1. Official Classes
There will be four official classes of Pylon Racing in South Africa
1.1 Standard Quickie
1.2 Super Standard Quickie
1.3 Quarter Midget
1.4 F.A.I. / F3D
2. Operation of racing Meeting
2.1 All race meetings will be run according to the F.A.I.
sporting code in force at the time (see F.A.I. sporting code section 4
)
2.2 Timing, course specifications and operation of the
races for all classes will be as per "sporting code section 4, sub section
5.2"
3. SAMAA Membership
All competitors must be paid up SAMAA members to qualify for participation in Provincial, National and International competitions, with valid F.A.I. licenses (for F.A.I. events) Membership cards will be required to be shown at all official race meetings.
4. Airframe and Radio specifications for all Quickie classes.
4.1 Airframe
To conform to the minimum dimensions as laid down below.
4.2 Fuselage
Must be of a conventional design with forward wing and
empennage. Must be of a box type construction, height 87mm, width 73mm,
both measurements to occur at the same section, firewall 57mm x 57mm. A
6.5mm radius curve on all corners allowed. Engine cowling not allowed.
No restriction on fuselage length, the tail may be of
any shape and area. Minimum thickness 5mm.
4.3 Wing
Wing span 1270mm, chord 254mm, thickness 30mm. Chord and
thickness must be constant. Wing is to be straight, (no swept back wings)
and may have dihedral. Measurement of 30mm thickness to remain constant
for a minimum of 1200mm, thereafter a shaped wingtip of 35mm each side
is allowed.
NB - High wing configuration to be secured with dowl
and/or metal bolts only.
4.4 Undercarriage
4.4.1. Undercarriage of fixed wire, alloy or fiber reinforced landing gear in traditional tail dragger configuration, wheels may be either fuselage mounted or mounted in the wings by means of wing blocks.
4.4.2. Any wheels with a minimum diameter of 55mm may be used.
4.5 Radio's
Minimum four function - elevator, ailerons, rudder and
throttle. No mixture control. Both sides if the wing to be fitted with
operating ailerons.
No ball links on ailerons or elevator. SAMAA approved
frequencies to be used only.
4.6. Weight
Minimum weight excluding fuel 2kg.
5. Motors - Standard Quickie Class
5.1 Motor
Any of the following unmodified (out of the box) 6.6cc
front induction, side exhaust carburetor engine may be used: Rossi, O.S.,
A.S.P.,
Super Tiger, Blue Bird, Magnum, Webra Speed, Fox Sport,
K & B, Enya, Picco, Irvine. These motors must be of the general sport
flying variety and may not include motors built for racing, E.g.: Nelson
Standard Quickie Motor, Fox Q500, Rossi Standard Quickie, Webra and Super
Tiger Q Standard Pylon.
5.2. Any carburetor with a maximum bore diameter of 8.5mm may be used, remote needles accepted.
5.3. Motors must idle slow enough to enable the pilot to land on request with the motor running.
5.4. No "pumped" engines or crankcase pressure allowed, exhaust pressure only (off the header or silencer)
5.5. Exhausts
Any exhaust or expansion type silencer allowed, headers
and exhausts/silencers may be hand made.
5.6. Any commercially available propeller of minimum 9" may be used. Propellors may be worked on one blade only for balancing purposes.
6. Motors - Super Standard Quickie Class
6.1 Motor
Any 6.6cc front induction, side exhaust motor can be
used. Motor must be capable to vary in R. P M. by means of a basic
air valve / carburetor and be slowed down by this means for landing.
Any motor modifications are allowed. Except no increase in capacity.
I. E. motors to remain 6.6cc. No mixture control permitted.
6.2 Exhaust
Any exhaust or expansion type silencer is allowed.
Headers and exhausts/silencers may be hand made.
6.3 Propeller
Any propeller that confirms to F. A. I. rule may be used.
I. E. continuous fiber or wood or APC D1 propellers only.
7. General
7.1 Flyer to supply his/her own protective headgear. The starter may not start a heat if the pilot or caller is not wearing protective headgear.
7.2 The starter will flag off every contestant irrespective of a no start or early take off. If the aircraft is not released by the time the next contestant is flagged off, the aircraft is to be retained until it is re-flagged in the same sequence.
7.3 F. A. I. caller rule waived for national, regional and local conditions and race meetings.
7.4 F. A. I. class flown as per F. A. I. F3D rules with the exception of 7.3 above.
7.5 New pilots i.e. pilots who have not flown pylon before may not fly any class other than Standard Quickies until it has been proved that a level of competency has been reached whereby they may progress to faster classes. This will be assessed at either local or regional meetings and be decided on by an appointed safety committee of no less that three people. The committee may consist of pilots who have already reached the level of competency which allows them to fly faster classes.
8. Class F3D; Pylon Racing Models
8.1 Definition of Radio Control Pylon Racing Models
Aeromodels in which the propulsion energy is provided
by a piston type motor and in which the lift is obtained by aerodynamic
forces acting on the supporting surfaces which except for the control areas
must remain fixed in flight.
The model must be of conventional design with forward wing and an enpennage with the general lines of a full size aircraft. Unusual or unconventional features must be justified with three vies drawings or photographs of similar features on full size aircraft.
Builder of the model is not applicable to class F3D
A pylon team shall consist of a pilot ant a mechanic/caller.
All pilots must be accompanied by a caller/mechanic for reasons of safety. The caller can be the team manager, another competitor from the same team or a third party. In all cases the caller must be the holder of a F. A. I. license not necessarily issued by the NAC of the pilot, and must have paid an entry fee.
Each pilot and mechanic/caller shall registered as a team from the beginning of the competition through ti its end.
8.2 Motor(s)
Motor(s) must be of the reciprocating piston type, with
a maximum total swept volume of 6.6cm3
8.2.1 Shut-off
The engine shall be equipped with a positive radio controlled
shut-off. The pilot ust be able to shut off his engine by radio control,
on the ground, or in the air, within five seconds of command, irrespective
of aircraft altitude.
8.2.2 Silencer
The motor(s) shall be fitted with a silencer. Within
its length there shall be an expansion chamber of not less than 30mm diameter
and 100mm length; the exhaust outlet's total area shall not be more than
80mm2
8.2.3 Propeller
Only fixed propellers may be used. Two bladed wooden
or two or more blade composite resin continuous fiber construction propellers
may be used.
8.2.4 Propeller Spinner
A rounded nose metal spinner of at least 25mm diameter
must be fitted.
8.3 Fuselage
8.3.1 Cross-section
The fuselage shall have a minimum height of 175mm and
a minimum width of 85mm, the measurements to be of the fuselage body and
are to exclude any fins, attachments or spacers. Both minimum dimensions
must occur at the same cross-section location. The fuselage at this
point will have a minimum cross-sectional area of 100cm2 excluding
fillets and competitors will be required to provide templates to prove
this. Fillets are not considered part of the fuselage or lifting
surfaces.
8.3.2 Cowls
The motor or motor(s) must be enclosed, with the exception
of the silencer, cylinder head and controls which must be manipulated during
operation of the motor. The cylinder head for this purpose is defined
as the top (or outer) 1 centimeter of the motor, excluding ignition plug
or compression screw.
8.3.3 Landing Gear
The landing gear may have two or three wheel design with
the main wheels having a minimum track of 150mm. the minimum diameter
of the main wheels shall be 57mm and the minimum width of the wheel or
wheel spat or wheel pant shall be 12mm for at least 1/3 of the diameter.
A tail skid may be used in lieu of a tail wheel. A positive means
of steering on the ground shall be provided, rudder control is acceptable.
8.3.4 A cockpit or canopy profile must be evident and capable of enclosing a pilot's head 50mm from the chin to the top of the head. The canopy need not be transparent and a pilot need not be fitted.
8.4 Lifting surfaces
8.4.1 Area of Surfaces
Total projected area of the lifting surfaces (wing and
horizontal tail combined) shall be a minimum of 34dm3. With
a biplane, the smaller of the two wings shall have at least 2/3 of the
area of the larger wing. No delta or flying wing type aircraft are
allowed.
8.4.2 Wing area
Minimum wing span shall be 1150mm for a monoplane and
750mm for the largest wing of the biplane.
8.4.3 Wing Thickness
Wing thickness of the root of the root shall be at least
22mm for a monoplane, and 18mm for a biplane. On a biplane with different
size wings, the smaller wing must be at least 13mm thick at the root.
Wing thickness may decrease in a straight line taper from the root to the
tip as viewed from the leading or trailing edge.
Note: Root shall be defined as the innermost wing section, not counting fillets, that may be measured without removing wing from fuselage.
On a completely exposed wing, such on a parasol monoplane or the top wing of most biplanes, the root is that section of the wing that is intersected by a projection of the outline of the fuselage ass seen in top view, i.e. the root section will be 50mm from the centerline of an exposed wing on a model with a 100mm wide fuselage.
8.4.4 Weight
Weight less fuel, but including all equipment necessary
for flight shall be at least 2200g and not more than 3000g. If ballast
is used it must be permanently and safely affixed.
8.4.5 Fuel
Fuel to a standard formula for glow plug and spark ignition
motors will be supplied by the organizers. Its composition shall
be 80% methanol, 20% caster oil.
8.4.6 Racing Course Specifications
The triangular course will be laid out as follows: The
course is 10 laps with individual length of 400m. Total distance
traveled is 4km. The race starts at the start-finish line.
All take offs will be ROG, no mechanical device will be used to assist
the aircraft, but hand pushing is permitted. The race is terminated
at the start-finish line 10 full laps later. The race course specification
may be modified in the interest of safety or to suit existing field conditions
if safety is not compromised. The pylons should have a minimum height
of 4m and should not exceed 5m height.
8.4.7 Organization for Radio Controlled Pylon Racing Contests
All officials on the race course and all competitors
must wear a crash helmet with a chin strap. The helmet must be able
to withstand the impact of a plying pylon model. Heats shall be arranged
in accordance with the radio frequencies in use to permit simultaneous
flights.
Each competitor had to introduce two different frequencies, distant of a minimum of 20 kHz, which he must be able to use on all the models entered into the contest.
8.4.8 Operation of the Race
8.4.8.1 Flight timers and lap counters
Each competitor shall be assigned one official during
each heat. This official will time the competitor's aircraft for
the required 10 laps. In doing so he will count the laps flown and
advise the pilot when he has completed the necessary 10 laps. He
will keep the recorded time on his timing device until he has entered the
time on the score sheet under the supervision of the starter. At
the number 1 pylon there will be one Pylon Judge and an Official Signaler
for each competitor in the heat. The Pylon judge will stand in close
proximity to the pylon. the signalers will stand perpendicular to
the direction of the course on the right hand side of the pylon, as seen
by the competitors, no more than 5m away from the pylon. Each signaler
will have a distinctive colour allocated, and the Contest Director will
arrange for each model to be identified by one signaller before the start
of every heat.
Note: Signals may be coloured flags or lights.
8.4.8.2 The signalers will have their flags in a ready position, or their lights off as the aircraft reaches midcourse between No. 3 and No. 1 pylons, or earlier. At the instant the model draws level with the No. 1 pylon on the correct side, the signaler will briskly lower his flag, or switch his lights on. There will be no pilot's helpers at any of the pylons.
8.4.8.3 At the No. 2 and No. 3 pylons, the Official Judge will stand in close proximity to the pylon they are judging.
8.4.8.4 A Sideline Judge will be posted in the front on the pit area on the spectator side of the racing course. The Sideline Judge will record as an infringement, any overflight of the pit or spectator areas.
The Judges at No. 2 and No. 3 pylons will record a cut pylon infringement. At the end of each race the Sideline and Pylon judges will inform the Race Starter of any infringement by any competitor.
8.4.8.5 A maximum of 4 models per heat will be allowed.
8.4.8.6 The Race Starter is in charge of each heat, the starter will ensure that all competitors and Race Officials are ready to commence. Each signaler will have a flag or a light of a distinctive colour, the starter will arrange for each model to be identified by one signaler before the start of any heat. A radio operation check from each competitor will be made prior to starting motor(s).
A maximum of 1 minute will be allowed for starting and adjusting the motor(s), at which point the race will commence. A competitor whose engine is not running at the end of the 1 minute period will be disqualified from the heat. No competitor shall be permitted to take off once the first model has passed the start/finish line heading from No. 1 to No. 2 pylon on the first lap, and no time shall be given him for that heat.
8.4.8.7 All laps are to be flown counter clock wise with turns to the left.
8.4.8.8 At the completion of 10 laps the Lap Counter/Timekeeper must immediately instruct the competitor to remove his aircraft from the course.
8.4.8.9 A penalty will be incurred if the competitor releases the model before the drop of the starter's flag or starting signal, cuts a pylon or flies outside the Sideline judge. Two infringements constitute a disqualification for that flight.
8.4.8.10 Starting positions in all races will be determined by draw with No. 1 position being closest to No. 2 pylon. models will be released from the starting line on the starting signal (Flag drop or light signal) at one second intervals with timing commencing at the starting signal for that particular model.
8.4.8.11 The Contest Director has the right to request any competitor to make a flight to demonstrate the air worthiness of his model and/or ability to fly the airplane around the course. If during a race, the Contest Director considers any model to be flying erratically, dangerously, or so low as to endanger Course Officials, he may disqualify the competitor fro that heat or from all heats and require the model to be landed immediately. Persistent flying below the top of the pylons may be considered dangerous to the Course Officials.
8.4.8.12 Each competitor may have only one helper in each race and the helper may release the model at the start and give the pilot verbal information regarding the flying course of his model and official signals. The designation "competitor" may refer to an individual or team entry of no more than two persons. Any award will be made jointly to team members.
The pilot or mechanic of one team may act as the mechanic/helper in one or more teams. however, any one model may not be used by more than one team, nor may roles be interchanged in a team.
8.4.8.13 After the starting signal (Flag drop or light signal) is given, any contact between two models shall be considered a collision and the models involved must land immediately. The Contest Director is required to give such competitors a second opportunity to record a score in that round, provided that in his opinion the aircraft is still air worthy or the competitor has an airworty reserve model.
In the event of a malfunction of the timing, lap counting, signaling or other such equipment which is the responsibility of the organizers the competitor(s) affected by such malfunction shall be given the opportunity to record a score for that round.
8.4.8.14 The loss of any part of the model after starting signal (flag drop or light signal) and before the engine stops disqualifies the model for that flight except as a result of a collision where Para 8.4.12 applies.
8.5 Scoring
8.5.1 The flight of each model shall be timed with a timing device measuring to at least 1/100th of a second by a counter/timekeeper. Timing shall start when the starting signal is given to the individual competitor.
The lap counter/time keeper stops his timing device after ten laps have been completed by the competitor and, supervised by the starter, records the elapsed time on the competitor's score sheet. At the completion of each heat, the pylon and side-line judges notify the starter as to which models have infringed. The starter then advises the lap counters/time keepers of those who will record the total number of infringements for each competitor on his score sheet.
The score sheets are then processed by a scorer who will:
a) if one infringement was incurred, add 1/10th of the
flyer's time for ten laps to give the correct time;
b) if two or more infringements were incurred, cancel
the flight;
c) round the competitor's correct time to the nearest
1/10th of a second.
8.5.2 Points shall be awarded after each race as follows: The competitor's score in his correct time in seconds to the first decimal place. If the competitor fails to complete his flight or is disqualified the score shall be 200.
8.5.3 The winner of the event is the competitor who has accumulated the lowest score after the conclusion of all heats. If four or more rounds are flown, each competitor's worst (highest) two scores shall be discarded.
8.5.4 If the time permits, and there is no frequency
conflict, ties shall be broken by a fly off race. Other wise, the
best single race score shall be considered in solving a tie.