Competition Newsletter

COMPETITION NEWSLETTER

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS 1810 Samuel Morse Drive Reston, VA 22090

A Note From the Technical Director

Bob Underwood

Bob Underwood's column does not deal with competition matters this month—so it is located in the AMA News section.

National Records

The following new National Records have been processed or approved during the month of March 1989.

Outdoor Free Flight—Category III: 1/2A Gas Open—1900 Terry Torkildsen, 3/4/89; C Gas Open—2730 Terry Torkildsen, 3/5/89.

Planning for 1990 Electric Flight World Championships

Electric fliers should note that the 1990 FAI F3E World Championships is in the planning stage. The date and location have not yet been released by CIAM, but Austria has submitted a firm bid which is expected to be approved.

U.S. team selection and qualification will follow the procedure used in 1988. More details will be issued as soon as the world championships situation is settled.

Anyone who has not previously participated in a U.S. Electric team selection program may be placed on the 1990 program mailing list by forwarding a request with the $5 pre-entry fee to AMA HQ (Attention: Competition Department).

Clubs interested in hosting the 1990 Finals team selection meet should notify Micheline Madison at AMA HQ, or club officers may make inquiries to Electric Team Selection Committee Chairman Joe Beshar, 198 Merritt Dr., Oradell, NJ 07649; home phone (201) 261-1281; work phone (201) 768-5500.

1989 Nats Indoor Site: Kibbie Dome at University of Idaho

A late change in plans moves the ’89 Nats Indoor site to the Kibbie Dome at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho (near the Idaho/Washington border). The floor dimensions are approximately 400 x 170 ft., and the ceiling is 144 ft. high in the middle of the arch. The dome is approximately 120 miles due east of the Tri-Cities Nats site.

Two good motels are near the dome: The University Inn and Cavanaugh’s Motor Inn. Rooms are about $50/night double occupancy. The University Motor Inn can take telephone reservations at 1-800-528-1234. For further information call Bob Stalick at (503) 928-8101 most weekday evenings.

Call for Site Bids: FF Team Selection Finals

FF Team Selection Committee policy is to hold a single-site Finals which will be alternated between East and West sites for alternating team-selection programs. In accordance with this policy, the 1991 Finals should be held at a location west of Seguin, TX within a three-day period between June 15 and the first weekend in November, 1990.

Any club interested in hosting the Free Flight Team Selection Finals may contact AMA HQ for details. Proposals must be received at AMA HQ (Attention: Micheline Madison) no later than June 1, 1989.

FF Team Offer

The U.S. Free Flight team is running a fund-raiser this year on behalf of the 1989 team. It is selling vividly colored, high-quality T-shirts featuring the F1A, F1B, F1C international Free Flight classes design created by Roger Simpson, Team Manager of the 1989 U.S. FF team.

Shirts are available in adult sizes: Medium (38–40), Large (42–44), and X-Large (46–48). The shirts are available from team members at local contests or by mail order. Send orders to Roger Simpson, 2625 Queenwood Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. Three dollars out of the $10 price of each shirt will go to the FF team’s equipment fund. The team wants to purchase new collapsible poles to carry Mylar streamer thermal sensors. The poles extend up to a height of 35 ft. and collapse down to 5 ft. 3 in. for transporting. Having a number of streamer poles set out in front of the flier is proving to be one of the most reliable methods of picking thermals for official flights.

AMA RC Transmitter Checks for 1989

Modelers may have their RC transmitters examined in the AMA’s frequency-checking program at the 1989 Nats and the following trade shows and events in 1989:

• April 28–30 — IMS (South), Atlanta, GA
• June 3–4 — MARC Show, Baltimore, MD
• July 15–23 — AMA Nats, Tri-Cities, WA
• October — Chicago Model Hobby Show, Chicago, IL (RCHTA)

1990 CL FAI Team Selection Programs for Speed / Team Race / Combat

Speed: A split-site program will be used, with one site in the East and one site in the West. Finals entry fee of $50 must be mailed to AMA HQ (Attention: Competition Department) postmarked no later than August 28, 1989 (for the East meet) or September 18, 1989 (for the West meet). The contests will be open to all current AMA members who hold valid FAI competition stamps (available from AMA HQ for $10). Refunds to pre-entered contestants who cannot attend may be obtained by written request no later than 30 days after an event.

(See CL Program (continued) for additional CL event details.)

Experimental RC Aircraft Inspectors

A joint AMA/IMAA program to qualify large models (55–100 lb.) for demonstration flights at AMA-sanctioned events involves inspectors who oversee aircraft qualifications and approve/certify them as complying with safe practices.

The following persons have applied for and been selected by the Academy to perform inspector duties:

• District II — Richard C. Garmahausen, 2715 Maple Ave. N.E., Canton, OH 44714.
• District V — Derryl Edwards, 5711 7th Ave., NW, Bradenton, FL 34209; Burns R. Fields, Jr., Strickland Rd., P.O. Box 7063, Interlachen, FL 32048.
• District VII — Albert H. Doerr, Rt. 1 Box 3039, Baldwin, MI 49304; Charles Ecklund, 4520 S. Carroose Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151; Roger D. Smith, 4525 Hillview Shores Dr., Clarkston, MI 48016.
• District IX — James M. Carter, Jr., 102-2 Sunset Loop, Minot AFB, ND 58704.
• District X — Harry A. Poipan, 27704 Saddle Rd., Rolling Hills, CA 90274; Budd Crane, 453 Maple St., Livermore, CA 94550 (Telephone 415/447-2158); John C. Fitch, 109 Aegean Way, Vacaville, CA 95687 (Telephone 707/448-6465); Joseph P. Lusier, 721 Remington Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89110; Donald F. Mulligan, 931 Cactus Wren, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635; John E. Rapillo, 3603 S. Ocean Crest, Santa Ana, CA 92704.

Additional information concerning this program may be obtained by contacting Technical Director Bob Underwood at AMA HQ.

CL Program (continued)

Entrants may fly in both contests. On-site entries will be accepted up until the instant that preliminary rounds are posted in the contest schedule.

East: Dayton, OH, September 9–10, 1989. Host club: Dayton Buzzin’ Buzzards as part of their annual Cold-Cash Speed Bash. Contact: Bob Heywood, (513) 890-7555.

West: Whittier Narrows Park, Los Angeles, CA, September 30–October 1, 1989. Host: Bev Sysniewski, (213) 866-2703.

Each contest will be a two-day event, with two rounds flown each day. Each contestant will be allowed two attempts to complete one official flight in each round. Failure to obtain an official flight in a round will result in a zero score for that round. A participant’s score will be determined by the average of his two best official flights at each site. The contests will be conducted in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code.

The U.S. CL Speed team will be comprised of the top three participants (from both sites) with the top scores.

Team Race: A single-site meet will be held over a two-day period (October 7–8, 1989). The site will be the Dick Scobee Memorial Field, Houston, TX. Host club: Clear Lake LMA. Contest director: Frank Williams. The meet is open to all current AMA members.

(Continued on page 142)

FF Program (continued)

(Excerpt covering Finals procedures and program details)

• The Contest Director’s judgment on procedural issues will be final.

F. Finals rounds format: Two formats were offered for selection to the program participants. The ballot recorded neither format receiving a majority vote. A revote is being done, and in the event that a decision is not made, the Team Selection Committee will make the final choice.

G. Cancellation procedure:

• 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 cancelled.
• 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 delayed round and times will be cancelled.
• If at least seven rounds in three days of the Finals have been completed, the teams will be selected 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.

H. Number of models allowed: Each finalist will be allowed to compete with no more than four models per event per day. The 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.

I. Flyoff procedure: If required, the flyoff will start 30 minutes after the end of the last round and will follow the FAI Sporting Code.

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.
• Parking for 100 cars.
• Motorcycles permitted for chasing.
• At least suitable for Category II AMA contests.

VII. 1991 Program finances and budget: Team expenses covered by the 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 championship—or, if there is no direct flight, then the flight arrangements with the most economical fare. c. Team practice for a maximum of three days at the world championship site. d. Model box transportation, as excess baggage, up to 80% of actual cost. e. Team uniforms.

(Section relating to 1991 program budget/expected revenue has been omitted.)

FAI Free Flight Team Selection Committee — November 1988

District 1: Henry Struck, RFD 2, Hamburg, Old Lyme, CT 06371 — (203) 434-1091 District 2: Bob Hatschek, 316 Grosvenor St., Douglaston, NY 11363 — (718) 224-3908 District 3: Rol Anderson, 3769 W. Alexis, Toledo, OH 43623 — (419) 474-8002 District 4 (chairman): Bob Siefleet, RD 3, Box 56, Glenrock, PA 17327 — (717) 235-2421 District 5: Tom McLaughlan, 4140 Fern Court, Pensacola, FL 32503 — (904) 438-5372 District 6 (cochairman): Chuck Markos, 655 Carlisle, Deerfield, IL 60015 — (312) 945-9225 District 7: Paul Crowley, 32604 Tecla, Warren, MI 48093 — (313) 294-1236 District 8: Jack Brown, 2201 Colonial Club Dr., Austin, TX 78747 — (512) 282-8885 District 9: Bill Gibbons, 7422 Club House Rd., Boulder, CO 80301 — (303) 530-5526 District 10: Doug Galbreath, 4308 Topsail Pl., Davis, CA 95616 — (916) 757-2283 District 11: Robert Waterman, 4480 NW Wallowa Ct., Portland, OR 97229 — (503) 645-0987

Subcommittee for Junior Team selection:

• Bob Sifleet
• Chuck Markos
• Bob Waterman

VIII. Team Selection Committee Chairman, Finals Administrator, Finals Contest Director, Event Director: The following identifies the duties and responsibilities of designated officials. It is the responsibility of the FAI FF Team Selection Committee to make these appointments.

1. Team Selection Committee Chairman (or program manager):

a. Disseminate information about the current program. b. Notify contestants and Contest Directors of eligible participants at each level of competition (AMA). c. Inform participants, via periodic publication, of news affecting the current program. d. Review information pertinent to selection of the Finals site—including a site visit, if necessary—and make recommendations to the TSC for adoption or rejection of a Finals site. e. Act as prime organizer and administrator for pre-Finals preparation, including selection of Finals Contest Director, Finals Administrator, TSC or Event Directors. f. Ensure completion and distribution of all necessary reports relative to all stages of the program including the Finals. g. Approve and have distributed any travel reimbursements due Finals participants in accordance with the adopted program. h. Maintain a written record in conjunction with AMA of all transactions for use by future managers and committees. i. Other duties as may be assigned by the FAI Team Selection Committee.

1. Finals Administrator:

a. Responsible to the chairman of the TSC. b. With the chairman of the TSC:

• Collects semifinals results (AMA).
• Distributes lists of Finals qualifiers to all program participants (AMA).
• Prepares materials for mailing.
• Distributes seeds of the Finals.

c. Concurs with Contest Director and TSC chairman on Event Directors. d. Arranges Finals logistics, to include but not limited to: site facilities, portajohns, motels, camping, stopwatches and other general equipment, PA systems, scoreboards, impound areas, processing equipment. Prepares and distributes site maps, entries, etc. Manages all Finals correspondence and communications to Finals participants with support of the Team Selection Committee chairman and AMA Headquarters. Submits a proposed Finals budget to the TSC.

1. Finals Contest Director:

a. Responsible for overall Finals contest operations. b. Selects Event Directors with concurrence of the Finals Administrator. c. Implements procedures and rules for Finals competition. d. Selects and assigns Finals staff (processors, timers, tabulators, etc.). e. Submits any written protests concerning the final scoring to the FAI jury.

1. Event Director:

a. Responsible for all matters associated with the operation of his assigned event—timers, organizing, flight procedures, impound, equipment, current FAI stamps, current AMA license cards. b. Responsible for enforcement of the FAI Sporting Code and this program specification as designated by the Contest Director.

1. 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 1991 program rules. They will have no authority until the contest starts, nor in administrative matters during the contest to overrule the Contest Director. The jury will hear no protests until the Contest Director has heard and ruled on them. Judgements and/or protests must be submitted to the jury in writing and through the Contest Director.

The jury will be selected pursuant to AMA Bylaws, Standing Rule 18.4. Travel and lodging expenses for jury members will be paid out of AMA funds. Names of jurors and alternates will be submitted to the TSC for approval.

1. Limits of Authority of the FAI FF TSC:

The Team Selection Committee shall have no authority at the Finals site. All decisions affecting the operation of the Finals shall be the responsibility of the Contest Director and his designated Event Directors. The TSC shall have authority to set policies, select teams, and administer the selection program as described in this document.

(Continued on page 142)

Competition Newsletter

FF Program (continued)

Selection of Team Manager for the U.S. team:

a. Any person who wants to be considered for Team Manager must submit his name in writing to the TSC chairman not later than 14 days after the Finals. b. The names of the nominees accepted by the TSC shall be distributed to the team along with a ballot. c. The Assistant Team Manager shall be chosen by the Team Manager, subject to the approval of the TSC. d. The Team Manager will be chosen by a simple majority vote of the team members.

CL Program (continued)

Competitors must also have the FAI competition stamp (available from AMA HQ for $10). The contest will be conducted in accordance with the FAI Sporting Code. Other details of the meet will be decided by majority vote of the contestants. A total of six rounds will be used, with three flown each day. A participant's score will be the average of his three fastest heats. The team will be comprised of those three teams with the top scores.

Entry fee of $50/team may be sent as a pre-entry to AMA HQ (Attention: Micheline Madison) postmarked no later than September 25, 1989. On-site entries will be accepted up until the instant that the preliminary processing of the models is completed. Refunds to pre-entered contestants who cannot attend will be made if applied for in writing no later than 30 days after the event.

Contact persons: Frank Williams (713) 448-1371 and Bill Lee (713) 449-3087.

Combat: A one-site finals will be held August 26–27, 1989 in Austin, MN. Pete Plunkett (MACA newsletter editor) will be the contest CD. The site is Austin Community College, which is about 35 miles from Rochester, MN airport and near Exit 218 from I-90 West. Pre-entry fee of $50 may be mailed to AMA HQ (Attention: Micheline Madison) so that it is received not later than August 18, 1989. On-site late entries will not be accepted.

Requests for refunds from preregistered contestants who did not attend must be received in writing at AMA HQ within five days after conclusion of the contest. All contestants must be current AMA members and have the FAI competition stamp (available from AMA HQ for $10).

Competitors Eligible for U.S. RC Aerobatics Team Selection Finals

The following 77 fliers have qualified to compete in the 1989 U.S. FAI RC Aerobatics Team Selection Finals (Masters Tournament). The meet will be held June 15–18, 1989 near Pensacola, FL. The three winners of the finals will earn positions on the U.S. F3A team and will travel to Chesapeake, VA in August to compete in the RC Aerobatics World Championships.

Robert Akers, Richard Allison, George Asters, Eric Baugher, James Bennett, John Bentley, Todd Biose, John Britt, Richard Byrd, Paul Carpenter, Jr., James Chaffee, Ron Chidgey, Geoffrey Combs, M.L. Corliss, Bill Cunningham, Ron Ellis, Derek Emmett, Douglas Ferguson, Rich Ferrante, Anthony Fraczkowiak, John Fuqua, Gregory Grigsby, Joseph Gross, Michael Harrison, Earl Haury, Steve Helms, Bryan Henderson, David Hoppes, Edward Hurt, Gordon (Chip) Hyde, Mike Ingalls, Marvin Ingerson, Ken Jackson, Frank Kelly, James Kimbro, Jr., Michael Kline, Dean Koger, Kurt Krempetz, Chris Lakin, David von Linsowe, Linda Lock, Steven Lock, Charles Long, Donald Lowe, Rayford McClellan, Mike McConville, Mike McFarland, George Manning, Eugene Maxwell, Michael Middleton, Rhett A. Miller, Craig Miller, Dale Moore, Sr., Joseph O'Neal, Norman Page, Dean Pappas, Lewis E. Patton, D.N. Penton, Dean Perna, Stanley Raukits, C.W. Reed, III, James Revis, Nicholas Reiss, Capt. Stephen Roe, Jerry Rowe, James Ross, Richard Scism, John Schirmer, Charles Shade, David Snow, Rocky Speights, Norman Staub, Richard Strickland, William Thomas, Paul Verger, Michael Walker, Donald Weitz, Jr., David White.

FF Team Selection News

Free Flight Team Selection Committee Chairman Robert Siefert recently forwarded several announcements to program participants. The following items are not covered elsewhere in Model Aviation:

• Semifinals: Proposals to host semifinals must be submitted to AMA HQ before June 1, 1989. This will allow time for the committee to approve and announce the contests.

• Selected Contests: Requests to hold Selected Contests must be submitted to AMA HQ as soon as possible so that early approval and announcement of these contests can be made. Selected Contests must be scheduled after all semifinals contests have been concluded. (See the "1991 Free Flight Team Selection Program," section "III. Semifinals" found elsewhere in this edition of the Competition Newsletter.)

• FF Junior World Championships: A decision to hold another of these meets was made at the March 1989 CIAM meeting in Paris. Yugoslavia will be the host country, and a U.S. team selection will be held in the summer of 1989. Any juniors under age 18 interested in participating in a team selection should contact the Competition Department at AMA HQ and Robert Siefert, RD #3, Box 56, Glenrock, PA 17327.

• Donations for team practice: The 1989 team held a practice in April in addition to the practice session funded by AMA at the world champs site. The Team Selection Committee thanks the many team selection finalists who donated their travel reimbursements to the team fund to help finance this stateside practice, and also all those who made donations to the team fund. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the team may do so by forwarding a donation to AMA HQ (Attention: Competition Department) with a notation that the money is to be placed in the team fund.

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