Focus on Competition - 2009/08

COMPETITION QUESTIONS: This
month I’ll take a few lines to explain the
answers to a couple frequently asked
competition questions. Of course they’re all
controversial, but we’ll leave that to the
debaters and concentrate on what is and
maybe why.
First off, a question asked by the
president of NASA last week at the Toledo
Show: What’s the gist of Experimental
aircraft (over 55 pounds) being allowed to,
or not allowed to, fly in a Scale contest?
Obviously this one’s cloudy because of
the amount of times I’ve had to answer it.
Fact is, an Experimental-class aircraft can
be flown in Scale competition as long as the
field layout is changed to meet
Experimental field requirements.
The conditions involved must be
adhered to by the CD of the event, so
whether that class aircraft can be flown at a
particular contest is the CD’s call. The
conditions involved are, of course, safety
related and include flightline/maneuvering
setback changes and pit/spectator setback
changes.
Also, to be eligible to compete, the pilot
of the Experimental aircraft must have a
valid permit to fly with him or her and be
able to produce it at the time of registration,
similar to a turbine waiver. Many contest
venues do not have the needed room to
accommodate the required distances, and
therefore make the decision easy. If the
COMPETITION QUESTIONS: This
month I’ll take a few lines to explain the
answers to a couple frequently asked
Technically Speaking ...
Greg Hahn
Technical Director
[email protected]
venue has the room, it is up to the CD to
make the call.
Another FAQ on competitions is the
sound level allowed. I know much
speculation has been issued on this, but the
facts are few.
The only category in the competition
regulations that spells out a required level is
Scale Aerobatics (or International Miniature
Aerobatic Club [IMAC]). There have been
several general rules put in place over time,
but the IMAC is the only one that remains. As
time goes on, there will definitely be more
rules instituted, considering sound is the most
hotly debated problem facing modeling.
The stated rule for Scale Aerobatics is 96
dBA measured over soft surface and 98 dBA
measured over hard surface, both distances to
be 25 feet. IMAC also gives a score to the
sound test, so its importance is compounded.
I’m personally not sure how strictly this is
enforced (I presume it is), but I attended an
IMAC contest in Jacksonville, Florida, last
year, and I can attest to just how quiet most of
the competing aircraft were. I was surprised.
If you have a rule question or would like one
clarified or see a discussion, don’t hesitate to
ask. Drop me an e-mail and I’ll consider it.
See you at briefing. MA