Competition Newsletter

COMPETITION NEWSLETTER

A Note From the Technical Director

Bob Underwood

It's the year's end — a perfect time for reflection and projection. The ending so often heralds a beginning.

About 4,000 AMA Competition Regulation books that had been requested were mailed a little over two weeks before the end of the year. The International Aeromodelling Rule Books were similarly dispatched. A completed Membership Manual was at the printers in the final stage toward a mid-January mailing.

The rule-book task was much more strenuous this time around. Bringing production completely in-house resulted in considerably more work and — unfortunately — a greater chance of errors. At least the advantages are that subsequent books will be much easier to produce. By doing the paste-up at Headquarters we saved approximately $9,000. We know there is room for improvement in the production system and in the product itself. Be assured that we are striving for that improvement and welcome any comments from our members.

As we handled the many label requests for the books, a possible problem was noticed. Perhaps, as a former elementary-school teacher, I am somewhat more sensitive to this concern, but there were quite a few names and addresses that seemed to have been written in a yet-to-be-discovered language. I've assured the post office is quite adept at deciphering seemingly incomprehensible writing. Let's hope!

Communications to AMA Headquarters often suffer from an information gap. Incomplete addresses (or none at all) are a common problem. While checking Contest Director applications we have come across names we could not read and a host of incorrect AMA numbers. Problems of this type really slow the processing of forms and sometimes make it impossible to serve you at all.

May I encourage club newsletter editors to provide some necessary basic information within their documents? Please include at least one name and address as a contact. It also helps to include the club name and the month of publication. All newsletters mailed to Headquarters are read. Those that contain items of interest to Headquarters staff are marked and circulated to the appropriate staff members. On two occasions I have wanted to respond to questions or problems mentioned in a newsletter only to discover that I didn't know where to send the letter. Your editors provide a valuable service. Take pride in your work, and let the modeling world know "who done it."

While reflecting, consider the "year that was" as far as radio-frequency issues are concerned. The battle of the aircraft/surface frequency use was fought. While there are no illusions that this war is won, it is safe to say that much progress was made.

RC-frequency-related telephone calls began to escalate as we neared the end of the year, but it also became clear that correct information was being spread. In addition, the panic and "Woe is me, what's to be done?" attitude became much less of a problem. Modelers began to see new equipment become available, and as they realized that proper operational procedures tended to negate their problems, most everybody began to relax and enjoy the hobby/sport more.

Two groups really put in a lot of time and energy with respect to this problem area in 1987: the AMA Frequency Committee and the Radio Control industry. Both really had to hustle to keep up with the developments.

Now we are into 1988. New frequencies have opened up, and some manufacturers/importers have them available. New lines of equipment are almost in sight. Clubs are working hard to revise their frequency-control systems. It's a time of great growth and enthusiasm for all concerned.

The new year also brought another exciting program. Under the leadership of Mr. Chuck Larsen, EAA Education Director, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has created a program for young people ages 13–18 called Air Academy Weekend. It features two solid days of education, inspiration, and participation. The AMA has become directly involved as a cosponsor. Area AMA clubs will assist Headquarters staff and local EAA chapters. One portion of the program will be introducing participants to the world of aeromodeling, including the building and flying of a model aircraft.

I am personally excited to participate in the first pilot program, which will be held just outside Washington, D.C., in Fredericksburg, MD. AMA clubs will be contacted for the three remaining 1988 pilot programs. The cities presently targeted are Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; Tulsa, OK; and Indianapolis, IN.

You are encouraged to visit us during the year at the various trade shows. It's always nice to put a face with the names and phone calls received at Headquarters.

Three other activities in 1988 deserve to be put into your schedule:

• Sun 'N Fun EAA Fly-In — Lakeland, FL, April 10–16
• National Fun-Fly — Reno, NV, June (bring a model and fly with us)
• EAA Annual Fly-In — Oshkosh, WI (note: still overlaps the Nats slightly)

It's been a great 1987. Let 1988 be even better. Let's all work together to make that a certainty. Happy landings!

FAI Approves Five World Champs: 1988

At the December 1987 CIAM meeting in Paris, the FAI approved the following World Championships for 1988:

• Indoor (F1D) — U.S.A.: May 28–June 1, Johnson City, TN
• Electric (F3E) — U.S.A.: August 14–19, Parks Air College, E. St. Louis, IL
• Control Line Speed, Aerobatics, Team Race, and Scale (F2A/B/C/D, F4B) — USSR: August 5–12, Kiev
• RC Scale (F4C) — Italy: September 4–11, Gorizia
• Junior FF (F1A/B/C) — Poland: August 8–15, Leszno (for modelers not over age 18)

FAI Program Participants Must Have FAI Stamp!

Some of the AMA's team-selection programs allow contestants to qualify at local contests if their performance is certified by a Contest Director (CD). If a CD is approached by such a flyer, the CD must determine that the contestant has a currently valid yellow FAI Competition Stamp ($10 stamp) affixed to his AMA license before making the certification.

Contest Directors may collect the $10 FAI-stamp fee and forward it to the Competition Dept., AMA HQ, if the situation warrants. The contestant's name and address should be included so that a stamp may be sent directly to him. In such cases, the contestant is to be considered as "having" the required FAI stamp, so that his performance can be certified.

Even though the CD is charged with the responsibility of checking the FAI stamp, this does not relieve the contestant from the responsibility to have the stamp, even if the CD fails to do his job. Each program participant is responsible to inform himself of the rules of participation in his FAI team-selection program.

In all of the AMA's FAI team-selection programs, the basic qualifications for entry are current AMA membership and possession of the yellow FAI Competition Stamp prior to competition.

National Records

The following National Record was processed during December 1987:

• Free Flight — Category II: C Gas Open — 53:13, Terry Kerger, 12/8/87.

FAI RC Aerobatics Rules Clarifications

Ron Chidgey, chairman of the FAI's F3A Subcommittee, reports that CIAM has approved two clarifications to the new maneuver schedule for the F3A event. These clarifications are effective January 1, 1988.

1. The maneuver sequence is changed to place the Square Loop with Four 1/2 Rolls in the second position and the Figure M with 1/2 Rolls in the eighteenth position. The positions of the two maneuvers were merely interchanged. The reason given was that recent experience flying the new schedule had shown it was nearly impossible to fly the existing sequence without forcing the Half Reverse Cuban Eight out of the maneuvering area.

1. The entire descriptions, including downgrades and notes for Maneuver No. 1, Takeoff Sequence, and Maneuver No. 23, Landing Sequence, are removed and replaced with the following:

1) Takeoff Sequence. The model is placed on the runway, takes off, then turns 90° toward the upwind marker. When approximately over the marker, the model turns 270° for a downwind trim pass. When approximately even with the downwind marker the model initiates a 180° turn or reversal, pilot's choice.

Note: Only two scores, a zero or a ten, may be awarded for the takeoff sequence.

23) Landing Sequence. At reduced power, the model executes a 180° level or descending turn to a downwind heading, flies a downwind leg, then turns 180° to the wind. The model flies a descending approach to the runway to touch the ground in the landing zone. The landing area may be designated by a circle or by markers.

Only two scores, a zero or a ten, may be awarded for the landing sequence.

AMA RC Transmitter Checks for 1988

Modelers may bring their RC transmitters for the AMA's frequency-checking program at the 1988 Nats and at several trade shows in 1988:

• February: Northwest Model Exposition, Puyallup, WA; WRAM Show, White Plains, NY
• April: Weak Signals RC Show, Toledo, OH
• May: Mid-Atlantic Show, Baltimore, MD
• July: AMA Nats, Tidewater, VA
• November: Radio Control Hobby Trade Association Show, Chicago, IL

1988 NATIONAL MODEL AIRPLANE CHAMPIONSHIPS

RADIO FREQUENCY INFORMATION

All radio transmitters must carry the properly coded and numbered frequency identification flag. This will be checked during processing and on the flying sites.

It is highly recommended that all NATS RC entrants have their radios tuned and calibrated prior to arrival at the NATS. Contestants with radios that do not meet federal specifications risk not being permitted to fly. All transmitters will be checked before flying for accuracy of operating frequency and potential for interference to other contestants.

1988 NATS Pattern and Pylon events are assigned specific frequencies as shown. This frequency assignment is a necessary step to help eliminate radio problems and to operate an event as large as the NATS.

RC Helicopter, Soaring, and Scale are not assigned specific frequencies. All frequencies must be legally allowed for 1988 operation in the USA (see AMA phasing plan). RC Soaring is limited to twelve (12) contestants per frequency on a first-come basis.

FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENT 1988

NATS PATTERN

ADVANCED

• 50.84
• 50.88
• 53.2
• 53.8
• 72.03 (12)
• 72.15 (18)
• 72.33 (12)
• 72.63 (42)
• 72.83 (52)

EXPERT

• 50.84
• 53.1
• 53.2
• 72.19 (20)
• 72.27 (20)
• 72.31 (26)
• 72.55 (38)
• 72.59 (40)
• 72.67 (44)
• 72.71 (46)
• 72.75 (48)
• 72.79 (50)
• 72.83 (52)

MASTER

• 53.3
• 53.6
• 53.7
• 72.07 (14)
• 72.39 (30)
• 72.59 (40)
• 72.79 (44)

SPORTSMAN

• 50.96
• 50.98
• 53.1
• 53.2
• 53.3
• 53.5
• 72.39 (30)
• 72.59 (40)
• 72.79 (44)
• 72.75 (48)
• 72.83 (52)

FAI

• 50.88
• 50.98
• 53.2
• 53.3
• 72.19 (20)
• 72.23 (24)
• 72.25 (26)
• 72.63 (42)
• 72.67 (44)
• 72.71 (46)
• 72.75 (48)
• 72.83 (52)

(Note: Frequencies shown with channel-count parentheses indicate the number of available channels on that frequency block.)

CAMPGROUNDS

• CAMPGROUND: NORTH BEACH SHORES
• Address: 3257 Colchester Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
• Phone: (804) 426-7911 (campground); (804) 426-6528 (home)
• Services: 220 camp sites; electrical hook-ups; water at most sites; hot private showers; camp store (groceries, ice, supplies, gifts); wood, charcoal, and bottle gas; free swimming pool; playground; picnic tables; laundry facilities; modern bathhouse with ceramic tile and hot showers; coin-operated laundry; free dumping station for campers; phones.
• Rates: All sites $12.00 plus tax; over 2 persons — $1.00 each; electrical hook-ups — $3.00; children 5 and under — free. $12 deposit confirms reservation; check-out time — 2 p.m. No motorcycles.

• CAMPGROUND: DAVIS LAKE
• Address: 200 Byrd Street, Suffolk, VA 23434
• Phone: (804) 539-1917
• Services: Modern bathhouse with ceramic tile and hot showers; coin-operated laundry; free dumping station for campers.

• CAMPGROUND: HOLIDAY TRAV-L-PARK
• Address: 1075 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
• Phone: (804) 425-0249
• Services: 700 campsites — 500 with electricity/water — 100 with full hook-up; ceramic tile comfort stations; dumping stations; two complete laundries; recreational facilities.

Sport Travel America, Inc., 4920 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, (804) 490-1205 offers motor home rentals. Deposit is $150.00 payable at time reservation is made — in person, by mail, or phone. Deposit is refundable within 48 hours after all rental charges are finalized. Send a self-addressed envelope for more information.

For more information:

• Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce — (804) 547-2118 (Contact: Carolyn Creekmore)
• Virginia Beach Convention and Tourism Information — 1-800-446-8033

NATS dorms are available to contestants and officials. Dorm forms and information will be sent to all entrants who check the "Dorm information requested" box on the entry form. Officials may also ask for dorm information when signing up for NATS work. Upon arrival, spectators and visitors who are not officials or contestants may be able to arrange for dormitory housing on a space-available basis.

USE THE COUPON BELOW TO REQUEST ENTRY OR VOLUNTEER WORKER FORMS

NATS NEWS INFORMATION

NAME ________________________________________________

ADDRESS _____________________________________________

CITY ______________________ STATE _____ ZIP ___________

Please rush:

• NATS entry forms
• Volunteer worker forms
• NATS News information

Please enclose a business-size self-addressed, stamped envelope. If requesting 3 or more forms, use a larger envelope and enclose 39¢ postage.

MODEL AVIATION MAGAZINE — INDEX OF 1988 NATS INFORMATION

• Announcement of location and date — December 1987 / page 127
• Motel and hotel telephone numbers — December 1987 / page 127
• Schedule — February 1988 / page 123
• 16 More Reasons To Be There — January 1988 / page 129

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