<HTML><HEAD>
<META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2995" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">
<DIV>
<DIV>Steve, </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>if you go back and review the thread started by Jason Shulman, to which I had responded initially, you will find that the AMA zone was indeed stated as being 100 meters. I later reviewed te AMA reg and I confirmed it. I suggested to Jason that he go to the site and review it himself. In that rule, the mandatory zeroes are explicit.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>FAI reg is different regarding the Landing Zone's dimensions. The F3A event requires a 30 meter zone</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>As CD, I believe that you were within your rights to unify the rule and explain it as you saw it to the pilots attending the event. If all agreed, and it appears they did from your comments, there is no foul play.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Again, what isn't clear is whether there is a single landing zone regardless of the number of flight lines. I will raise the issue within the Judging Committee.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>MattK</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 12/11/2006 1:27:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, Steven.Homenda@ctcplc.com writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><BR><FONT face=Arial>The landing zone question was posed to several different people and in<BR>several different forums. Feedback received indicated the landing zone<BR>was 30 meters, 15 meters to the left and to the right of center. The<BR>lines were painted in white the Friday before the contest and the "landing<BR>zone" was announced during at the pilot's meeting on Saturday, prior to the<BR>start of the contest at which time I interpreted the "landing zone" to mean<BR>the aircraft must land somewhere inside the zone, then roll out under<BR>control for at least 15 meters before completion of maneuver. I asked<BR>for questions. To my knowledge, only question asked concerned whether<BR>aircraft must initiate ground roll and takeoff within the 30 meter zone.<BR>Since this was an AMA santioned contest, in preparation, I downloaded the<BR>2005 AMA Rules for Radio Control Pattern, available from the NSRCA website.<BR>Reference is made to AMA RC Pattern Judges' Guide, Part D. Judging<BR>individual maneuvers, #10. which states: "The following is a collation of<BR>all mandatory zero (0) scores applicable to all Pattern Classes: 10.<BR>Landing outside of runway or landing zone lateral boundary."<BR><BR>My interpretation of the feedback received, fresh lines painted on the<BR>runway and discussion at the pilot's meeting prior to the start of the<BR>contest dictated my decision on this issue. At no time during the<BR>competition did I sense that my decision to enforce the 30 meter landing<BR>zone posed a safety hazard to anyone near the flight line, nor was I<BR>approached by anyone about safety issues as they pertained to the<BR>enforcement of the landing zone given the wind conditions experienced by<BR>all of those who competed.<BR><BR>After the contest, further review of the AMA Guide spells out "Landing Zone<BR>" in amongst Part E., Description of Maneuvers. To my surprise, it<BR>appears the landing zone should have been: "two lines placed perpendicular<BR>across the runway and spaced 100 meters apart, or 50 meters to the left and<BR>right of center." Further, "the width of the landing zone shall normally<BR>be the width of the runway but in no case shall exceed 30 meters."<BR><BR>As CD of the event this past weekend, I take full responsibility of my<BR>actions as respect those of you who may have been judged unfairly on this<BR>particular issue, however with the same breath, I do not believe the final<BR>decision made at the time had an adverse effect on any of the standings.<BR>If anyone has any other information to the contrary, please feel free to<BR>advise me at once since I'm on my way to the closest home improvement<BR>center for a gallon of black paint and paper towels to wipe the egg off my<BR>face..........<BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR>Steve Homenda</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>