Focus on Competition
Technical Director Steve Kaluf
Bits and Pieces
Time again — late December — and things are fairly quiet, so it's sometimes tough to come up with worthwhile items. However, a few end-of-year matters deserve attention.
Earlier this year, an urgent rule proposal for Radio Control Racing (Pylon) was put forward by member Fred Johanson (AMA 62812). The proposal was published in the November 1997 issue of Model Aviation. Following publication, a vote was taken and the Contest Board ratified the proposal. The proposal, reproduced below, is now in effect.
Brief summary of the proposed change:
- Allow models of full-scale aircraft that either raced or were built for racing — legalize Vendetta, Napier-Heston, and other designs that were built but can't be shown to have actually raced.
Exact wording proposed for the rule book:
- The first two sentences of Paragraph 3.2 (page 89) are amended to read:
"422-QM: Models entered in this event shall be semi-scale or recognizable replicas of full-scale piloted propeller-driven aircraft that have competed in either raced or were built for closed-course speed record attempts or cross-country racing. No deltas and/or tailless type aircraft shall be allowed."
Logic behind the change:
- This allows the use of models of the Napier-Heston Racer, Vendetta, Mr. Smoothie, and other designs whose full-scale counterparts may never actually have raced. The intent is to reduce disputes within the Q-40 ranks and let competitors get back to racing.
Additional Proposals
Two other proposals were recently submitted. The Contest Boards have voted to act on these proposals immediately, but enforcement will not be immediate. Four weeks after the publication of these notifications, the appropriate Contest Board will vote to ratify the proposals. If you have comments for or against a proposal, direct them to the proper Contest Board member within the four-week period.
Proposal #1 — Scale (submitted by Bob Underwood, AMA 690; classified Urgent)
- Brief summary:
- Change wording to reflect the actual engine type name and bring the thrust limit in line with AMA-issued waivers and turbine guidelines.
- Exact wording proposed for the rule book:
- 1996–97 ('98) Competition Regulations, page 137, Radio Control Sport Scale, Events 511, 512, 513, 515, 520.
- Paragraph 27, last sentence: change the word "Turbofan" to "Turbojet" and change "twenty (20)" to "twenty-two (22)."
- Logic behind the change:
- When the current rules were written, turbine operations were in their infancy and competition usage was only anticipated. AMA turbine-operation guidelines and waivers did not exist then. The original 20-pound limit came from early discussions prior to consumer availability. AMA has since established guidelines including a 10 kg (22-pound) thrust limit, and several manufacturers are building turbines to that limit. Changing 20 to 22 pounds and correcting "turbofan" to "turbojet" aligns the rules with current practice.
Proposal #2 — Interpretation (submitted by Eugene Shelky; General section)
- Brief summary:
- Interpretation of rules for acceptance of record performance.
- Exact wording proposed for the rule book (Page 8, paragraph 2 — changed area in italics):
- "2. Acceptance of Records. No record is official until it has been homologated by the appropriate Contest Board of AMA. All records, to be eligible for recognition, must be established in:
- An AMA Sanctioned Record Trial.
- An AMA Sanctioned Contest where the record activity is a part of that event.
- A World Championship sanctioned by the FAI for the appropriate class model where the record activity is a part of that event.
The CD must satisfy himself ..."
- Logic behind the change:
- To clarify the intent of the present rules and to avoid problems from misusing the purposes of sanctions.
How to comment:
- Comments on Proposal #1 should be directed to the Scale Contest Board member for your district.
- Comments on Proposal #2 should be directed to the Chairperson of each of the Contest Boards and to the Contest Board Coordinator.
- Names and addresses are in the "Competition Directory" in this issue of Model Aviation.
Other Important Reminders
- March 1, 1998: All non-narrow-band transmitters will become illegal to operate. This is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you have not upgraded your transmitter to narrow-band specifications, do so now. AMA supports this requirement.
- Receiver note: If you fly at a site that uses all 50 frequencies, you are endangering yourself and others if you do not use a narrow-band-capable receiver.
- Rule book: The 1996–1997 Competition Regulations book (red cover) is actually the 1996–1998 version. This change moved the rules-change proposal cycle from two years to three years; do not discard your red book — it is still valid.
- New rule book availability: Only limited changes have been made (a few urgent proposals and housekeeping items). A limited number of updated books are available through the AMA Competition Department — call them first and they will direct you to the proper source.
F1D World Championships update
- The United States (AMA) submitted a bid, assembled by Hardy Brodersen, to host the 1998 F1D World Championships. Hardy put together a budget, secured local club support, and raised monetary pledges from several individuals.
- A bid was also submitted by Romania. The CIAM accepted the U.S. bid at its December 1997 meeting, so the 1998 F1D World Championships will be held in the United States.
- Hardy Brodersen has accepted the role of Contest Director (CD). We appreciate his efforts and those of his volunteers.
Pylon Racing Rule Change Notice
Because of an oversight in 1994, the following rule change for Radio Control Racing (Pylon) was never incorporated into the printed Competition Regulations. This rule is, and has been, in effect.
Exact wording (Reference Par. 4.12):
- Change this paragraph to read:
"422-Q-40: Engines used in this event must be unmodified, commercially available, front intake, side exhaust, with a carburetor with a maximum bore diameter of 9 mm (0.3543 in) and muffler as supplied by the manufacturer for the engine being used. Maximum total displacement is 0.403 cubic inches."
Additional amendments:
- Add to paragraph 4.16: "422 Q-40."
- Add to paragraph 4.17: "422 Q-40."
- Add to paragraph 4.18: "422 Q-40."
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
