Focus on Competition - 2004/07
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf skaluf@modelaircraft.org
There is so much going on this month that I don’t have time for a regular column. Next month I will reproduce the voting results for the final ballot of the current group of rules-change proposals. All proposals that pass that vote will go into effect as rules in January 2005.
January 2005 also begins the new rules-change cycle. Be sure to check this column next month for news regarding the rules-change cycle and procedures.
In the meantime, the following rules-change proposal was classified as a Safety Proposal. It has been approved by the AMA president, the Contest Board coordinator, and the Contest Board chairmen. The proposal is currently in effect.
For the proposal to remain in effect, the Control Line Racing Contest Board must ratify it. This will take place shortly. Should you have any concerns about the proposal, contact your District Contest Board Member for Control Line Racing.
This proposal decreases the radius of the pitting circle from 15 feet to 14 feet (9 feet 10 inches for Mouse II).
Exact wording for proposed change
7.2 A circle of 14 feet radius (9 feet 10 inches for Mouse II) from the center point shall be laid out. This is called the "Pitting Circle." Pilots must crouch just outside this circle at the start of the race, during refueling stops, and after landing and the pitman has retrieved the model.
7.2.1 The pilot MUST remain inside the pitting circle at ALL times when his/her model is moving and not in the possession of his pitman. Penalty for stepping out of the pitting circle is disqualification from the race.
Logic Behind the Proposed Change
The current rules do not allow sufficient separation between a landing model and a pitman if the pilot is at the pitting circle and reaches out, as is common when landing. This is often exacerbated by the pilot stepping outside the pitting circle while the model is still airborne or before it has come to a complete stop. It is common for a landing model to be flying at a very low altitude and be outside the outer circle, where a pitman may be servicing another model.
The intent of this rule is to increase the safety margin by increasing the physical separation and by penalizing a pilot who strays outside the pitting circle and puts his and other pitmen in serious danger.
Submitted by: Bill Lee, AMA 20018
Till next time... MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
