Northwest Speed Scoop
May 2010
Speed rules review
It seems that there are a number of rules changes that will affect us here in the NW immediately, and other stuff coming down the pike for next year. Here's a quick summary:
Rules in effect immediately:
- As per previous article in the rules section of the FL website, the F2D Proto Speed event has new line size and pull test requirements. The new wires are single strand .014 x 52-1/2 feet, and the new pull test is 24G. There is also a maximum model weight of 23 ounces.
- New fuel formula for AMA and Sport Jet classes is 80% methanol / 20% nitromethane. This was implemented thru the AMA emergency rules procedure, due to the problem of obtaining propylene oxide, a previous component.
- Also approved as an Urgent rules proposal, is a provision to recalculate the flight load figures which determine the wire sizes and pull test for "accelleration" events. These include Formula 40 and all "proto" type events in which scoring includes timing from takeoff. It's long been a dirty little secret that the scores in these events do not represent the actual pull. The new rule will use a 107% basis times the flight score to figure the actual flight load. That basis figure was acheived by utilizing flight score vs. top end speed from several record holders.
- .21 Proto Speed has new wire size and pull test. (Because of item 3). The line diameter goes from .016 to .018, and the pull test is now 36G.
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The CL Speed Board recently voted on a number of proposals for the next rules cycle, and following is a very brief review of those. For full breakdown, refer to the last Speed Times issue. Please remember that this is only the initial vote, and not the new rules. There are more steps yet, please review the AMA rules cycle procedure for a full explanation.
- Specifies that total from three watches will be divided by three, for three decimal places. Proposal would eliminate rounding errors that are currently possible.
- Eliminate the speed charts in the rule book, all scores would be calculated from formulas. It is alleged that there are several errors in the printed charts.
- Eliminate the .21 Proto Speed appearance and point system.
- Allow for designated pilots to conduct pull test on their heaviest
load to demonstrate their ability, and not requiring that they pull every
model for each flight.
- Would require that 1/2 A Proto Speed models have engine cylinder parallel
with the wing, with the top of the engine pointing toward the outboard
tip.
- New wording for 1/2 A Proto Speed models, which clarifies the definition
of an exposed two-line control system.
- New wording for 1/2 A Proto Speed models, would define the minimum
12 inch fuselage rule as using the engine prop drive face to measure from.
- New wording for 1/2 A Proto Speed models would specify that the model must be finished with an opaque paint, thus eliminating any clear finishes.
- Eliminate the requirement in .21 Proto Speed that the model carry a
"N" USA designation prefix with AMA number
- New wording for .21 Proto Speed models would specify that the model
must be finished with an opaque paint, thus eliminating any clear finishes.
- Would change the 3 lap period in pylon prior to timing, down to 2 laps. This would help accomodate the Jet event where models may have issue with current tank size. Proposer also cites FAI competition uses 2 lap requirement with no problem.
- New wording which uses consistent terminology for computation of scores
in some specific events.
- More new wording in regards to scoring formulas, somewhat related to
prevous proposal.
- This proposal is to establish consistent scoring methods between the
rule book and the AMA national record application form.
- Would change rule "CLS-9. Scoring of Flights" so that the allowed spread of watches is reduced from 0.20 seconds to 0.12 seconds, for record purposes.
- New wording would clarify the use of three official stopwatches.
OK, again you can review the rule proposals in the last issue of Speed
Times, or if you don't receive that, look them up on the AMA website.
All of the proposals on this inititial vote passed, except for CLSP 11-15, wich is the one that refers to rule book scoring and the national record application form. There were some typos and technical problems in that proposal, and it will be tweaked for the next vote.
Sorry to see the results for the .21 Proto appearance and point judging system. It appears I was the lone dissenting no vote on this. I also voted no on the paint requirement for both .21 and 1/2 A proto events.
There was also a proposal in the CL-general section that would have allowed records to be set at record trials. As much as that sounds like it makes sense on the surface, it is not a good idea and I voted against it, along with the majority. The problem is that a sanctioned record trials does not function the same as a sanctioned contest, and conditions are different, which should not be the case. If you want more info on this, let me know.
-- ZZ
This page was upated May 12,
2010