172 MODEL AVIATION
F o c u s o n C o m p e t i t i o n
Technical Director Steve Kaluf
[email protected]
W o r l d
R e c o r d s
U p d a t e
APRIL 2004
F3D (AEROPLANE [PYLON
RACING] PISTON MOTOR
No. 083 Speed in a Closed Circuit (10 laps)
Christopher Callow Austrailia
57.7 seconds 08/25/03
F5-S (AEROPLANE, ELECTRIC
MOTOR [RECHARGEABLE
SOURCES OF CURRENT])
No. 173 Gain in Altitude
Raymond Cooper Australia
2,573 m 11/09/03
K e y D a t e s
(Events attended by AMA HQ staff and/or officers)
April 27 - May 2
Top Gun 2004
Lakeland FL
May 26 - 30
AMA Indoor Nationals
Johnson City TN
June 4 - 6
AMA Homecoming 2004
Muncie IN
June 17 - 20
IMAA Rally of Giants
Muncie IN
June 18 - 20
Grand Event 2004
Evansville IN
June 25 - August 6
AMA Outdoor Nationals
Muncie IN
July 4 - 10
Control Line World
Championships
Muncie IN
THERE IS SO much going on this month
that I don’t have time for a regular
column. Next month I will reproduce the
voting results for the final ballot of the
current group of rules change proposals.
All proposals that passed this vote will go
into effect as rules in January 2005.
January 2005 also begins the new rules
change cycle. Be sure to check this
column next month for some news
regarding the rules change cycle and
procedures.
In the meantime, the following rules
change proposal was classified as a Safety
Proposal. It has been approved by the
AMA president, The Contest Board
coordinator, and the Contest Board
chairmen. The proposal is currently in
effect.
For the proposal to stay in effect, the
Control Line Racing Contest Board must
ratify it. This will take place shortly.
Should you have any concerns about the
proposal, contact your District Contest
Board Member for Control Line Racing.
This proposal decreases the diameter of
the pitting circle from 15 feet to 14 feet (9
feet, 10 inches for Mouse II).
Exact wording for proposed change:
7.2 A circle of 14 feet radius (9 feet
10 inches for Mouse II) from the center
point shall be laid out. This is called the
“Pitting Circle.” Pilots must crouch just
outside this circle at the start of the race,
during refueling stops, and after landing
and the pitman has retrieved the model.
7.2.1 The pilot MUST remain inside
the pitting circle at ALL times when
his/her model is moving and not in the
possession of his pitman. Penalty for
stepping out of the pitting circle is
disqualification from the race.
Logic Behind the Proposed Change: The
current rules do not allow sufficient
separation between a landing model and a
pitman if the pilot is at the pitting circle
and reaches out, as is common when
landing. This is often exacerbated by the
pilot stepping outside the pitting circle
while his model is still airborne or before
it has come to a complete stop.
It is common for a landing model to be
flying at a very low altitude and be
outside the outer circle, where a pitman
may be servicing another model.
The intent of this rule is to increase
the safety margin by increasing the
physical separation and by penalizing a
pilot who strays outside the pitting circle
and puts his and other pitmen in serious
danger.
Submitted by: Bill Lee, AMA 20018
Til next time ... MA
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.
07sig6.QXD 4/23/04 9:09 am Page 172
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 172