Author: B. Boss
Edition: Model Aviation - 1997/07
Page Numbers: 124, 125
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CONTROL LINE SCALE

Author

Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Overview

Do you want to be a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Scale Team qualifier in 1997 for the 1998 World Championships? Consider what type of model to build, what documentation is required, and whether the model can be kit-built or must be scratch-built.

Stan Alexander, vice president of the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA), accompanied the US Scale Team to the 1996 Scale World Championships in Périgueux, France. His observations, published in Replica (the NASA newsletter), form the basis of the guidance below.

Rules and Regulations

Obtain the rules

  • The FAI Sporting Code contains all rules and regulations for FAI contests and championships.
  • It specifies requirements for model size, weight, engine type and size, maximum surface area, maximum loading, required photos and three-views, etc.
  • A new issue of the FAI Sporting Code was expected in 1997; contact the AMA Competitions Department for availability and cost.

Differences from AMA rules

  • FAI regulations are more exacting than AMA Competition Regulations.
  • At international or world level you will compete against the best modelers and models from many nations.

Documentation Requirements

Drawings and three-views

  • FAI documentation must be good, clear, large three-views or multiview drawings that match the aircraft modeled.
  • Submit two sets of drawings to the judges.
  • Any differences between the model and the drawings must be pointed out on the drawings; use a highlighter if there are numerous differences.
  • Provide a brief written note identifying which photos or proofs show the differences or changes.

Photos

  • If possible, take photos during a walkaround of the prototype aircraft.
  • Provide straight-on detail shots of:
  • both sides
  • the nose
  • the tail
  • top and bottom surfaces (if possible)
  • If you cannot take the photos yourself, obtain them from a service (for example, Bob Banka's Scale Model Research).

Static Judging and Craftsmanship

Detail areas judged

During the Craftsmanship portion of static judging, judges look thoroughly at:

  • cockpit details
  • flaps and their construction
  • landing gear struts
  • tires
  • brake lines
  • pitot tubes
  • exhaust pipes
  • engine and propeller
  • instrument panels
  • rigging
  • fasteners
  • access doors and hinges

Additional guidance:

  • Do not omit detail visible on the underside of the aircraft.
  • Mufflers should not be visible; use the correct scale exhaust location whenever possible.
  • Detail applied to the model must match the detail shown in the documentation.

Stan observed that several exquisitely built aircraft received poor static scores because documentation of details was lacking.

Color Proof

  • Provide documented color chips that match your model's paint scheme—color chips are preferred because photos can fade or look different under varying lighting.
  • Use Federal Standard Color 595B or the IPMS Color Cross Reference Guide when possible.
  • If necessary, have color chips authenticated by your FAI representative (several World Championships competitors did this).

Scratch-Built vs. Kit-Built

  • Craftsmanship demonstrated by designing and building your aircraft is the key—do as much yourself as possible and provide excellent documentation.
  • In international competition you cannot own the original drawings, though you may start with someone else's plans.
  • Good plan services exist and are advertised in Model Aviation and other magazines; NASA's Scale Documentation Source List can be helpful.
  • Few kit models were entered at the World Championships; the majority were scratch-built.
  • Kit-built models tended to finish in the bottom half of the competition—static scoring of kit-built models often negates the chance of placing in an international event.
  • Whether your chosen aircraft is simple or complex, give equal effort to building and flying. A complex airplane with poor craftsmanship/documentation will not do as well as a simple aircraft that scores well in both static and flight.

Competition Preparation and Team Trials

Final thoughts

  • The effort required for world competition is quite different from local competition; prepare accordingly.

US team trials and Nats (1997)

  • US team trials: July 7–10 at the International Aeromodeling Center, Muncie.
  • National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) Scale events: July 11–13 at the same location.
  • Schedule:
  • July 7: FAI static judging
  • July 8–9: flying
  • July 10: rain date
  • The combined dates allow Scale modelers to compete in both competitions without separate trips, saving on expenses.

Supporting the Team

  • You can support the teams by purchasing NASA pins, patches, and decals, or by making a contribution to the FAI Scale Team fund.
  • Send contributions to:
  • John Guenther

21609 Borden-Greenville Rd. Borden, IN 47106

  • Contact John for additional information about the team trials: telephone/fax (812) 967-2814.

Acknowledgments and Contributions

  • Thanks to Stan Alexander for the photos of the US team and some World Championships models.
  • Please send ideas, notices of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to the author at the address at the top of this column.

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