[NSRCA-discussion] New FAI Rule Changes

[Daniel Underkofler]

Thanks for the info Mark.
Regarding the weight limit change:  Seems like we should have a matching
rule change in the US (whether we like it or not).  Is it too late to
submit a proposal as such?

Regarding the geometry perspective change:   I had this discussion with
Andrew Palmer (and subsequently Don Ramsey) a few months ago.   It appears
that Peter U has been making this rule up as an unwritten judging criteria
for some time.  Flight Coach actually becomes MORE useful, as its' views
are from the pilots/judges perspective (except for "mid").  I was pushing
for FC to provide actual geometry views, but Andrew dismissed my request
due to Peter's mandate.

So do we still want to go ahead and adopt FAI judging criteria?    I'm
still (but more reluctantly) in favor of doing so, as my desire for
unification exceeds my dislike of this new criteria.  Also, if we
continue to do our own thing, the differences in judging standards become
significantly greater.   Don will probably make the point that individual
judges will continue to judge and score how they see it, so maybe not such
a big change.?

Regards, Dan U

On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 9:58 AM Mark Atwood via NSRCA-discussion <
nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

> Hey All,
>
> Attached are the results from the CIAM plenary meeting and vote that took
> place on April 1st.  These rule changes will go into effect in 2024.  Most
> of the rules that address F3A are minor and merely clarify clerical issues
> in the rulebook or help outline procedures.  There are also changes to the
> wording around telemetry, but again, only for better clarity. But there are
> TWO notable rule changes.  Neither of which we supported.
>
> 1) Increase the weight limit to 5.5Kg TAKE OFF WEIGHT.   This is a
> straight up increase for electric, and a change to weighing procedure for
> glow planes to include FULL tank of fuel.   The issues here are obvious and
> I know we have many on both sides of this discussion, but it’s the new rule
> in FAI.
>
> 2) This one confounds me.   They have changed the judging guidelines, such
> that they no longer want accurate geometry relative to the aircrafts plane
> of flight, but instead want geometric accuracy FROM THE JUDGES
> PERSPECITVE.    In other words, a half loop at the end of the box needs to
> LOOK round, rather than BE round relative to the plane of flight.   It
> completely changes our way of flying and makes tools like flight coach
> useless.
>
> Personally, I can’t imagine this will last, and more over I can’t imagine
> this will actually be used.  A few of us (US/ UK / AUS) fought hard against
> it, but in the end it won out.  They had no explanation as to how cross box
> maneuvers will accomplish this (such as a rolling circle) but insisted this
> is what was wanted.  I’m sure there will be much discussion at events prior
> to this going into effect.
>
> There were also some minor changes for how ties are handled and better
> language and procedure for handling smaller championship events (<40
> pilots). But most of that is benign.
>
>
> F3A Starts on page 25
>
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