SEN 2074
SEN 2074
Rule changes F1C
From: Pieter de Boer
Dear friends,
Last month you received my E-Mail concerning my F1C objections.
Lots of reactions where received, mostly supporting. I also got 1 or 2 funny
ones.
As promised last month, I attached, the content of 4 Dutch proposals.
After all it is my inspiration to support F1C flying and keep it a sport for
everybody who has fun out of it.
Hope other countries will support these proposals or put in better ones to
save the whole F1C community for the future.
Best Regards,
Pieter de Boer.
Class F1C Model Aircraft with Piston Motors
3.3. CLASS F1C – MODEL AIRCRAFT WITH PISTON MOTORS
3.3.1. Definition
Model aircraft in which the energy is provided by a piston type motor and in which lift is generated by aerodynamic forces acting on surfaces remaining fixed in flight, except for changes of camber or incidence. Models with variable geometry or area must comply with the specifications when the surfaces are in minimum and maximum extended mode.
3.3.2. Characteristics of Model Aircraft with Piston Motor(s) F1C
Maximum swept volume of motor(s) ………………………… 2,5 cm3
No xhaust extensions whatsoever are allowed to the exhaust opening(s) of the motor
Minimum total weight …………………………………………….. 300 g/cm3 swept volume of motor(s)
Minimum loading …………………………………………………… 20 g/dm2
Maximum duration of motor run: ……………………………… 5 seconds from release of model.
Rule B.3.1.a. of Section 4b does not apply to class F1C.
Fuel to a standard formula for glow plug and spark ignition motors will be supplied by the organisers, and must be used for every official flight. The composition shall be as follows: 80% methanol, 20% castor or synthetic oil.
Note: Fuel for compression ignition motors is not restricted.
Before each attempt for an official flight the fuel tank must be washed out with standard formula fuel.
F1C models may use radio control only for irreversible actions to control dethermalisation of the model. This may include stopping the motor if it is still running. Any malfunction or unintended operation of these functions is entirely at the risk of the competitor.
Proposal 1.
This proposal is a: Rule change Safety X Noise Other X Clarification X
Change the sentence “Fuel to a standard formula for glow plug and spark ignition motors will be supplied by the organisers, and must be used for every official flight. The composition shall be as follows: 80% methanol, 20% oil.
Oil can be castor oil or synthetic oil.There is a free choice for the competitor.
As described in SC4_Vol_ABR_15:
B.5.6. Fuel
a) Fuel supplied by the organisers shall be mixed from top quality material. Methanol shall be at least commercial grade without additives. Castor oil, when used, shall be first pressing castor oil.
b) Standard Fuel
i) When a standard FAI fuel is specified, the fuel that the organisers shall supply for practi c e and for the competition shall be of the same constituents, mixed in a single batch.
ii) Standard fuels which are used for competition flights shall be part of the entry fee. Practice fuel supplied by the organiser to the competitors shall be charged at cost.
iii) The standard FAI fuel for practice must be requested in advance.
(at the time of entry).
c) Non-Standard Fuel
The organisers shall make available for cost, up to 20 litres of fuel per competitor for practice flying and for use in competitions. The fuel, or constituents, must be requested in advance (at the time of entry) and the organiser shall supply at least the following:
Methanol
Castor Oil
Nitromethane
Synthetic Oil
Ether
Kerosene
Jet-A1
When the definition of Standard FAI fuel is clear specified (80% methanol, 20% oil) there are two possibilities:
- 80% methanol, 20% Castor oil.
- 80% methanol, 20% Synthetic oil.
Both types of specified fuels shall be supplied by the organisers and mixed in separate single batches.
Lots of competitors spread over the continents are using Synthetic oil. There are lots of well-known braches.
An extra mark on the (preliminary) entry form for F1C informs the organiser about the competitor needs.
If we remember the enormous number of crashes on the WC in France 2013 mostly due to polluted Castor oil, we have to categorise this clarification as a safety one.
Proposal 2.
This proposal is a: Rule change X Safety X Noise Other X
Add sentences;
Distinguished are;
a) Models with variable geometry (changes of camber or incidence) grade to A
b) Fixed geometry models (fixed camber and fixed incidence) grade to B
Explanation;
To compensate the big performance difference between categories A and B;
Maximum duration of motor run for category A ………….. 4 seconds from release of model.
Maximum duration of motor run for category B ………….. 5 seconds from release of model.
In this way new developments are not blocked, investments keep valued.
The competitor can make his own choice, to take an A or B model, depending on circumstances.
Most important is to avoid that many members of the F1C community will leave the sport; because they feel it is no fun anymore.
Proposal 3.
This proposal is a: Rule change X Safety X Noise Other X
Add sentences;
Grade A models: Maximum duration of motor run ……… 4 seconds from release of model.
Grade B models: Maximum duration of motor run ……… 5 seconds from release of model.
Explanation;
To compensate the big performance difference between categories A and B;
Maximum duration of motor run for category A ………….. 4 seconds from release of model.
Maximum duration of motor run for category B ………….. 5 seconds from release of model.
In this way new developments are not blocked, investments keep valued.
The competitor can make his own choice, to take an A or B model, depending on circumstances.
Most important to avoid that many members of the F1C community will leave the sport, because they feel it is no fun anymore.
Date: 08/11/2015 Proposal 4.
This proposal is a: Rule change X Safety X Noise Other X
the sentence;
F1C models may must use radio control only for irreversible actions to control dethermalisation of the model. This may includes stopping the motor if it is still running. Any malfunction or unintended operation of these functions is entirely at the risk of the competitor.
Even as the timer is activated (put in starting position) the competitor must be able to stop the motor and dethermalise the model.
Explanation;
Current used electronic timers already have the possibility to be activated by radio even if the starter button is not yet released. Some timers may need a software update.
Nowadays most glider flyers use electronic timer including radio control to save there models and avoid dangerous situations. Why should power models, which are more dangerous, not have at least the same possibilities?
RE: Rule changes F1C
From: Damjan Zulic
Dear Peter and other friends
I would agree to those terms and proposals under some conditions except the
4th proposal. The fact is that most F1C competitors are still flying with
mechanical timers. Replacing mechanical timers with the electronic ones
costs around 1500 € for 4 models (Sidus). It is a lot of money for
»nothing«…
On top of that, electronic timers are not an insurance for a higher level of
safety. We saw a lot of models with an electronic timer and RDT crashing
the ground due to various reasons ( battery, servo, contact pins).
About engine run…… I tested various engine time runs in the past couple of
days (58 starts). My experience in comparing folders with classic models is
that we could equalize the chances of winning by setting the engine run
somewhere between 4,4-4,5 second for »A models« and 5 sec run for »B
models«. What experience did the rest of you get?
Best Regards,
Damjan Zulic
………………
Roger Morrrell