Focus on Competition
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf skaluf@modelaircraft.org
Corrections to 1998 Soaring Nationals results
Because of a registration error at the 1998 Soaring Nationals, juniors and seniors in Two‑Meter and Unlimited Soaring did not receive proper recognition. The oversight is corrected as follows:
- Best Junior, Two‑Meter Soaring: James Brittin, AMA 607765 — 51st overall in Two‑Meter competition.
- Best Junior, Unlimited Soaring: Chris Saunders, AMA 571847 — 29th overall.
- Best Senior, Two‑Meter Soaring: Jeff Pfeifer, AMA 403692 — 26th overall.
- Best Senior, Unlimited Soaring: Eric Lewis, AMA 431553 — 42nd overall.
Photos of Jeff receiving his plaque, Eric preparing to launch, Chris with his sailplane, and James with his plaque were taken at the event. Congratulations to these fine young men on their accomplishments.
Contest Director responsibilities and safety
AMA‑sanctioned events must be run under the supervision of a licensed Contest Director. This requirement helps ensure events are conducted by experienced leaders and that safety is prioritized. When Contest Directors do not take their duties seriously, safety concerns become paramount.
What follows is a message from Don Lowe, chairman of the AMA Safety Committee, directed particularly at Contest Directors overseeing events with turbine‑powered aircraft. The guidance applies broadly to many events and is important for maintaining safe operations.
Turbine safety — message from Don Lowe, AMA Safety Committee Chairman
It has come to our attention that AMA rules regarding thrust‑to‑weight limits, model pitting, and ground operations are being violated at some events. Turbine fliers must understand that AMA has set requirements to ensure the safe integration of turbine operations into the modeling community.
Turbine engines inherently impose a higher degree of risk because of very high rotor speeds, high engine surface temperatures, the types and quantities of fuel involved, and the need for careful operation by qualified pilots. Excessive thrust can easily lead to control flutter or structural failure, which poses a serious risk to persons nearby. Limits are set to prevent models from exceeding safe speeds; restraint must be exercised to avoid overspeed.
Be cautioned that violation of AMA limits could result in loss of insurance coverage for an event in the case of an accident. Contest Directors can lose credentials if they fail to exercise their authority and obligation in these matters. Safety is primarily a matter of prevention. Disregard of the rules could result in serious personal injury and jeopardize what has proven to be an exciting new area of the hobby. Let's use self‑discipline and not spoil the good thing.
Best regards and safe, enjoyable flying, Don Lowe AMA Safety Committee Chairman
Reminder to Contest Directors
All Contest Directors: please take this advice to heart. The principles outlined above apply to almost every event. We must all accept the responsibilities that come with being a Contest Director.
Competition Regulations
The new Competition Regulations are available from the Competitions Department. Each AMA member is entitled to one no‑charge copy of the publication per Rules Change Cycle. To receive your copy, call AMA Headquarters at (765) 287-1256, extension 234.
Till next time, Steve Kaluf
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
