Back to a two-year rules cycle and judging certification

[Don Ramsey]

No, there are no recertification classes for FAI this year.  I decided since there were only minor changes we would not require everyone to recertify until next year.  NATS judges will be briefed at the pilots meeting.  There are some differences such as those Troy recently posted.  Here are the major ones.

I'm answering these questions based on the Powerpoint presentation given by Bob Skinner and the presentation I'll use for the Team Selection Finals (Ron I got it right) at the NATS.

In "Description of Manoeuvres" (5A.1.13) it states: "Where there is a combination of continuous rolls and point rolls within a manoeuvre, the roll rate for the point rolls does not necessarily have to be the same as the roll rate for the continuous rolls."

If a maneuver contains different types of rolls the rates may be different except if there are more than one roll of the same type then the roll rate on that roll must be the same, as in the sq. loop, the 1/2 rolls must have equal rate and the 2 of 4s must be equal.  Roll rates on rolls of the same type must be the same, as in 2/2, 4/8, etc.  On point rolls the roll rate must be the same and duration of points must be equal.

Also, there are several center maneuvers, (P-05.22, F-05.18 for example) where there is a half roll on the exit. The maneuver descriptions state: "Exit half roll is part of the manoeuvre." This raises a center question, P-05.22 is the 2 turn opposite inverted spin with a half roll exit.  AMA defines the stall as center of the spin - no such language in FAI.

The half roll exit is not considered for centering purposes and the spin should start at center.

On F-05.03 Half square loop on corner with 2/4pt. rolls, exit inverted: Pull to a 45 degree upline and perform two points of a four-point roll. Push through 90 degrees to a 45 degree upline and perform two points of a four-point roll,  then pull to exit inverted.

The aresti for this maneuver shows the second set of rolls opposite the first.  Is the direction optional?

The roll direction is not specified so it is the option of the pilot.  The aresti was only shown that way for clarity.

I disagree with Troy on the spin (and that's a dangerous thing to do) but I will get a definitive answer from Bob Skinner.
5B.4.3.6. SPINS

All spins begin and end with horizontal lines. In order to spin, the model aircraft must be stalled. The entry is flown in a horizontal flight path with the nose-up attitude increasing as the speed decreases. Drift of the model aircraft from the flight path at this point should not be downgraded, since it is in a near-stalled condition. However, severe yawing is cause for downgrading. A climbing flight path just prior to the spin must be downgraded, using the 1-point/15 degree rule. The nose then drops as the model aircraft stalls. Simultaneously as the nose drops, the wing also drops in the direction of the spin. Drift during the rotation of the spin should not be downgraded since the model aircraft is in a stalled condition, provided the model aircraft does not drift outside the aerobatic zone.

5B.4.4.  WIND CORRECTION 

All manoeuvres are required to be wind corrected in such a way that the shape of the manoeuvre as described in Annex 5A is preserved in the model aircraft's flight path. The exceptions to this grading criteria are in the stall turns, and spins, where the model aircraft is in a stalled condition.

>From the Powerpoint presentation the severe yawing is mentioned but the initial entry should be flown in a horizontal line (wind corrected) until the wind exceeds the initial correction.  This is not official but I will post the answer as soon as I know.


Don
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Van Putte 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 1:04 PM
  Subject: Re: Back to a two-year rules cycle and judging certification



  On May 12, 2004, at 3:37 PM, David Lockhart wrote:


    My judging certification expires Dec 03 for FAI and Dec 04 for AMA.  I am assuming I don't need to be recertified as I am flying FAI at the NATs?  But any AMA NATs entrants in any of the AMA classes would need to be recertified (as they could be selected to judge FAI)?  Do I have this correct?


  Yes. I am in the same boat. I hope to go to an FAI certification class before the Nats so I don't have to go to the class on Sunday before competition starts.

  Ron Van Putte
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