Competition News

Competition News

A Note From the Technical Director

Bob Underwood

A Frequency Fable (The details of this fable are fact! They've been fancied up for fun)

Once upon a time in a kingdom far, far away (well, maybe not too far away, since he lived in the Midwest near a small city) there lived a handsome prince (hereafter referred to as the Prince). The Prince loved to fly RC models at a local site removed just a teeny, tiny bit from a lovely turreted town. For years (almost six) he had sailed forth to fly his model using a Trusty Old Radio System that had served him well from the very beginning of his modeling career.

One day the Prince heard or read (or thought he heard or read) that a nasty old monster called Ama had ventured forth upon the land and was threatening to take away Trusty Old Radio Systems from happy modelers. He was not certain what the reason was, but he thought maybe Ama was consuming them as food or maybe was just plain mean! He wrote a nasty letter threatening the Ama with dire, foreboding things if it ever came near his Trusty Old Radio System.

Not long after that he learned that the Ama was not trying to take away all the Trusty Old Radio Systems from modelers. In fact, he learned that the Ama had created medicine that would help his old equipment live into the future. The Ama did warn the Prince, however, that old equipment may well suffer some very nasty side effects, especially if used in the presence of a terrible virus that floats cloud-like near cities. Of course we speak of the dreaded Pageritis virus which causes model radio systems to do strange and violent things.

The Prince pondered the warning for a moment or two, shrugged his royal shoulders and went on his merry way to the field. His airplane contained the very same Trusty Old Radio System. Weekly he continued his trips to the flying field causing his Little Airplane to swoop and loop and roar about the sky. He was so happy! Oh! It was good! Oh! It was fun! Then one day right after a swoop and a loop and just before a roar his Little Airplane suffered severe shakes. “Shucks!” the Prince cried. “What has happened to my Little Airplane?” The throttle hiccuped, the elevator twitched, the ailerons locked hard right and the Little Airplane rolled over and down into the ground.

The Prince pondered the possibilities as he sought reasons for the Little Airplane’s demise. Could his fabled fingers have been fraught with fright? Was it the dreaded 3IM monster? Or 2IM? All the “ors” continued all the way to the model. He lovingly placed the pieces in a pile and proceeded to put them back to the site where he pronounced in a pitiful, plaintive voice, “Oh, woe is me!”

With trembling hands, fearful that, along with his Little Airplane, his Trusty Old Radio System had also died, he worked the transmitter sticks. In dutiful fashion the servos followed faithfully. Everything worked! The Prince knew that he could not have been at fault. Fine on such a non-royal thought! Perfection coursed through every vein of the blue blood’s body!

The Prince spent a fitful night, unable to erase the terrible event from his thinking. When the next new day dawned, he decided to devote his royal time to investigating the incident. By noon he had made the terrible discovery that his city had just a week before become infested with a new and very deadly strain of the dreaded Pageritis virus! He questioned the Royal Doctor, a specialist in internal frequencies. The doctor stated that he had bad news and good news.

The bad news was that, indeed, the Prince’s radio had succumbed to the dreaded Pageritis virus because the radio’s brain waves were only a teeny, tiny bit away from those of Pageritis. The good news was that the radio could be fixed so that its brain waves would be far away from this terrible virus strain. The Royal Doctor went on to say that with just a teeny, tiny bit of extra medical care the radio could be made almost completely immune to any strain of the dreaded virus that might appear in the future.

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FAI FF Team Selection (continued)

C. Regulations governing the semifinals

Semifinals will be conducted in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code except as amended below. Other deviations from the Code will not be permitted.

1. Competitors must launch from stations on a line which is approximately perpendicular to the wind direction.

1. No thermal sensors and other similar equipment over eight feet tall are allowed inside the launch area.

1. No goating is allowed.

1. Round delay or cancellation due to weather factors is a Contest Director prerogative, as per the FAI Sporting Code.

1. Time constraints: All flying will be done in rounds. The contestant will have no more than 20 minutes from arrival at the launch station until the model is launched or has its place in the line and returned to the end of the timer line.

1. Round system: There will be eight rounds of one hour minimum. For the contest to be official, at least five rounds must be flown.

D. Advancement to the Finals

1. The formula which will be used to determine which fliers from the semifinals will be advanced to the team finals is:

N = L/C × K.

• N = number of fliers advanced (round to nearest whole number).
• L = number of local fliers (flying in an event at one semifinal).
• C = number of fliers in that event in the country (all semifinals).
• K = 30 (a constant which will result in a manageable team final).

Note: At least one flier will be advanced in each event from the semifinals regardless of the number of fliers at the semifinals. Additionally, anyone making at least 98% of the winning time in his event at a semifinals will be advanced, even if he could not have been advanced under the conditions of the above formula.

1. Alternates to the 1993 program finals from the semifinals will be allowed with the following rule: For any alternate at any semifinal to be advanced to the finals, he must have made at least 80% of the winning time in his event at that semifinals.

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IV. Selected Contests

#### A. Eligibility and Entry Fee

1. The Contest Director of the Selected Contest must accept any contestant who produces proof of preentry, or who pays the on-site fee of $40.00 per event, and meets all the other requirements for entry.

1. All fees must be paid in advance of flying.

#### B. Advancement to the Finals from Selected Contest

1. The first place winner in an event at a Selected Contest will be advanced, as well as any contestant who records all maxes in the contest in question, exclusive of flyoff rounds.

1. No alternates from this type of selection.

1. Those who qualify for the finals under this Selected Contest qualifying form must be certified by the CD of the Selected Contest to AMA Headquarters, postmarked within seven days after the contest.

#### C. Selected Contest Criteria

1. Selected Contests may be held any time after the Labor Day weekend 1991 for the October finals format.

1. A Selected Contest must have five entrants per event.

1. Selected Contests will be conducted in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code.

• Note: A minimum of seven (7) rounds must be flown and three-minute or greater maxes must be used. A contest split over a two-day period and meeting the minimum round requirements is acceptable. It will be the responsibility of the participant to ensure that the qualifying form is signed by the CD and that the participant forwards the form to the Team Selection Committee. Nominations for selected contests will be reviewed and chosen by the Team Selection Committee within the time frame of January 31, 1991 to March 1, 1992. The Team Selection Committee will periodically publish a list of the Selected Contests.
• Note: Even though approved as a Selected Contest, a meet will lose Selected Contest status by deviating from the above criteria.

1. To be considered a max-out you must fly the advertised maximum times per round, i.e., dual standards for maxes are unacceptable.

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V. Finals

The 1991 team members, team manager, assistant team manager, and any current U.S. World Champion will be allowed to advance to the finals. The manager and assistant team manager may fly in one event of his choice. The team members will advance in the event they flew on the 1991 team. Additional events may be flown through the normal program.

A. It is the policy of the Team Selection Committee to conduct a single-site finals that will be rotated between east-west sites for alternate programs; the 1993 program is an exception due to the location of the 1993 World Championships being held at Lost Hills.

B. The finals will be held within a four-day period in October 1992.

C. The cost of entry for the finals will be $70.00 per event per contestant. Age 20 and under fliers will be allowed entry without charge. Fees are to be paid to AMA Headquarters prior to the finals.

1. Those qualified for the finals under the semifinal formula must declare their intention to attend, and pay their entry fee 90 days prior to the finals to AMA Headquarters. Alternates have 14 days to respond from the date of notification, or in accordance with the deadline stipulated on the Intent to Enter form.

1. Those qualified for the finals from Selected Contests must declare their intention to attend and pay their entry fee 90 days prior to the finals, except for Selected Contests within that 90-day period, in which case the fee must be paid 14 days prior to the finals.

D. Procedures and Rules for the Finals. The finals will be conducted in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code except as amended below.

1. Models must be launched from a line and pole position which is approximately perpendicular to the wind direction. The Contest Director has the discretion to lay the flight line appropriate to the conditions of the field.

1. All models must be launched within five meters of the specified launch position. Selection of the launch position shall be by random draw prior to the contest.

1. The launch area is defined as a distance of plus or minus 15 meters from the launch line in F1B and F1C, and plus or minus 65 meters in F1A.

1. Only the flier and a maximum of two helpers are permitted in the launch area.

1. The use of thermal-finding models (goats) will not be permitted. The judgment of the Contest Director on this issue will be final.

E. Finals Rounds Format: Four-day finals; fourteen half-hour rounds—seven rounds per day for two days per event, with the fourth day reserved for flyoffs if required.

• Nordic will fly on days one and two, and time on day three.
• Wake will fly days one and three and will time on day two.
• Power will fly on days two and three and will time on day one.

Finals dates: October 8–11, Thursday through Sunday, 1992, at Lost Hills, California (October 11 is reserved for flyoffs).

Early rounds: 7:30–8:00, 8:50–9:20, 10:10–10:40, 11:30–12:00, 12:50–1:20, 2:10–2:40, 3:30–4:00.

Late rounds: 8:10–8:40, 9:30–10:00, 10:50–11:20, 12:10–12:40, 1:30–2:00, 2:50–3:20, 4:10–4:40.

Each event flies early rounds one day and late rounds one day.

Each event will fly from a separate flight line if possible.

Flyoffs, if required, will be held on the fourth day.

The flier is responsible to time all day for one day or find a substitute. If he needs time for a search, repair or whatever, the use of volunteer timers is not necessarily discouraged and may be required.

F. Cancellation Procedures. Rounds may only be canceled once at a time. Rounds of the finals may be postponed by the Contest Director. If a round is postponed more than one hour from the announced starting time, it is canceled. If a round is delayed after an official flight has been recorded, that round must be completed before any other round starts—if this cannot be done before the end of the contest, the contest day will be canceled.

If at least seven rounds in three days of the finals have been completed, the finals will be completed on the basis of the rounds flown.

If less than seven rounds have been completed at the end of three days, the contest will be completed at a later date, retaining the flight scores from the previously completed rounds.

G. Number of models allowed. Each finalist will be allowed to compete with no more than four models per event. Models to be used on any given day must be stated in advance of the day's flying. The flier may process an unlimited number of models.

H. Flyoff Procedure. If required, the flyoff will be flown at 7:30 a.m. for October in 15-minute rounds. Event rotation will be F1A, F1B, F1C. Scheduling of succeeding 15-minute rounds will be at the discretion of the Contest Director in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code.

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VI. Finals Site Selection Considerations

• Secure use of the field a year in advance.
• Able to complete at least seven rounds in three days of flying.
• Open for practice a minimum of two days before the start of the finals.
• Accommodations for 200 people; 30 minutes driving time.
• Parking for 100 cars.
• Motorcycles permitted for chasing.
• At least suitable for Category II AMA contests.

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Official 1992 U.S. FAI F3E Team Selection Permanent Program

Issued by the F3E Team Selection Committee

This program is established to provide a basis for selecting the best possible electric power F3E team and give the selected team sufficient time to prepare for the World Championships.

1. The Team Selection Finals shall take place at a time well ahead of the World Championships, and at a time when poor weather in some parts of the country will not inhibit prospective fliers from practicing and properly preparing for the team selection finals. The time frame shall be August–October the year prior to the World Championships. The date shall be selected by the host organization provided there is no conflict with other AMA events.

Site/host selection will be based upon competitive bid. The bidding organization should show a sincere desire to host the Team Selection Finals and should possess the ability to run such a contest. In addition, the bidding organization must be able to supply the needed equipment for the contest, namely, sighting devices, timing devices, weighing devices, and field marking devices. The host must be acceptable to a voting majority of the F3E Team Selection Committee.

The host, upon submitting a bid, must also submit a budget of expected expenses as well as make a declaration of any additional on-site entry fees (surcharge) required to cover these expenses. Any moneys in excess of actual expenses will be accounted for and sent to the AMA for the F3E Team Fund, while any shortfalls will be the responsibility of the host organization.

1. Requirements for participation in the team selection:

• a. Individuals must have submitted a $15 entry fee to AMA and have received the official performance qualification form and program details from the AMA.

• b. At the time of qualification individuals must have in their possession a current AMA and NAA membership license with a current FAI stamp. These licenses and stamp must be shown to and verified by the witnessing Contest Director.

• c. Individuals shall become qualified through having participated in an AMA sanctioned F3E contest with a minimum of eight competitors and having placed at least third, or was one of the top three finishers not counting any individuals who were members of the previous U.S.A. F3E World Championships team. Or, in the case of lack of events, or the inability to attend such, the qualification can be made by having achieved a score of at least 500 points while flying the event in strict accordance with the FAI Sporting Code (as amended) while in the presence of an AMA Contest Director.

• d. The three team members from the previous World Championships team are pre-qualified for the Team Selection Finals provided they pay the program entry fee as well as the finals fee prior to the official cutoff date.

• e. All finalists will pay to the AMA the entry fee (currently $50) postmarked no later than 60 days prior to the scheduled Team Selection Finals or within 10 days after completion of the Nats, whichever is later. This will allow the AMA time to prepare a roster of qualified paid participants to be in possession of the finals Contest Director prior to the date of the Team Selection Finals.

• f. Refund requests for a finals fee must be received at AMA Headquarters no later than two weeks prior to the Team Selection Finals.

1. The team will be selected at the Team Selection Finals, where the top three finishers will constitute the team. The fourth-place finisher will be the alternate.

In the event it is later found that a selectee and the alternate cannot fulfill his/her obligation to participate in the World Championships, the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc., in serial order, will be offered the opportunity to replace him/her (AMA must approve such a replacement).

Upon selection of the team, a team manager will be selected in accordance with current AMA guidelines. In the event there are no current AMA guidelines, the selection will be by unanimous vote of the team members, which must be made within 30 days following the Team Selection Finals.

1. The format of the team selection will be in accordance with the current FAI Sporting Code (as amended) with no deviations allowed. There will be eight rounds, weather permitting, with seven counting for final score (the lowest score will be dropped). The event will consist of at least two days, with no more than four rounds flown on any day.

1. Time frames:

• a. The Team Selection Finals shall be held in odd numbered years and shall take place in the August to October time frame.

• b. The last day to qualify to attend the Team Selection Finals will coincide with the last day of the AMA Nats.

• c. For filing a bid to host the team selection:

1. March 15 in the year of the team selection.
2. If there is no bid by March 15, then the Team Selection Committee will actively recruit a host, and the committee will decide on the host.
3. Finals fee (currently $50) must be sent to AMA Headquarters postmarked no later than 60 days prior to the Team Selection Finals.

1. All fees collected through participants, entry, finals, and surcharges (in excess of expenses) are primarily for financing the F3E team. The Team Selection Committee shall allocate from the Team Fund monies for the following team expenses, but only to the limit of the fund:

• a. Travel expenses not paid by AMA, such as vehicle rentals and fuel for vehicles.
• b. Baggage charges for model boxes (AMA does not pay for model or box transportation).
• c. Any other expenses approved by majority vote of the Team Selection Committee.

1. This program will remain in effect permanently. It may be amended or revised by a majority vote of the Team Selection Committee and the program participants.

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FAI FF Team Selection (continued)

VII. 1993 Program Finances and Budget

Team expenses covered by AMA:

• a. Entry fees, including lodging and meals for the duration of the official days of the World Championships.

• b. AMA will pay the lowest available amount for a direct coach flight from the major airport nearest the team member's home to the nearest city to the World Championships, or, if there is no direct flight, then for the flight arrangements with the most economical fare.

• c. Team practice for a maximum of three days at the World Championships site.

1993 Program Budget

The proposed budget for the 1993 program appears below. First the proposed expenditure for the program is presented, then an explanation of some items follows. The presentation is made under the assumption that the World Championships will be held in the U.S.

• World Championships team travel and lodging — $2,000.
• World Championships Contingency Fund — $1,000.
• Finals operations — $1,500.
• In-person Meeting fund — $2,400.
• Team Selection Committee contingency fund (to be dispensed at the discretion of the Team Selection Committee) — $1,500.
• Finals site contingency fund — $500.
• Fund balance — $4,000.

Total — $12,900.

As of November 1, 1990 the Team Selection Committee has $2,648 of unencumbered funds.

A. Finals operations: This amount is set at $1,500 and should be adequate to cover necessary costs of the finals. Finals officials will not automatically be reimbursed for this amount but can expect reimbursement from the program for expenses not exceeding this amount.

B. In-person Meeting: Presently, this fund is to pay for travel and lodging for the meeting place. The committee meets at the end of each program cycle. All meals and incidentals are paid for by the representative himself.

C. Finals Site Contingency Fund: Costs depend on the finals site. This item is to allow for excess expenses that may arise in staging a finals or obtaining a site remote from qualified organizers and/or clubs.

Expected Revenue

• Semifinals: 165 entries @ $35/$40.00 = $6,105.
• Finals: 90 entries @ $70.00 = $6,300.
• Miscellaneous income/interest: $495.00.

Total = $12,900.00.

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FAI Free Flight Team Selection Committee — November, 1990

• District 1: Henry Struck, 294 Rt. 156, Lyme, CT 06371; 203-434-3091.
• District 2: Bob Hatschke, 316 Grosvenor St., Douglaston, NY 11363; 718-224-3908.
• District 3: Dale Metzger, 870 Fernshire Dr., Centerville, OH 45459; 513-433-9591.
• District 4: Bob Siefert, RD 3, Box 56, Glenora, PA 17327; 717-235-4241.
• District 5: Tom McLaughlin, 4140 Fern Court, Pensacola, FL 32503; 904-484-5327.
• District 6 (Chairman): Chuck Marks, 655 Carlisle, Deerfield, IL 60015; 708-945-9225.
• District 7: Paul Crowley, 33604 Tecla, Warren, MI 48093; 313-294-1236.
• District 8: Jack Brown, 10201 Colonial Club Dr., Austin, TX 78747; 512-282-8885.
• District 9: Bill Gibbons, 2422 Club House Rd., Boulder, CO 80301; 303-530-5256.
• District 10: Doug Galbraith, 3408 Topsail Pl., Davis, CA 95616; 916-757-2283.
• District 11 (Co-Chairman): Robert Waterman, 4480 NW Wallowa Ct., Portland, OR 97229-3507; 503-645-0897.

Subcommittee for Jr. Team Selection: Bob Siefert, Chuck Marks, and Bob Waterman.

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VIII. Team Selection Committee Chairman, Finals Administrator, Finals Contest Director, Event Directors

The following identifies the duties and responsibilities of designated officials.

1. Team Selection Committee Chairman

a. The term of the new chairman will begin January 1, following the In-person Meeting.

b. To disseminate information about the current program.

c. To notify contestants and Contest Directors of eligible participants at each level of competition. (AMA)

d. To inform participants via periodic publication of news affecting the current program.

e. To review information pertinent to selection of finals site—including a site visit, if necessary—and make recommendations to the Team Selection Committee for adoption or rejection of a finals site.

f. To act as prime organizer and administrator for the necessary pre-finals preparation, including but not limited to: selection of finals Contest Director, finals administrator and event directors.

g. To insure completion of all necessary reports relative to all stages of the program including the finals.

h. To maintain a written record in conjunction with AMA of all transactions for use by future managers and committees.

i. Other duties may be assigned by the FAI Team Selection Committee.

1. Finals Administrator

a. Is responsible to the chairman of the Team Selection Committee.

b. With the chairman of the Team Selection Committee, he:

• 1. Collects semifinals results. (AMA)
• 2. Distributes lists of finals qualifiers to all program participants. (AMA)

c. Selects finals Contest Director with Team Selection Committee chairman concurrence.

d. Concurs with Contest Director and Team Selection Committee chairman on event directors.

e. Arranges final logistics to include, but not limited to:

• 1) Site facilities, portajohns, motels, camping, etc.
• 2) Arranges for stop watches and other general equipment; PA systems, scoreboards, impound areas, processing equipment, etc.
• 3) Prepares and distributes site maps, directions, etc.

f. Manages all finals correspondence and communications to finals participants with support of the Team Selection Committee chairman and AMA Headquarters.

g. Submits a proposed finals budget to the Team Selection Committee.

1. Finals Contest Director

a. Responsible for overall finals contest operations.

b. Selects event directors with concurrence of the finals administrator.

c. Implements guidelines, rules and procedures for finals competition.

d. Recruits and selects finals staff (processors, timers, tabulators, etc.).

e. Submits any written protests concerning the FAI Sporting Code to the FAI Jury.

1. Event Director

a. Responsible for all matters associated with the operation of his assigned event; e.g., timers, organization, preflight processing, impounding equipment, current AMA and NAA license cards.

b. Responsible for enforcement of regulations pertaining to the event as detailed in the program specifications and stated by the Contest Director.

1. AMA Appointed FAI Jury

A three-member jury will be impaneled at the finals to adjudicate disputes and/or protests arising over interpretation or implementation of the Sporting Code or 1993 program rules. The jury will have no authority until the contest starts, or in administrative matters. Disputes and/or protests must be presented to the jury in writing and through the Contest Director, but only following appeals from decisions of the event director and Contest Director. There will be no appeal from decisions of the jury (see AMA bylaws, standing rule 18.4).

a. The jury will be selected pursuant to AMA bylaws, standing rule 18.4.

b. Travel and lodging expenses of the jury will be paid by AMA.

c. Pursuant to standing rule 18.4, the chairman of the Team Selection Committee will submit the names of at least five candidates for the jury to the AMA FAI executive committee for selection. The names submitted by the chairman will include those who notify the chairman in writing by April 1, 1992 of their interest in serving, and who are judged knowledgeable of FAI Free Flight rules and procedures by a sub-committee appointed by the chairman for such purpose.

1. Limitations of Authority of the FAI Free Flight Team Selection Committee

The FAI Team Selection Committee shall have no authority at the finals site. All decisions affecting the operations will be handled by the appropriate persons as mentioned earlier.

1. Selection of the Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager

Once the team has been selected, a team manager will be chosen to operate the organization and logistics necessary to provide the greatest possible competitive effort for the U.S. team. The procedure for the selection of this person is as follows:

a. Any person who wants to be considered for team manager must submit his name in writing to the Team Selection Committee chairman no later than 14 days after the finals.

b. The names of the nominees accepted by the Team Selection Committee shall be distributed to the team along with a ballot.

c. The assistant team manager shall be chosen by the team manager, subject to approval of the Team Selection Committee.

d. The team manager will be chosen by the team members by a simple majority.

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1992 FAI Free Flight Junior Team Selection Program

I. Program Entry

A participant must have a current AMA membership and a current NAA membership.

Age level—any person who will be under the age of 19 during the calendar year of 1992 is eligible.

Eligible interested individuals enter the program by filling out an application.

There is no monetary charge for program entry.

Certification of Models

Each model must have an identification voucher on the wing per the FAI Sporting Code. Vouchers are available through AMA Headquarters.

Other regulations are as specified for that model type in the FAI Sporting Code. These must be certified on the voucher as being in compliance with these regulations and vouchering of models.

III. Team Selection

Selection of the U.S.A. Junior FAI Free Flight Team for the 1992 World Championships will be on the basis of individual scores achieved by Junior team entrants at not more than eight semifinal meets held throughout the U.S.A. in 1991. The dates and locations of the semifinal meets will be announced later.

The team will be selected on the basis of the individual's score relative to the scores attained by other entrants in each event at that particular semifinal. The Junior team entrant's score as a percentage of the top score in each event at that semifinal will become the Junior team entrant's selection score.

Example: Top score at a semifinal = 1,400 seconds. Junior team selection competitor = 1,274 seconds. Score = 91%.

At the completion of all the semifinals in 1991, the top three contestants in each of the three events will become the U.S.A. Junior Free Flight Team for the 1992 World Championships.

The team manager will be chosen by the Free Flight Team Selection Committee and AMA Headquarters.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.