[NSRCA-discussion] New FAI Rule Changes

Thu Apr 6 07:59:46 AKDT 2023

One point I live by, and am highly opinionated about is the keeping things " FUN factor " that is involved in Pattern. I for one, and not one for " whistles and Bells " , however flying something that works. Kind of like what has been discussed in previous replies, it is in my opinion 80-90% pilot, and the rest set-up. For the last 13 years, I have been flying an Extreme Flight Vanquish in Masters and sometimes FAI depending on turnout. I along with the plane has proven to do quite well even against ships 3-5K more than I have in mine. One learns the intricacy's and nuances of their plane, and adjust from there. Someone can go play a round of 18holes with only a 5iron, is it the easiest way ? Maybe not, but it is achievable, and maybe that's how they enjoy playing.

Long story short.... Stick with what works, and amend from there if feasible or not complete lunacy !

Respectfully,

Matthew E. Finley
(614) 557-3846
________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org> on behalf of Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 6, 2023 11:20 AM
To: General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] New FAI Rule Changes

Guys, here's what I sent back to Mike and Jason:

Thank you for the feedback.  I really meant that comment in a somewhat jocular tone.  I know very well that it is about 90% pilot skill, and the airplane is the other half (to paraphrase Yogi Berra).  Jason joined us for an SPA contest a number of years ago with an OLD KAOS (IIRC) that he picked up in a LHS somewhere for peanuts.  It was a pleasure to see him perform, and of course he won gear down, um, hands down... Now, if we put a strong enough motor on it, and maybe sand the sharp edges off a bit, Jason (and a number of other USA Pattern guys) could win flying a brick.

Jason's winning $1K airframe is still 3 times what I paid for a competitive SPA airframe a year or two back.  It is one of Dennis Hunt's last Daddy Rabbits, which I, in fact, helped create while helping him at his factory not long before he closed up shop.

“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” ― David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest.
Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, NSRCA 2032, KCRC Emeritus
Knoxville, TN  37931   (865) 604-0541c

On 04/06/2023 10:17 AM Charlie Barrera <charliebarrera767 at gmail.com> wrote:

I agree with Mike. That airplane was the AJ Acuity. I was the winning bid at the banquet and acquired the Acuity. It is the best airplane I’ve ever flown. It flew right out of the box. All I did was adjust the CG and it flew trimmed. The airframe is very competitive with Jason winning the 2017 FAI class with that airplane. Very complete ARF with all components included. AJ Aircraft did their homework. The model still sells for under $1000. You don’t need the expensive carbon fiber airplanes with contras to be competitive in any AMA class. …Charlie

Sent from my iPad

On Apr 6, 2023, at 9:00 AM, Dr Mike Harrison, DDS via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

I totally support Jason’s last sentence about expensive airframes.  In FAI, at past team trials,  2 of 3 team members had 2 blade props.  In 2017 Jason won the Nationals with a $1000 airplane in FAI. Can’t get any plainer than that.  None of the classes need any of the things you allude to.

Mike

From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org> On Behalf Of Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 4:32 PM
To: General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] New FAI Rule Changes

Thanks, UncleJas,

Good to hear from you!!

“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” ― David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest.
Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, NSRCA 2032, KCRC Emeritus
Knoxville, TN  37931   (865) 604-0541c

On 04/05/2023 5:25 PM Jas S via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

Hi Phil,

I don’t think you will see any change in flying/judging with this new rule. I believe most have flown this way already.

Btw, contra and full blown ‘competition composite’ airframe isn’t needed to win AMA pattern 👍😁

Jason

Jas iP

On Apr 5, 2023, at 5:21 PM, Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

Guys,  These days I am an SPA contestant, but I have flown and judged the turnaround sequences years ago.  (I didn't have the finances to buy $2K to $5K composite airframes and double-reverse contra double rotating props to be competitive.)  So I am kind of familiar with the current AMA pattern milieu, and have judged a lot.  Can someone please explain to me how pilots and judges, sitting at the center of the flight line, can tell the difference between a 1/2 loop at an end of the box that is geometrically round or just "looks" round?  We see what we see -- if it looks round score it well, if it doesn't, mark it down -- no?

Thanks,

“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” ― David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest.
Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, NSRCA 2032, KCRC Emeritus
Knoxville, TN  37931   (865) 604-0541c

On 04/05/2023 11:57 AM Mark Atwood via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto: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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