| F3B — Multi-Task |
| 5.3.1 |
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General Rules |
| 5.3.1.1 |
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Definition of a Radio Controlled Glider
Model aircraft which is not provided with a propulsion device
and in which lift is generated by aerodynamic forces acting
on surfaces remaining fixed in flight, except control surfaces.
Model aircraft with variable geometry or area must comply with
the specification when the surfaces are in maximum and minimum
extended mode. The model aircraft must be controlled by the
pilot on the ground using radio control. Any variation of geometry
or area must be actuated at distance by radio control. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.1.2 |
|
Prefabrication of F3B Model Aircraft
Para B.3.1. of Section 4b (Builder of the Model aircraft) is
not applicable to class F3B. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.1.3 |
|
Characteristics of Radio Controlled Gliders
F3B |
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a) |
Maximum Surface Area .............................
150 dm2 |
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Maximum Flying Mass ...............................
5 kg |
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Loading ...................................................
12 to 75 g/dm2 |
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Minimum radius of fuselage nose ...............
7,5 mm. |
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b) |
No fixed or retractable arresting device (i.e. bolt, sawtooth-like
protuberance, etc.) is allowed to slow down the model aircraft
on the ground during landing.
The underside of the model aircraft must not have any protuberance
other than the tow-hook and surface control linkages. The
tow-hook must not be larger than 5 mm in frontal width and
15 mm in frontal height.
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c) |
The radio shall be able to operate simultaneously
with other equipment at 20 kHz spacing. |
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d) |
Any device for transmission of information from
the model aircraft to the pilot is prohibited. Any use of elecommunication
devices (including transceivers and telephones) in the field
to communicate with competitors, their helpers or team managers
while doing the competition task is not allowed. |
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e) |
The competitor may use three model aircraft in
the contest. |
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f) |
The competitor may combine the parts of the model
aircraft during the contest, provided the resulting model aircraft
used for flight conforms to the rules and that the parts have
been checked before the start of the contest. See also 5.3.2.1. |
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g) |
For the sake of randomness of the starting order
among the successive rounds, each competitor must enter two
different frequencies, spaced at 20 kHz minimum. The competitor
can be called to use any of these frequencies during the contest,
so long as the call is made at least 1/2 hour prior to the beginning
of a round and in written form to the affected team manager. |
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Index |
| 5.3.1.4 |
|
Competitors and Helpers
The competitor (pilot) must operate his radio equipment personally.
Each pilot is permitted four helpers, including the Team Manager,
who must not give any turning signals near base B during tasks
B and C. |
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Index |
| 5.3.1.5 |
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Definition of an Attempt |
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a) |
For each task (ref. 5.3.2.1.), during the working
time allocated, the competitor is entitled an unlimited number
of attempts. An attempt starts when the model aircraft is released
from the hands of the competitor or his helper(s) under the
tension of the tow-line. No change of model aircraft or parts
of the model aircraft is allowed after starting the first attempt. |
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b) |
The competitor is entitled to a new working time
period if any of the following conditions occur and are duly
witnessed by an official of the contest: |
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- his model aircraft in flight collides with another model
aircraft in flight, or another model aircraft in the process
of launch (released for flight by the competitor or his
helper) or, with a launch cable during the process of launching.
Should the flight continue in a normal manner, the competitor
may demand that the flight in progress be accepted as official,
even if the demand is made at the end of the original working
time.
- his model aircraft or launch cable in the process of launch
collides with another model aircraft or launch cable also
in the process of launch (released for flight by the competitor
or his helper), or with another model aircraft in flight.
Should the flight continue in a normal manner, the competitor
may demand that the flight in progress be accepted as official,
even if the demand is made at the end of the original working
time
- his launch cable is crossed or fouled by that of another
competitor at the point of launch of his model aircraft
(released for flight by the competitor or his helper).
- the flight has not been judged by the fault of the judges
or timekeepers.
- in the case of an unexpected event, outside the competitor’s
control, the flight has been hindered or aborted
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c) |
For all cases described above the competitor may
demand that the flight in progress in which the event occurred
will be accepted as official. Note is made that in the event
the competitor continues to launch or does a re-launch after
clearing of the hindering condition(s) he is deemed to waive
his right to a new working time. |
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d) |
When a competitor obtains a new working time period,
and his model aircraft has been damaged beyond repair during
the attempt where he obtained this new working time, he is entitled
to continue flying the current round with his second model aircraft,
and this notwithstanding rule 5.3.2.1. This rule applies only
when the damage inflicted to the model aircraft is directly
linked to the incident that gave the right to the reflight. |
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e) |
In case of additional attempts in Task A (Duration)
during a round or Task B (Distance) during a round, the pilots
entitled to that additional attempt must fly within a group
that is not complete in number or in one or more groups newly
formed. If not possible due to clash of frequencies, those entitled
to another flight fly within their group once more. The better
of the two results will be the official score except for pilots
who are allowed another attempt. For those the result of the
repetition is the official score. |
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Index |
| 5.3.1.6 |
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Definition of the Official Flight
The official flight is the last flight performed during the
working time. |
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Index |
| 5.3.1.7 |
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Cancellation of a Flight and Disqualification |
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a) |
Unless otherwise specified a flight in progress
will be annulled for an infraction of any rule. In the case
of intentional or flagrant violation of the rules, in the judgement
of the Contest Director, the competitor may be disqualified. |
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b) |
The flight in progress is annulled if the model
aircraft loses any part during the launch or the flight time.
The losing of a part during landing (i.e. in contact with the
ground) is not taken into account. |
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c) |
The competitor is disqualified if the model aircraft
is controlled by anyone other than the competitor. |
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d) |
If the model aircraft touches either the pilot
or his helper during landing manoeuvres of task A, no landing
points will be given. |
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e) |
In case of hand or pulley towing the launching
device (except the launching cable with or without any device
of maximum 5 cm3 or 5 grams) must not be thrown by the competitor
or his helpers, under penalty of cancellation of the flight. |
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f) |
In case of launching by an electrical powered
winch, the upwind turnaround device must be fixed safely to
the ground. The flight is cancelled and no further attempt is
permitted if the pulley comes loose from its mounting support
or the turn around device is torn out of the ground. |
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g) |
In the case of launching by an electrically powered
winch, the ejection of any part of the winch (excluding parts
of the line) during its operation leads to cancellation of the
flight, and no further attempt is permitted. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.1.8 |
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Organisation of Starts |
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a) |
The competitors shall be combined in groups with
a draw, in accordance with the radio frequencies used, to permit
as many flights simultaneously as possible. The draw is organised
in such a way that, as far as possible, there are no competitors
of the same team in the same group. |
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b) |
The composition of the groups must be changed
every round in order to have different combinations of competitors.
For duration (task A), there must be a minimum of five pilots
in a group. For distance (task B) there must be a minimum of
three competitors. For task C (speed) a group may consist of
a minimum of eight competitors or all competitors. |
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c) |
The result of a group is annulled if only one
competitor is not entitled to a new working time. In this case,
the group will fly again and the result will be the official
result. |
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d) |
The flying order of different groups is established
with the draw too. A different starting order shall be used
for each round. |
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e) |
The competitors are entitled to 5 minutes of preparation
time before the starter gives the order to count off working
time. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.1.9 |
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Organisation of Contests |
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a) |
For transmitter and frequency control see Section
4b, para B.8. |
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b) |
The official will issue the transmitter
to the competitors only at the beginning of their preparation
time, according to 5.3.1.7. |
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c) |
Sighting apparatus, winches or any device constituting
an obstacle, should be placed on Base A and Base B, a minimum
of 5 metres from the safety line for Task C. Apparatus for judging
the safety line in Task C shall be placed a minimum distance
of 5 metres from Base A or B outside the course. |
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Index |
| 5.3.1.10 |
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Safety Rules |
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a) |
The organiser must clearly mark the boundary between
the landing area and the safety area assigned for other activities. |
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b) |
Except in the circumstances described in paragraph
5.3.1.5 b) items 1, 2, 3, and 5, after release of the model
aircraft from the hand of the pilot or helper, the contact of
the model aircraft with any object (earth, car, stick, plant,
line, etc.) or a person within the safety area will be penalised.
The number of contacts during one flight does not matter (maximum
one penalty for one flight). The penalty will be a deduction
of 100 points from the competitor’s final score and shall
be listed on the score sheet of the round in which the contact
occurred. |
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Index |
| 5.3.2 |
RULES FOR THERMAL SOARING CONTESTS |
| 5.3.2.1 |
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Definition |
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a) |
This contest is a multi-task event for radio controlled
gliders, which includes three tasks: |
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A) Duration |
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B) Distance |
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C) Speed |
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b) |
The combination of Task A, B and C constitutes
a round. A minimum of two rounds must be flown. Except at World
and Continental Championships the last round may be incomplete,
i. e. only one task or any combination of two tasks. In the
case of a World Championships each competitor is entitled a
minimum of five rounds subject to the provision of rule B.11,
Section 4b. At the discretion of the organiser any task may
be flown first in a scheduled round. |
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c) |
Any single round must be completed with the same
model aircraft, without any change of parts. Only the addition
of ballast (which must be located internally in the model aircraft
and with which the model aircraft must conform to rule 5.3.1.3.)
and/or change of angles of setting are allowed. |
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d) |
Variation of geometry or area is allowed if actuated
at distance by radio control. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.2 |
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Launching |
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a) |
All launching shall take place in
an area as designated by the organiser with provisions made
for launching into the wind. All launches will be made with
an electrical powered winch approved by the organiser or Contest
Director. |
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b) |
Upwind turn-around devices, which must be used,
shall be no more than 200 m from the winch. The height of the
axis of the turn-around pulley from the ground must not exceed
0,5 metre. Release of the model must occur within approximately
3 metres of the winch. An automatic means must be provided to
prevent the line unwinding from the reel during launch. |
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c) |
The winch shall be fitted with a single starter
motor. The starter motor must come from serial production. It
is allowed to fit the arbour of the rotor with ball or needle
roll bearings at each end. The drum must be driven directly
by the motor. Any further change of the original motor will
lead to disqualification according to paragraph B.16.1. The
drum must have a fixed diameter and the width between winch
drum flanges shall be 75 mm minimum. |
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d) |
The power source shall be a 12 volt lead/acid
battery. The cold cranking capability of the winch battery must
be specified according to one of the following standards: |
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300 amperes max. according to DIN 43539-02 (30s/9V
at –18 °C). |
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355 amperes max. according to IEC/CEI 95-1 (60s/8,4V
at –18 °C). |
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500 amperes max. according to SAE J537, 30s Test
(30s/7,2V at 0 °F). |
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510 amperes max. according to EN 60095-1 (10s/7.5V
at –18 °C). |
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Other standards are acceptable if evidence is
provi ded that these standards are equivalent to one of the
above stated standards. |
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e) |
The battery must supply the winch motor with current
through a magnetically or mechanically actuated switch. The
use of any electronic device between the winch motor and the
battery is forbidden. A competitor may interchange various parts
as he wishes provided the resulting winch conforms to the rules. |
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f) |
The battery must not be charged on the launching
line. The motor must not be cooled, and the battery must not
be heated. |
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g) |
The purpose of this rule is to limit the power
used for the launch. Therefore with the exception of the single
winch battery, line stretch, and the small amount of energy
in the rotating motor and winch drum, no energy storage devices
like flywheels, springs, weights, pneumatic devices or any similar
devices is allowed. |
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h) |
The complete winch equipment (battery, cables,
switch and motor) must have a total resistance of at least 23.0
milliohms. The allowed resistance may be obtained by adding
fixed resistor or resistors between motor and battery. The design
must not allow an easy change of the total resistance at the
launch line (e.g. by shorting the resistor, or resistors) except
opening and closing the circuit. |
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i) |
The plus and minus pole of the battery must be
readily accessible with alligator (crocodile) clips for voltage
measurements. One of the cables from the battery (through which
the total current flows) must be accessible for the clamp transducer
(clamp meter) and the calibrated resistor. |
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j) |
Measuring: The battery must stay unloaded for
at least two minutes after the previous test or launch.
The measuring of the circuit resistance consists of recording
the battery voltage Ub immediately before
closing the winch switch and of recording the current I300
and the voltage U300 300 milliseconds
(+-30
ms) after the winch current starts to flow. Before the end of
this 300 ms interval the motor shall stop
rotating. |
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k) |
For the test a digital voltage-measuring instrument
(accuracy less or equal 1%) is used, which enables
to measure the voltage of the battery and the output voltage
from the I/U-transducer 300 ms (+-30 ms)
after the current to the winch is applied. The transducer for
measuring of the current may be a clamp
transducer (range 0-600 or 0-1000A, accuracy less or equal 2%)
or a calibrated resistor (0.1 milliohm,
accuracy less or equal 0.5%) in the negative path of the circuit. |
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The resistance is calculated with the formula Rtot
= 1000 x Ub/I300
(Rtot in milliohm, Ub
in volt, I300 in ampere) |
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l) |
One measurement will be taken. If the result of
the first measurement is more than the limit and less than 1.3
times the limit then the winch is declared as being in accordance
with the rules. If not, three more measurements will be made
and the resistance of the complete circuit is the average of
three consecutive measurements. |
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m) |
At the test of the winch equipment before the
competition the voltage of the battery U300
must be greater or equal to 9V; this is not valid if tested
during the competition. |
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n) |
The organiser must appoint at least two processing
officials, who will process at random the resistance of at least
20% of winches during the official contest time. |
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o) |
There must be a quick release mechanism on the
power lead to the battery in order to remove power from the
motor in an emergency. (Connections to the battery must be removable
without the need for tools). |
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p) |
The penalty for using a winch not in accordance
with the rules results in zero score for the competitor at the
task concerned. |
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q) |
After release of the model aircraft from the towline,
the towline should be rewound without delay by operating the
winch, until the parachute (or pennant) is approximately 10
metres above the ground level. Then, the parachute should be
retrieved by hand to the winch. A powered winch must not be
operated when the towline is lying on the ground and across
other towlines or strikes another towline during launching |
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r) |
The towline (which must be of non-metallic material
except for linkages) must be equipped with a pennant having
a minimum area of 5 dm2. A parachute (5 dm2 minimum area) may
be substituted for the pennant provided it is not attached to
the model aircraft and remains inactive until the release of
the cable. During complete rewinding of the line on the winch,
the parachute, when used, must be removed and inactivated. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.3 |
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Task A - Duration |
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a) |
This task must be completed within 12 minutes
from the order of the starter, including the towing time. |
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b) |
One point will be awarded for each full second
from the time the model aircraft is free flying to the time
the model aircraft comes to rest, up to a maximum of 600 points
(i.e. 10 minutes maximum), for each full second of flight within
the working time; no points will be awarded for flight time
in excess of working time. The free flying of the model aircraft
commences when the model aircraft is released from the towline. |
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c) |
One point will be deducted for each full second
flown in excess of 600 seconds (10 minutes). |
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d) |
Additional points will be awarded for landing,
depending upon distance from the spot, marked by the
organiser, according to the following table: |
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Distance from spot (m)
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Points
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Distance from spot (m)
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Points
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Distance from spot (m)
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Points
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0 - 1m
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100
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5 - 6m
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75
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10 - 11m
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50
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1 - 2m
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95
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6 - 7m
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70
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11 - 12m
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45
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2 - 3m
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90
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7 - 8m
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65
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12 - 13m
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40
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3 - 4m
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85
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8 - 9m
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60
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13 - 14m
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35
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4 - 5m
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80
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9-10m
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55
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14 - 15m
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30
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over 15m
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0
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The distance is measured from the model aircraft
nose when at rest to the centre of the spot.
No point will be awarded for the quality of landing.
No landing bonus will be awarded if the flight time exceeds
630 seconds.
The measured distance is rounded to the nearest higher metre. |
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e) |
For model aircraft still in the air when the 12
minutes expire, the elapsed flight time only will be taken into
consideration for scoring, without any additional points for
the precision landing. |
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f) |
A classification based on decreasing number of
points awarded will be compiled, called "Partial Score
A" - see 5.3.2.6. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.4 |
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Task B - Distance |
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a) |
This task must be completed within 7 minutes from
the order of the starter, including towing time. The trial begins
only after the glider has been released from the tow. |
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b) |
When the model aircraft, in flight, first crosses
Base A (imaginary vertical plane) in the direction to Base B,
the actual flight time of 4 minutes maximum starts, during which
the model aircraft must complete as many legs as possible from
the starting Base A to base B and conversely. |
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c) |
An audio system or a combined audiovisual system
announces the pilot when his model aircraft crosses the Base
A and a flagman (or an audio system) is used to signal crossing
of the Base B (imaginary vertical plane). The absence of a signal
will indicate that the model aircraft has failed to correctly
cross the base. The instruments used to check the crossing of
the vertical planes must assure the parallelism of such planes.
Timing and signalling shall occur when the nose of the model
aircraft crosses the base. |
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d) |
The model aircraft must be identified by contest
director or official to judges at Base A and B before or during
the launch. The pilot must stay within a distance of 10 m either
side of Base A during the timed flight. |
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e) |
For a model aircraft which lands within 4 minutes
flight time only the full 150 m legs will be counted. For model
aircraft still in the air when the 4 minutes flight time or
7 minutes expires, whichever comes first, only the completed
legs at that moment will be taken into account. |
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f) |
A classification based on decreasing number of
total flown legs during the flight time will be compiled, and
points given as described in 5.3.2.6., thus establishing the
“Partial Score B". |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.5 |
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Task C - Speed |
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a) |
This task must be completed within 4 minutes,
from the order of the starter including towing time. The
trial begins only after the glider has been released from the
tow. After release of the tow-hook, the
model aircraft must start the task at Base A within one minute.
If the one minute period expires before
the model aircraft has crossed Base A for the first time, flying
from Base A to Base B, then the model
aircraft must be landed and re-launched within the original
working time period. |
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b) |
The task consists of flying the distance starting
from Base A, to Base B, and conversely, four legs in
the shortest possible time. |
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c) |
The flight time is recorded to at least 1/100
s when in flight the model aircraft first crosses Base A and
completes four legs of the 150 m course. |
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d) |
An audio system will inform the competitor when
the model aircraft crosses base A or base B.
The absence of a signal will indicate the model aircraft has
failed to correctly cross the Base. The
signal is given when the nose of the model aircraft crosses
the base. The source of the signal must
not be further then 30 m away from the intersection of base
A and the safety line. |
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e) |
During the timed flight the pilot must stay within
a distance of 10 m either side from Base A. |
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f) |
After having completed the task, the model aircraft
can land anywhere outside the safety area(s). |
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g) |
Model aircraft which come to rest before having
completed the task will score zero. |
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h) |
During Task C the timed flight shall take place
to one side of the safety line, whilst all judges/timekeepers
shall remain on the other side of the safety line. The side
which is to be flown shall be
indicated by the organisers taking into account the direction
of the sun, etc. The flight is annulled if,
when sighted by means of an optical aid, the safety line is
crossed by any part of the model aircraft. |
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i) |
After release of the tow-hook, when the model
aircraft has crossed Base A for the first time, flying in
the direction from Base A to Base B, no further attempt is permitted
unless the competitor signals his
intention to re-launch before Base A is crossed. |
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j) |
A classification based on increasing times to
complete the four 150 m legs will be compiled, and points
given as described in 5.3.2.6., thus establishing "Partial
Score C". |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.6 |
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Partial Scores |
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a) |
For each task the winner of each group receives
1000 points. |
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b) |
Partial Score A for each competitor is determined as follows:
| Partial Score A = 1000 X |
P1 |
| Pw |
Where
P1 = points of the competitor obtained as 5.3.2.3
Pw = points of the winner in the related group.
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c) |
Partial Score B for each competitor is determined as follows
| Partial Score A = 1000 X |
D1 |
| Dw |
Where
D1 = distance covered by the competitor as for 5.3.2.4
Dw = distance covered by the winner in the related group.
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d) |
Partial Score C for each competitor is determined as follows:
| Partial Score A = 1000 X |
T1 |
| Tw |
Where
T1 = time of the competitor as for 5.3.2.5
Tw = time of the winner of the related group
|
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.7. |
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Total Score |
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The competitors Total Score for each round is
compiled by adding the Partial Scores of all tasks. |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.8 |
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Classification |
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If only five rounds are flown, the competitor’s
classification is determined by the sum of all Total Scores
for each round. For each task, which is flown more than five
times, the lowest Partial Score is omitted from the sum of all
Partial Scores. To decide the winner when there is a tie, the
two (or all who have the equal score) competitors will fly an
additional round (three tasks). |
| Back to
Index |
| 5.3.2.9 |
|
Site |
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The competition must be held at a site having reasonably
level terrain, with a reasonably low probability of slope
or wave soaring.
|
| Back to
Index |
