[NSRCA-discussion] New FAI Rule Changes

[Rick Sweeney]

I suspect the weight rule is 10 years too late.

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 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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