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CLASS F3F - RADIO CONTROL SLOPE SOARING
**** Please read carefully the local rules hereunder ****
(PROVISIONAL updated 2006 in red)
5.F.1. Definition:
This contest is a speed event for radio controlled
slope gliders. A minimum of four rounds must be flown. The organiser shall run
as many rounds as the conditions and time permit,
up to a maximum of ten rounds .
5.F.2. A? ?Š?Characteristics of Radio Controlled Slope Gliders
- Maximum surface area (St) ............................150 dm2
- Maximum flying mass . ...................................5 kg
- Loading on St ...............................................between 12 and 75 g/dm2
- Minimum radius of fuselage nose 7,5 mm in all orientations (see F3B nose definition for measuring technique)
- The radio shall be able to operate simultaneously with other equipment at the normally used spacing in the allocated R/C bands (i.e. 35 MHz : 10 kHz).
The competitor may use three models in the contest. The competitor may combine the parts of the models between the rounds provided the resulting model used for flight conforms to the rules and that the parts have been checked before the start of the contest. Addition of ballast (which must be located internally A? ?Š? in the model) and/or change of angles of setting are allowed. Variation of geometry or area is allowed only if it is actuated at distance by radio control.
5.F.3. Competitor and Helpers: The competitor (pilot) must operate his radio equipment personally. Each pilot is permitted one helper. The helper is only to assist and advise the pilot until the model is passing Base A for the first time and after the timed flight is completed.
5.F.4. Definition of an Attempt: There is an attempt when the model has left the hands of the pilot or his helper.
5.F.5. Number of Attempts: The pilot has one attempt on each flight. An attempt can be repeated if:
a) the launching attempt is impeded, hindered or aborted by circumstances beyond the control of the pilot, duly witnessed by the official judges;
b) his model collides with another model in flight or other impediment and the pilot is not to blame on that account;
c) the flight was not judged by the fault of the judges.
d) The model (i.e the centre of gravity) fails to pass above a horizontal plane, level with the starting area, within five seconds of exiting the course, due to circumstances beyond the control of the pilot, duly witnessed by the official judges.
The reflight shall happen as soon as possible considering the local conditions andthe radio frequencies. If possible, the model aircraft can stay airborne and has to be brought to launching height, launching speed and launching position before thenew 30 second period is started by the judge.
5.F.6. Cancellation of a Flight: A flight is official when an attempt is carried out, whatever result is obtained.
A flight is official but gets a zero score if:
a) the pilot used a model not conforming with FAI rules;
b) the model loses any part while airborne;
c) the helper advises the pilot during the timed flight;
d) the model is controlled by anA? ?Š?yone other than the pilot;
e) the flight is not carried through;
f) the model lands outside the assigned landing area;
g) the model is not launched within 30 seconds from the moment the starting order is given.
h) The model (i.e. the centre of gravity) fails to pass above a horizontal plane, level with the starting area, within five seconds of exiting the course.
i) Any part of the model aircraft crosses the safety line during the measured flight. ( Note: contratictory with 5.F.10.bis ! )
5.F.7. Organisation of Starts: The flights are to be performed round by round. The starting order is settled by draw in accordance with the radio frequencies used. The pilot is entitled to three minutes of preparation time from the moment he is called to the ready box. After the three minutes has elapsed, the starter may give the order to start. After the starter has given the order to start, the pilot or his helper is to launch the model within 30 seconds. The pilot or his helper is to launch the model by hand from the starting area indicated by the organiser.
If possible, the starting area, including the audio system, shall be situated in the middle of the course (equal distance from Base A and Base B). The time from launch to the moment the model enters the speed course must not exceed thirty seconds. If the model has not entered the speed course (i.e. first crossing of Base A in the direction of Base B) within the thirty seconds, the flight time will commence the moment the thirty seconds expires. If the model has not entered the speed course within the thirty seconds, this is to be announced by the judges.
5.F.8. The Flying Task: The flying task is to fly 1000 metres on a closed speed course of 100 metres in the shortest possible time from the moment the model first crosses Base A in the direction of Base B.
If some irremovable obstacles don't allow 100 m the course may be shorter but not less then 80 m. This exception does not apply for world or continental championships.
5.F.9. The Speed Course: The speed course is laid out along the edge
of the slope and is marked at both enA? ?Š?ds with two clearly visible flags. The
organiser must ensure that the two turning planes are mutually parallel and
perpendicular to the slope. Depending on the circumstances, the two planes are
marked respectively Base A and Base B. Base A is the official starting plane.
At Base A and Base B, an Official announces the passing of the model (i.e.
the centre of gravity i.e. the fuselage
nose of the model) with a sound signal when the model is flying out
of the speed course. Furthermore, in the case of Base A, a signal announces
the first time the model is crossing Base A in the direction of Base B.
5.F.10. Judging: The flights are judged by two judges who do not have to be the same for all competitors. The judges' task is to control that the flights are performed according to the rules, to be time keepers and to ensure that the right distance is flown.
5.F.10 bis. Safety: The organizer must clearly mark a safety line representing a vertical plane which separates the speed course from the area where judges, other officials, competitors and spectatorsstay. Crossing the safety line by any part of the model aircraft during the measured flight will bepenalized by 100 points subtracted from the sum after conversion, the penalty being not discarded with the result of the round. The organizer must appoint one judge for the task of observing thesafety line crossing by an optical sighting device.
5.F.11. Scoring: The result of the flight is stated as the time in seconds and hundredths of seconds obtained by each pilot. For the purpose of calculating the result of the round, the competitor's result is converted this way:
Pw / 1000 ´ P1
where PW is the best result in the round, and P1 is the competitor's result.
5.F.12. Classification: The sum of the competitor's round scores will determine his position in the final classification. If more than three rounds were flown , the lowest round score of each competitor will be discarded and the others added to obtain the final score which will determine his position in the final classification. If more than fourteen rounds were flown, the two lowest round scores will be discarded. To avoid ties in the classification concerning the five best scores, "classification rounds" are flown until the ties are brokeA? ?Š?n. If this is not possible, the result of the discarded round will determine each competitor's position in the final classification.
5.F.13. Organisation of the Contest: The competition must be held at a site which is suitable for slope soaring. When marking the starting and landing areas and the turning planes, the organiser must take into account the configuration of the terrain and the wind direction.
5.F.14. Changes: Any changes in the flight and landing areas may be made only between flight rounds.
5.F.15. Interruptions: A round in progress must temporarily be interrupted if:
a) the wind speed unintermittently is below 3 m/sec or more than 25 m/sec.
b) the direction of the wind unintermittently deviates more than 45O from a line perpendicular to the main direction of the speed course. If these conditions arise during the flight the pilot gets the right for a reflight.
A round in progress is to be cancelled if:-
a) the interruption lasts more than thirty minutes;
b) fewer than 50% of the competitors have been able to perform the task caused by marginal conditions. Without the condition "unintermittently" (i.e. 20 seconds) have been met and thus automatically caused reflights.