Control Line: Scale
Mike Gretz
Scale Pilot
In the rules proposal cycle just completed by the Scale Contest Board, three changes were adopted that affect the CL Scale events. These changes will be in force during next summer's contest season and should be considered by competitors building models this winter.
The first change is straightforward and perhaps long overdue. Two very similar proposals—one by Claude McCullough and the other by Bill Northrop—were passed by the Scale Board to require that all future CL and RC Precision and Sport Scale aircraft carry a dummy pilot figure while in flight. The dummy pilot will not be judged for static points; it is intended only to enhance the model's realistic flight appearance.
Bill Northrop argued, ". . . all full-scale aircraft go aloft with a pilot at the controls. It is therefore paradoxical, with the level of scale perfection that has been reached in RC and CL scale modeling, that a plane should take off without a pilot aboard. At a Nationals a few years ago, a WW-II fighter taxied up to the circle, stopped and the canopy slid open by radio control . . . but nobody was in the cockpit!"
Since both Claude's and Bill's proposals were passed, the exact wording for the new rule book is not finalized. However, it will include the pertinent points of both proposals, which are these:
- (a) If the pilot is visible in flight on the prototype aircraft, then a scale-size dummy pilot must be visible and properly located in the model during flight.
- (b) The dummy pilot may be either a bust-style or full-figure human pilot and must be approximately the same scale as the aircraft in width as well as profile.
- (c) The dummy pilot will not be scored or considered during Scale judging, even if it is permanently mounted in the model. If the contestant wishes, he may present his model for Scale judging without the pilot figure in place, and no downgrading will be done by the judges if he does so.
- (d) A waiver of this rule will be granted to models built prior to 1980 which would have to be substantially altered to accommodate a pilot.
Declaration of Parts
Another proposal was passed that applies to all CL and RC Precision and Sport Scale events. It requires that you provide the static judges with a signed declaration listing the parts of your model which you did not make yourself. Included in this list (when applicable) should be items such as the engine, muffler, wheels, retract units, decals, instruments, etc. Also indicate whether the model is scratch-built, built from someone else's plans, or from a kit. The type of construction of major components should be listed as well (for example: cut or molded foam wings; molded fiberglass, plastic, or foam fuselages; wheel pants; cowlings).
The intent of this rule is to assist the judges in making a fair determination in the "Craftsmanship" category on both the quantity and the quality of workmanship on the model. Previously, judges had no way of knowing what items were made by the contestant and which were purchased commercially.
You might think judges should only be concerned with "Accuracy of Outline" and "Fidelity to Scale." But if you look closely at the score sheets, half of the total possible Sport Scale static score and almost half of the total possible Precision Scale static score are awarded for craftsmanship. A judge cannot be expected to fairly award these points without knowing to some degree which parts were ready-made and which were fabricated by the entrant.
The builder of a model from a conventional (wood) kit, or from scratch, faces considerably more work and skill requirements than the modeler who starts with a highly prefabricated kit. FAI international scale competition has had a similar declaration requirement for as long as I can remember, and it has proven its value and workability many times. Contestants should not expect to get craftsmanship points for things they didn't do.
Sport Scale Judging Distance
The last rule change pertains only to the Sport Scale event, not to Precision Scale. There has been considerable discussion at scale gatherings and in the model magazines over the last couple of years about the "problem" of alleged Precision Scale models being entered in Sport Scale events. Even though Sport Scale judges are required by the old rules to ignore fine details they would deem "not visible in flight," many people contended that a judge cannot help being subconsciously affected by such details when awarding static points.
To avoid lengthy rehashing of arguments on either side, the Scale Board has decided—based on a proposal by John Preston—to increase the judging distance for Sport Scale from 10 feet to 15 feet. In other words, the judging circle, which was 20 feet in diameter, will now be 30 feet. The Board feels this should reduce concern about "precision" detailing on Sport Scale entries by making such details less noticeable.
I think this is a good solution. We can't, nor should we try to, legislate a quality ceiling for Sport Scale models. A builder will finish his model to his own satisfaction, and extra effort should not be discouraged if Sport Scale is to remain a beginner-friendly event. We should certainly not bar enthusiastic builders from entering what has become "the only game in town." The only equitable solution was to make it physically impossible for the judges to observe surplus fine details.
John Preston put it this way: "In any discussion involving the static judging of Sport Scale models there is invariably an argument over what details are 'not deemed visible in flight' that judges are told to ignore in paragraph 6.3 of the rules. ... If the objective of this requirement is to encourage models without details, while at the same time permit the better skilled builders some freedom of expression, then an obvious solution appears to be to increase the distance from which the static judging is performed. In theory, if the correct distance is chosen, Sport Scale models should be capable of competing with Precision Scale models on an even basis in the Sport Scale event."
Let's get those cards and letters coming!
Mike Gretz Box 162 Montezuma, IA 50171
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
