FAI WORLD GRAND PRIX®SPORTING CODE
COMPETITION REGULATIONS - RADIO CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT



This document online is for information only, it can be modified and cannot be considered as a contract or part of a contract.


Document updated 01 JAN 2007

All competitors must comply with the Haute Voltige Regulations in use for each Event.
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FAI/CIAM World Grand Prix - Competition rules for Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Aircraft


TABLE of CONTENTS

1. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / Propeller-driven RC Artistic Aerobatics Airplanes Class
1.1. Definition of a Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Airplane
1.2. General characteristics of Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Propeller-driven Airplanes

2. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / Jet-powered RC Artistic Aerobatics Airplanes Class
2.1 Definition of a Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Jet Airplane
2.2. General characteristics of Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Jet Airplanes

3. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / RC Artistic Aerobatics Helicopters Class
3.1 Definition of a Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Helicopter
3.2. General characteristics of Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Helicopters

4. Common rules for all types (airplane and helicopter)
4.1. Definition and Number of Helpers
4.2. Number of flights
4.3. Definition of an attempt
4.4. Number of attempts
4.5. Definition of an official flight
4.6. Marking
4.6.1. Judges
4.6.2. Judging procedure
4.6.3. Qualification and final flights
4.7. Classification
4.8. Tasks
Music free-style flights
4.9. Timing procedures
4.10. Time penalties

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1. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / RC Propeller-Driven Artistic Aerobatics Airplane Class

1.1 Definition of a Radio Controlled, Propeller-driven Artistic Aerobatics Airplane
An Aeromodel which is aerodynamically manoeuvred by control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude by a pilot on the ground using radio control, but not a helicopter. Motive power shall be (a) piston engine(s) driving (a) propeller(s).

1.2 General characteristics
Maximum total weight: 20 kg without fuel

Power source limitations: any suitable power source may be utilised except those requiring solid propellants, gaseous or liquefied gaseous fuels.

Electric powered airplanes are limited to a maximum of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.

Radio equipment shall be of the open loop type (i.e. no electronic feedback from the airplane to the ground).

Auto-pilot control utilising inertia, gravity or any type of terrestrial reference is prohibited. Automatic control sequencing (pre-programming) or automatic control timing devices are prohibited.

Examples of what is permitted and what is not permitted :

Permitted :
1. Control rate devices that are manually switched by the pilot.
2. Any type of button or lever control that is initiated and terminated by the pilot.
3. Manually operated switches to couple control functions.

Not permitted:
1. Snap buttons with automatic timing mode.
2. Pre-programming devices to automatically perform a series of commands.
3. Auto-pilots for automatic wing levelling.
4. Propeller pitch change with automatic timing mode.
5. Any type of voice recognition system.
6. Any type of learn
ing function involving manoeuvre to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.

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2. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / RC Artistic Aerobatics Jet Airplane Class

2.1 Definition of a Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Jet Airplane
An Aeromodel powered by a commercially-available, industrial production turbojet engine, which is aerodynamically manoeuvred by control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude by a pilot on the ground using radio control, but not a helicopter.

2.2 General characteristics
Minimum overall wing span: 1.8 m
Maximum total weight: 15 kg without fuel
Maximum nominal engine thrust: 150 N
Radio equipment shall be of the open loop type (i.e. no electronic feedback from the airplane to the ground).

Auto-pilot control utilising inertia, gravity or any type of terrestrial reference is prohibited. Automatic control sequencing (pre-programming) or automatic control timing devices are prohibited.

Examples of what is permitted and what is not permitted:

Permitted :
1. Control rate devices that are manually switched by the pilot.
2. Any type of button or lever control that is initiated and terminated by the pilot.
3. Manually operated switches to couple control functions.

Not permitted:
1. Snap buttons with automatic timing mode.
2. Pre-programming devices to automatically perform a series of commands.
3. Auto-pilots for automatic wing levelling.
4. Any type of voice recognition system.
5. Any type of learning function i
nvolving manoeuvre to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.

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3. Rules for FAI World Grand Prix / RC Artistic Aerobatics Helicopters Class

3.1 Definition of a Radio Controlled Artistic Aerobatics Helicopter
An RC helicopter is a heavier-than-air aeromodel that derives all of its lift and horizontal propulsion from (a) power driven rotor system(s) rotating about a nominally vertical axis (or axes).

Fixed horizontal supporting surfaces up to 4 percent of the swept area of the lifting rotor(s) are permitted.

A fixed or controllable horizontal stabiliser of up to 2% of the swept area of the lifting rotor(s) is permitted.

Ground effect machines (hovercraft), convertiplanes or aircraft that hover by means of propeller slipstream(s) deflected downward are not considered to be helicopters.

3.2. General characteristics
AREA : The swept area of the lifting rotor cannot exceed 300 dm2.

For helicopters with multiple rotors whose rotor shafts are more than one rotor diameter apart the total swept area of both rotors cannot exceed 300 dm2.

For helicopters with multiple rotors whose rotor shafts are less than one rotor diameter apart the swept area of both rotors (counting the area of superposition only once) cannot exceed 300 dm2.

a) WEIGHT: The weight of the helicopter (without fuel) must not exceed 6 kg.
b) MOTOR: Power source limitations: any suitable power source may be utilised except those requiring solid propellants, gaseous or liquefied gaseous fuels. Electric powered helicopters are limited to a maximum of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.
c) G
YROS: An electronic rate gyroscope is permitted on the yaw axis only.

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4. Common Rules For All RC Aircraft Types
RC Airplanes and Helicopter Artistic Aerobatics Classes

4.1. Definition and Number of Helpers
A helper may be a Team Manager, another competitor or an officially registered helper. Each pilot is permitted one helper during the flight. Two helpers may be present during the starting of the motor(s). The second helper may place the aircraft for take-off and retrieve the aircraft following the landing.

4.2. Number of flights
4.2.1.
The competition consists of one or several qualifying round(s) leading to a final round. The starting order for the first qualifying round is defined by a current international pilots ranking or by drawing lots.
4.2.2. A qualification or final round consists of one Music Free Style flight for each competitor.
4.2.3. All competitors have the right to an equal number of qualifying rounds. Only complete rounds will be taken into account.
4.2.4. The number of competitors accessing the final round shall be determined by the Organiser before the beginning of the competition, and preferably in the preliminary competition information bulletin, according to the number of competitors and the time available.

4.3. Definition of an attempt
There is an attempt when the competitor is given permission to start.
Note : If the competitor fails to take off within the three minutes allowed, he (she) must immediately make room for the next competitor. If the motor stops after the take-off has begun, but before the airplane is airborne, it may be restarted within the 3-minute starting period.

4.4. Number of attempts
Each competitor is entitled one attempt for each official flight
Note : An attempt can be repeated at the contest director's discretion only when, for any unforeseen reason outside the control of the competitor, the airplane fails to start (e.g. there is radio interference). Similarly, in a flight that is interrupted by any circumstance beyond the control of the competitor (e.g. sudden rainfall, music airing malfunction, etc.), the competitor is entitled a re-fly.

4.5. Definition of an official flight
There is an official flight when an attempt is made, whatever the result.

4.6. Marking
4.6.1.
Judges
All flights shall be judged by a minimum panel of 3 international judges. The scores of all judges shall be taken into account.
4.6.2. Judging procedure
Manoeuvres must be performed where they can be clearly seen by the judges.
The judges shall be seated not more than 10 m behind the pilot's position.
If an aircraft is in the opinion of the judges or the Contest Director, unsafe or being flown in an unsafe manner, they may instruct the pilot to land. In this case, the flight will be deemed complete.
The score given by each judge for each competitor shall be made public immediately at the end of each flight.
4.6.3. Qualification and final flights
Each flight may be awarded marks, in half point increments, between 10 and 0 by each of the judges and for each judging criteria. Judging shall be done on:
a) Technique (difficulty and precision of the individual manoeuvres);
b) Artistic quality (originality, harmony & rhythm, composition and versatility of the entire flight sequence, adhesion to the music);
c) Overall appearance (use of the flight space, positioning of the manoeuvres and general impression).
Thus each judge may award a maximum of 30 points to each competitor.

4.7. Classification
4.7.1.
All competitors are entitled to compete in the first qualification round. The starting order is established according to the reverse current ranking, i.e. the competitor ranked last start first in the following round and the competitor ranked first starts last.
4.7.2. Intermediate scores.
4.7.2.1. The score of a qualification or final round is the sum of the judge's scores of that round.
4.7.2.2. The intermediate score at any stage of the competition is the sum of all complete qualification flights.
4.7.3. The flight starting order at the beginning of any round after the first qualification round is in reverse order of the intermediate classification at the end of the preceding round.
4.7.4. The final score is the sum of all complete qualification and final rounds.

4.8. Tasks - Music free-style flights
These are flights where each competitor must compose his (her) own sequence of manoeuvres to suit music of his (her) own choice.

Any manoeuvre can be flown, provided safety is ensured. Unsafe flying, in the opinion of the judges, shall result in a zero score.

The flights shall be judged for technique, artistic quality and overall appearance as detailed in 4.6. and 4.7.

Aircraft noise deters from the overall appearance and shall accordingly induce downgrading. A judging guide may define the judging criteria and their relative weights.

The competitor must provide the organiser with a record of the chosen music on CD, MD or any other suitable support.

For qualification flights, the music shall be of 120 seconds duration. When several qualification rounds are scheduled, the competitor may elect flying a different music and/or manoeuvre sequence for any one of such flights.

For finals, the music shall be of 240 seconds duration.

Music duration variations up to plus or minus 5 (five) seconds are allowed. The scored part of the flight begins at the moment the music starts and ends at the moment the music comes to an end.

4.9. Timing procedures
4.9.1.
Before each flight, a competitor is entitled to a minimum of 180 seconds preparation time after he (she) has been given his (her) transmitter(s).
4.9.2. At the end of the preparation time, or earlier if the competitor agrees to and the flight line is free, and with permission from the Field Marshall, the competitor or his (her) helper may start his (her) engine(s). The start of the take-off roll (the moment the airplane moves under its own power or the helicopter lifts off) shall occur no later than 180 seconds after the moment permission has been given to start the engine(s).
4.9.3. During preliminary flights, a competitor must begin the scored portion no later than 30 seconds (60 seconds for jets) after the start of the take off roll (or lift-off).
4.9.4. During Music Free-Style flights, the competitor may elect to start his (her) scored sequence (start of the music) at any time from the moment of the start of the take off roll (lift-off) until 30 seconds (60 seconds for jets) after this moment. He (she) must express his (her) choice to the Judges and timekeeper before the beginning of his (her) flight and signal to the Steward the moment he (she) wants the music to start. If he (she) fails to signal this moment, the Steward will start the music 30 seconds (60 seconds for jets) after the start of the take off roll (lift-off).
4.9.5. During Music Free-Style flights, scoring by the judges ceases at the moment the prescribed music duration comes to an end or the music stops. At the choice of the competitor, this may occur at landing or in flight. Whatever the choice, scoring stops at the moment the music stops.
For helicopters, if the competitor elects ending his (her) scored sequence at landing, the flight is deemed complete and timing stops at the moment the helicopter first touches the ground on the designated landing area.
4.9.6. If the competitor elects ending his (her) scored sequence while in flight, he (she) must land his (her) aircraft (the moment the aircraft first touches the ground on the designated landing area) within 30 seconds (60 seconds for jets) of the end of the scored sequence.

4.10. Time penalties
4.10.1.
If the competitor fails to take off within the time allowed, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
4.10.2. If the competitor fails to begin the scored sequence within the time allowed, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
4.10.3. If the competitor fails to land within the time allowed after the end of the scored sequence, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
4.10.4. If the freestyle music lasts less or more than the prescribed duration, the flight score shall be reduced accordingly.


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