RULES

Alton Silent Fliers Rules for all club competitions

Update– August 2019

The Club will run several classes of competition but many of the rules are common, so the intention here is to lay out the general rules and then add the class specific variations, in this way the document can be kept short, and confusion limited.
General Rules – All classes:

1. Timing: The flight time as designated in the specific rule for the class will be the time in seconds plus any “Box” score if applicable. A working time of 1 minute more than the slot time will be initiated by the CD for each flight. Competitors may launch at any time but if they over fly the working time their score will be zero. For every second over the slot time 1 point will be deducted, but overflying the slot by 30 seconds or more will result in a zero score. 

2. The field parameters: This will be the area between the Crop-line & Tree-line. Any model coming to rest with any part outside of the “field” will result in a zero score. However if a model clips one of the boundaries but comes to rest within it, the score will count but timekeepers to stop the clock at the point when the contact with the boundary is made.

3. If any part of the model becomes detached before the landing, the score will be zero. Only in the case of a mid-air collision will this be waived, but safety must be considered and the CD will have the right to ask for the quickest / safest landing if he thinks safety is at risk.

4. Re-Launch: No limit to re-launches that may be made at any time during the slot, as the pilot decides but once called, the flight score will be discarded and the last attempt score be counted. Note the re-launch to be made from the original flight line not where the recovered model comes to rest after the aborted attempt.

5. The number of slots to be flown to be determined by the CD on the day dependant on conditions, but as a general rule once a fifth slot is completed a discard will be allowed.

6. With the Electric classes any Motor / Speed controller / Battery may be used, but it must be fitted with an approved height limiter set to the class specific parameters.

7. With the Non-electric classes, a tested winch set out to a CD determined length to be used.

8. All competitions to be organised utilising a matrix to minimise the number of times a pilot competes against any other competitor.

9. If a model hits either the pilot or his timekeeper when landing no landing bonus will be allowed (if applicable). A model hitting any other person on the flying field will be awarded a zero score for the entire flight. 

Foamy Specific rules:

1. Model specification: A “Foamy” with a wing span not greater than 2 metres, and unmodified from the manufactures original specification, with the exception of the addition of flaps & ailerons if the owner so wishes. (eg: Radian or Easy Glider.)

2. Working time will be 9 minutes this class only, multiple launches are allowed, the last attempt is the only one to count. Overflying the 9 minutes will result in a zero score. For every second over the 8-minute slot time 1 point will be deducted, but overflying the slot by 30 seconds or more will result in a zero score.

3. A Slot time of 8 minutes to be used, launch time included in the flight time.

4. Height Limiter set to 30 seconds launch time & 150 metres altitude cut-off. 5. This competition is to compete for the “Peter Cope Memorial Trophy”

eSoaring Specific Rules:
1. Model specification: Any Open class model with a maximum wing area of not more than 150 Sq/dm. No flying surface / control restrictions.

2. A slot time of 10 minutes to be used within the 11 - minute working time, launch time included in the flight time.

3. Height Limiter set to 30 seconds launch time & 175 metres altitude cut-off. 4. A landing “Box” using a calibrated tape to be used.

4. A landing "box" using a calibrated tape to be used.

Open Thermal Specific Rules:
1. Model specification: Any Open class model with a maximum wing area of not more than 150 Sq/dm. No flying surface / control restrictions.

2. A Slot time of 10 minutes to be used, launch time to be excluded from the flight time.

3. A landing “Box” using a calibrated tape to be used.

4. Winch lines to be wound down after the launch phase so as not to impede others re-launching.

100s Thermal Specific Rules:
1. Model specification: Any 100s class model with a maximum wing span of 100 inches. Flying / control surfaces to be limited to Rudder, Elevator and Spoiler(s). No Means of camber changing media is allowed so this eliminates flaps even if designated spoilers / brakes.

2. A Slot time of 8 minutes to be used, launch time to be excluded from the flight time.

3. A landing “Area” to be marked out and used, failure to land in the designated area renders the flight time as zero. No Pilot or timekeeper is allowed to enter the landing area to retrieve a model until the end of the slot, except when a re-launch is to be attempted.

4. Winch lines to be wound down after the launch phase so as not to impede others re-launching.

National eSoaring League Rules:
1. Refer to the nationally agreed set of rules quite separate from any of the above.
Finally, a calendar will be issued to include all of the above and will be fixed annually subject only to changes agreed by mutual consent of those attending club nights. This will ensure that free dates for sport flying are obvious to those members not taking part in competitions.