Competition Newsletter
U.S. Progress in Using the Turnaround Pattern
Ron Chidgey Chairman, F3A Subcommittee
As chairman of the FAI F3A Subcommittee, I am very pleased with the reception and progress of the new F3A (Turnaround) program so far this year, especially in light of the bad press the program received last year in special-interest group newsletters and some Pattern columns in the magazines. Pattern competitors are responding to the challenge presented by the FAI schedule in a very enthusiastic manner, and I, for one, think it's great!
I would like to comment on several items in the FAI rules about which there seems to be some confusion—based on feedback I've received from a few Contest Directors who have run Turnaround events. The FAI rules must be clarified in these areas and will be, in due course. For now, I will summarize the intent of the subcommittee.
Markers for the "Box"
Markers (flags, lines, etc.) for the 60-degree lines that define the width of the maneuver area ("window" or "box") are not provided for in the FAI rules and, in my opinion, should not be used. Their use tends to over-emphasize the exact lateral location of the airplane in the Turnaround maneuver; i.e., if the airplane is in one position, the pilot might get a 10, but if the airplane is five feet further to the left, the score could drop substantially.
Downgrading for "outs" should be progressive, similar to downgrading for being off-center with the middle maneuvers. Markers are not specifically banned by the rules; if they are used, Contest Directors should be cautioned to locate them well out—at least on a line 100 meters from the pilot and judges. Placing markers that far out positions them approximately under the maneuvering airplane and minimizes parallax between the pilot's view and the individual judges' views.
Downgrade for "Outs"
The amount of downgrade for Turnaround maneuvers being outside the 60-degree line is not precisely defined in the FAI rules, except for the statement that such action will be "heavily penalized by loss of points." As stated above, penalties for being "out" should be progressive and proportional to the degree of "out" and left to the judges' discretion. For example:
- Small "outs" might be penalized by one point.
- More significant outs would incur larger penalties.
- Gross outs might be penalized by perhaps four points.
Emergency Safety Rule
Some helicopter fliers may have missed the item in last month's CN announcing recent action by the RC Helicopter Contest Board chairman and the AMA president. It appeared on page 112 with three other Nats-related items under the heading "Safety Rule — RC Helicopters Nats." Since the ruling has generated some controversy, it is reprinted here with additional explanation so interested modelers may have a chance to see the Rule.
The safety rule applies to the following AMA RC Helicopter categories:
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Expert
- Scale
Rotor Blades
- Metal tail/main rotor blades are prohibited.
- Use of knife-edge leading edges on tail/main rotor blades is also prohibited.
- Metal on main/tail rotor blades is permitted to a point 0.2 inches beyond the blade-root attachment point.
- The rule covers metal tip weights. The intent is to assure rotor blades can be demonstrated safe; thus tip weights formed of consolidated/solid mass will be allowed.
- Manufacturers of RC helicopters required to use tip weights are encouraged to develop alternative/safer methods such as powdered metal, metal shot, or heavy epoxies.
Immediate Enforcement
The rule was enacted for immediate enforcement under the provision in the Contest Board Procedures that states the President (or delegate), with concurrence of the appropriate Contest Board Chairman, may take emergency action dictated by the situation. The RC Helicopter Contest Board Chairman introduced the emergency proposal because he believed the situation required it. The Contest Board Procedures last published in April 1984 in Competition Newsletter require subsequent review and ratification according to the established procedures.
Contest Board Procedures Change Affects Current Rules — Change Cycle
A recent joint meeting of the AMA Executive Council and Contest Board Chairmen resulted in a change to the official Contest Board Procedures last printed in the April 1984 issue of Model Aviation (pages 122–125). The change is effective immediately.
A significant change is the deletion of the cross-proposal submission/vote cycle. However, the Contest Board will still accept proposal revision inputs from modelers after initial vote results are published; inputs will, however, be accepted and considered for revisions and future cycles.
Gaseous Boost (continued)
Previously the "gaseous boost" rule had been interpreted by some to apply to supercharging. In fact, the CL Speed rules (paragraph 23.2) carry a separate prohibition on supercharging (it is not allowed in CL Speed) as a result of the earlier interpretation.
Because there are systems on the market that can be interpreted as superchargers (for example, some four-stroke engines that use crankcase pumping to force the fuel/air mixture into the intake, and tuned-pipe systems), the Executive Council desired an official interpretation of the "gaseous boost" rule. The interpretation specifies that the rule does not apply to supercharging; instead, it restricts the use of pressurized oxidizers such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, which was the original intent.
The Vote
The Combined Contest Boards voted to enact this rules interpretation for immediate enforcement (with a follow-up ballot). Consequently, the rules interpretation is now officially in effect and will remain so unless overturned by the forthcoming follow-up vote.
Voting Deadlines
As with the RC Helicopter emergency safety proposal, the Contest Boards are required to conduct a follow-up vote on this immediate-enforcement rules interpretation. The follow-up vote is scheduled to occur no earlier than four weeks and no later than six weeks after this item is published. That means the Boards will likely be voting around the end of August or the first part of September. If you want to express an opinion, contact your AMA District Contest Board member, the Contest Board Coordinator, or your District Vice-President.
Summary
Under this interpretation, a tuned-pipe exhaust or the use of ram-air/carburetor intake that produces supercharging effects is considered "supercharging." Supercharging is allowable in any competition event in which it is not specifically prohibited; the "gaseous boost" restriction applies to externally supplied pressurized oxidizers only.
U.S. Progress in PR China
A mailgram received June 18 at AMA headquarters confirmed the People's Republic of China will send a team to the 1984 F3A World Championships scheduled September 17–22 at Westover AFB, Chicopee, MA. Ron Chidgey, Control Line/F3A Subcommittee Chairman, said the Chinese team entry brings the number of nations expected to compete to 21.
F3A Turnaround Pattern (additional notes)
As noted earlier, Pattern competitors are responding enthusiastically to the FAI Turnaround schedule. A few clarifications on intent:
Markers
Box markers (flags, lines, etc.) that define the 60-degree maneuver area should generally be avoided because they emphasize exact airplane location rather than quality of the maneuver. If markers are used, place them at least 100 meters in front of the pilot so judges' markers fall approximately under the maneuvering airplane and parallax problems are minimized.
Downgrade Outs
Penalties for being outside the 60-degree lines should be progressive and proportional to the degree out, left to the judges' discretion. Small outs might incur one point; gross outs could incur about four points.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
