Document
updated 01 JAN 2007
All competitors must comply with the Haute
Voltige Regulations in use for each Event.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
return to top
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 learning
function involving manoeuvre to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.
return
to top
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 involving
manoeuvre to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.
return to top
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) GYROS:
An electronic rate gyroscope is permitted on the yaw axis only.
return to top
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.
return to top
|