Focus on Competition
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf skaluf@modelaircraft.org
Every once in a while you have to take a step back and look at the rules for the events we fly and say, "you know, we have modified them all we can to keep up with the times; it is time for a complete rewrite." I expect that the author of the attached proposal had that in mind while writing it.
This is an extensive urgent proposal for Helicopter. Because of its length, it will replace my regular column for this month. Maneuver diagrams are not included here but are available upon request from the Competitions Department.
This proposal has been voted on by the Helicopter Contest Board, and the board has agreed to act on the proposal, but will not enforce the proposal until January 1, 2000. For the proposal to remain in effect, the board must take a ratification vote approximately four weeks after publication of the proposal. Now is the time for interested members to voice their opinions to the Helicopter Contest Board.
Helicopter Urgent Proposal (submitted by Larry G. Meade, AMA 6376)
Replace the following sections with the attached wording. Implement changes January 1, 2000.
17.2 Flight Time
- 17.2.1 Class I - 6 minutes
- 17.2.2 Class II - 8 minutes
- 17.2.3 Class III - 8 minutes
19 Schedule of Maneuvers
- 19.1 Class I
- 19.1.1 Tail In Vertical Triangle
- 19.1.2 Constant Heading Circle
- 19.1.3 Tail In Vertical Rectangle
- 19.1.4 Spike with 90 Degree Pirouettes
- 19.1.5 Pass in Review
- 19.2 Class II
- 19.2.1 Vertical Triangle
- 19.2.2 Constant Heading Eight
- 19.2.3 Vertical Rectangle
- 19.2.4 Spike with 90 and 180 Degree Pirouettes
- 19.2.5 Stall Turn
- 19.2.6 Cobra Vee
- 19.2.7 Loop
- 19.2.8 Translational Landing
- 19.3 Class III
- 19.3.1 Vertical Triangle with 180 Degree Pirouettes
- 19.3.2 Nose In Circle
- 19.3.3 Vertical Rectangle with 360 Degree Pirouettes
- 19.3.4 540 Degree Stall Turn
- 19.3.5 Slow Roll
- 19.3.6 Immelmann S
- 19.3.7 Stall Turn with 1/2 Roll
- 19.3.8 Autorotation with 180 Degree Turn
Judging Guide and Maneuver Description
28.6.1 Class I
Class I pilot position is fixed to the outer helipad and remains fixed during the flight. If the pilot moves from the fixed position at any time during the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
28.6.2 Class II
Class II pilot position is fixed to a two (2)-meter line on the side of the box closest to the judges. If the pilot moves from the fixed position at any time during the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
28.6.3 Class III
Class III pilot position is fixed to the four (4)-meter pad on the side of the box closest to the judges. If the pilot moves from this position at any time during the flight, a severe downgrade shall be imposed.
29.1 Class I
29.1.1 Tail In Vertical Triangle
Model is positioned tail toward the pilot. Pilot stands on the outer helipad. Model takes off from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level and pauses. The model hovers sideways at a constant altitude, heading, and speed, either direction, to the edge of the box and pauses. It then rises 2 m in altitude in a straight diagonal line to the central helipad and pauses, descends 2 m in altitude in a straight diagonal line to the opposite side of the box and pauses, hovers sideways back to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Takeoff
- Horizontal hovering lines (2)
- Diagonal hovering lines (2)
- Stops (5)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.1.2 Constant Heading Circle
Model takes off from the central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, then pauses. The helicopter completes a circle to the right or left, maintaining constant altitude, heading, and speed. The circle passes over the two (2) corner flags opposite the pilot, ending over the central helipad. The model pauses, descends vertically, and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Circle not round
- Stops (2)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.1.3 Tail In Vertical Rectangle
Model takes off from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level and pauses. Maintaining constant altitude, heading, and speed, the model hovers sideways, either direction, to the edge of the box and pauses, rises vertically 2 m and pauses, hovers sideways over the central helipad to the opposite side of the box and pauses, descends vertically 2 m and pauses, hovers back to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Horizontal lines (3)
- Vertical lines (2)
- Stops (6)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.1.4 Spike with 90 Degree Pirouettes
Model takes off vertically from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level maintaining constant heading and pauses. It then rises vertically 2 m and pauses, rotates 90 degrees either direction and pauses, rotates 90 degrees in the opposite direction and pauses, descends 2 m and pauses, then descends vertically and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Circle not round
- Stops (2)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.1.5 Pass in Review
Model takes off vertically from the central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, then pauses. The model hovers sideways, either direction, maintaining constant altitude, heading, and speed to the edge of the box and pauses, rotates 45 degrees nose into the box and pauses, hovers in a straight line over the central helipad to the opposite side of the box and pauses, rotates 45 degrees in the opposite direction and pauses, hovers sideways back to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Horizontal lines (3)
- Stops (6)
- Model does not maintain 45-degree angle in relation to the box
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.2 Class II
29.2.1 Vertical Triangle
Model is positioned tail toward the pilot. Pilot stands on the outer helipad. Model takes off from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level and pauses, then hovers sideways maintaining constant altitude, heading, and speed, either direction, to the edge of the box and pauses. It rises 2 m, travels in a straight diagonal line toward the central helipad and pauses, descends 2 m in a straight diagonal line to the opposite side of the box and pauses, hovers sideways back to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Takeoff
- Horizontal hovering lines (2)
- Diagonal hovering lines (2)
- Stops (5)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.2.2 Constant Heading Circle
Model takes off from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level and pauses. The helicopter completes a circle to the right or left maintaining constant altitude, heading, and speed. The circle passes over the two corner flags opposite the pilot and ends over the central helipad. The model pauses, descends vertically, and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Circle not round
- Stops (2)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.2.3 Vertical Rectangle
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Horizontal lines (3)
- Vertical lines (2)
- Stops (6)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.2.4 Spike with 90 and 180 Degree Pirouettes
Model takes off vertically from the central helipad, rises vertically to eye level maintaining constant heading and pauses. It then rises vertically 2 m and pauses, rotates 90 degrees either direction and pauses, rotates 180 degrees in the opposite direction and pauses, rotates 90 degrees in the original direction and pauses, then descends vertically and lands on the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Rotations not 90 degrees (2)
- Vertical lines (2)
- Rotation not 180 degrees (1)
- Stops (6)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
29.2.5 Stall Turn
Model flies straight and level for 10 m, then climbs in a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees to a vertical climb. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 180 degrees in yaw so the nose points straight downward. While diving, the model follows the same path as the beginning of the maneuver. The start and finish of the pull-up should be on the midline, and the vertical line is offset in the direction of flight.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Entry line
- Climb and descent paths are different
- End of climb is not vertical
- Rotation is before or after the end of the climb
- Rotation is more or less than 180 degrees
- Drift occurs during climb, rotation, or descent
- Exit line
- Positioning
29.2.6 Cobra Vee
Model flies straight and level for 10 m, climbs on a smoothly rounded curve to 45 degrees, flies straight for a minimum of 10 m, pushes over 90 degrees to descend at a 45-degree angle, flies straight for a minimum of 10 m, and recovers in a smoothly rounded curve (same as the first part of the maneuver) to level flight. The model then flies straight and level for 10 m at the original altitude. The maneuver should be centered on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Entry line
- Climb is more or less than 45 degrees
- Pushover is more or less than 90 degrees
- Pullout is more or less than 45 degrees
- Exit line
- Maneuver is not in a vertical plane
- Positioning
29.2.7 Loop
Model flies straight and level for 10 m, performs a loop maintaining the nose in the direction of flight, and flies straight and level for 10 m at the same altitude as the start of the maneuver. The maneuver should be centered on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Entry line
- Loop does not have a constant radius
- Loop is not in a vertical plane
- Exit line
- Positioning
29.2.8 Translational Landing
At an altitude of no less than 10 m and on a heading parallel to the flight line, the helicopter begins a constant-rate translational descent to a landing on the central helipad. Scoring:
- If the skids are completely inside the central helipad, a maximum of 10 points can be earned.
- If the skids are on the circle of the central helipad, a maximum of 9 points can be earned.
- If the skids are inside the box (but not on the helipad), a maximum of 8 points can be earned.
- If the skids are on or outside the box, a maximum of 5 points may be earned.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Descent is not smooth or at a constant angle
- Landing is not on the central helipad
- Heading is not constant or parallel to the flight line
- Model hovers more than briefly prior to landing
- Landing is rough
29.3 Class III
29.3.1 Vertical Triangle with 180 Degree Pirouettes
Model is positioned on the central helipad parallel to the judges. Model takes off from the central helipad and rises to eye level, then pauses. It hovers backward to the edge of the box at a constant altitude, heading, and speed and pauses, rotates 180 degrees in either direction and pauses, climbs 5 m in altitude in a straight line backward at a 45-degree angle toward the central helipad and pauses, descends 5 m to the original altitude in a straight line backward at a 45-degree angle to the opposite side of the box and pauses, rotates 180 degrees in the opposite direction and pauses, hovers backward to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Rotations more or less than 180 degrees
- Horizontal lines (2)
- Diagonal lines (2)
- Stops (7)
- Landing
- Positioning
If the second rotation is not in the opposite direction from the first, a score of zero (0) shall be awarded.
29.3.2 Nose In Circle
Model takes off from the central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, then pauses. It hovers backward in a straight line at a constant altitude, heading, and speed to the edge of the box and pauses, then hovers the other direction with the nose pointing at the central helipad in a 5 m radius circle passing over the center of each side of the box and pauses. The model then hovers forward in a straight line to the central helipad, pauses, and descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot position
- Takeoff
- Horizontal lines (2)
- Stops (4)
- Circle is not round
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Landing
- Positioning
29.3.3 Vertical Rectangle with 360 Degree Pirouette
Model takes off from the central helipad and rises vertically to eye level, then pauses. It hovers backward in a straight line at a constant altitude, heading, and speed to the edge of the box and pauses, climbs vertically 2 m and pauses, rotates 360 degrees in either direction and pauses, climbs vertically 2 m and pauses, hovers forward in a straight line over the central helipad to the opposite side of the box and pauses, descends vertically 2 m and pauses, rotates 360 degrees in the opposite direction and pauses, descends vertically 2 m and pauses, hovers backward in a straight line to the central helipad and pauses, then descends vertically to the central helipad.
Downgrading Guide:
- Pilot positioning
- Takeoff
- Horizontal lines (3)
- Vertical lines (4)
- Rotations more or less than 360 degrees
- Stops (10)
- Landing
- Constant altitude
- Constant heading
- Constant speed
- Positioning
- Pilot position
- Entry line
- Climb and descent paths are different
- End of climb is not vertical
- Rotation begins before or after the end of climb
- Rotation is more or less than 540 degrees
- Drift occurs during the climb or descent
- Exit line
- Positioning
- Pilot position
- Duration less than 3 seconds
- Changes in altitude
- Changes in heading
- Roll is more or less than 360 degrees
- Roll rate is not constant
- Positioning
- Entry
- Half loops are not constant radius
- Half loops are not in a vertical plane
- No level flight between half loop and roll (2)
- Roll is not 360 degrees
- Roll changes heading
- Roll changes altitude
- Roll rate is not constant
- Positioning
- Entry
- End of climb is not vertical
- Rotation is before the end of climb
- Drift occurs during the climb, rotation, or descent
- Heading changes during roll
- Entry and exit altitudes are not the same
- Positioning
- If the skids are on or outside the box, a maximum of 5 points can be earned.
- If the skids are outside the box, a maximum of 0 points can be earned.
- If the model is knocked over, a score of zero (0) shall be given.
29.3.4 540 Degree Stall Turn
Model flies straight and level for 10 m, then climbs with a smoothly rounded curve of 90 degrees to a vertical climb. When the vertical climb stops, the model rotates 540 degrees about the yaw axis so that the nose points downward. While diving, the model follows the same path as the beginning of the maneuver. Entry and exit should be at the same altitude. The beginning and end of the pull-ups should be on the midline and the vertical line offset in the direction of flight.
Downgrading Guide:
29.3.5 Slow Roll
Model flies straight and level for a minimum of 10 m, rolls through one (1) complete 360-degree revolution maintaining the nose in the direction of flight, and flies straight and level for the same duration and at the same altitude as the entry. The maneuver is centered with the model inverted at the midline and the roll portion of the maneuver should have a duration of at least 3 seconds.
Downgrading Guide:
29.3.6 Immelmann S
Model flies straight and level, executes a half loop, flies level for a minimum of 5 m, rolls 360 degrees (from inverted to inverted), flies level for a minimum of 5 m, executes a half loop back to the original altitude, and flies straight and level. The maneuver begins and ends with level flight on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
29.3.7 Stall Turn with 1/2 Roll
Model flies straight and level for 10 m, climbs vertically with a smoothly rounded curve, stops, rotates 180 degrees so the nose is downward, executes a half roll (either direction), and recovers to straight level flight for 10 m at the original altitude. There should be a helicopter length of straight flight between the rotation and the half roll, and between the half roll and the recovery. The vertical line should be on the midline.
Downgrading Guide:
29.3.8 Autorotation with 180 Degree Turn
Model flies at a minimum altitude of 20 m with a speed that is less than required for stationary flight. The engine must be stopped before the model crosses the midline and the model begins a 180-degree turn to land on the central helipad. Maneuver begins at the midline.
Scoring:
Downgrading Guide:
- Turn not 180 degrees
- Turn not at a constant rate
- Model lands with forward speed
- Model lands roughly
- Final position is not parallel to the flight line
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
