OK, maybe not a rant, just some personal observations. Since I'm new to Carrier (haven't even finished my first airplane yet), some may feel I haven't earned the right to an opinion on the event yet. I would like to see Carrier grow in popularity though, and the bickering I see posted on Carrier discussion boards does not help IN ANY WAY the popularity of the event. In fact, I believe the bickering hurts the popularity of the event. Who would want to get involved with a group of people who's primary activity seems to be arguing with each other? So my opinion is what it is. If you don't like it, just don't read it.
Sliders are here to stay, so get over it.
Sliders have been part of Navy Carrier for at least 14 years. They will remain a part of the event until enough people who don't like them get a rule changed passed. Do sliders hurt or help the event? From my perspective, it is very difficult to see how line sliders would disuade a person from trying Carrier. To me, the arguments concerning their alleged complexity ring pretty hollow. They don't look much more complicated than a typical tail hook release, and are certainly less complex than the automated flaps, ailerons, etc. that were common on "competitive" designs from the pre-slider era. On the contrary, I believe that sliders are actually an advantage to someone just getting started. As Eric Conley noted in last month's Flight Deck column, sliders make it much easier to land your model on the deck without damaging it. If you really can't stand the thought of flying a model with sliders, fly Nostalgia Carrier (yes, I know it's not an official event).
Hardly anyone cares about left hand cranks.
Contrary to popular complaints, expensive custom built .36's with left hand cranks are not some unfair, insurmountable advantage that scares away newcomers from trying the event. The idea that because some top Carrier pilots use high end engines (many of which don't have left hand props), other fliers won't try the event with "lesser" engines, is idiotic. Think about it. Lets compare Carrier to Stunt. Like Carrier, the top Stunt pilots use high end engines - $400 a pop or more. Many of the top Stunt pilots also pay around $150 for a tuned pipe and header and as much as $60 for a prop - in all, about $600 total for the power package. If high end engines truly do keep people away from an event, then perhaps someone could explain the thousands of people who enjoy flying Stunt with $60 to $80 engines.
