TECHNICALLY SPEAKING - 2012/05
This month I’ll take a few lines to explain a couple of frequently asked competition questions. Of course they’re all controversial at times, but we’ll leave that to the debaters and concentrate on what is fact and why.
Experimental aircraft (over 55 pounds) in Scale contests
A common question (asked last week at the Toledo Show by the president of the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers) is whether experimental-class aircraft may be flown in a Scale contest. The rule is cloudy because it depends on meet-specific safety needs and the contest director’s (CD) judgment.
Key points:
- An experimental-class aircraft may be flown in Scale competition only if the field layout can be changed, if needed, to meet experimental field-safety requirements and the CD elects to make those changes.
- The CD decides whether a particular experimental aircraft can fly at that contest. The decision is driven by safety considerations.
- Issues the CD must consider include:
- flightline and maneuvering set-back changes
- pit and spectator set-back changes
- The “required” setbacks are typically waived for Scale contests, so the CD determines what, if anything, must be changed.
- Pilot requirements: the pilot of an experimental aircraft must have a valid permit-to-fly and be able to produce it at registration (similar to presenting a turbine waiver).
- Many venues lack the space to accommodate the necessary distances and therefore do not permit experimental aircraft. If the venue has sufficient room, it is up to the CD to decide.
Sound levels
Sound-level rules are another frequently asked topic. There is much speculation, but relatively few definitive rules.
- The only competition categories that explicitly specify sound levels in the regulations are Scale Aerobatics (IMAC) and RC Aerobatics (Pattern).
- IMAC removed its specific sound rule and left responsibility to the judges to determine if an aircraft is too noisy and to adjust scores accordingly.
- Pattern still uses the FAI sound rule, but the increasing prevalence of electric power in Pattern has reduced the sound issue there.
- Sound continues to be one of the most hotly debated problems in modeling, and more rules are likely to be introduced over time.
Contact
by Greg Hahn, Technical Director Competition questions: [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
