CL Scale
The first phase of the cycle for the 2002–2004 rules change proposals has been completed. The results of the Scale Contest Board vote were published in the July 2000 Model Aviation.
The second phase of the cycle, submission of cross-proposals, and the Scale Contest Board vote should be on the way to completion by the time you read this column.
I'll comment on the proposals that involve Control Line (CL) Scale, and the proposals that passed the initial vote. I hope they provide food for thought, and comments for your individual Scale Contest Board members prior to the final vote.
CL Designer Scale (Proposals SC02-1 and SC02-13)
Proposals SC02-1 and SC02-13 call for the establishment of a CL Designer Scale event. The difference between the proposals is that SC02-1 includes judging a model's cockpit/interior.
Cockpit judging is suggested because the rules for Sport Scale static judging do not consider the cockpit/interior. The Designer Scale event should include judging of the cockpit/interior, since the event calls for judging at zero distance.
If the cockpit/interior is not judged, the Designer event will be inferior in static judging to the Precision event, which is very specific about what is judged on a Scale model.
If the CL Designer Scale event is established, an "Ultimate Designer" competition might be considered in a future rules cycle. The Ultimate Designer event would combine the concept of designing, constructing, and judging a model at zero distance, with the specific static- and flight-judging rules of the Precision event.
A series of CL Scale events would provide events for the beginner up to the ultimate designer:
- Profile for the beginner
- Sport for the intermediate builder
- Precision for those who want to build from kits (but have more precise judging)
- Designer for those who want to design their own models
SC02-5 — Noise Abatement
This proposal calls for stricter noise limits for CL and Radio Control (RC) Scale models. I am not in a position to comment on RC, but I would like to pass along the following about the CL Scale events.
The CL event rules already specify the use of mufflers for reducing noise, and almost all Scale modelers I have come in contact with adhere to the rule. However, there is a contradiction in the rules; other CL events are not required to use noise-reduction equipment, or be subjected to noise-level testing.
I'm not averse to noise reduction, but there are many CL flying sites where noise is not a problem. At flying sites where noise is a problem, the use of mufflers seems to satisfy a noise-level-lowering requirement. Local CL clubs with sites where noise is not a problem might ignore such a rule.
SC02-8 — Exempt Retract Rule
This proposal would exempt CL Profile Scale from a score deduction if the model did not retract its landing gear when the prototype had retractable gear.
"What retract rule?" you ask. Sport Scale rules, which Profile rules are based on, do not have a specific retract rule, nor do the rules specify a penalty for not retracting the gear when the prototype had retractable gear.
Although there is nothing wrong with the proposed rule for Profile, what about the Sport event?
The Sport category has retraction only as an "option," not as a "mandatory operation." However, the "CL Scale Flight Judging Guide," Rule 4.2.e, Realism in Flight, suggests a penalty be given if the gear is not retracted.
If a contestant does not choose the retract option, is the landing gear required to be retracted anyway? If so, and retraction is not an option, what kind of a reduction is given?
Although the "CL Scale Flight Judging Guide" is in the Competition Regulations, there is nothing specific in the CL Sport rules (or in Precision Scale) that says the guide is to be used, or that its rules should be applied.
A proposal is needed in a future cycle to link the flight guidelines to the other CL Scale events. This would solve the question of when landing-gear retraction should be used and judged. It would also mean that all Scale models of prototypes with retracting gear would have to employ retraction, or suffer a penalty in the "Realism In Flight" category.
How do Scale event directors at local contests handle this question? Drop me a line on the subject.
SC02-11 — Prohibit Drawing Changes
This is the idea that three-view drawings that have been drawn, corrected, or modified by the modeler are not acceptable, unless approved by a proper authority. That could be the AMA Technical Director, a Scale Contest Board member, the manufacturer or builder, or another authorized individual.
This rule change would prevent a modeler from changing the three-view to match the model, rather than constructing the model in accordance with the three-view used as part of the documentation and proof of Scale.
Whether you agree or disagree with these thoughts, I hope you will discuss the issues with your fellow Scale modelers, and pass your thoughts on to your respective Scale Contest Board members. They would be pleased to hear from you.
Contest Activity
The Garden State Circle Burners (GSCB) will hold the George Gaydos Memorial All-Scale Control Line Meet Sunday, September 17, 2000. The meet will be held in Lyndhurst, NJ on a completely repaved parking lot—an excellent surface for a Scale competition.
Information on the site location and directions can be obtained from Contest Director Bill Reynolds:
- Address: 18 Myrtle Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006
- Tel.: (973) 226-5611
Bill informs me that events for this year's competition will include:
- Precision Scale
- Sport Scale
- Profile Scale
- Fun and Team Scale
- FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) Scale (for the first time)
This will be an opportunity for local Scale modelers to become familiar with the FAI event, and will give GSCB members the experience of running and judging the event.
This is a great effort by the GSCB in its ongoing promotion of CL Scale, so I urge all Scale modelers in the East to support this meet and enjoy a day of CL Scale modeling.
While I'm on the subject of the GSCB club, it now has a great site on the Internet. Club member Doug Logg (Bernardsville, NJ) is the Webmaster, and he has created an informative site that contains a message from club President Roy Ward and Vice President Alan Knight, and a listing of eight contests for the year 2000 and other activities, such as the GSCB's annual Swap Meet, Clown and Turkey Races, the GSCB Picnic, and the Fall Air Shows.
Contest results and photos of models are included, as well as a map showing how to get to the club field, and the local weather from a nearby airport.
Visit the site at http://home.att.net/~gscb — you'll like it. It might be a good example for other clubs to follow.
This Month's Photos
According to the Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft 1914–1980, the Nieuport 17 fighter from France was manufactured in 1916 by Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Nieuport.
The airplane had a wingspan of 26 feet 10 inches, a length of 18 feet 11 inches, and was powered with a Le Rhone 9J nine-cylinder, air-cooled rotary engine. The airplane had a maximum speed of 110 mph, and a ceiling of 17,390 feet.
Ed Robinson's (Hastings on the Hudson, NY) Nieuport 11 was constructed from a Proctor kit, and is powered with an ever-faithful O.S. Max .60 engine. The throttle is controlled with a standard three-line bellcrank system.
The color-and-markings for the model are from the N. 1763, which served in 1916 with the 75a Squadriglia of the Italian Air Force. The color-and-markings were found in the Windsock Data File and Squadron Publications.
Approximately 150 Nieuports were manufactured under license by the Macchi Aircraft Company of Italy. The Nieuport was considered one of the outstanding combat aircraft of its time, and was used by the French, British, Dutch, Belgian, Russian, and Italian Air Forces.
Bruce Tharpe Sr.'s fine-looking North American F-86 jet has a wingspan of approximately 55 inches, and is powered with a standard DynaJet engine.
The model flies exceptionally well, and may do well in static judging, but the opportunity to make a high overall Scale judging score is limited by its fixed (full) power. The lack of throttle control prevents the model from doing effective touch-and-go, taxi laps, etc. However, a jet model of this caliber is a great crowd pleaser.
Please send ideas, notices of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and photos of CL Scale activity to me at the address at the top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
