Self Launch Glider Rules

Model specification for club competitions - Jan 2003

Dimensions/Weight/Loadings

Motive Power source to be any number of rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (Nicd) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells having a potential energy no greater than 10.25 Watt/hours. A further suitable battery may be used to drive the receiver and servos only if a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) is Not used. The potential energy to be calculated by the formula:

Number of cells x volts/cell x Capacity = Watt/hrs.

To calculate this Nicd & NiMH cells will be assumed to Voltage of 1 volt/cell and capacity as stated on the manufacturers original sleeving.

All cells must have the manufacturers original sleeving stating their capacity.

The construction of battery packs must be from clear heat shrink or clear tape and must be capable of being removed from the airframe to be checked if required. To assist Contest Directors & competitors the following table gives the maximum of cells allowed of the more popular types available. Any cell capacity may be used as long as the 10.25 Watt/hr. limit is maintained

Any type or number of electric motor(s) may be used. In tractor mode a spinner must be fitted.

If a Pulse Code Modulation receiver or an Electronic Speed Controller (ECS) with a fail safe function is used then it must be set to shut the motor off in the event of loss of signal.

Flying Rules - 30 April 2003

Objective

Three flights are made and all three flights are to be made with ONE INITIAL BATTERY CHARGE ONLY.

Use Of Models.

A competitor may use a maximum of two models.

A competitor may use only ONE motive power battery pack.

Component parts of the two models may be interchangable, but not with those of other competitors.

Ownership Of Models

Any individual model may only be flown by one entrant in any particular competition

The entrant shall be the genuine owner of the model and as proof of ownership the entrants name and BMFA number shall be displayed on the wing of the model in a permanent and prominent manner

Competitor and Helpers

In the competition each competitor is permitted two helpers plus the time keeper

Competition Flights

In competitions the competitor will be allowed at least three official flights.

Number Of Attempts Allowed

The competitor has the right to two attempts at each official flight. For a second attempt the model must land and re-launch. The competitor must indicate his intention of taking a second attempt to his or her timekeeper who will then zero the flight watches, and time the second attempt.

Definition of an Official Attempt

There is an official attempt at flight when the competitor or his/her helper launches the model into flight.

Timing

All flights to be timed by two stop watches, one of which must be digital. In the event of both stop watches malfunctioning, the flight will count as zero.

Re-Flights

The only reason for a Contest Director to cancel a slot once started, should be for safety reasons, then the following shall apply:

1. If the cancellation occurs during round one, all competitors in that slot will be allowed to recharge their battery packs, and the slot be re-flown prior to the start of round two.

2. If the cancellation occurs during the second round, a competitor will be awarded his flight time and landing bonus from round one, and the percentage scores for the cancelled be calculated from these.

3. If the cancellation occurs during the third round, a competitor will be awarded a flight time and landing bonus from his or her round one or two scores, and the percentage scores for the cancelled slot be calculated from these.

4. It is not possible in SLG competitions to give an individual pilot a re-flight an any grounds.

Cancellation of a Flight and/or Disqualification

a. The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero score if the competitor used a model not conforming to any items of the Model Characteristics of this class. In the event of intentional or flagrant violation of the rules, in the judgement of the Contest Director, the competitor may be disqualified.

b. The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero if the model loses any part in flight, except where this occurs as the result of a mid-air collision with another model. The lass of any part of the model during the landing (touchdown) will not be recorded.

c. The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero score if the model is piloted by anyone other than the competitor.

d. The Contest Director has the discretion to warn. or disqualify any pilot who deliberately executes unnecessarily dangerous manoeuvres.

e. No landing bonus points will be given if the model touches either the pilot or his helpers or his timekeeper during the landing manoeuvre.

Organisation of the Landing Slot

a. The flying order of three rounds subdivided into time slots.

b. A competition number derived from the matrix must allocated to each competitor.

c. Competitors are entitled to a minimum of five minutes preparation time which is counted from the moment he or she is called to take position at the launching area.

Slot Time - Length of Slot

a. The ten minute slot will be started by the Contest Director with an audible tone which last two seconds, the ten minute time starts at the start of the tone. The timekeepers on hearing this will start their count down watches.

b. The competitor on hearing the tone can launch or have the model launched by a helper, the timekeeper on seeing the model launched will start the two flight time watches, and will tell the pilot of the end of the one minute power on time with warnings twenty seconds, ten seconds five four three two one OFF.

Note. Some competitors may hold back to see how the others get on.

c. There is now nine minutes of power off flying time, any pilot using power will given a zero score. At two minutes to the end of the slot there will be an audible tone, and a further tone at the end of the slot. Any model still in the air will have a over fly penalty of minus 30 points. The timekeepers will stop the flight time watches on the landing of the model or on hearing the end of slot tone.

Landing Circle

a. The landing circle is marked out for each competitor, consisting of 12.5m of tape with a large nail in the ground at the centre of the circle. This tape can then be pulled out to identify the 25m circle. If the tape covers all of the model a bonus 50 points is added to the score. If only part of the model is covered 25 points are added, this applies where the model comes to rest.

b. Competitors may only retrieve their models on completion of the landing providing they do not impede other competitors and models

Scoring

The timekeepers will count down the end of one minute power on time and the end of ten minutes slot. At the end of the slot he or her will return to the Contest Director with the watches so that the time in minutes and seconds and the landing bonus 50 or 25, if over flown minus 30. Should a model be still airborne after 11 minutes a zero score will be recorded.

Battery Charging

The Contest Director must ensure that cells are charged only before the first round. Between rounds, preferably the aircraft or at least the power packs are to be impounded. Power packs require labels with the name of the owner.

Derek Smith

Contact the club at cadmacweb@leezpc.freeserve.co.uk