As per the guidance published by the BMFA, model flying can resume with effect from Monday 29th March.
The committee is satisfied that the arrangements at West Row meet the requirements for operating without a limit on the number of members present, although members must still observe social distancing at all times.
The Snailwell site remains closed because of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the landlord.
First and foremost, this is a fun event. Whilst we encourage members to take part, it should also be an enjoyable event to watch and anyone can fly before and after the competition.
1. The competition is open to any club member with model(s) that resemble a full-size aircraft. There is no requirement for true scale fidelity – i.e. models will not be judged by measurement or comparison with a photograph. Indeed, the competitors themselves will judge each other’s models (see below).
2. Each competitor may enter a maximum of three models.
3. On arrival, each competitor must complete a uniquely numbered entry card for each model they wish to enter. The details required are:
A. Entrant’s name
B. Description of the model, for example:
Seagull AT-6 Texan Dynam T28 Trojan West Wings BAe Hawk
C. Build type, tick one of:
RTF (Ready to Fly)
A finished airframe which only requires the addition of radio gear to complete.
ARTF (Almost Ready to Fly)
A complete airframe which requires some assembly and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Kit (Build from a commercial kit)
An airframe hand-built from pre-cut components which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Plan (Built from a plan)
An airframe hand-built from raw materials which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Scratch (A ‘scratch-built’ model)
An original airframe plan hand-built from raw materials which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
4. Entry cards must be completed and placed with the corresponding model, in the pits, by 13:00, at which point static judging will begin.
Each competitor will be provided with a score sheet with spaces for a static score and a flying score against each numbered entry.
Scores are in the range 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Scoring is at the absolute discretion of individual judges (although they should attempt to apply the same criteria to each model). Competitors may not score their own models.
Note that the type of model should NOT be considered in the score – this is taken into account at the end (see below)
Judges are encouraged to complete their static scoring before flying judging starts at ~13:30
5. All Models are required to fly a ‘prototype’ routine lasting no more than 5 minutes including take-off and landing.
Competitors may nominate another pilot to fly the model if they wish.
The scoring system as the same as for static judging.
Judges should attempt to record both a static and a flying score for every entry.
6. Score sheets should be handed in once flying judging is complete. The scores for each model will be collated and totalled - only entries which have both a static and a flying score will count towards the model’s total.
7. At this stage, the following ‘K’ factors will be added to the totals in order to produce a resultant score:
RTF 0%
ARTF 5%
Kit 10%
Plan 20%
Scratch 25%
8. Highest resultant score wins
Results
This was a very enjoyable day and the sun was out. Unfortunately it was a bit windy and it was swirling over the patch from the trees. This led to a few of the entrants deciding not to fly. Those that did had quite a hard time with landings. Paul broke a retract on his P51-D Mustang, and Jerry did some serious damage to his Lancair. The wind got under one wing, just before touch down, causing the other wing to hit the ground, and flip the model into a cartwheel. The bigger models did better but it was still hard to get them back on the ground. Given the problems it was decided to score for both static and flying separately, with members needing to complete both to win. Congratulations to Ian Hatton for winning, and getting his beautiful Super Cub down in one piece.
