett and Mulvihill, etc. for which 120 second maximums are a formality and it can be taken well past 180 seconds with little extra effort.
There is no entry fee. The winner will receive a minimum prize of US$80.00, or the equivalent in any other currency – the final sum will reflect exchange rates at the close of the event but presently equates to approximately
C$100, £45.00, A$110.00, NZ$120.00, etc. Further enhancement of this sum and/or provision of further prizes is dependent upon any donations received*. The lengthy timescale of this Postal is to permit any modeler an
opportunity to participate, no matter where in the world they might be located. * (A 2nd prize now confirmed).
Models are to conform to the standard Senator kit plan; the structure may be amended only for the purposes of D/T installation – whether tipping stabiliser (LE down), tipping wing or hinged rear fuselage – and the undercarriage leg may be removable for storage/carrying purposes. Glazing of the ‘cabin’ is optional. Any freewheel propellor up to a maximum of 13” diameter may be used and there are no restrictions on rubber motor size/weight. Three flights shall be made to a 120 second maximum. If three Maximums are achieved, then successive flights may be made with the maximum increasing by 60 seconds on each occasion, until the target time is not realised.
e.g. 120. 120. 120. 180. 240. 211 = Total Score 991 seconds.

All flights to be pre-nominated to a timekeeper; the initial three should be made on the same day but successive flyoff flights may be made at the flyer’s discretion, similarly timed. A plan may be viewed at http://members.rogers.com/hunter8477/ with a download also available, or contact me in the event of difficulties, or with any questions that you might have. Entries/scores may be forwarded to me at any time and I will endeavour to keep participants informed with regular interim updates as well as a final report and result sheet, which will be further publicised as widely as possible. Accompanying anecdotes and photographs would be very welcome and are encouraged. I hope that you will give this event your support and also encourage others to participate. The ‘Senator’ is a vice less airplane, easy to build and to fly with very satisfying performance; my only advice is to keep the structure aft of the CG as light as possible to reduce the need for any nose ballast to a minimum.
Happy Flying!
Jim Moseley