Edition: Model Aviation - 1987/08
Page Numbers: 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128
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FAI Competitor Requirements

  1. In order to represent the U.S.A. in World Championships FAI competition, an individual must meet the criteria set forth in the FAI Sporting Code, General Section 3.14, "Right to represent a country in an international sporting event," as follows:
  • 3.14.1.1 A national of a country may represent that country in international sporting events.
  • 3.14.1.2 A national of a country who has been a resident of another country for at least three consecutive years may represent his country of residence. However, if he has represented any other country, he may not represent his country of residence until at least three years have elapsed since he last represented that other country.
  • 3.14.1.3 A person without nationality may represent a country provided he has resided for more than one year in that country. Thereafter this person may not represent any other country unless he can prove he has officially applied for the nationality of another country; in this case he may only represent the country of which he seeks the nationality.
  1. An individual must meet the standards of qualification established for the particular event; i.e., he must enter the team selection competition and earn one of the top places as prescribed for the event.
  1. The individual must be a current member of the AMA and purchase the FAI competition stamp. In addition, the individual must pay entry fees prescribed for the event.
  1. The individual must conduct himself in a sportsmanlike manner at all times in order to generate a favorable world opinion while a member of a U.S.A. team.
  1. The individual must put forth a responsible effort in preparation and in competition to assure an honest effort to win.
  1. Individuals judged as not meeting the above criteria may be excluded from team selection programs and/or from representing the U.S.A. in World Championship competition. Team managers are responsible for assessing team readiness to compete.

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National Records

  • The following National Record has been processed and approved during May 1987:
  • Outdoor — Free Flight (FF) Category III
  • 1/2A Gas — Open — 1715 — Terry Thorkildsen — 3/14/87

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Unofficial Event — Electroflight Sailplane Precision Duration

An Electroflight contest will be flown at the 1987 Nationals on July 18, immediately after the official F3B event. Entry fee: $12 per event. Two classes will be flown using 1988 rules (proposal ELC-88-2 — substitute found in the February 1987 Competition Newsletter, pages 123, 129–131). On the basis of the following rule options, the Contest Director has selected:

  1. Recharging between flights allowed.
  2. Landing bonus — 25 points per round.
  3. Normalized scoring.
  4. No mass launching.
  5. Fly-offs will, if required, be based on selected criteria.

Two classes will be:

  • Radio Control Class A — Sailplane Precision Duration (proposed rule paragraph 25)
  • Radio Control Class B — Sailplane Precision Duration (proposed rule paragraph 26)
  • Flights will be seven-minute maximums. Since recharging between flights is permitted, motor runs will be limited to 15 seconds.

Contact: RESTON, VA 22090.

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Competitors

  • Late entry into the 1987 NATS is still possible. Juniors and Seniors pay no late fees. Open contestants who enter after the deadlines will pay late fees; but it is still possible to enter. See the OFFICIAL SCHEDULE printed in February's MODEL AVIATION for the various event deadlines.

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For the Non-Competitor

Competitors and non-competitors alike can enjoy many features of NATS week in Lincoln.

  • U.S. Scale Team Selection Finals for Radio Control and Control Line: flying held Thursday, July 9 through Saturday morning, July 11 on the airport site. Watch the nation's best compete for a spot on the USA Team.
  • FUN FLY: Saturday, July 11, immediately after the Scale Team Finals — open to all AMA members. Two R/C flight lines and the Control Line area will be available.
  • Static Show: Sunday, July 12 — a non-flying display of models, open to everyone. Trophies awarded in the following classes:
  • Best Sailplane
  • Best Helicopter
  • Best RC Sport
  • Best CL Scale
  • Best RC Scale
  • Most Unusual
  • Best Finish
  • Best Free Flight
  • Best RC Racing
  • Best Racing CL
  • Best FF Scale
  • Best Craftsmanship
  • Best Warbird
  • Entry fee: $5.00 per model. Models must be entered by noon and picked up by 6:00 pm on Sunday.
  • CLOUD 9 NIGHT: Tuesday, July 14 — bring a tape recorder and a camera for a night of nostalgia and modeling anecdotes.
  • AMA BANQUET AND ANNUAL MEETING: Wednesday evening, July 15 — special guest Burt Rutan, designer of "Voyager." Banquet tickets available at NATS HQ from July 11 to noon on July 14.

Additional unofficial events, meetings, and banquets will be held throughout NATS week. Check the Information Booth bulletin boards for times, dates, and locations.

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Magazine Index of 1987 NATS Info

  • Announcement of location & date — December 1986 / p. 131
  • Area attractions / Lincoln — May 1987 / p. 127
  • Bostonian Event — February 1987 / p. 122
  • Entry form information — January 1987 / p. 121
  • Late entry fee / No show policy — June 1987 / p. 127
  • Motel and hotel information — March 1987 / p. 115
  • NATS Jury System — June 1987 / p. 127
  • NATS News subscriptions — May p. 127 / July p. 119
  • NATS Quickie-500 rules — April 1987 / p. 115
  • Pattern frequency assignments — March 1987 / p. 115
  • Rules information for Pattern and Quickie-500 — January 1987 / p. 121
  • Schedule of Events — February 1987 / p. 125
  • Site information — January 1987 / p. 121
  • Special NATS Week nights — July 1987 / p. 119
  • Unofficial events — June 1987 / p. 127

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NATS NEWS — Subscription

To enter your subscription, send $6.00 to: NATS NEWS, AMA Headquarters, 1810 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, VA 22090.

Name ________________________________ Address ______________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________

[ ] $6.00 enclosed

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Contest Board Tabulations — Final Vote

Y = Yes P = Passed N = No D = Defeated ND = No Decision (where indicated)

Helicopter Contest Board

  • RCH-88-1 Remove helipad No. 5 from field layout. — P (5Y, 2N)
  • RCH-88-2 Revise scoring when only 2 rounds are flown. — P (5Y, 2N)
  • RCH-88-3 Mandatory class-advancement. — P (6Y, 1N)
  • RCH-88-4 Revise Intermediate class maneuver schedule. — P (6Y, 1N)

Scale Contest Board

  • SC-88-1 Peanut: Add wing and fin outlines to judging criteria. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-2 Change Peanut (Indoor/Outdoor) from provisional to official status. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-3 CL events: Change single-engine weight limit to 20 lb. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-4 Establish provisional event: "RC ARF Scale." — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-7 CL Precision: Delete restriction on demonstration of engine shutoff. — D (0Y, 11N)
  • SC-88-8 CL Precision: Separate engine control and cutoff. — ND (0Y, 11N)
  • SC-88-13 CL Sport: multi-engine/diverse-powerplant-types must demonstrate efficacy of all engines to flight. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-14 CL Sport: Contestant declaration does not count towards documentation limit. — D (4Y, 7N)
  • SC-88-15 CL Sport: Permit use of 3-view drawings up to 24 x 36. — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-16 CL Sport: Allow 8 pages of documentation. — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-17 CL Sport: Lose only 1 page of documentation when a plastic model used for proof. — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-18 CL Sport: Delete rule 7.4 (page 78). — D (5Y, 6N)
  • SC-88-19 CL Sport: Delete Touch-and-Go as 20-point option. — ND (1Y, 10N)
  • SC-88-20 CL Sport: Allow use of removable lead-out guides. — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-21 CL Precision: Same as SC-88-13. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-22 CL Precision: Flaps must not couple to throttle. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-23 CL Precision: Allow certain options to be demonstrated prior to takeoff. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-24 CL Precision: Eliminate engine-starting bonus. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-25 CL Precision: Delete waiver on dummy pilots. — P (10Y, 1N)
  • SC-88-26 USJR (same as SC-88-20). — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-27 UJR: Limit pages of documentation, etc. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-28 RC and CL Sport plus RC Giant: Define how model is displayed for static judging. — P (10Y, 1N)
  • SC-88-29 RC Sport and Giant: Define "attempt" and "official flight." — D (4Y, 7N)
  • SC-88-30 Rubber: Increase point-limit for flying to 100. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-31 RC Judges' Guide: Change "Unassisted ROC" to "Takeoff." — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-32 USSR: Clarify meaning of "three-view drawings." — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-33 CL and RC Sport plus RC Giant: Cockpit detail counts in static judging. — P (3Y, 8N)
  • SC-88-34 CL and RC Sport: Allow painting of plastic kits when they're part of documentation. — P (5Y, 6N)
  • SC-88-35 CL and RC Sport: Single-engine models can weigh 20 lb. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-36 CL and RC Sport plus RC Giant: Increase documentation to 8 pages. — P (9Y, 2N)
  • SC-88-37 CL and RC Sport plus RC Giant: Bonus for original designs. — ND (4Y, 7N)
  • SC-88-38 RC Sport: Single- and multi-engine models can weigh the same. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-39 RC Precision: (same as SC-88-38). — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-40 RC Precision: Engine limitations same as par. 2.7 in Sport Scale regs. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-41 RC Precision: Go back to 1980 rules. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-42 Outdoor Rubber: Non-scale airfoil may be used. — P (11Y, 0N)
  • SC-88-43 Helicopter: Change scoring method. — P (5Y, 6N)
  • SC-88-44 Helicopter: Change required flight maneuver schedule. — P (11Y, 0N)

Electric Contest Board

  • ELC-88-2 (substitute) Create unified rules for Electric model aircraft competition in FF/CL/RC:
  • RC Electric
  • FF Electric
  • CL Electric

— P (7Y)

General Contest Board

  • GEN-88-2 Emphasize CD responsibility. — Result: D
  • GEN-88-3 Define period of time included in a sanction. — Result: P
  • Note: GEN-88-3 defines the sanction period as the time when the Contest Director or his/her appointed representative is in attendance at the named site (rather than an ambiguous 24-hour interpretation).
  • GEN-88-4 Clarify model identification. — Result: D
  • GEN-88-5 Officials can file protest. — Result: P
  • Note: This permits officials, as well as contestants, to file a protest in an event. All nine Contest Boards and the Executive Council approved this item.
  • GEN-88-6 Add "Senior Citizen" class to Open. — Result: D (2Y, 10N)

Indoor Contest Board

  • IND-88-13 Combine events 212, 213 into a single class. — Result: P (7Y, 3N)
  • IND-88-7 EZB covering material restriction ended (excludes microfilm). — Result: P (10Y, 0N)
  • IND-88-4 Allow 20 sec. for hung model to free itself. — Result: P (10Y, 0N)
  • IND-88-6 EZB minimum weight is one gram. — Result: P (10Y, 0N)
  • IND-88-8 No "foreign" reinforcing on EZB. — Result: P (10Y, 0N)
  • IND-88-11 Add windshield/window requirement to Manhattan Cabin. — Result: P (10Y, 0N)
  • IND-88-14 Clarify judging end-of-flight. — Result: P (6Y, 4N)
  • IND-88-15 Make EZB prop interpretation official. — Result: P (9Y, 1N)

RC Aerobatics Contest Board

  • RCA-88-1 Combine Expert and Masters classes into new Open class.
  • RCA-88-2 No point-accumulation in proposed Open class.
  • RCA-88-12 Revise Sport Aerobatics rules.
  • RCA-88-14 Judge flight track rather than attitude.
  • RCA-88-15 Revise suggestions on downgrading maneuvers.
  • RCA-88-16 Clarify mandatory zero for off-runway landings.
  • RCA-88-17 Delete mandatory zero for off-runway landings.
  • RCA-88-18 Novice advances to Sportsman at year-end.
  • RCA-88-19 Change Expert class pattern.
  • RCA-88-20 Change Advanced class maneuvers.

Control Line Contest Board

  • CL-88-1 Define 5-ft. radius pilot's circle for Aerobatics.
  • CL-88-4 Clarify 4-Leaf Clover maneuver.
  • CL-88-5 Clarify scoring of attempted/incomplete maneuvers.
  • CL-88-6 Change entry to level flight from Outside Square Loop.
  • CL-88-10 Carrier events: One model or engine may not be used by more than one contestant.
  • CL-88-12 Carrier: Plane must maintain forward motion through all flight/landing phases.
  • CL-88-16 Model must maintain forward counterclockwise motion during entire flight.
  • CL-88-15 Define penalty for not using safety thong.
  • CL-88-17 Create supplemental sport racing event.

RC Racing Contest Board

  • RCR-88-1 QM: Allow substitute needle valves.
  • RCR-88-5 QM: Delete reference to primary and backup aircraft.
  • RCR-88-7 QM: Define "production" and "normal retail outlet."
  • RCR-88-8 QM: Engine rework allowed.
  • RCR-88-12 F-1: Policy on handling "dead heats."
  • RCR-88-13 F-1: Define racing matrix.
  • RCR-88-16 Prohibit alcoholic beverages on the race course.
  • RCR-88-17 Establish Q-500 as a provisional event.
  • RCR-88-18 "Safety cage" rule.
  • RCR-88-19 Develop an emergency plan (safety).

Free Flight Contest Board

  • FF-88-6 Establish provisional Catapult Glider event. — P (8Y, 2N)
  • FF-88-10 Modify definition of P-30 propeller. — P (8Y, 2N)
  • FF-88-11 Establish Electric motor runs for Category I, II, III. — P (9Y, 1N)

RC Soaring Contest Board

  • No Final Vote. All Soaring proposals failed the Initial Vote.

Special Events Contest Board

  • Note: This board was previously called the General Events Contest Board. Its name was changed to avoid confusion with another board.
  • SEB-88-1 Establish "AMA Vintage" as a provisional event. — P (5Y, 0N)
  • SEB-88-2 New RC category for pre-1951 Free Flight designs. — D (0Y, 5N)
  • SEB-88-3 Establish "RC Duration" as a provisional event. — P (4Y, 1N)

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Competition Newsletter

Academy of Model Aeronautics

Note: Technical Director W. Bob Underwood — CompuServe 76117167

Technical Director's Notes

Activities in the last rules-change cycle have been very interesting. As we move toward the 1988 rule book we will first complete this cycle of involvement. My intention as Technical Director has been to monitor the pulse of rules aspects of the hobby/sport and propose recommendations addressing concerns developed from phone calls, letters, sanctioned-event reports, and careful study of both the system and the rule book itself. I have attempted to see trends and to bring information together in the office shared with Micheline Madison, Competition Director, and myself.

During the cycle we passed recommendations to Contest Boards directly, resulting in some proposals being developed. Several general proposals were submitted directly to Micheline; the fates of those proposals were mixed. I had no direct personal interest in the outcome of proposals and attempted to act somewhat as an ombudsman for the rules-change process. There was no lobbying effort as part of the passage of items; I attempted to see what would happen on their own merits.

One item of interest is FF-88-9, intended to develop a definition of what category an outdoor Free Flight site is. What makes a particular site Category II? A field must be given a category designation; engine runs and maximums will be tied to that designation.

GEN-88-3 defines the sanction period as when the Contest Director or his/her appointed representative is in attendance at the named site.

GEN-88-4 (clarify model identification) failed in the Final Vote, which was somewhat surprising.

GEN-88-5 allows officials, as well as contestants, to file a protest in an event. Some argue this does not go far enough and that Contest Board members should be allowed to file protests; others argue only contestants should be allowed. The proposal resulted from incidents where officials encountered problems and felt they had no recourse but to protest. All nine Contest Boards and the Executive Council approved this item.

World Championships — Electric Flight (1988)

The intent level indicated by representatives attending the Plenary meeting points toward a well-attended contest in August 1988 in St. Louis, MO. Volunteers to help conduct the event are welcome. Please contact AMA HQ or Cal Ettel at:

  • #3 Castle Drive, Florissant, MO 63034

Plans include a week-long festival of Electric Flight, including many provisional AMA Electric events, Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, and Sunrise to Sunset events. One goal is to have official International Competition category status for Aerobatics and Pylon Racing so the Subcommittee can proceed with requirements necessary to elevate these categories to World Championship status.

World Championship Rule Notes (selected changes for 1988 WC)

  • 5.5.2.1 During a two-minute starting period, the competitor is allowed an unrestricted number of attempts (hand launches or rise-off-ground). An attempt starts when the model, with running motor, is released from the hand of the competitor or his helper(s). After the first attempt, it is no longer allowed to take another model. (Applicable for 1988 WC.)
  • 5.5.2.2 Replace "one helper" with "two helpers." (Applicable for 1988 WC.)
  • 5.5.2.2e On landing, if any part of the model does not land and come to rest within 100 meters from the landing spot for powered gliders. This rule applies only after the Duration and Landing task has been started. The Duration task must have begun to be awarded landing points. (Applicable 1988 WC.)
  • 5.5.2.3 Deleted.

The task of preparing for the WC has not been accomplished solely by the Contest Director. It is our hope to monitor more carefully and improve processes, but many actions occur after the fact.

We welcome input from anyone interested in helping with the 1988 Championships. Watch the Competition Newsletter for announcements as plans are firmed up.

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