Focus on Competition-2011/08

August 2011 159
Rule changes never stop
Greg Hahn
Technical Director
[email protected]
Focus on Competition
TO ALL YOU competitors out there in
modeling land, keep an eye on the rule
book from time to time. Until I can get a
“Competitions News” page created on the
website, most of you will need to check the
AMA website and see the “Competitions
and Events” section or the “Rules and
Regulations” area for changes. As a result
of the last Contest Board chairpersons
meeting, the latest changes will be shaded
gray for clarity.
Contrary to popular belief, the changes
don’t always come at the end of the twoyear
cycle. Often there are needs for
changes in the interim such as safety, new
technology, or emergency issues
unforeseen in the past cycle.
As I write this, there are two urgent
proposals being voted on and three that
have been presented, voted on, and passed
or put off until the regular cycle. If you are
interested in seeing the changes or keep up
on what we call “off-cycle proposals,” you
can find them on the AMA website under
Competitions/rule proposals/off-cycle
proposals and voting.
To call out a few of the off-cycle
proposals that have passed, you will find
there is one on CL Speed dealing with the
line length for Electric Speed B (CLS 11-
1U Stewart) changing the length from 60-
foot lines to 70-foot lines.
Under CL General, CLG 11-1E Rice is
a proposal by the AMA Safety Committee
which allows for the use of nonmetallic
lines (Spectra/Gsump) for general CL use,
which was approved by the committee
during its spring meeting at the Toledo
Show.
CL General CLG 11-1U Lee, which
allows for plastic or resin control handles
with nonmetallic lead outs, was
precipitated by an issue in last year’s Nats
competition.
The RC Pylon group is also getting into
the act with a proposal that will essentially
• 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.
“cleanup” to their rule book section and
redefine the term “commercially available”
to suit the dilemma they now find
themselves in concerning present engine
manufacturers.
The latest urgent proposal is centered
on the RC Helicopter fliers who are in the
process of rewriting their maneuver
sequences and returning to the previous
class distinction of Sportsman, Advanced,
and Expert. This proposal also includes a
set of well-presented perspective drawings
and diagrams of each maneuver in the
sequence for each class.
This proposal will make it easier for a
newbie to become acquainted with the
rules and hopefully go a long way to
encourage competitive participation.
It’s been a busy spring for the rule book
and also looks like a busy general cycle as
the next generation of proposals are
starting to fill up the folder. If you are a
competitor of any kind, I urge you to pay
close attention to the process of amending
the rule book. Being active in the process
can often keep you from saying “shoulda,
coulda, woulda” when a rule is passed that
you’re not particularly fond of. You do
have a voice.
Rules changes and contest board
procedures can be found at the following
link: www.modelaircraft.org/events/
ruleproposals.aspx. MA
The Benefits of an Event Sanction
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