[NSRCA-discussion] NATS 2012

Mon Dec 12 12:45:01 AKST 2011

The FAI F3A rules regarding weight are very clear, in my opinion, and were
followed to the letter at the 2011 Worlds.  The FAI F3A rules are different
than AMA rules (also very clear, in my opinion).

FAI F3A states the maximum limit as 5000g, with a 1% tolerance for possible
inconsistencies.  The 1% is not specified as instrument accuracy, precision,
or calibration.  Therefore, calibrated scale or not, the maximum allowable
weight is 5050g.

The AMA states the maximum limit as 5000g, with a tolerance of 50 grams IF a
calibration system is not available.

References from rulebooks are below.

Regards,

Dave

>From FAI Sporting Code, F3, RC Aerobatics, 2011 Edition

                5.1.2.  General Characteristics of Radio Controlled
Aerobatic Models:

Maximum total weight, with batteries...5000g

A tolerance of 1% will be allowed for possible inconsistencies in
measurement instruments for size, weight, and voltage unless otherwise
stated.

>From AMA Comp Regs 2011-12, Amended 11/28/11

                4.3: Weight and Size:  No model may weigh more than 5000
grams gross, excluding fuel, ready for takeoff.   Electric models are
weighed with batteries.  In Sportsman, Intermediate and Advanced an
allowance of 115 grams is permitted.  No model may have a wingspan or total
length longer than two (2) meters (78.74 inches).

Wherever practical, all aircraft should be weighed prior to the start of the
contest. If weight is being enforced then all planes competing in that class
must be weighed before the same round (round 1 or otherwise) for a baseline.
Only two attempts at making weight will be allowed on the day specified for
weigh-in.  If no calibration system is available for the scales, a tolerance
of 50 grams will be allowed for possible inaccuracies in the measurement
instrument.  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ronald Van
Putte
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 1:53 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NATS 2012

All I can say about weighing every airplane at processing and maybe after
every flight is:  good luck.

John Fuqua and I did all the weighing at the at the F3A WC last year.  There
were 82 contestants and many had two airplanes.  We weighed every one of
them at processing.  That's a lot of weighing.  Then, we weighed every
electric-powered airplane after every flight.  In addition, we weighed the
glow-powered airplanes whose owners were unlucky to pull the "wrong" ball
after each flight.  We worked from the prelims through the finals and
neither of us want to do it again. 

We were particularly unhappy that a weight tolerance was given, even though
we provided accurate scales and calibration weights with certification
papers.  What was done appeared to be counter to F3A rules.  I understand
why a weight tolerance will be given to Intermediate pilots, but hope the
the 5000 gram limit will apply to all the rest of the competitors.

Ron Van Putte

On Dec 12, 2011, at 12:30 PM, Archie Stafford wrote:

Hello everyone. I trust that everyone is anxiously awaiting a shiny new
<http://www.rcuniverse.com/buynow/keywordclick.cfm?bid_id=7016> pattern
plane or gizmo arriving at Christmas this year. I realize we are a ways away
from the NATS 2012, but its never too early to start communicating. The
official entry forms are now online at the following link.
<http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/entryforms.aspx>
http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/entryforms.aspx Entry forms will
still be mailed to those who attended last year, but for anyone wishing to
get a jump on things and get registered now you can download the entry form
and send them in. I
<http://www.rcuniverse.com/buynow/keywordclick.cfm?bid_id=5582> plan to
start putting out monthly status updates after the first of the year so that
everyone knows where things stand. I have a great group of people who have
volunteered to help and everything is coming together very nicely. 

A few things worth mentionings are that the banquet will be held the
<http://www.rcuniverse.com/buynow/keywordclick.cfm?bid_id=6133> night before
the finals this year. It will be held on site at the banquet area at the
museum and will be catered. Final catering details have not been finalized
yet. At this banquet, the Masters and FAI finalists will be announced and
flight orders drawn. This is possible this year due to the rule change that
there will no longer be an unknowns meeting per the new FAI rules. The
unknowns will be created by the Event Director and handed out to the
finalists at the banquet. This will also allow the Intermediate and Advanced
winners to be announced in front of the entire group. 

Another item to be aware of is that EVERY airplane will be weighed this
year. We are still finalizing plans on the most efficient way to do this,
but be aware that every airplane will be weighed this year and it will be
after a flight. Ideally they will be weighed after every flight, but at
least once a day is my goal. We learned a lot from how it was done at the
worlds last year and this should not be difficult to do as we have
intermediate pilots who no longer work transmitter impound that we can use
as well as some other people involved. As I said, the plans are not
finalized, but we are working very hard on them and after the first of the
year I will let everyone know what we have come up with as a final plan. My
goal is to stay in contact with everyone so that no one can say they didn't
know. 

One other important piece of information are the cut off deadlines. They
will be strictly enforced. They have been moved slightly closer to the
actual start of the NATS, but no entries after the final deadline will be
accepted. No exceptions. One change though is that up until the final cut
off we will be able to issue refunds. We will not be able to issue the
refund from the AMA part of the entry fee, but the NSRCA part of the fee
will be refunded. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Muncie in July. 

Please limit discussions to useful information regarding this thread. Also,
if you have a complaint on how things have been done, I am more than open to
listen, but please have ideas on how to correct these issues. 

Archie Stafford 
2012 Pattern NATS ED 

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