Edition: Model Aviation - 1981/06
Page Numbers: 93, 94, 95, 96
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COMPETITION NEWSLETTER

General News

Correction!

Our apologies to the modelers appearing in the photo used on page 88 of the April issue. Cigar-smoking Bill Bogart was the only one correctly identified. Dick Gildersleeve is the man doing the winding on the Wakefield model, and Bob Wiehle is holding the umbrella. All are members of the SCAT club. Thanks to Ed Turner for the correction.

15th Annual SAM Champs Set for Taft, CA — June 30, July 1–2

The annual championships of the Society of Antique Modelers will be a three-day affair at Taft, CA this year. Twenty events, all FF or RC-assisted FF, will be flown. S.A.M. members have been mailed entry blanks. Newcomers can request information and an entry blank from Contest Manager Albert A. Hellman, 1218 Bienvenida Ave., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

AMA Contest Activity in 1980

  • Total sanctioned meets: 1,687 (some may have been cancelled).
  • At least 29,590 contestants entered (exact total unknown—347 CDs failed to return contest report forms to AMA HQ).
  • Meets by class:
  • Class A: 790 (614 for RC)
  • Class B: 62 (55 for RC)
  • Class AA: 366 (192 for RC)
  • Class AAA: 41 (17 for CL)
  • Class AAAA: 2 (one FF, one CL)
  • By category: 33 Indoor meets, 197 FF ones, 862 RC.

World Champs and Team Selection

'82 CL Team Selection: Stunt Finals Moves to Dayton

PAMPA President Keith Trostle, representing FAI fliers in PAMPA, received approval from AMA President John Grigg to move the 1982 CL Precision Aerobatics Team finals from the '81 Nats to Dayton, OH.

  • Finals date: Labor Day weekend, September 5–6, 1981.
  • Location: Wright-Patterson AFB, Area B (the '80 Nats site, next to the USAF Museum).
  • Flying area: 7,500 ft long × 150 ft wide runway—virtually unlimited practice circles. Depending on entrants, up to two qualification circles will be used on Saturday, September 5; one Finals circle on Sunday, September 6.
  • Contest Director: Keith Trostle.
  • Contact for entry or information: Keith Trostle, 10233 Peregrine, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; home phone (714) 964-7345.
  • Finals entry fee: $100 payable at the contest site; $20 of the fee goes to the team fund, remainder for meet expenses.
  • No official meet motel, but the Sheridan Inn Motel (across the road from the USAF Museum) has been popular with past contestants.
  • Access to WPAFB arranged for contestants beginning Monday, August 31, 1981.

Problem: Selecting an RC Sport Scale Team for the 1982 World Champs

  • Will there be a U.S. RC Sport Scale team selected for 1982? Yes.
  • Will it compete in the 1982 Scale World Championships? That depends. So far only the USSR has offered to host the 1982 Scale World Champs—and they are not including RC Sport Scale. Another country could still submit a superior bid that includes RC Sport Scale and have that bid accepted.
  • Timing is awkward for AMA team-selection processes. The November 1980 issue of Model Aviation described possible selection procedures at the 1981 Nats. The present plan is to proceed with selecting a U.S. RC Sport Scale team (RC only—FAI does not recognize CL Sport Scale), along with RC and CL Precision Scale teams (classes F4C and F4B), from contestants entered in the regular Scale contest at the 1981 Nationals.
  • Requirements for modelers wishing to compete for team berths:
  1. Must be a contestant at the 1981 Nats.
  2. Must have a current FAI stamp ("F4" stamp) on their AMA license (obtainable at the Nats' AMA HQ).
  3. Must pay the FAI entry fee of $25 per venue prior to making any official flight (at Nats' AMA HQ).
  4. Must submit a model complying with FAI Scale model requirements.
  5. Sport Scale team aspirants must declare themselves as Expert class.
  • If the 1982 World Championships does not include an RC Sport Scale category, contestants who paid the $25 RC Sport Scale fee can request a refund from AMA HQ. The U.S. RC Sport Scale team would not attend the Worlds in that case.
  • Scale contestants at the Nats not competing for team berths are unaffected.

'81 NATS NEWS

Want '81 Nats Entry Forms?

When requesting entry forms from AMA HQ, please indicate which Nats form(s) you want (Indoor, Outdoor, or both). This saves time and avoids confusion at HQ.

Change in RC Pylon Schedule

The 1981 Outdoor Nats Schedule published in the May issue listed the wrong schedule for Formula I and Quarter Midget RC Pylon Racing.

  • Quarter Midget: Monday–Wednesday mornings (August 3–5), starting at 7:00 a.m.
  • Formula I: Thursday–Saturday mornings (August 6–8), starting at 7:00 a.m.

Texas Nats Contestant Dorms

Contestant housing will be available at the 1981 Nationals in Seguin, TX (August 2–9).

  • Dormitory beds at Southern Texas State University (San Marcos), approximately 16 miles north of Seguin AFB Auxiliary Field on State Route 123.
  • Accommodations: two beds per room. Arranged through AMA HQ at a very low rate; price details forthcoming.
  • At the time of writing (late March 1981), it was not known whether on-base camping would be allowed at the Nats site; updates will be provided when available.

CL Speed at Nats

For 1981, CL Speed models will be processed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the morning of the event to be flown. Previously, processing occurred the evening before.

CL Team (continued)

Contact and Finals details:

  • Keith Trostle — 10233 Peregrine, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; home phone (714) 964-7345.
  • Finals entry fee: $100; $20 to team fund, remainder for meet expenses.
  • Suggested lodging: Sheridan Inn Motel (across from USAF Museum).

RC Sport Scale Team (continued)

The selection plan will proceed at the 1981 Nats despite uncertainty about the 1982 Worlds including RC Sport Scale. Entrants must meet the requirements listed above. Refunds of the $25 entry fee will be made if RC Sport Scale is not included at the Worlds and contestants apply for the refund to AMA HQ.

Contest Activity (continued)

  • RC meets: (figure in original text appears partially garbled) — 144 for CL.
  • 25 meets for various combinations (except F/F Indoor) of the three categories.
  • 219 contestants at 24 various team selection trials.
  • 30 "Special" (mostly fun-fly) meets attracted 1,504 contestants.
  • 25 record trials brought out 216 entrants.

'82–'83 Rules Change Cycle

The List of the Cross-Proposals

This month we publish the last of the rules cross-proposals received by AMA HQ in this rules-change cycle (a few were published last month). Only legible and complete cross-proposals are presented. Many cross-proposals were judged invalid for reasons such as paralleling previously defeated proposals, being new proposals submitted after deadlines, or being postmarked after May 1, 1981.

Member Input Desired

The Contest Boards welcome input from the AMA membership. They have at most two more votes to make on this year's proposed changes. The Interim Vote will finalize language for the Final Vote, which is due by September 1, 1981. Write your comments to the appropriate Contest Board member in your AMA district; names and addresses are available in the Directory elsewhere in this edition.

National AMA Records

AS OF APRIL 3, 1981

INDOOR AMA CEILING — CATEGORY I

  • RFG Stick (Sr.) — 0:38.00 — Bob Ott — 12-14-80
  • Paper (Op.) — 0:14.40 — Mark Drennan — 6-12-77
  • Paper (Jr.) — 0:47.00 — Hank Delian — 6-12-77
  • Stick (Cp.) — 1:36.00 — John Demers — 6-12-77
  • H.L. Stick (Op.) — 2:30.00 — Mike Clary — 2-21-77
  • RFG Cabin (Cp.) — 2:00.00 — Robert Whitson — 6-12-77
  • Autogyr. (Op.) — 1:02.40 — Bob Purdy — 6-12-77
  • Helicopter (Op.) — 2:24.00 — Dave Lindley — 3-28-79
  • Heli. Glider (Op.) — 1:22.00 — Don Lindsley — 3-28-79
  • Omni- (Op.) — 2:24.00 — Dave Lindley — 3-28-79
  • HL Glider (Op.) — 0:24.00 — Ron Clark — 3-28-79
  • FAI Stick (Op.) — 1:27.00 — Bob Wiehle — 12-12-75
  • Pennyplane (Op.) — 0:22.00 — Mike Clary — 6-12-77
  • Novice (Op.) — 0:52.00 — Richard Wheeler — 6-12-77
  • Easy B (Op.) — 0:40.00 — Mike Clary — 6-12-77
  • Otter (Op.) — 0:21.00 — Tom Croft — 6-12-77
  • G.O. (Op.) — 15:20.0 — Richard Handwerker — 3-30-80

INDOOR AMA CEILING — CATEGORY II

  • RFG Stick (Sr.) — 0:33.24 — Dave Lindley — 6-12-77
  • Paper (Op.) — 1:00.40 — Ron Clark — 6-12-77
  • Paper (Jr.) — 0:24.00 — James Richmond — 3-28-79
  • Stick (Op.) — 0:32.00 — Mike Van Gorder — 3-28-79
  • Stick (Cp.) — 0:49.00 — Tom Schem — 3-28-79
  • HL Stick (Op.) — 1:08.00 — Jim Richmond — 6-12-77
  • Autogyr. (Op.) — 1:12.00 — Dave Lindley — 3-28-79
  • Helicopter (Op.) — 1:30.00 — James Richmond — 6-12-77
  • HL Glider (Op.) — 0:58.00 — Daryl Stevens — 3-28-79
  • FAI Stick (Op.) — 1:25.00 — James Richmond — 6-12-77
  • Pennyplane (Op.) — 0:45.00 — Gary Stevens — 6-12-77
  • Novice (Op.) — 1:20.00 — Gavin Sawyer — 3-28-79
  • Easy B (Op.) — 1:08.00 — Mike Van Gorder — 3-28-79
  • G.O. (Op.) — 18:03.0 — Richard Handwerker — 3-30-80

INDOOR AMA CEILING — CATEGORY III

  • RFG Stick (Sr.) — 0:19.22 — Dave Lindley — 6-28-80
  • Paper (Op.) — 1:15.40 — Mark Drea — 6-12-77
  • Paper (Jr.) — 0:56.00 — David Drennan — 3-28-79
  • Stick (Op.) — 0:27.20 — Mike Van Gorder — 6-12-77
  • Stick (Cp.) — 1:12.40 — Robert Whitson — 6-12-77
  • HL Stick (Op.) — 1:32.40 — Don Lindley — 3-28-79
  • RFG Cabin (Op.) — 2:17.40 — Richard Whitson — 3-28-79
  • Autogyr. (Op.) — 2:16.30 — James Richmond — 6-12-77
  • Helicopter (Op.) — 1:47.20 — Ron Clark — 3-28-79
  • HL Glider (Op.) — 0:38.30 — Richard Whitson — 3-28-79
  • FAI Stick (Op.) — 1:56.00 — Doug Lindley — 6-12-77
  • Pennyplane (Op.) — 0:41.20 — Mike Van Gorder — 6-12-77
  • Novice (Op.) — 0:45.20 — Vincent Van Gorder — 3-28-79
  • Easy B (Op.) — 1:02.40 — Mike Van Gorder — 3-28-79
  • G.O. (Op.) — 26:07.0 — Earl Hoffman — 7-28-80

INDOOR AMA CEILING — CATEGORY IV

  • No records established for the listed events in this category.

OUTDOOR FREE FLIGHT

  • A Gas (Sr.) — 6:06 — Earl Lindbergh — 1-10-79
  • Power (Op.) — 2:30 — Peter Brown — 8-3-79
  • C.O. (Op.) — No record established
  • Wakefield (Op.) — No record established
  • F.A.I. Power (Op.) — 7:36 — Sam Sweeney — 11-2-75
  • F.A.I. Power (Jr.) — 5:18 — Bill Stevens — 1-11-75
  • Wakefield (Jr.) — 50:30 — Victor Grover — 4-25-79
  • Coupe (Op.) — 12:50 — Errol Guy — 6-14-79
  • P-30 (Op.) — 7:10 — Bob Capaz — 4-26-79
  • HL Glider (Op.) — No record established
  • Towline (Op.) — 8:23 — Don Covell — 4-6-79

Additional outdoor free flight times:

  • A Gas (Sr.) — 55.70 — Chet Terry — 7-10-77
  • C Gas (Op.) — 31:16 — Mike Harpine — 3-9-80
  • B Gas (Op.) — No record established

INDOOR, FAI CEILINGS — AGES COMBINED

  • FAI Stick 1 — 22:40 — Thomas White — 12-12-78
  • FAI Stick 2 — 22:48 — Daniel Down — 1-12-79
  • FAI Stick 3 — 23:08 — James Richmond — 6-12-77

CONTROL LINE

  • 1/2 A Speed (Op.) — 112.4 MPH/Min — No record established
  • 1/2 A Speed (Jr.) — 90.12 MPH/Min — Lawrence Miller — 11-23-80
  • A Speed (Op.) — 108.62 MPH — Guy Barber — 5-6-79
  • B Speed (Op.) — 98.30 MPH — Jim Heller — 7-14-78
  • C Speed (Op.) — 74.09 MPH — Don Hough — 1-20-78
  • Jet Speed (Jr.) — 185.49 MPH — Patrick Hemmel — 11-23-75
  • Jet Speed (Sr.) — 204.23 MPH — Mike Langlois — 11-23-75
  • Jet Speed (Op.) — 212.93 MPH — Paul Rutledge — 10-22-78
  • Carrier (Op.) — 234.10 points — Dan Hoke — 10-27-78
  • Carrier (Jr.) — 213.20 points — Earl Hoffman — 7-28-80

OUTDOOR FREE FLIGHT — CATEGORY I

  • A Gas (Sr.) — 16:29 — Herb Morgan — 5-17-76
  • B Gas (Op.) — 11:30 — Ron Young — 6-14-78
  • C Gas (Op.) — 22:43 — Ken Morgan — 5-24-76
  • D Gas (Op.) — 9:28 — Bill Talbot — 3-14-78
  • E Gas (Op.) — 20:12 — Sam Sweeney — 9-7-78
  • G Gas (Op.) — 12:50 — John Brooks — 6-14-78
  • H Gas (Op.) — 7:24 — Paul Robertson — 9-8-79
  • Rocket (Op.) — No record established
  • Towline (Op.) — No record established

OUTDOOR FREE FLIGHT — CATEGORY II

  • A Gas (Sr.) — 15:47 — Keith Morgan — 5-14-75
  • B Gas (Op.) — 22:05 — Ron Young
  • C Gas (Op.) — 7:51 — John Borchert
  • D Gas (Op.) — 9:40 — Tom Regan
  • E Gas (Op.) — 8:12 — Paul Kidder
  • F Gas (Op.) — 5:50 — Ken Morgan
  • Rocket (Op.) — 3:05 — John Robertson
  • Towline (Op.) — No record established

OUTDOOR FREE FLIGHT — CATEGORY III

  • A Gas (Sr.) — 8:57 — Chris Houtenbrink — 3-20-80
  • B Gas (Op.) — 10:00 — Gary Ziegler — 6-13-80
  • C Gas (Op.) — 9:50 — Harry Murphy — 8-13-80
  • D Gas (Op.) — 7:10 — Tony Robinson — 11-5-80
  • E Gas (Op.) — 6:40 — William Carter — 8-15-80
  • Rocket (Op.) — No record established

RC SOARING — DURATION

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — 8:33.27 — Keith Schmidt — 7-5-80
  • Standard (Jr.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — 11:42:00 — Don A. Locke — 11-22-79

RC SOARING — THERMAL DURATION

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — No record established
  • 3-Meter (Op.) — (No time listed) — Patricia Hays — 9-16-79

RC SOARING — DECLARED DISTANCE

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — 4.75 Miles — Stanley Watson — 12-28-80

RC SOARING — OPEN DISTANCE

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — 24.80 Miles — David P. Hams — 9-30-79

RC SOARING — CLOSED COURSE DISTANCE

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — 11.26 (units) — Tim Hays — 11-28-80

RC SOARING — ALTITUDE

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established
  • 2-Meter (Op.) — No record established

RC SOARING — SPEED

  • Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Mod. Standard (Op.) — No record established
  • Unlimited (Op.) — No record established

RC Cross-Proposals (continued)

  • Vertical lean will count. Inside loops score 2 points each; outside loops score 3 points each.
  • Limbo: Each contestant will choose a marker height of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 feet. A successful pass scores 40, 30, 20, or 10 points respectively. Breaking the limbo line or touching the ground before or after the limbo line scores 0. One attempt allowed per flight.
  • Touch and Go: Attempt one touch-and-go in the funnel-shaped area divided into eight spaces. Only main wheels are judged for points. If wheels touch in two different spaces on first touchdown, the higher points are awarded. If one wheel lands on a line, points are given for the area where the other wheel touches first. If one wheel touches outside the funnel on touchdown, the score is 0.
  • End-Zone Landing: Land and roll to a stop in the tunnel-shaped area. If touchdown occurs outside the tunnel, the plane’s main wheels must cross the 40-foot baseline. Points are awarded for the area in which the main wheels stop. If the main wheels are in two different areas, the higher points are awarded. If one wheel is on the line, the other wheel determines the score. If both wheels are on a line, points are awarded for the point-area last touched by the main gear. No points if a main wheel touches outside a sideline or far end of the tunnel at any time. Ten-point penalty for dead engine before the plane stops moving. Throttle change after touchdown scores 0. No radio-actuated brakes allowed. The landing may be called at any time to end the flight.

RC-82-14A — Use 120° box for both Standard Biplane and new Open events in Sport Aerobatics.

  • Proposes to amend paragraph 39.13.j of the AMA rule book to specify the aerobatic “box” is identical (120°) for both the present Biplane class and the new Open class.
  • Authored by C. Glenn Carter, Walnut Creek, CA.

RC-82-25A — Retain existing Advanced class maneuvers in Pattern.

  • Proposes to restore the Advanced class maneuver list to the current AMA rule book list. James G. Wilkins, Carrollton, TX, argues the proposed figure 8 is harder than the Stall Turn and would burden novices moving up to Advanced.

RC-82-39A — Redefine Landing maneuver for more realism.

  • Proposes revising the Landing definition to evaluate flare, wheel-first touchdown, straight ground roll, and absence of bouncing or porpoising. Suggested definition:
  • The landing maneuver starts two meters (6 ft) from the ground. The model shall be flown to a nose-high attitude, allowing airspeed to decrease, then smoothly touched onto the ground within the landing circle with the main wheels first (tricycle gear) or with main and tail wheels simultaneously (conventional gear), with no bouncing or further engine throttle advance. The nose or tail wheel may contact the ground after the main wheels. The airplane shall not touch down inside or beyond the landing line except as provided for a mislanding. The model shall roll out smoothly in the landing area.
  • Judges shall consider items such as:
  1. Model bounces after touchdown.
  2. Changes in heading during ground roll.
  3. Model lands in a crab—zero points.
  4. Model lands out of the 30-meter circle—zero points.
  5. Any undercarriage leg retracts on landing—zero points.
  6. Porpoising or wander during approach and flare.
  7. Aircraft lands in other than a nose-high attitude.
  8. Aircraft touches down while not straight to runway and ground track.

RC-82-49A — Redefine Takeoff maneuver to attain more realism.

  • Proposes revising the Takeoff definition so more fine points are judged; takeoff remains essentially complete once the airplane is approximately two meters (6 ft) from the ground. Suggested definition:
  • The model must stand still on the ground with the engine(s) running without being held. The throttle is then smoothly but quickly advanced. After the aircraft rolls and lifts off, the nose wheel lifts (tail wheel for conventional gear) and the aircraft achieves a climb attitude while still rolling on its main wheels. When the aircraft reaches flying speed, it should gently lift off and attain a gradual angle. The airplane must not deviate in heading during takeoff. The takeoff is complete when the model is approximately two meters (6 ft) from the ground. The takeoff should not be downgraded for wind gusts or turbulence unless the wings are not immediately leveled. Downwind errors are not penalized if the model remains within the box.
  • Judged faults:
  1. Model does not stand still when released.
  2. Changes heading during takeoff and climb.
  3. Model jumps from the ground.
  4. Retouches ground after becoming airborne.
  5. Too steep a climb angle.
  6. Galloping in elevator during climb.
  7. Wings not level at any time.
  8. Throttle not accelerated smoothly.

FF Cross-Proposals (selected)

FF-82-14A — Add restrictions on event-entry for the proposed Novice and Sportsman classes.

  • Proposes to specify which events may be entered by contestants in Novice and Sportsman classes (from Sec. 6 through 21), and to add paragraphs to free flight rules indicating allowable events and restrictions. This implements Stan “Stony” Schreiber’s proposed contest classification.

CL Rules Cross-Proposals

CL-82-38A — Profile-fuselage Carrier models can only fly in Profile Carrier events.

  • Proposes amending paragraph 30.3.3 of the AMA rule book by adding: "Models having profile fuselage construction as defined in Contest Line General, paragraph 22.10 (p.16), may not be flown in any class other than Navy Carrier Profile."
  • This would give Navy Carrier Profile a separate identity and prevent profile models from being entered in Class I while Class I models cannot fly in Profile.

CL-82-38B — Change scale bonus points to a penalty for being non-scale: 10 points for Profile, 100 points for Classes I and II.

  • Proposes amending parts of paragraph 30.3.3 to replace scale bonuses with non-scale penalties and to codify scale documentation requirements. Portions were edited by CL Contest Board Chairman Ron McNally to remove inappropriate material. Proponent: Frank Reilly, Long Beach, CA.

FF Rules Cross-Proposals (selected)

FF-82-1C — Simplify Easy-B model characteristics.

  • Proposes eliminating the minimum weight rule, climb rate, and motor size restrictions; change wing chord to 3 inches (76.2 mm); require motor stick to be a solid single piece of wood (tail boom may be separate); no restrictions on model length or minimum weight; no trimming materials except solid wood. Proponent: Robert W. Mullins, Lorton, OH. He contends this eliminates structural/trim conflicts and aligns rules with those used worldwide.

(Additional FF cross-proposals and detailed edits follow in the rules-change cycle; full text omitted here for brevity.)

Classes for Free Flight Events

The accompanying table (not reproduced here) indicates which events may be entered by Novice, Sportsman, and Open contestants and the restrictions for Novice and Sportsman classes.

CL Rules Cross-Proposals (continued)

  • The first cross-proposal (CL-82-38A) presents a procedural question: whether it is a valid cross-proposal since it seeks to impose additional restrictions on competition classes by amending a basic proposal. The Contest Board will first decide on validity, then vote on acceptance if valid.

Competition Newsletter — Closing Note

Continued proposals and voting items are published for consideration by the Contest Boards and the membership.

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