Focus on Competition - 2011/06

152 MODEL AVIATION
NEW PRODUCTS are available for use!
The Safety Committee has approved
alternate materials for use as control lines
for all general, sport, and competition
flying. These materials have been in use for
other sporting activities—mainly fishing—
for several years and the CL community
has been interested in using them, but
needed the Safety Committee’s
endorsement to put them to use.
Much of the testing was demonstrated
firsthand for the committee at its annual
meeting at the Toledo Expo in Toledo,
Ohio, this year by Tom Hampshire. This
ultimately led to the approval for use.
The CL Combat group has already
voted in the use of the new lines in the past
cycle and inclusion in its rule book had
been waiting for the Safety Committee’s
approval. It will be interesting to see how
many of the other CL groups adopt the use
of the new lines.
I have included the authorized wording
from the Safety Committee’s release and
the required knot diagrams for tying off the
new lines.
Technically Speaking ...
Greg Hahn
Technical Director
[email protected]
Focus on Competition
The Benefits of an Event Sanction
• With a sanction, your event has a protected draw area, to keep events of the same type from drawing the same people.
• Your event is listed in MA, providing there is enough lead time, for no additional fees.
• Your event will be listed on the AMA website calendar at www.modelaircraft.org/events/calendar.aspx.
• You can purchase a supplemental ad to appear in MA.
• The CD is given the authority, as an AMA representative, to administrate and supervise an AMA sanctioned event.
• The CD has irrevocable authority to disqualify or prevent from flying any participant whose ability is, in the CD’s opinion,
impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs and to prevent any participant from using equipment which, in the CD’s opinion, is
deemed unsafe.
• You are assured that the pilots who are participating in an AMA sanctioned event are AMA members.
• At an AMA sanctioned event, the CD has the authority to sign up new AMA members.
• Sanctioned events are endorsed by the AMA.
• A sanction number qualifies your event for donations from major sponsors.
“Lines made of Spectra fiber, made of gel spun ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
(GSUMP) are permitted for sport flying and demonstration purposes. Spectra lines are not
permitted in competition unless the specific rules for the event flown expressly permit such
use. The use of high visibility yellow lines is recommended, but not required. For sport and
demonstration flying with two lines, Spectra lines shall have the following strengths:
1) Run at least six inches of line through the eye of
the clip, and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring the
tag end of the line back in a circle toward the clip.
[photo2]
2) Make six turns with the tag end around the
double line and through the circle.
3) Hold the double line at the point where it passes
through the eye, and pull the tag end to snug up the
turns.
4) To create a loop connection: Adjust the loop size
by sliding the knot up or down the standing line.
Then pull the tag end with pliers to maximize
tightness.
5) To create a snug knot: Pull the standing line to
slide the knot up against the eye. Then continue
pulling until the knot is tight. Trim the tag end flush
with the closest coil on the knot.
Aircraft weight and Engine displacement or Electric less than Rated Spectra
not over less than (cu.in) (Watts) strength:
24 oz. .09 300 20 lbs. .010 dia
40 oz. .25 450 40 lbs. .013 dia
64 oz. .40 600 60 lbs. .016 dia
75 oz. .75 750 100 lbs. .018 dia
“All lines shall be pull tested to 10 times the model weight. An aircraft must meet both the
weight and power standards to qualify for the stated line size. Exceeding either standard
places the aircraft in the next larger line size bracket. Aircraft shall be weighed with either a
full fuel tank or battery on board.
“Terminations shall be constructed using a 5 turn uni knot, tied on a bight, or two strands
of line looped back from the free end. An instruction film of the knot can be found at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGL2aD9q-cE. The drawings below show a single strand for
clarity, but should be tied on a bight. The knot is tied as follows:”
Be safe and have fun. MA
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