Two rules changes approved for Vintage Diesel Combat

Engine specifications relaxed, metal motor mounts allowed

Ken Burdick and Buzz Wilson made separate proposals for two changes in the Northwest Vintage Diesel Combat Rules.

Both changes were approved by a vote of Northwest combat fliers conducted in March and April 2010. The new rules will be effective for all future contests from the date of approval, April 17, 2010.

Summary of proposals and results:

1. Engine rule: It relaxes the requirements, allowing a wider choice of engines, by removing the single ballrace requirement. Other restrictions(non-Schneurle, iron piston/steel cylinder) would be retained. APPROVED: Yes 69%, No 31%

2. Motor mounts: This proposal removes the prohibition on use of metal motor mounts. APPROVED: YES 77%, NO 23%

Details of the changes are provided below.

For more on the process of promulgating and revising Northwest control-line competition rules, see the Northwest Rules section.


RULES PROPOSAL
VINTAGE DIESEL COMBAT RULES
(New language in red bold; deleted old language in red italic)

RULES FOR VINTAGE DIESEL COMBAT

1.1. Engine: Any production .15 c.i.d. maximum diesel having a single or dual ballrace or plain bearing, non-Schneurle, iron piston/steel cylinder.
1.2 Only suction fuel systems are permitted.
1.3 Any propeller may be used which meets AMA safety specifications.

2.1 Aircraft: A nostalgia combat model must be a design which was in common use or kitted prior to December 31, 1970. It must have been designed for a .15 cu in engine.
2.2 Models must be an accurate plan view of the original. The following alterations are permitted:

All the major parts of the airplane must be built primarily of wood but may be reinforced, with fiberglass, carbon fiber, boron or Kevlar to increase durability. Major parts may include the leading edge, trailing edge, ribs, wingtips, spars, elevator and motor mounts.

2.3 The following alterations are not permitted:

The CD may decide to not accept a model which has been altered from the original design outline.

3.1 Pull test: 25 lb.

4.1 Lines shall be a minimum .015" diameter, stranded type, with a length of 52'-3" measured from the handle grip to the fuselage, plus or minus 3 inches.

5.1 Speed limit: 64 mph = 7.0 seconds/2 laps towing a streamer.

6.1 Number of models. One model per match. 3 models maximum per contest.

7.1 Pit crew. Two pit crew are allowed per contestant. A contestant may start his own engine.

8.1 Officials: A contest shall be run by a circle marshal who shall be the overall timekeeper, plus one scorer per contestant.

9.1 The match: One minute for engine starting and launching. The 5-minute match clock is started as the second plane launches or at the end of the one minute, whichever comes first. The match lasts 5 minutes.

Engines must be started by hand.

9.2 Scoring: One point is deducted for each second a contestant's plane is on the ground during the 5 minute match. 50 points are awarded for each cut of their opponent's streamer or string with knot. There are no kills.
The match shall continue after a mid-air collision or line break. Lines may not be changed during a match.

10.1 Contest Procedure: Each contestant shall compete in 5 rounds. 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 for a loss. The top 4 flyers will than compete in 2 semifinals and a final to determine the winner.

10.2 Combat Site: A 3-foot radius pilots' circle and a concentric 65 foot radius safety circle.

ml/jt/FLballot#199//revise/dm/ballot/1-1-09//revise/gh/ballot/1-1-10


Previous rules (before April 2010)

RULES FOR VINTAGE DIESEL COMBAT

1.1. Engine: Any production .15 c.i.d. maximum diesel having a single ballrace or plain bearing, non-Schneurle, iron piston/steel cylinder.
1.2 Only suction fuel systems are permitted.
1.3 Any propeller may be used which meets AMA safety specifications.

2.1 Aircraft: A nostalgia combat model must be a design which was in common use or kitted prior to December 31, 1970. It must have been designed for a .15 cu in engine.
2.2 Models must be an accurate plan view of the original. The following alterations are permitted:

All the major parts of the airplane must be built primarily of wood but may be reinforced, with fiberglass, carbon fiber, boron or Kevlar to increase durability. Major parts may include the leading edge, trailing edge, ribs, wingtips, spars, elevator and motor mounts.

2.3 The following alterations are not permitted:

The CD may decide to not accept a model which has been altered from the original design outline.

3.1 Pull test: 25 lb.

4.1 Lines shall be a minimum .015" diameter, stranded type, with a length of 52'-3" measured from the handle grip to the fuselage, plus or minus 3 inches.

5.1 Speed limit: 64 mph = 7.0 seconds/2 laps towing a streamer.

6.1 Number of models. One model per match. 3 models maximum per contest.

7.1 Pit crew. Two pit crew are allowed per contestant. A contestant may start his own engine.

8.1 Officials: A contest shall be run by a circle marshal who shall be the overall timekeeper, plus one scorer per contestant.

9.1 The match: One minute for engine starting and launching. The 5-minute match clock is started as the second plane launches or at the end of the one minute, whichever comes first. The match lasts 5 minutes.

Engines must be started by hand.

9.2 Scoring: One point is deducted for each second a contestant's plane is on the ground during the 5 minute match. 50 points are awarded for each cut of their opponent's streamer or string with knot. There are no kills.
The match shall continue after a mid-air collision or line break. Lines may not be changed during a match.

10.1 Contest Procedure: Each contestant shall compete in 5 rounds. 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 for a loss. The top 4 flyers will than compete in 2 semifinals and a final to determine the winner.

10.2 Combat Site: A 3-foot radius pilots' circle and a concentric 65 foot radius safety circle.

ml/jt/FLballot#199//revise/dm/ballot/1-1-09//revise/gh/ballot/1-1-10


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This page was upated April 19, 2010