Competition Newsletter
U.S. RC Sailplane (F3B) Team Selection Program News
RC sailplane fliers who have their eye on a slot on the U.S. F3B team and competition in the 1987 World Championships (to be held in Germany) need to know that the team-selection program is off and running. The program will run almost identically to the previous one held two years ago.
Outline of the program
Basically, the team-selection program is based on the concept of local qualification to attend a central finals. As in the past, modelers wishing to participate in the program should first register with the Competition Dept., AMA HQ. There is a $30 program entry fee.
After registration, the entrant attempts to make Duration and Speed flights which equal or better the standards established by the Team Selection Committee. These standards consist of:
- A 400-point F3B Duration flight.
- A 24-second F3B Speed run flown (within a two-hour period) on the same day in the same sailplane.
Performance must be certified by an AMA Contest Director.
A team finals will be held this year at a site to be named in the near future. Although program participants expressed a desire for finals to be held on Labor Day, this may not be possible. The RC Electroflight (F3E) team finals have been scheduled for the same time frame; it is known that some F3B competitors are also in the F3E program and may find it impossible to attend both finals contests if they are scheduled too close together. The chairmen of the two team-selection committees are working to resolve the conflict.
Entry into the team-selection program assures all participants that they will receive the latest program news through direct communication with the team-selection committee chairman and through AMA HQ. Since the cutoff date for qualifying for the team finals will be August 1, 1986, you should act soon.
'86 Electroflight Team Selection News
Based on information available on March 18, only five modelers had qualified for the U.S. RC Electroflight team finals. They are:
- Christer Broman
- Mike Charles
- Steve Neu
- Rick Schramek
- Felix Vivas
Since qualification attempts were possible up until March 31, the total number of finalists will not be known until next month. The date and site of the team-selection finals have not yet been decided.
Indoor (continued)
Travel arrangements can be made by contacting AMA's travel consultant Nino Dironza at (703) 471-0105.
Hungarian International FF Contest in May
AMA HQ has received an announcement from the Aszalay Lajos Modellezok Klub of Budapest, Hungary, announcing an FAI International Free Flight Contest for classes F1A, F1B, and F1C. Details:
- Dates: May 22–25, 1986
- Location: Domosd-Puszta, Hungary (about 55 km south of Budapest)
- Entry fee: $36 U.S. (covers contest entry, three nights' hotel accommodation, and most meals)
- Entry forms accepted until May 1, 1986
Interested U.S. modelers should contact the organizers at:
Aszalay Lajos Modellezok Klub H-1165 Budapest Veres Peter u. 157 Hungary
Electroflight Festival
In conjunction with the first-ever F3E RC Electroflight World Championships in Lommel, Belgium, the organizers are hosting the Milky Way Memorial Electric Festival—an imaginative series of 12 events. Individual modelers are invited to attend the festival. Various fees are involved; the most expensive package is Basic Entry Fee + Hotel (nine nights) + Banquet + all meals for $360. Camping is also available.
Nats RC Transmitter Processing
The following policy announcement may affect Nats contestants. Previous experience with RC transmitter processing at the Nats revealed a significant number—about one-third—of 1985 transmitters—with wide bandwidth. Most transmitters caused no difficulties because of the 80 kHz separation of the previous 72 MHz frequencies; however, newly added frequencies now have frequency separation of 40 kHz. Transmitters acceptable in the past may be rejected at the 1986 Nats.
Further transmitter testing at various trade shows verified that a large percentage of transmitters have been operating outside allowable specifications. Modelers planning to fly RC events at the 1986 Nationals should have their transmitters checked by a qualified service technician and adjusted as necessary for proper bandwidth operation.
Note that the design circuitry of transmitters manufactured in recent years is capable of providing operation within reduced bandwidth, but months or years of use may have resulted in deterioration; retuning or replacement of components may be required for proper operation.
Note: It is hoped—but cannot be assured—that representatives of transmitter manufacturers will be on hand during 1986 Nats transmitter testing to help with equipment problems; don't depend on it. Have equipment checked in advance—this will be a step toward the day we get frequencies with 20 kHz spacing.
1986 F1D Indoor World Championships
The 1986 F1D Indoor World Championships will be held in the airship hangar at Cardington, England, 55 miles north of London, August 23–26, 1986. World Champs competitors will be housed in a nearby hotel. Team supporters and spectators can also be housed and fed; make arrangements through AMA HQ Competition Dept.
- Cost: $155 per person (payment must be made to AMA by June 27, 1986)
- Official entries must be made before May 31, 1986
For further information, contact the Competition Dept. at AMA HQ.
European FF Championships
The 1986 European Free Flight Championships will be held September 9–14, 1986 at Pitesti, Romania. FAI classes F1A, F1B, and F1C will be flown. The organizers invite nations to enter nine-member teams.
- Advance entry must be made by July 31, 1986.
- Entry blanks and other information can be obtained from the Competition Dept. at AMA HQ.
Pacific Free Flight Championships Report
Early in February 1986, three hardy American free flighters ventured far across the Pacific Ocean to participate in the Pacific Free Flight Championships in Carterton, New Zealand. The U.S. contingent consisted of:
- Doug Galbreath
- Hardy Broersen
- Charles Dorsett
- Team supporter: Patti Galbreath
The contest featured F1A, F1B, F1C (Mod), P30, and A-1 Towline. The U.S. fliers participated in F1C, F1C (Mod), and F1B. Each flier won a first place. In addition, Galbreath won fourth place in F1C and Broersen was second in F1C (Mod). In 21 flights in F1C and F1B, they missed only one max!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
