MMSC F5J Rules

Last update 30/08/2006

 

Objectives

This contest is a timed duration event with a precision landing for electric powered sailplanes.

The objective of the duration task is to maximise the flight time within a working time of exactly ten (10) minutes while using the minimum motor run and motor restarts required to complete the task.

The motor run required to complete the flight is determined by the pilot, but any motor run used is deducted from the flying score at a rate determined by a motor handicap.  Unlimited motor restarts are permitted but the flight duration time is reset to zero with each restart. Motor time is cumulative, i.e. all motor runs used during the working time (including restarts) are added together, multiplied by a handicap factor and then deducted from the flight score

 The objective of the precision landing is to gain additional points by landing the model as close to the centre of a 15 meter circle as possible.  No landing points are awarded if the landing occurs after the end of the working time. The event uses the same landing circles and points as 7-cell glider (i.e. up to 25 point landing in a 15 meter circle graduated by 5 points per 3 meters).

 The event is run in groups as a mass launch, man-on-man competition.

 

Flight Time

 The flying order is scheduled in rounds sub-divided into groups. The event has a working time for each group of exactly ten (10) minutes. All models must be launched at or after the start of the working time.

 The timer recording the flight time will start their flight duration watch as soon as the model is launched. The timer will restart the flight time (i.e. reset the flight duration watch to zero and then restart the flight duration watch) every time the motor is restarted. They will stop their flight duration watch when:

• The model aircraft first touches the ground; or
• The model aircraft first touches any object in contact with the ground; or
• The completion of the group's working time is signalled.

 The duration time is recorded as the minutes and completed seconds on the flight duration watch. The duration points are calculated by awarding one point for each full second the model is flying.

 The model, with motor running, must be released or thrown into flight directly from the hand(s) of the pilot or his helper without assistance. The model cannot be launched from a height greater than the flier's normal reach above the ground.

 The flight is given zero points if:

• The pilot overflies the end of the group's working time by more than one (1) minute; or

• The model aircraft loses any part during the duration time. However, the losing of a part during landing (i.e. after contact with the ground or another obstacle) or during the flight due to a collision with another model is not taken into account; or
• The pilot uses more than two helpers; or
• Any part of the model aircraft does not come to rest and remain at rest within 100 metres from the landing spot; or
• The model aircraft is controlled by anyone other than the competitor.

 

Motor Run Time

 Motor run time is determined by the pilot according to his/her strategy to achieve the task. The pilot has complete discretion over the motor’s use.  The motor run time is cumulative and is multiplied by the handicap factor and then deducted from the flight score.  The pilot must announce the switching on and switching off of his motor to the timer with the words "on" and "off". 

 Motor run handicap factor:

• Speed400:                 100%,
• Ferrite:                        200%,
• Cobalt:                        300%,
• Limited Brushless*:   400%,
• Open *:                      500%

 * Limited Brushless have a power source limited to a maximum of 12V nominal (10cell NiCd/NiMh or 3S LiPo) and 2800mah capacity.  Open planes have no battery voltage or capacity limits.

 

The timer recording the motor run will start their motor watch when the model is launched. They will stop their motor watch when the motor is switched off. The watch is started again each time the motor is started and stopped when the motor is turned off again.

 

Motor time is cumulative, i.e. all motor runs used during the working time (including restarts) are added together, multiplied by the handicap factor and then deducted from the flight score

Precision Landing

 Additional points will be awarded for the landing. The distance from the landing spot to the nose of the model is measured and points are awarded as follows:

 Distance from the spot marker        Additional points awarded

Up to 3 metres                                   25 points

Over 3 and up to 6 metres               20 points

Over 6 and up to 9 metres               15 points

Over 9 and up to 12 metres             10 points

Over 12 and up to 15 metres           5 points

 No landing points are awarded if:

• The landing occurs after the end of the working time; or
• The model aircraft touches either the competitor or his helper.

 Scoring

The event will use “man on man” or normalized scoring. The winner of each heat will receive 1000 points and each of the other competitors in that heat will receive a score calculated as shown:

 Normalized Score = Competitor’s Flight score x 1000
                                                           Winner’s flight score

 where the Winner’s flight score is the highest flight score achieved in the heat in which the competitor flew

Organisation

 Competitors are entitled to five minutes preparation time, which is counted from the moment his/her group is called to take position at the designated preparation area, to the start of the group's working time.

 Competitor can have up to 2 helpers/timers. 

 Timers will require 2 stopwatches:

• One flight duration watch for the flight time; and
• One motor watch for the motor run time

 

The organisers will positively indicate the start of a group's working time, by audible signal.  An audible signal will be given when eight (8) minutes and nine (9) minutes of the group's working time has elapsed.  The end of the group's working time will be indicated by audible signal, as for the start. Any model aircraft airborne at the completion of the working time must land immediately.

General Characteristics of RC Electric Powered Model aircraft

Maximum total area ....................................... 150 dm2

Maximum weight ........................................... 5 kg

Loading .......................................................... 12 to 75 g/dm2

The power source can consist of NiCd, NiMH, Lithium Polymer or Lithium Ion cells only.