Author: B. Hager
Edition: Model Aviation - 1991/07
Page Numbers: 47, 188
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Radio Control: Pylon Racing

Bill Hager 4 Holly Springs Dr. Conroe, TX 77302

THE 1991 PYLON RACING season is off and running at full tilt. Wow — what a year we are in for. For you Formula One fliers who have been waiting for a new engine (the last ST X40 was made in 1985), the new Nelson engine is out. This engine is built just for us — the Formula One pilots. And first reports show that it was worth waiting for. For advanced Quickie 500 fliers, the new Nelson Q-500 engine is just fantastic. More on this in the next issue.

I went to our first district race a few weeks ago. I overheard a few discussions among the contest workers about what to do about this or that. The National Miniature Pylon Racing Association has just come out with the 1991 Race Procedure Guide. I think that all of you who are going to put on a race and all of you who are going to race should read this guide. So here we go.

The operation of an RC pylon contest requires organization and dedicated manpower to be successful. The RC Pylon Contest Director (CD) must assume a greater amount of responsibility to assure a successful meet. The intent of this guide is to help define the operation procedures and to standardize the contest procedures used throughout the nation. It should be used as a supplement to the AMA Rule Book.

Except for the mandatory safety requirements, the procedures stated in this guide are written as guidelines. Though these procedures are strongly recommended, it is realized that local conditions may require deviation.

Safety — Mandatory

Safety is the No. 1 concern for all RC pylon contest directors. The following safety procedures must be used in the operation of a contest. Violation of these procedures may result in cancellation of all NMPRA championship points that contestants would have earned in such a contest:

  1. The pit and spectator areas must be outside the minimum distances stated in the current AMA Rule Book.
  1. Protective barriers must be at all pylons and at the lap counters' area for the workers to stand behind. The barriers should be at least 7 ft. high and made of at least chain link fencing or its equivalent.
  1. No workers (except the No. 3 pylon judge) or contestants may be in the danger area near the No. 3 pylon.
  1. The ready area for the heat that follows the one already flying should not be out on the course between the No. 2 and the No. 3 pylons.

Safety — Recommended

The following safety procedures are highly recommended:

  1. Hard hats for the starter, flight recorder, all lap counters, and the No. 2 and No. 3 pylon judges.
  1. A minimum number of people should be out on the course. The CD or starter should escort anyone out of the flying area who they feel does not belong.

Safety, of course, is an item that cannot wait for rules or paperwork. During the course of a racing event, an unforeseen situation may arise that requires immediate controls. The CD, therefore, has the authority to initiate any procedure he feels is necessary to eliminate a dangerous situation.

Race preparation

All announcements and pre-entry forms for an RC pylon contest should define any local deviation from normal racing procedure. Pre-entry is recommended, since it simplifies registration procedures; however, pre-entry need not be required.

The course should be laid out in accordance with the AMA Rule Book. All mandatory safety procedures must be incorporated into the layout. The pylons should be highly visible and approximately 20 ft. high, but not under 15 ft. high. The landing area should be set up outside the course, preferably on the side of the course opposite the pit area. Landings will not be made between the No. 2 and No. 3 pylons. A public address system is strongly recommended for both the pit and spectator areas.

Registration

Pre-entry information should include pilot's name, address, AMA and FCC license numbers if applicable, NMPRA number (optional), type and color of aircraft, make of engine and radio frequency. Cards with this information should be made before the contest for all pre-entries. These cards may be used in all post-contest reports.

The registration desk should be manned by two or more persons, depending on expected number of entries. All contestants must register at this desk and must show their current AMA and FCC licenses (for ham frequencies only), pay the entry fee (if not paid with pre-entry), and confirm that their information cards are correct. All contestants not pre-entered must also fill out information cards.

During registration each aircraft should be examined by a qualified modeler or technician.

Aircraft inspection — Specific items to look for

If an aircraft fails any of the following items, it must be repaired before it can be entered.

  1. Short pieces of rubber tubing used to secure all clevises to prevent them from coming disconnected in flight.
  1. Throttle shut-off will be visually inspected, and may be functionally tested during the contest.
  1. All screws holding the engine to the mount and the mount to the firewall must be in place and be secure.
  1. Receiver and battery pack should be protected against vibration in accordance with the radio manufacturer's recommendations.
  1. Washers will be used on all screws holding the servos to mounting trays and also on screws holding the tray to the rails. (All washers will be approximately the same diameter as the grommets.) Servos mounted directly to rails will also have washers on the mounting screws. In addition, all servo trays, if used, will have at least one extra safety screw (not necessarily turned down tightly) placed between the grommets on the rear of the tray to prevent the tray from slipping out of the grommets in flight.
  1. A keeper, or collar, will be on all pushrods that have a right-angle bend connecting them to the servos. S-bends are acceptable. If a clevis is used at both ends of a pushrod, one of the clevises will be secured so that it will not unthread.
  1. All control surfaces will be firm on the hinge line with no discernible loose spots (at the discretion of the safety inspector).
  1. Positive, threaded-type wing bolts or screws will secure the wing in place on all two-piece aircraft.
  1. A positive method of holding the wheel on the axle will be used, and the wheel shall not bind.
  1. The entire aircraft shall be inspected for any stress cracks.

NMPRA Information Card (sample)

NAME _______________________ CODE NUMBER _______________________ ADDRESS _______________________ CHANNEL _______________________ CITY _______________________ STATE ________ AMA No. ___________ NO. 1 AIRCRAFT _______________________ NMPRA NUMBER _______________ COLOR _______________________ COLOR #1 #2 #3 #4 YELLOW GREEN WHITE ORANGE

Cut cards / Lap counters

Cards can be made up of PVC electrical conduit, sheet metal, plastic or cardboard lap cut cards. Here’s a sample typical registration card — courtesy NMPRA Procedure Guide, Pylon Racing.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.