Mise à jour:

21 janvier 2010

The venue will be the Mats club in Coteau station (map to site included). In order to streamline the running of the 4 days of competition, it has been decided that a standard set of rules would be used for all the events. The rules are based on the standard FAI F3J rules (given below). Because some of the rules are too restrictive or generally not in line with the spirit of this competion a few amendments will be added. The list of amendments follows :

1. Final winners will be declared in two classes for each contest : sportsman and expert.
2. An overall open champion will be declared in sportsman and expert based on the aggregate weekend score.
3. We will forego the 2 runoff rounds that are supposed to take place between the top fliers. Instead the contests shall be run as a succession of rounds (the more the better) with the aggregate scores for the day determining the finishing order.
4. Electric winches can be used instead of hand tow. However, the CD will have the right to ban the use of a winch that is obviously more powerfull than the norm. Any winch or hand tow line used for the contest shall be accessible to every one. However, the owner of a winch may reserve the right to operate the winch during another competitor`s launch.
5. Each competitor will be allowed a refligth once a day for a line break.
6. Competitors will not be obligated (but are encouraged to) have the capability to fly on two different frequencies.
7. The 75 meters out of bound rule (5.6.5.1 e) will be replaced by the local field out of bounds rule.
8. Model specs will be set as per normal practice for the class (2 meter, standard & open) but the use of skegs or any other form of slide brakes is prohibited. Spike landings are also prohibited Official FAI F3J rules.

5.6. CLASS F3J - THERMAL DURATION GLIDERS

Object: To provide a man-on-man contest for competitors flying radio-controlled thermal duration soaring gliders. In the contest, several qualifying rounds are flown. For each qualifying round, competitors are divided up into different groups. The scores in each group are normalised to give them meaningful scores irrespective of changing weather conditions during a round. The competitors with the top aggregate scores in the qualifying rounds then fly two further fly-off rounds as a single group to determine the final placings.

5.6.1. General Rules

5.6.1.1. Definition of a Radio Controlled Glider

An aeromodel which is not provided with a propulsion device and in which lift is generated by aerodynamic forces acting on surfaces remaining fixed, (i.e. not rotating or ornithopter type surfaces). Models with variable geometry or area must comply with the specification when the surfaces are in maximum and minimum extended mode. The model must be controlled by the pilot on the ground using radio control connection. Any variation of geometry or area must be actuated at distance by radio.

5.6.1.2. Prefabrication of the Model

Para B.3.1. of Section 4, Part 2 ( builder of the model) is not applicable to this class.

5.6.1.3. Characteristics of Radio Controlled Gliders

a) Common Characteristics:

Maximum Surface Area (St) 150 dm2

Maximum Flying Mass 5 kg

Loading on St. between 12 and 75 g/dm2

Maximum radius of fuselage nose 7,5 mm

b) The radio shall be able to operate simultaneously with other equipment at 20 kHz spacing. When the radio does not meet this requirement, the working bandwidth (max. 50 kHz) shall be specified by the competitor.

c) Any device for the transmission of information from the model to the pilot is prohibited.

d) The competitor may use three models in the contest.

e) The competitor may combine the parts of the models during the contest, provided the resulting model used for flight conforms to the rules and the parts have been checked before the start of the contest.

f) For the sake of randomness of the starting order among the successive rounds, each competitor must enter two different transmitter frequencies, distance of 20 kHz minimum. The competitor can be called to use any of these frequencies during the contest, so long as the call is made at least 1/2 hour prior to the beginning of a round and in written form to the affected pilot (or team manager when applicable).

g) All ballast must be carried internally and fastened securely within the airframe.

h) No fixed or retractable arresting device (i.e. bolt, sawtooth-like protuberance, etc) is allowed to slow down the model on the ground during landing. The underside of the model must not have any protuberance other than the tow hook and surface control linkages (with or without fairings). The towhook must not be larger than 5 mm in frontal width and 15 mm frontal height.

5.6.1.4. Competitors and Helpers

a) The competitor (pilot) must operate his radio equipment personally.

b) Each competitor is allowed three helpers (including the team manager when applicable). A maximum of two helpers are permitted for towing during the launch as described in 5.6.8.2.

5.6.2. The Flying Site

5.6.2.1. The competition must be held on a site having reasonably level terrain which will minimise the possibility of slope and wave soaring.

5.6.2.2. The flying site shall include a number of landing spots at least 15 m apart. The spots shall be arranged crosswind and there shall be one landing spot for each competitor in a group. A line known as the launch-line will be marked 16 m upwind of, and parallel to the landing spots, this line will be considered to be of infinite length.

5.6.2.3. The centres of the landing circles and the launch line must always be marked out. At the discretion of the Contest Director, marks indicating the circumference of the circles may be omitted and replaced by the use of other means of measuring, such as a tape, to check distances from the centre of the circles.

5.6.3. Contest Flights

5.6.3.1.

a) The competitor will be allowed a minimum of five (5), preferably more, official flights.

b) The competitor will be allowed two attempts at each official flight.

c) There is an official attempt at a flight when the model has left the hands of the competitor or those of a helper under the pull of the tow line.

d) The official flight for a round is the last flight performed during the working time.

e) All flights are to be timed by two stopwatches. In the event of all the stopwatches malfunctioning, the group will be flown again.

5.6.4. Reflights

The competitor is entitled to a new working time in an incomplete group, or with his original group at the end of the task if:

a) his model in flight collides with another model in flight, or with a model in the process of being launched.

b) the flight has not been judged by the official time-keepers.

c) his flight was hindered or aborted by an unexpected event, not within his control. In the case of additional attempts during a round for the reason of reflights, the better of the two results will be the official score, except for the pilots who are allocated the new attempt. For those, the result of the repetition flight is the official flight. Note that in the case the competitor continues to launch or does relaunch after clearing of the hindering condition(s), he is deemed to have waived his right to a new working time.

5.6.5. Cancellation of a Flight and/or Disqualification

5.6.5.1.

a) The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero score if the competitor used a model not conforming to any item of rule 5.6.1. In the case of intentional or flagrant violation of the rules, in the judgement of the Contest Director, the competitor may be disqualified.

b) The flight in progress is annulled and recorded as a zero score if the model loses any part during the launch or the flight, except when this occurs as the result of a mid-air collision with another model or towline.

c) The loss of any part of the model during the landing (coming into contact with the ground) is not taken into account.

d) The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero if the model is piloted by anyone other than the competitor.

e) The flight is cancelled and recorded as a zero score if, during landing, some part of the model does not come to rest within 75 metres of the centre of the competitor's designated landing circle.

5.6.6. Organisation of the Flying.

5.6.6.1. Rounds and Groups

a) The flying order for the initial qualifying rounds shall be arranged in accordance with the transmitter frequencies in use to permit as many simultaneous flights as possible. A minimum of 6 and preferably 8 to 10 competitors should be scheduled in each group.

b) The flying order shall be scheduled in rounds sub-divided into groups.

c) The flying order shall be determined by a matrix system that minimises situations where competitors fly together more than once. (see para. 5.6.12.5 at the end of these rules regarding suggested matrix sets).

d) Entry to the contest will be accepted only if a vacant position is available in the matrix.

e) A contest number, derived from the matrix, must be allocated to each competitor which must be retained throughout the qualifying rounds.

f) If the model touches either the pilot or his helpers during the landing manoeuvre, no landing points will be given.

5.6.6.2. Flying in Groups

a) Competitors are entitled to five minutes preparation time which is counted from the moment his/her group is called to take position at the designated launching area, to the start of the group's working time.

b) The working time allowed to each competitor in a group shall be of exactly ten (10) minutes duration.

c) The organisers must indicate very positively the start of group's working time, both audibly and visually; see 5.6.11.1. for details.

d) Audible and visual signals must be given when eight (8) minutes of the group's working time has elapsed.

e) The end of the group's working time must be very positively indicated both audibly and visually, as for the start.

f) Any model airborne at the completion of the working time must land immediately.

5.6.7. Control of Transmitters

5.6.7.1.

a) The Contest Director will not start the contest until all competitors have handed over ALL transmitters to the organisers.

b) Failure to hand in a transmitter before the official starting time of the contest may result in the competitor forfeiting his/her first round flight.

c) Any test transmission during the contest without permission of the Contest Director is forbidden and could result in disqualification.

d) The competitor must hand over his transmitter to the designated official (usually the timekeeper) as soon as possible after finishing his/her flight.

5.6.8. Launching

5.6.8.1. At all times, the models must be launched upwind of the marked launch line. (5.6.2.2)

5.6.8.2. The launch of the model will be by hand held tow-line only.

5.6.8.3. Tow persons are allowed no mechanical aids, other than hand operated pulleys, to facilitate towing but may use a handreel (hand winch) to recover the towline after launching is complete.

5.6.8.4. The Contest Director will designate a launching area. Tow-persons must remain within this area whenever they are launching a model.

5.6.8.5. The launching device (handreel, pulley, anchor, if used, and all other equipment used during launch, except the launching cable with or without any attachment of maximum 5 cm3 or 5 grams) must neither come loose nor be released by the competitor or his helpers during the launch. The competitor will be penalised by the cancellation of his flight and no other attempt is permitted.

5.6.8.6. Any model launched prior to the start of a group's working time must be landed as soon as possible and re-launched within the working time. Failure to comply will result in cancellation of the competitor's score for that round.

5.6.8.7. Towlines

a) Tow-lines for each competitor must be laid out only during the competitor's five minute preparation time and must be retrieved by the end of his/her working time.

b) The length of the towline shall not exceed 150 metres when tested under a tension of 2 kg (4,4 lbs).

c) The tow-line must be made of polyamide monofilament material throughout its length. It must have a pennant with an area of 5 dm2. A parachute (of five (5) dm2 minimum area) may be substituted for the pennant provided it is not attached to the model and remains inactive until the release of the tow-line. Linkages (couplings, knots, loops, etc.) of different material are permitted up to a total length of 1,5 m. They shall be included in the total length of 150 m.

5.6.9. Landing

5.6.9.1. Before the contest commences, organisers must allocate a landing circle to each competitor, normally decided by his/her transmitter frequency. It is the competitor's responsibility to ensure that he/she always uses the correct circle for landing.

5.6.9.2. Officials (timekeepers) must remain upwind of the launch line during the landing process. The pilot and one helper are allowed inside the 15 m radius circle.

5.6.9.3. After landing, competitors may retrieve their models before the end of their working time providing they do not impede other competitors or models in their group.

5.6.10. Scoring

5.6.10.1. The flight will be timed from moment of release from the launching device to either:

a) the moment the model first touches the ground; or

b) the moment the model first touches any object in contact with the ground. Parts of launching devices (tow-lines) extending away from the ground shall not be interpreted as objects in contact with the ground; or

c) completion of the group's working time.

5.6.10.2. The flight score will be composed of 1 point for each full second of flight time.

5.6.10.3. A penalty of thirty (30) points will be deducted from the flight score for overflying the end of the group's working time for up to a maximum of one (1) minute.

5.6.10.4. A zero score will be recorded for overflying the end of the group's working time by more than one (1) minute.

5.6.10.5. A landing bonus will be awarded in accordance with distance from the landing spot marked by the organisers according to the following tabulation:

5.6.10.6. The distance for landing bonus is measured from the model nose at rest to landing spot allocated to the competitor by the organisers.

5.6.10.7. No landing bonus points will be awarded if the model overflies the end of the group's working time.

5.6.10.8. The competitor who achieves the highest aggregate of points comprising of flight points plus landing bonus points and/or minus penalty points, will be the group winner and will be awarded a corrected score of one thousand points for that group.

5.6.10.9. The remaining competitors in the group will be awarded a corrected score based on their percentage of the group winner's total score before correction (i.e. normalised for that group) calculated from their own total score as follows:

Competitor's own score multiplied by 1000
-----------------------------------------------------
Highest points total scored in group (before correction)

5.6.11. Final Classification

5.6.11.1.

a) If five (5) or less qualifying rounds are flown, the aggregate score achieved by the competitor will be the sum of his/her scores for those five rounds. If more than five rounds are flown, then his/her lowest score will be discarded before determining his/her aggregate score.

b) At the end of the qualifying rounds, a minimum of nine (9) competitors with the highest aggregate scores will be placed together in a single group to fly two further fly-off rounds. At the organiser's discretion, if frequencies permit, the number of competitors qualifying for the fly-off may be increased.

5.6.11.2. The working time for each competitor who qualifies for the fly-off rounds will be of fifteen (15) minutes duration. As before, audible and visual warnings will be given at the start of the group working time, at exactly thirteen (13) minutes and at exactly fifteen (15) minutes.

5.6.11.3. The scoring of the fly-off rounds shall be as in section 5.6.10.

5.6.11.4. Final placings of the competitors who qualify for the fly-off shall be determined by their aggregate scores over the two fly-off rounds; their scores in the qualifying rounds are discarded.

5.6.12. Advisory Information

5.6.12.1. Organisational Requirements

a) The organisers should ensure that each competitor has no doubt about the precise second that the group's working time starts and finishes.

b) Visual indication may be by the raising of a flag or coloured board situated near the Contest Control.

c) Audible indication may be by automobile horn, bell or public address system etc. It should be remembered that sound does not travel far against the wind; therefore the positioning of the noise source should be given some thought.

d) To be a fair contest, the minimum number of fliers in any one group is four. As the contest proceeds, some competitors may be obliged to drop out for various reasons. When a group occurs with three (3) or fewer competitors in it, the organisers should move up a competitor from a later group, ensuring if possible, that he/she has not flown against any of the others in previous rounds and of course that his/her frequency is compatible.

5.6.12.2. Time-keeper Duties

a) Organisers should make sure that all who are to act as timekeepers are fully aware of just how important their duties are and to make certain that they are conversant with the rules particularly those that require quick positive action in order not to jeopardise a competitor's chances in the contest.

b) The timekeepers will be responsible for handing transmitters to competitors prior to the start of the working time and for returning them to Control as soon as possible after the end of the flight.

c) The organisers should ensure that an official is nominated to note any competitor who overflies the end of the group's working time and to time his/her excess flight time.

5.61.12.3 Matrixes

a) A Matrix should be employed to minimise situations where any competitor flies against another more than once, except in the fly-off. (It is recognised that, in practice, with certain numbers of competitors, or where more than three rounds are flown, a situation where a competitor flies against another more than once may be unavoidable. This should be kept to the minimum).

b) The method by which each competitor is given a contest number from the matrix is left to the organisers.

c) Once the contest has started, neither the Matrix Table nor contest numbers should be changed.

d) In order to minimise the time needed to run the contest, it is very important that the matrix which gives the minimum number of groups per round, with the maximum possible competitors in each group, should be selected, and the number of frequency groups adjusted accordingly.

5.6.12.4. Frequency Groups

a) Depending on the number of competitors in the contest and the frequencies available, the organisers should select a matrix and allocate the competitors into equally sized frequency groups according to their frequencies; reserve (dummy) places may be inserted into a frequency group at this stage. Each frequency group can comprise of a number of different actual frequencies, but a frequency can only appear in one frequency group. These frequency groups are named "A", "B", "C" and so on, in the matrix tables that follow. At this stage, some competitors may have to change their radio frequencies in order to balance the numbers equally in each group.

b) Organisers can then assign an unique contest number to each competitor from the matrix for round 1 of the contest; the competitor must keep this number for the remainder of the contest ( round 2, round 3,....). For example, in a contest with 36 competitors, using matrix B, a competitor may be grouped into frequency group B and then given competition number 8. He then flies: in flying group 2 in round 1, in flying group 1 in round 2, in flying group 3 in round 3.

5.6.12.5. The Matrixes

Matrix (a) 25 Competitors, identified by their competitor's number (1 - 25), divided equally into 5 frequency groups (A, B, C, D, E). Each round divided into 5 flying groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E
1) 1 2 3 4 5
2) 6 7 8 9 10
3) 11 12 13 14 15
4) 16 17 18 19 20
5) 21 22 23 24 25

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E
1) 1 7 13 19 25
2) 6 12 18 24 5
3) 11 17 23 4 10
4) 16 22 3 9 15
5) 21 2 8 14 20

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E
1) 1 12 23 9 20
2) 6 17 3 14 25
3) 11 22 8 19 5
4) 16 2 13 24 10
5) 21 7 18 4 15

Matrix (b) 36 competitors divided into 6 frequency groups (A, B, C, D, E, F ). Each round divided into 6 flying groups ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ).

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E F
1) 1 2 3 4 5 6
2) 7 8 9 10 11 12
3) 13 14 15 16 17 18
4) 19 20 21 22 23 24
5) 25 26 27 28 29 30
6) 31 32 33 34 35 36

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E F
1) 1 8 15 22 29 36
2) 7 14 21 28 35 6
3) 13 20 27 34 5 12
4) 19 26 33 4 11 18
5) 25 32 3 10 17 24
6) 31 2 9 16 23 30

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E F
1) 1 32 27 22 17 12
2) 7 2 33 28 23 18
3) 13 8 3 34 29 24
4) 19 14 9 4 35 30
5) 25 20 15 10 5 36
6) 31 26 21 16 11 6

Matrix (c) 49 competitors divided into 7 frequency groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). Each round divided into 7 flying groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G
1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
3) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
4) 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
5) 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
6) 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
7) 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G
1) 1 9 17 25 33 41 49
2) 8 16 24 32 40 48 7
3) 15 23 31 39 47 6 14
4) 22 30 38 46 5 13 21
5) 29 37 45 4 12 20 28
6) 36 44 3 11 19 27 35
7) 43 2 10 18 26 34 42

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G
1) 1 44 38 32 26 20 14
2) 8 2 45 39 33 27 21
3) 15 9 3 46 40 34 28
4) 22 16 10 4 47 41 35
5) 29 23 17 11 5 48 42
6) 36 30 24 18 12 6 49
7) 43 37 31 25 19 13 7

Matrix (d) 64 Competitors divided into 8 frequency groups ( A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H ). Each round divided into 8 flying groups ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ).

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H
1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
3) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
4) 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
5) 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
6) 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
7) 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
8) 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H
1) 1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64
2) 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 8
3) 17 26 35 44 53 62 7 16
4) 25 34 43 52 61 6 15 24
5) 33 42 51 60 5 14 23 32
6) 41 50 59 4 13 22 31 40
7) 49 58 3 12 21 30 39 48
8) 57 2 11 20 29 38 47 56

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H
1) 1 58 51 44 37 30 23 16
2) 9 2 59 52 45 38 31 24
3) 17 10 3 60 53 46 39 32
4) 25 18 11 4 61 54 47 40
5) 33 26 19 12 5 62 55 48
6) 41 34 27 20 13 6 63 56
7) 49 42 35 28 21 14 7 64
8) 57 50 43 36 29 22 15 8

Matrix (e) 81 competitors divided into 9 frequency groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I). Each round divided into 9 flying groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I
1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
3) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
4) 28 29 30 31 32 32 34 35 36
5) 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
6) 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
7) 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63
8) 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72
9) 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I
1) 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81
2) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 9
3) 19 29 39 49 59 69 79 8 18
4) 28 38 48 58 68 78 7 17 27
5) 37 47 57 67 77 6 16 26 36
6) 46 56 66 76 5 15 25 35 45
7) 55 65 75 4 14 24 34 44 54
8) 64 74 3 13 23 33 43 53 63
9) 73 2 12 22 32 42 52 62 72

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I
1) 1 74 66 58 50 42 34 26 18
2) 10 2 75 67 59 51 43 35 27
3) 19 11 3 76 68 60 52 44 36
4) 28 20 12 4 77 69 61 53 45
5) 37 29 21 13 5 78 70 62 54
6) 46 38 30 22 14 6 79 71 63
7) 55 47 39 31 23 15 7 80 72
8) 64 56 48 40 32 24 16 8 81
9) 73 65 57 49 41 33 25 17 9

Matrix (f) 100 Competitors divided into 10 frequency groups ( A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,). Each round divided into 10 flying groups ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 )

Round 1
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I J
1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
3) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
4) 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
5) 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
6) 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
7) 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
8) 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
9) 81 82 83 84 85 86 86 88 89 90
10) 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Round 2
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I J
1) 1 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 89 100
2) 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 10
3) 21 32 43 54 65 76 87 98 9 20
4) 31 42 53 64 75 86 97 8 19 30
5) 41 52 63 74 85 96 7 18 29 40
6) 51 62 73 84 95 6 17 28 39 50
7) 61 72 83 94 5 16 27 38 49 60
8) 71 82 93 4 15 26 37 48 59 70
9) 81 92 3 14 25 36 47 58 69 80
10) 91 2 13 24 35 46 57 68 79 90

Round 3
Frequency Group
A B C D E F G H I J
1) 1 92 83 74 65 56 47 38 29 20
2) 11 2 93 84 75 66 57 48 39 30
3) 21 12 3 94 85 76 67 58 49 40
4) 31 22 13 4 95 86 77 68 59 50
5) 41 32 23 14 5 96 87 78 69 60
6) 51 42 33 24 15 6 97 88 79 70
7) 61 52 43 34 25 16 7 98 89 80
8) 71 62 53 44 35 26 17 8 99 90
9) 81 72 63 54 45 36 27 18 9 100
10) 91 82 73 64 55 46 37 28 19 10

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