Focus on Competition
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf skaluf@modelaircraft.org
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I sincerely hope your 1998 competitive season was a good one and that you are ready for 1999. This year begins a new Rules Change Cycle. The 1999–2001 issue of the Competition Regulations is now available — contact the Competitions Department at AMA HQ to receive your copy.
Beginning the second three-year cycle, I feel the first cycle went very well. In particular, the cross-proposal phase allows refinement of basic proposals, improving them in the long run.
Submitting a Rules Change Proposal
If you find something in the Competition Regulations that you do not agree with, you have an obligation to submit a Rules Change Proposal. Before submitting:
- Think the change through and do research; be sure the existing rule is truly problematic (too vague, too restrictive, archaic, etc.).
- Discuss the issue with other fliers and Contest Directors to see if your viewpoint is shared.
- Whenever possible, fly under the new rule first to evaluate its real-world effects.
- Avoid submitting a change impulsively; many proposed changes reflect only the submitter’s personal view and do not gain wider support.
Timeline
Below is the basic timeline for a three-year Rules Change Cycle (specific to the 1999–2001 cycle):
- New rule proposals (basic proposals) accepted: January 1–October 1 of the first year.
- For this cycle: January 1, 1999–October 1, 1999.
- Proposals not submitted during this window will not be considered until the next cycle (three years).
- Publication and initial vote (second year):
- Proposals are published in the March issue of Model Aviation (second year).
- Contest Boards vote on basic proposals in February (second year).
- Results of the initial vote and a call for membership comments are published in the July issue.
- Note: the initial vote does not finalize anything; it identifies proposals the Contest Boards feel are worthy of continuing.
- Comment and cross-proposal period (second year):
- Membership comments are solicited following the initial vote — this is a critical time to make your views known.
- Cross proposals (which refine but do not change the meaning of a basic proposal) are accepted until July 15 of the second year.
- Summaries of cross proposals appear in the November issue (second year).
- Contest Boards vote on cross proposals by December 1 (second year).
- Final vote and publication (third year):
- Contest Boards vote on the final forms of proposals in February (third year).
- Final rules revisions are published in the August issue of Model Aviation (third year).
- The remainder of the third year is used to prepare the next Competition Regulations, with the book made available to members in December (third year).
Contest Board Procedures
The Contest Board Procedures document describes in detail the procedures followed by the Contest Boards. It also includes information on submitting safety/emergency and urgent interpretation proposals. To obtain a copy, contact the Competitions Department at AMA HQ.
Closing
Have a great new year, and fly safely! See the RC Racing urgent rule proposal on page 38.
Till next time... Steve Kaluf
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
