Technically Speaking ...
Sanction Rules
As I stated in one of my early columns, when the need arises I’ll use this space to clarify and, perhaps, interpret some AMA rules when there seems to be a misunderstanding. I’ve been asked several times recently about the event classification system — how it works and what the classifications mean. These questions have come from participants as well as new contest directors.
Down the right side of the contest sanction request form, there is a list of event classifications and, as CD, you are required to choose one. The section is broken down into two categories: rule-book and non-rule-book.
Event Classifications
- Rule-book events:
- A, AA, AAA, AAAA, AAAAA
- B
- FAI
- Non-rule-book events:
- C (including "C restricted")
- D (Demonstration)
Purpose of the Classifications
The sanction classifications are mainly in place to protect the draw area distance according to the importance and scope of the contest. As the importance and scope increase, so does the distance of the area that must be protected.
Rule-book Events
Rule-book events, as the name implies, are conducted under the AMA Competition Regulations as published. Any deviation from the current published regulations must be clearly spelled out and advertised well in advance of the contest to allow potential participants to decide before traveling. Such deviations must also be cleared through the Technical Department prior to publishing.
Non-rule-book Events
Non-rule-book events are not flown according to the published AMA Competition Regulations. Many non-rule-book events are not contests at all; for example, there has been growing popularity in recent years of noncompetitive "fly-ins." The vast majority of these fly-ins are for IMAA members (giant scale), which prompted the use of the term "restricted" after the Class C event.
A simple Class C event is a non-rule-book event with no restrictions other than the requirement that participants be AMA members. A Class C restricted event limits participation to a certain SIG membership or a specific group of pilots.
Events can also be restricted by the type of aircraft to be flown, such as "Warbirds," "Gyrocopters," etc.
Class C Events and Contests
A frequent misperception is that Class C events cannot be contests because of their classification. Often awards are given at Class C events, but the criteria for those awards (whether flying, static, or other) are not written in the official AMA Competition Regulations and therefore do not make the event a rule-book contest. It is recommended that, if a contest is to be associated with a Class C event, the rules be advertised in advance, although it is not required.
D (Demonstration) Events
The D event, or Demonstration, enables a sanction to be written for air show–type situations, whether public or private, where insurance is generally needed more for spectators than for participants.
More Information
For full details, see the AMA Competition Regulations under the General Section, pages 1–5: www.modelaircraft.org/files/events/rulebooks/0708general.pdf
See you at briefing. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
