Competition Newsletter

COMPETITION NEWSLETTER

CIAM Meeting Report

Several significant decisions were made at the April 11, 1983 CIAM meeting. Some items are of general interest; others have specific effects on the three upcoming World Championships in 1983.

General Interest

• A new edition of the FAI Sporting Code (rule book) will be published, effective January 1, 1984. There will be a four-year freeze on the effectivity of subsequent rules changes, except for rules changes related to safety matters. Rules changes made at the December CIAM meeting will not be included in the new Code unless they are safety-related.
• In World Championship competition, substitution of team members will only be allowed up to the time the team is registered (FAI licenses checked) or the time the models are processed—whichever occurs first.
• Japan will host the 1984 Indoor World Championships.
• The 1985 RC Aerobatics World Championships will probably be hosted by the Netherlands.

World Championship Procedures

• RC Soaring World Championships (1983): The weak-link in the towline will not be used, and the organizer will not test towlines for breaking strength. Winches which meet the organizer's rule (as defined in the December CIAM minutes) may be used. Specification summary: single electric motor (max 140 mm diameter, 215 mm body length) driving a winch drum (minimum width between flanges 75 mm) powered by a single lead-acid battery whose combined length + width + height totals 750 mm. Internal combustion engines are prohibited. No other organizer definitions or restrictions will be applied.
• RC Aerobatics World Championships: Noise tests will be administered such that if a model fails the flight-circle (before-takeoff) noise check and subsequently fails the platform noise check, the flight score will not count. The time taken to perform the flight-circle noise check will not count against the flier's flight time.
• Free Flight World Championships: No motorized retrieval vehicles will be permitted. Models using fuse-type dethermalizers must have and use a snuffer tube. Because of several recent severe range fires in Australia, fuse-type devices may be banned by that government; competitors are advised to consider switching to clockwork or electronic/digital-type timers before the World Championships. Use of 27 MHz walkie-talkies will be permitted.

(More general news items appear on page 120.)

'83 Nats News

Nats Week: July 24–31

Attention Club Officers

• Do not duplicate the Nats entry form. The Nats entry form contains vital information (times/places of processing for events, pilots' meetings, procedures, etc.) on the same page as the entry blank. Past duplication of only the entry blank has caused problems for contestants.

How to Get a Nats Entry Form

• Entry forms are mailed automatically to all entrants of the 1982 Nats. If you were a 1982 entrant and have not received your 1983 form, notify AMA HQ.
• District AMA officers and many hobby shops have supplies. If you cannot obtain one through these sources, write to AMA HQ and request one (please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope—letter-size).
• Deadline for advance entry: Wednesday, July 1, 1983 (postmark). Entries received after that date will be subject to a late entry fee for Open-age contestants: $15, plus $5 per event. Late entries can only be processed at the AMA Nats HQ.

'83 Nats Booster Kit

• The Nats Booster Kit (collectible) includes: a Nats pin, a First Annual AMA Convention pin, an '83 Nats patch, a First Convention patch, a Nats program book, a Springfield Nats bumper sticker, and a reduced-size replica of the official '83 Nats publicity poster. Value $13; price $10 (postpaid in the U.S.).
• Items available separately: pins $3 each; patches $2 each; program book, bumper sticker, or poster $1 each.
• Order from AMA Supply and Service Section at AMA HQ.

1983 Nats Sponsors

Nats sponsors make possible excellent trophies and help defray contest expenses. Many thanks to the sponsors signed up as of April 20, 1983:

• Ace RC, Inc.
• Airtronics
• All Phase Art
• Bavarian Precision Products (HB Engines)
• Byron Originals
• Carolina-Taftinder
• Coverite
• Custom Model Products
• Bob Dively
• Du-Bro Products
• Electronic Model Systems
• Enya Model Engines
• Addis Elmore
• Fox Manufacturing Co.
• Carl Goldberg Models
• Gorham Model Products
• Grish Brothers
• Paul K. Guillow
• K&B Manufacturing
• Kraft Systems
• Dick McCoy
• McDaniel RC Service
• Mid-Am Distributors
• Mid-Am X-Cell Team
• Model Aeronautic Publications
• Northeast Aerodynamics
• Pacer Technology & Resources
• Pactra
• Peck-Polymers
• Progress/Rev-Up Manufacturing Co.
• Ramco
• Rocket City RC Specialties
• Sig Manufacturing Co.
• Top Flite Models
• Westport International
• Williams Brothers
• World Engines

(More Nats items appear on page 120.)

Nats Symposia and Workshops

• Six companies have signed up to present a symposium or workshop at the 1983 Nats: Ace RC, Inc.; Coverite; Northeast Aerodynamics; Pacer Technology (makers of ZAP products); Ramco; and Top Flite Models.
• Additional presentations may be announced; check the bulletin boards at the AMA Nats HQ in the Quality Inn Hotel, Chicopee, MA.

U.S. CL Combat Team Finals

• Event dates: September 16–18, 1984 (Monday, September 19 as emergency rain date).
• Schedule: pre-contest meeting Friday, Sept. 16; first three or four rounds Saturday; remaining rounds Sunday.
• Advance entry deadline: July 30, 1983.
• Entry fee: $50. Late entry fee (deadline Sept. 10, 1983): $75.
• All contestants must have current AMA licenses with the $10 FAI stamp attached.
• Mail entries to AMA HQ, Attention: Micheline Madison. No entries accepted at the contest. No official entry form—send name, address, AMA number, statement that you want to enter Combat team trials, and a check or money order for the entry fee.
• Contest organizer: Mack Henry (615/833-0000). Volunteer officials should call Paul Hartlaub (513/922-0554).

Submitting FAI Rules Proposals

• Modelers wishing to submit proposals for FAI international competition rules must send them to AMA HQ first, attention: Micheline Madison. Proposals must be received by August 2, 1983.
• There is no official AMA or FAI form for proposals; however, each submission must refer to the appropriate sections and paragraphs of the FAI Sporting Code using the Code's numbering, and briefly state the reason for the proposed change.
• The AMA's internal procedure for handling FAI rules proposals was published in the July 1982 edition of the "Competition Newsletter."

Future World Championships

• 1984 World Championships:
• Control Line: U.S.A.
• Scale: France
• Indoor: Japan
• 1985 World Championships:
• Free Flight: No offers to host.
• RC Aerobatics: Netherlands (pending final approval).
• RC Soaring: Australia
• New World Championships: FAI is taking initial steps toward sanctioning World Championships in RC Helicopters and RC Pylon Racing.

(More general news items on page 124.)

The Cross-Proposals

• The biennial competition rules-changing process is in progress. Publication of proposals and cross-proposals in the "Competition Newsletter" fulfills an important procedural step.
• All original rules proposals for the current cycle were published in the October and December 1982 and January 1983 editions of the "Competition Newsletter." The Contest Boards' Initial Vote results were published in the March 1983 issue.
• The Contest Board Procedures were published in the June 1982 edition.

What Happens Next in the Procedure?

• Contest Boards will take an Interim Vote on the cross-proposals, with a deadline of June 6, 1983. Results will likely be published in the August 1983 issue.
• Because cross-proposals were published late, the normal deadline for membership input to Contest Board members has been extended from May 1 to June 6 (postmark deadline). Prompt input is needed for it to be useful.
• Contest Board members who have already submitted an Interim Vote and wish to change it because of new input may phone the change to AMA HQ, Competition Dept., Attention: Micheline Madison.
• The Contest Boards' Final Vote (which will determine the new rules for 1984) has a deadline of September 1, 1983. Final Vote results will likely be published in the December issue. The new rule books will then be published and mailed to all AMA members early in 1984.

Modeler Participation Desired

• District Contest Board members are expected to respond to opinions of modelers in their districts. Modelers interested in any proposals are urged to communicate their views to their district Contest Board members—preferably in writing, but phone or in-person contact is also useful.

Screening of Cross-Proposals

• Not all cross-proposals received by AMA HQ are voted on. Contest Board chairmen screen cross-proposals to ensure they are valid (not a "cross" to a defeated proposal, not a new proposal in disguise) and that they meet submission requirements (signatures of three current Open-class AMA members, one of whom must be a Contest Director).

RULES PROPOSALS

Free Flight Cross Proposal

• FF-84-4A — Change Rocket Power event to Supplemental status. Retain Rocket Power rules in the rule book as a Supplemental event rather than eliminating the event, allowing Contest Directors to include it at contests and providing a standard in case of future fuel/engine availability changes. Proposer: Chris Matson, St. John, MO.

General Cross-Proposals

• Gen-84-2A — Carrier/Racing: Specify stopwatch accuracy. Add to CL sections the statement: "For Control Line speed events, stopwatches shall have graduations of not less than one-tenth second." Purpose: move the stopwatch accuracy requirement into the proper CL sections. Proposer: Ron McNally, Springfield, VA.
• Gen-84-4A — Alternate CD must be present when primary CD competes. Amend competition director rules to require another Contest Director be available and in charge when the primary CD competes; primary CD must not have decision authority related to his/her competition. Proposer: Ronald L. McNally, Springfield, VA.
• Gen-84-8A — Allow CD to compete in AAA contests if a second CD is available. Modify rules to permit Contest Directors to compete in certain contests provided adequate alternate CD coverage is available. Proposer: Gary Frost, Ballwin, MO.

Scale Cross-Proposal

• SC-84-1A — More points for finish, color, and markings in Sport Sailplane. Change static scoring so Finish, Color and Markings have a maximum of 15 points and delete the Original Design Model language. Proposer: Kenneth E. Ruhl, Petersburg, VA.

Control Line Cross-Proposals

• CL-84-2A — Aerobatics: Redefine start/end points of Inside Square Loop and Triangular Loop to the traditional first inside corner rather than current drawing entry point; revise the Triangular Loop written description accordingly. Proposer: Arlie Preszler, Lodi, CA (Precision Aerobatic Advisory Committee).
• CL-84-2B — Aerobatics: Add training-guide maneuver diagrams (from pilot's viewpoint) to supplement existing maneuver drawings to aid beginning Precision Aerobatics fliers. Proposer: James J. Renkar, Justice, IL.
• CL-84-6A — Carrier: Remove "Builder of the Model" rule at AAA and lower contests. Allow newcomers easier entry and let competitors dispose of older equipment. Proposer: David Rolley, Bennett, CO.
• CL-84-7A — Carrier: Delete maximum wingspan requirements in Profile. Remove wingspan restrictions in par. 30.3.3; safety maintained by 4-lb. weight limit and pull-test requirement. Proposer: David Rolley.
• CL-84-7B — Carrier: Change maximum allowable wingspan in Profile to 96 in. Alternative to CL-84-7A. Proposer: David Rolley.
• CL-84-8A — Carrier: Delete 60-degree nose-high rule and substitute max low-speed time of 210 sec. Proposer: David G. Copeman, Brown Bear, WI. Rationale: higher low-speed time encourages genuine low-speed flying without turning Carrier into a speed event.
• CL-84-8B — Carrier: Remove 60-degree nose-high rule entirely. Argues the 60-degree rule is subjective and hard to judge uniformly. Proposer: David Rolley.
• CL-84-22B — Slow Rat: 10%-nitro fuel supplied by contest organizer. Require contest-supplied fuel with no more than 10% nitromethane. Proposer: Victor Garner, Livermore, CA.
• CL-84-22C — Slow Rat: More qualifications to original proposal. Restrict allowed engines and carburetor characteristics to reduce speeds and costs; includes precise venturi and spraybar dimensions. Proposer: Frank E. Williams, Houston, TX.
• CL-84-22D — Slow Rat: Allow only engines with single bypass ports (disallow Schmeuler or PDP). Proposer: Terry Rimer, Baldwin, FL.
• CL-84-22E — Slow Rat: Separate CL-84-22 into seven parts for the Final Vote. Break the complex proposal into separate issues to permit selective adoption. Proposer: Ron McNally, Springfield, VA (CLCB chairman).
• CL-84-22F — Slow Rat: Modify tank location, 10%-nitro fuel, and engine restrictions. Suggested modifications: tank fully forward of wing and exposed; organizer-supplied fuel not more than 10% nitromethane and not less than 20% lube; limit engines to front-intake configuration (in addition to present restrictions). Proposer: Ron McNally.
• CL-84-22G — Slow Rat: Delete all of CL-84-22 except tank location, variable carb ban, 10%-nitro fuel, and front-intake-only engine restrictions. Proposer: Ron McNally.
• CL-84-22H — Slow Rat: Allow .018 stranded control lines in Slow Rat. Argues stranded lines are less sensitive to bending and are sufficiently strong. Proposer: Jerry Meyer, North Aurora, IL.
• CL-84-22I — Slow Rat: Use 10%-nitro fuel (70% methanol, 10% nitromethane, 20% castor/synthetic oil). Proposer: Jerry Meyer.
• CL-84-22J — Slow Rat: Allow fuel tanks to extend behind the wing. Proposes elimination of par. 27.2.6 to permit models to be balanced without special tank designs. Proposer: Jerry Meyer.
• CL-84-32A — Carrier: Change landing definition. Redefine arrested landing as any landing in which the model comes to rest on the deck; hook engagement with arresting cables not required. Proposer: David Rolley.
• CL-84-32B — Carrier: Hook must stay engaged to cable. Require hook to remain engaged to an arresting cable with the model coming to rest; if hook disengages, give zero landing points. Proposer: Marcus P. Warashana, Canton, MI.
• CL-84-33A — Carrier: Seven nose-high warnings before disqualification. Increase warnings during low-speed nose-high infractions from three to seven to reduce disqualifications in windy conditions. Proposer: David G. Copeman.
• CL-84-33B — Carrier: Change to three warnings. Opposes CL-84-33A; retains three warnings to preserve safety. Proposer: David Rolley.

(End of published cross-proposals for this cycle.)

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