F3K Vliegers,
In 2009 zal de FAI, de World Air Games organiseren in Turijn.
Voor de F3K vliegers onderons, een hele simpele vraag; Willen wij meedoen hieraan, in de klasse F6D?
Hieronder heb ik de FAI nieuwsbrief, bij geplakt. Voor de extra informatie.
Indien wij willen meedoen, moeten we binnenkort ons aanmelden (als land) en volgend jaar wedstrijden hiervoor organiseren (of misschien bestaande F3K wedstrijden, hiervoor laten meetellen)
Graag jullie mening?
The World Air Games 2009 will be held from 7 to 13 June 2009 in Turin, Italy.
http://www.worldairgames.org/
World Air Games
Newsletter 012007/09
This Newsletter will bring, whenever necessary, the latest information about the
model events that will take place during the 2009 World Air Games, the competitors
selection process & contests and the test events that are due to take place in
2008 at the same location.
World Air Games are an Olympic style event simultaneously
involving all Air Sports. After the two
initial events that took place in Turkey (1997) and
Spain (2001) the format has been changed into a
more compact, Media and spectators friendly format
over one week of intense competition and on a shared
time basis at the same location (and an ancillary site
nearby for a few events with special requirements,
such as Hang Gliding or Indoor Model Aerobatics).
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale,
(FAI) – The World Air Sports Federation, officially
launched the opening of the bidding process for its
marquee event, the World Air Games 2009, in October,
2006.
On 26 October 2006, at the 100th FAI General
Conference in Santiago de Chile the FAI President,
Pierre Portmann, officially opened the bidding process
for the World Air Games 2009, open to all cities,
regions, FAI member associations, private event organisers
and corporate partners.
The World Air Games is the biggest gathering of
air sports in the world and brings together the World
Champions and top competitors in ten different air
sport disciplines. The event showcases a week of tremendous
competition and fills the sky with excitement
and thrills for the public. Alongside the competition
are plenty of opportunities for air shows,
on-site demonstrations, and interactive activities for
spectators.
The FAI, in cooperation with TSE Consulting, a
specialised sports consultancy, took the initiative to
modernise their World Air Games concept to make
it more attractive for potential hosts, athletes and
spectators. In addition, the FAI and its broadcasting
partners have established a worldwide broadcasting
network to air the event.
The bidding process has been re-structured into
two simple phases. Interested parties had until December
31st midnight, to submit the Phase 1 Application
Form, which demonstrate their interest in
hosting the World Air Games in 2009. An FAI Selection
Committee then selected the Organiser at a
high-profile event in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital,
in June 1st , 2007.
Turin (Italy) has been chosen to host the World
Air Games 2009. The decision was announced by the
President of FAI, Pierre Portmann, at the Olympic
Museum, Lausanne.
The FAI Selection Committee reached its decision
by a majority vote cast after the final presentations
of the three remaining bids on the selected shortlist
Moscow (Russia), Odense (Denmark), and Turin
(Italy).
Turin were successful winners after a bidding process
which was launched in October 2006. The bidding
process consisted of two short-listings, based
on a candidate questionnaire, the submission of a
bid book, evaluation visits and final presentations
that took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne
Switzerland.
Commenting on the decision, the President of the
FAI, Mr. Pierre Portmann, said: “Turin has been chosen
today by the FAI Selection Committee and they
are a great choice. There are, however, no losers today,
as all three bids made wonderful presentations
and would make successful hosts for the World Air
Games. Each bid had tremendous backing from their
National Air Sport Federations and their governments.
We commend them all on their efforts and hope that
each bid continues their interest in air sport competitions”.
Commenting on their successful bid, Mr. Angelo
Moriondo, President of the Turin 2009 Bid Committee,
said: “We are both pleased and honoured to be
awarded the World Air Games 2009. Building on our
past experience, we are committed to making the Games
a step forward for all air sports. We invite all our
friends in the air sports community to join us in 2009.
Now the real work starts !”
The Games are planned to take place during the
period of 7th to 13th June 2009. The World Air Games
is the biggest gathering of air sports in the world
and brings together the World Champions and top
competitors in ten different air sport disciplines. The
event showcases a week of tremendous competition
and fills the sky with excitement and thrills for the
public. Alongside the competition are plenty of opportunities
for air shows, on-site demonstrations,
and interactive activities for spectators.
World Air Games, the new concept
The model events
3 model competitions will take place at the Turin
World Air Games (WAG). Because it was long ago recognised
that none of the CIAM World Championship
classes had the potential to attract spectators and
Media, work had begun already in 2000 to introduce
new competition classes with a better potential. The
first such class - Artistic Aerobatics - soon proved
its value when flown at FAI World Grand Prix, sharing
time with full-size aerobatics. Then the growing
popularity of indoor flying was the deciding factor
for AeroMusicals that immediately catched on. Two
years later a glider class, Hand Thrown Gliders,
evolved from the popular F3K class with a different
format to make it, not only challenging for the pilots,
but spectacular for spectators as well.
To access these prestigious World Air Games competitions,
modellers the World over will have to qualify
through selection contests run between October,
2007 and November 2008.
Since the March, 2007 CIAM Plenary meeting, a
Selection Committee has been at work to define how
WAG competitors would be selected. The mission
was to present in Turin at WAG 2009 the absolute
World’s top model competitors.
Early on, it was decided to allow pilots from all
parts of the World to compete at WAG. To this end,
the World is divided into 6 Continental Regions: Africa,
North America, South America, Asia, Europe and
Oceania. Provided there are Selection Contests held,
there will be, for each competition class, at least one
representative from that Region who will be invited
to compete in Turin in front of thousands of spectators
and benefit from the live worldwide TV transmissions.
Here are the first official decisions that were sent
by CIAM, the FAI Modelling Commission to all National
Air Sports Governing bodies by the end of June,
2007:
“Three exciting Aeromodelling events will be part
of the Games:
Hand Thrown Gliders (FAI Class F6D) are 1.5
metre radio controlled gliders thrown by hand to incredible
altitude. Competitors go through a progressive
elimination process until the last two remaining
pilots compete for the title.
AeroMusicals (FAI Class F6B) is an indoor aerobatics
event in which competitors fly their lightweight
airplanes to music and produce their personally
designed routines allying grace and harmony with
incredible mastery.
Artistic Aerobatics (FAI Class F6A/C) is an
outdoor aerobatics competition where airplanes and
helicopters battle for the best and most impressive
flights to music.
The top competitors from the whole World will be
selected through National and International competitions
beginning October, 2007. Selection will be independently
made by Continent to ensure every part
of the World is represented. The final list of competitors
will be decided at the December 2008 FAI/CIAM
Bureau meeting.
Selection will be made by continent (Africa, North
America, South America, Asia, Europe & Oceania)
with an equal number of places reserved for each
continent, the remaining places being decided on a
Worldwide basis according to points gained by competitors
at selection competitions’.
Selection competitions (which may be organised
by any club worldwide) shall follow these guidelines:
A) International contests
They shall be regularly registered in the FAI Contest
Calendar (submitted before Nov. 15th) as WAG
Selection competitions with an international Jury
according to CIAM rules (2 different nationalities,
etc.).
The Jury shall report to the organiser’s NAC and
to the CIAM within 7 days and include the full detailed
results with competitors name, nationality &
valid FAI licence number.
B) National contests
Local contests involving only competitors from the
organiser’s nation. Such contests shall be approved
by the National Governing Body (either the NAC direct
or the aeromodelling governing body that has
been delegated by the NAC). Such contests shall be
on the National contest calendar and registered to
CIAM as WAG Selection competition (CIAM may also
maintain such a freely-available list separate or appended
to the International contest calendar). Such
contests shall be watched by at least one Official Observer
delegated/approved by his NAC (or National
Governing Body) who shall attest the competition
has been fair and run according to national and FAI
rules. This Observer shall report within 7 days to
his NAC and to CIAM and include the full detailed
results with competitors names, nationality & valid
National or FAI licence number.
In addition, results of National or International
aerobatics selection contests (AeroMusicals & Artistic
Aerobatics) shall include the judges names, full
credentials and copy of the score sheets.
WAG Selection contests may preferably be run
using as local rules the proposed, amended F6 rules
that have been sent to CIAM for publication in the
2008 CIAM Plenary Agenda for use at WAG 2009. A
special entry form will be posted on FAI website and
contest organisers’ websites as well as other websites
wenever selection contests will be announced.
Later on, details of the selection system have been
defined and approved:
Points gained by competitors at selection contests
will be computed as follows:
points = (100 * (square root of n) / p
where n = number of competitors
p = competitor’s ranking in that contest
Then :
Hand Thrown Gliders (F6D):
Final continental ranking from the best 2 selection
contests.
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 30
Artistic Aerobatics (F6A):
Final continental ranking from the best 3 selection
contests.
Any international selection contest will count 1.5 x
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 15
AeroMusicals (F6B):
Final continental ranking from the best 3 selection
contests.
Any international selection contest will count 1.5 x
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 30
Note: To be on the 2008 International Contest
Calendar, international selection contests must
be registered to the FAI Office, through your
National Governing Body, before November 15,
2007. If not, they still can be run, provided they
are registered a minimum of 3 months in advance.
They may not appear on the FAI Contest Calendar
but will still be on the WAG Selection Contests
Calendar as well as on this Newsletter.
Turin, Italy promises a week of
competition and excitement at a
level never seen before
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is basically
made of two partners: The Italian Aero Club,
through its member clubs, is responsible of the sport
events as such while a professional events organiser
takes care of all practical matters, advertising, communication
& Media, etc. And with their experience
of the very successful 2006 Winter Olympic Games,
they know how to do it !
Here is an extract from the Organiser’s dossier:
‘There will be three Competition Venues:
• Aeroclub Torino (Microlights, Helicopters, Parachuting,
Experimental Aircraft, Gliding, Aerobatics),
• Avigliana lakes (Hang gliding, Paragliding)
• Mondovì (Hot air ballooning).
Two other locations will also be used:
• Turin Palasport (indoor Aeromodelling)
• downtown Turin (night-time as baloon departures)
The Opening Ceremony will take place in the beautiful
squares in the city centre. The ticketing strategy
includes a balanced mix of paid and free admission,
to guarantee the largest possible number of spectators.
Stands seating up to 4,000 paid spectators will be
set up at the competition venues, with two categories
of seats, and weekly tickets.
MEDIA CENTRES AND PRESS SERVICES
The experience gained during the Winter Olympics,
and good relations with all the main international operators
will pave the way for the efficient management
of the Media, starting from the correct identification
and involvement of all the potential communications
managers, from the aeronautical and sports field generally,
to the major periodicals and dailies, the radio
and the large Italian and global television networks.
Painstaking preparation of the invitation and
pre-accreditation process will make it possible to
involve a broad universe of journalists, both to follow
the competition and to spread the values of air
sports. The pre-accreditation stage will be accompanied
from 2007 by a launch and “teasing” stage,
with press conferences related to the main event and
to collateral events, and meetings and educational
events organised with the main editors, local news
editors, senior editors and managing editors of the
major papers, to involve them and encourage them to
write about and attend the 2009 World Air Games.
The Main Press Centre will be set up at Aeroclub
Torino two months earlier, to organise accreditation,
reception (with welcome-bags) and assistance for Ita-
lian and foreign press, radio, television and Internet
journalists.
The Main Press Centre will provide services and
support in the main languages of the participating nations,
and will cater for the press, radio, broadcasting
and the web, and their respective technical requirements.
It will include a suitable number of work stations
with broadband connections to simplify the transmission
of photographs in real time, a technical secretariat,
screens to follow all the events live, boards with
results and statistics, and all the necessary information
to enable the media to work. The Main Press Centre
will also include the Press Room for the general
press conferences and those for the competitions held
at the Airfield.
The Main Press Centre will be managed jointly with
FAI communications managers, and the staff will include
a Chief Press Officer, an assistant Press Officer
for the general organisation and an assistant Press
Officer for relations with the foreign media.
There will also be ten professional journalists, two
for each media type plus two for general back-up, assisted
by juniors, volunteers and translators (no less
than 20 people).
The Main Press Centre will be supported by the
Broadcasting Centre which will be dedicated entirely
to the television networks, and it will be responsible
for the management, organisation and editing of video
images of the entire event. Based on the needs of the
accredited journalists, of FAI and of the individual federations,
it will be possible to activate satellite cover
for Intranet transmissions of data and images of all
parts of the competition venues.
There will also be Press Centres in the other two
competition venues, similarly equipped and each managed
by members of the press office.
Mixed zones will be identified at the competition
venues for live post-performance interviews, as well
as Press rooms for post-event press conferences.
A logistics and catering service will be organised at
the various competitions.
A secure area (with closed lockers) will be set aside
for the technical gear of the operators and journalists.
OPENING CEREMONY
The opportunities offered by a big town like
Turin, including the many trained volunteers
and the city architecture, can be exploited during
the opening ceremony, to communicate the
strong values that lie behind air sports immediately
and convincingly, and to create the right atmosphere
to attract large crowds to the events.
The ceremony will be developed around 6 conceptual
pillars: 3 key principles and 3 inspiring concepts
that will be expressed in a spectacular performance.
The 3 key principles are:
Spectacle, like the beauty of the aerial evolutions
combined with “breath-taking” presentations
Visibility, making it easy to watch the ceremony,
perhaps just by looking up to the
sky, involving everyone without distinction
Participation, to enter the public’s hearts and to
involve thousands of people in the great event.
The 3 inspiring concepts are:
A passion for flight, which accompanies the
history of mankind, from the Greek myths to the
conquest of other planets, a continuous cutting-edge
challenge to technology and to man’s capabilities
The emotion of flight, which involves all the
inhabitants of the earth from childhood, who are
fascinated by this victory over the air, and inebriated
by the sense of total freedom that flying gives;
Flying champions, the true protagonists
of the Games, the athletes who pit themselves
with discipline and respect first against
themselves and against the laws of physics,
and then against the other contestants.
Combining these six pillars means imagining
a parade in the open air, not indoors, but right
through the city centre, a series of images that
evolve like an exciting film, all of which will capture
spectators’ attention, creating a single plot.
The parade will follow an “L” about 3 kilometres
long, starting from Piazza Vittorio (the largest
completely open square in Europe) and concluding
in Piazza San Carlo (Turin’s historical “drawingroom”),
along Via Po, around Piazza Castello
with the Royal Palace, and down Via Roma.
The acrobats, hot air balloons, special effects
and scenery will ensure that the itinerant ceremony
starts off with a narrative that combines history and
emotions with one’s head in the air, entertainment
and technology, reproducing all air disciplines.
The parade will end with all the athletes, led by
FAI, divided by event and not by country, all wearing
their competition outfits, who will be greeted and
acclaimed by thousands of people along the route,
like the heroes of the Roman Empire, with ribbons,
confetti and music that will rain down on them, a
tribute from the skies that they will be challenging.
The choreographic, spectacular part of the ceremony
will conclude when the parade reaches a
stage suspended in mid air at the centre of Piazza
San Carlo, surrounded on every side by spectators,
and the institutional, formal opening of the World Air
Games 2009 will begin, accompanied by pictures
of the various events projected on giant screens.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The entire last day of the WAG will be dedicated to
the finals of the various specialities.
The end of the competitions will be marked by a
display over Aeritalia by the Frecce Tricolore, the Aerobatic
Team of the Italian Air Force, which will offer a
final tribute to all participants.
At 9 pm that evening, there will be a farewell from
Turin in front of the Royal Palace, with a setting inspired
by flight, where the first three contestants in each
category will be presented on a large, long wing-shaped
stage, followed by music and films of the events.
The FAI and Italian authorities will formally close the
Games, and fireworks and lights will fill the sky, before
celebrations continue with the crowds in the streets
of the city.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
The strength of a region, its resources and its population
must come together to celebrate the World Air
Games 2009 and participants.
1. MAIN VENUE (AERITALIA AIRPORT) The flight
show area will be set up at the Aeritalia airfield, the
Main Venue, where every day all types of spectators
(pilots, fans, families, young people, etc.) will be able
to satisfy their desire to fly, with simulators, meetings
with the athletes, technical tests, and to learn about
the materials, machines and history. An AIR VILLAGE
will also be created, where there will be restaurants,
cafes, and stands selling local products, all surrounding
a stage where musical and other entertainments
will be organised every evening for local and foreign
visitors. An Air Music Festival will be held at the AIR
VILLAGE, with all forms of musical expression inspired
by flight, by air, by space, etc., a spectacular
happening with choreography inspired by the same
theme.
2. DOWNTOWN The city itself will be both a setting
and a protagonist, thanks also to its Museums which
have promised to organise exhibitions and displays
linked to the theme of the Games: International Cinema
Museum which will programme a series of films
about flying Bolaffi Philatelic Centre which will exhibit
a vast collection of historical stamps Modern Art Gallery
that will offer an exhibition of how flight has been
depicted in the figurative arts of the 20th century.
WHITE NIGHT
We will organise, together with the Torino Municipality,
a “white night” to the WAG, with animation,
music and entertainment in various parts of the city
centre in honour of the guests and spectators from all
over Italy and the rest of the world, and to mark the
gas balloon race which will start at night. The race
should set off from the riverside Valentino park, in the
heart of the city, from where the first Italian regular
flight took off, and would be the focal point of the celebrations.
The balloons will set off through the night,
saluted and accompanied by light effects in the night
sky. We must underline that similar events organised
in the past have attracted crowds of up to 500,000
people.
TEST EVENTS
Test events to prepare ourselves to the World Air
Games will be organised during 2007 and 2008. They
will include regional and national competitions for
sports in which the Aeroclub Torino has less concrete
experience.
The main goals of the Test Events will be;
• To verify our organisation: Logistics, Transport, Medical
services, Accommodation, Protocol, Marketing,
Volunteers, Ceremonies, etc.
• The involvement of the public, the Sponsors on
board and potential sponsors still to be formalised,
through press and television communications’.
The model competitions
As can be seen from the documents above, the model
events will take place at two different locations:
Artistic Aerobatics and Hand Thrown Gliders will
take place at Aeritalia Airport, which is Turin’s historical
airport, now used exclusively for sport flying
and within easy reach from the city
Torino Aeritalia Airport
showing the initially
planned setup.
Grandstands and giant
video screens should
enable spectators to
follow every detail of
the competitions that
will alternate every day
at the same location.
AeroMusicals should take place in the Palaruffini
Sports Arena with seats for 4,000 spectators.
The WAG competition classes
Only classes from Volume 6 of the Sporting Code
may be used for World Air Games, as they have been
specially designed to be attractive to spectators.
Because FAI WAG rules state that WAG competition
rules shall be frozen no later than 8 months before
the event and because decisions for model events
are made at CIAM Plenary Meeting in March, any
change to the present rules have to be decided and
approved in March, 2008 and these rules will be
enforced at WAG 2009. For this reason, it is highly
recommended that selection contests taking place
during 2008 and the last part of 2007 make already
use of the amended rules as they have been submitted
to CIAM, so that selection take place under
similar rules to the actual WAG competitions.
For convenience, a draft of the rules including the
proposed amendments has been made. Here it is:
RADIO CONTROL freestyle AEROBATICS TO MUSIC
6.1. CLASS F6A – ARTISTIC AEROBATICS
6.1.1 Definitions of an Artistic Aerobatics Aircraft
A model airplane that is aerodynamically manoeuvred by
control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude by a
pilot on the ground using radio control, or a helicopter.
An R/C helicopter is a heavier-than-air model aircraft
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.
6.1.2 General characteristics of Radio Controlled
Artistic Aerobatics Aircraft:
6.1.2.1. Propeller-driven aircraft:
Maximum overall wing span: 2 m
Maximum overall length: 2 m
Maximum total weight: 5 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 aircraft are limited to a maximum
of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.
6.1.2.2. Jet-powered aircraft:
Minimum overall wing span: 1.80 m
Maximum total weight: 15 kg without fuel
Maximum nominal engine thrust: 150 N
6.1.2.3. Helicopter
Maximum rotor swept area: 300 dm2
Note: 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.
Maximum total weight: 6 kg without fuel
An electronic rate gyro is permitted on the yaw axis only.
All-metal main or tail rotor blades are prohibited.
6.1.2.4.
Paragraph B.3.1 of Section 4b (Builder of Model)
is not applicable to class F6A.
Radio equipment shall be of the open loop type (i.e.
no electronic feedback from the aircraft 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. It is highly recommended
to use the 2.4 GHz RC systems to improve substantially
the safety of flying in front of the spectators.
Example:
Permitted:
Control rate devices that are manually
switched by the pilot.
Any type of button or lever control that is initiated
and terminated by the pilot.
Manually operated switches to couple control functions.
Not permitted:
Snap buttons with automatic timing mode.
Pre-programming devices to automatically
perform a series of commands.
Auto-stabilisers ( “gyros” ) for automatic wing levelling.
Propeller pitch change with automatic timing mode.
Any type of voice recognition system.
Any type of learning function involving manoeuvre
to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.
6.1.3. 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 takeoff
and retrieve the aircraft following the landing.
6.1.4. Number of rounds
6.1.4.1. The competition consists of one or several
qualifying rounds leading to a final round. The starting
order for the initial round is established by the Organiser
according to any suitable criterion. It is suggested
that the starting order be established in reverse order of
the competitors skill ranking (established by any generally
accepted means) so as to increase the spectators’
interest from the beginning to the end of the round.
6.1.4.2. For each competitor, a qualification
round consists of one Music Free Style flight.
A final round consists of one Music Compulsory
and one Music Free Style flights.
6.1.4.3. All pilots are entitled to fly the first qualifying
round. If there is a second qualification round, it will be
open to no more than the top 80 % competitors. The number
of competitors accessing the second 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. If more than two qualification
rounds are flow, the Organiser shall similarly decrease
the number of pilots accessing any subsequent round.
6.1.4.4. The final round shall be open to no more
than the top 5 remaining competitors. 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.
6.1.4.5. At the Organiser’s discretion, access to any
following round except the last one may be split into
direct qualification for most of the competitors and indirect
qualification for up to three (3) additional competitors to
fill up the originally planned number for that round. In this
case, all pilots not directly qualified may take part in an
additional round to select the last qualified competitors.
6.1.4.6. The Organiser shall set up and display
for each round a timetable stating the time each
competitor will be allowed to start his flight.
6.1.5. Definition of an attempt
There is an attempt when the competitor
is given permission to start.
Note: If the competitor fails to take off (lift off) within
the 60 seconds allowed, he must immediately
make room for the next competitor.
6.1.6. 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 aircraft 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 broadcast
malfunction, etc.) , the competitor is entitled a re-fly.
6.1.7. Definition of an official flight
There is an official flight when an attempt
is made, whatever the result.
Manoeuvres must be performed where they
can be clearly seen by the judges.
If an aircraft is, in the opinion of the judges or the
Contest Director, unsafe or being flown in an unsafe
manner, they have to instruct the flight marshal
who will command the pilot to land. In this
case, the flight will be deemed complete.
6.1.8. Marking
6.1.8.1. Judges
All flights shall be judged by a panel of at
least 3, and preferably 5, judges. The scores
of all judges shall be taken into account.
The score given by each judge for each competitor shall
be made public immediately at the end of each flight.
6.1.8.2. Qualification and Finals flights
Each flight may be awarded marks, in half point increments
by each of the judges and for each judging
criterion. Judging shall be done on:
Technique (difficulty and precision of
the individual manoeuvres) ;
Artistic quality (originality, harmony & rhythm,
composition and versatility of the entire flight
sequence, adhesion to the music) ;
Overall appearance (use of the flight space, positioning
of the manoeuvres and general impression).
Each judge may award a maximum of 30 points
to each competitor. A judging guide shall define
the judging criteria and their relative weights.
6.1.9. Classification
6.1.9.1. The score of a qualification or final round
is the sum of the flight scores of that round.
6.1.9.2. The flight starting order at the beginning of any
round after the first qualification round is in reverse order
of the classification at the end of the preceding round.
6.1.9.3. The final classification is established according
to the last round flown by the competitor and the classi
fication in this round, in decreasing order from Final
to initial Rounds and from highest score to the lowest.
6.1.9.4. In case of a tie, the ranking of the preceding
round will prevail. If the tie remains, the sum of the
scores of the last and preceding rounds will decide.
6.1.9.5. Provided this is specified in the competition
announcement, the Organiser may elect to organise
Airplane, Helicopter and Jet Artistic Aerobatics as a
single competition with only one aircraft type or any
combination of them with a common classification.
6.1.10. Tasks
6.1.10.1. Music compulsory flights
These are flights where each competitor must compose
his own sequence of manoeuvres to suit a
compulsory music. Any manoeuvre may 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 (precision
and difficulty of the individual manoeuvres), artistic
quality (composition of the complete sequence,
variety of the manoeuvres, rhythm and adherence
to the music) and overall appearance as detailed in
6.1.8.2.. Excessive noise deters from the overall ap-
pearance and shall accordingly induce downgrading.
The music to be used may be chosen and prepared
by the ad hoc sub-committee or the Organiser
and must be available to the competitors
three months in advance at the latest.
For finals, the duration of the compulsory music
shall be between 100 and 140 seconds.
6.1.10.2. Music free-style flights
These are flights where each competitor must compose
his own sequence of manoeuvres to suit a music
of his 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 6.1.8.2.. Excessive
noise deters from the overall appearance and shall
accordingly induce downgrading. A judging guide may
define the judging criteria and their relative weights.
The music shall be chosen by each competitor according
to his own taste. The music shall be composed
of alternating slow and faster tempo segments so as
to enable the competitor to display the widest possible
range of manoeuvres and mood impressions. The
competitor must provide the Organiser with a record
of the chosen music on CD, tape or any other suitable
support specified by the Organiser in the original invitation
document. Details of the music used (composer,
interpreter, CD label, etc.) shall be supplied to the Organiser
for Public Performance Rights collection purpose.
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.
When the finals is limited to 2 or 3 competitors, the Organiser
may elect tu run the previous round ( “semi-finals”
) with 240 seconds music pieces. The number of competitors
entered in such semi-finals shall not exceed 5.
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.
6.1.11. Timing procedures
6.1.11.1 It is the competitor’s responsibility to check
the timetable and make sure he is ready to start
at the prescribed time. He may be handed out his
transmitter at any time as allowed by the Transmitter
Impound Steward, but no later than the prescribed
starting time of the previous competitor.
6.1.11.2 Once allowed to enter the flight area and with
permission from the Field Marshall, the competitor or his
helper may start his engine(s). The start of the take-off
roll (the moment the aircraft moves under its own power)
or lift-off shall occur no later than 60 seconds after the
moment permission has been given to start the engine(s).
6.1.11.3 During Music Compulsory and Music Free-
Style flights, the competitor may elect to start his scored
sequence (start of the music) at any time from
the moment of the start of the take off roll (or lift off)
until 30 seconds after this moment. He must express
his choice to the Judges and timekeeper before the
beginning of his flight and signal to the Steward the
moment he wants the music to start. If he fails to signal
this moment, the Steward will start the music 30
seconds after the start of the take off roll (or lift off).
6.1.11.4 During Music Compulsory flights, scoring
by the judges ceases, at the choice of the competitor,
at landing or in flight. Whatever the choice,
scoring stops at the moment the music stops.
6.1.11.5 During Music Free Style flights, scoring by the
judges ceases at the moment the prescribed music
duration comes to an end. 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.
6.1.11.6 If the competitor elects ending his scored
sequence while in flight, he must land his aircraft
(the moment the aircraft first touches the
ground on the designated landing area) within 30
seconds of the end of the scored sequence.
6.1.12 Time penalties
6.1.12.1. If the competitor fails to take off within
the time allowed, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.2. If the competitor fails to begin
the scored sequence within the time allowed,
the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.3. If the competitor fails to land within
the time allowed after the end of the scored
sequence, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.4. If the freestyle music lasts less
or more than the prescribed duration, the flight
score shall be reduced accordingly.
6.1.13. Junior and National Team participation
6.1.13.1 When at least 5 Junior competitors
are competing, there shall be a separate Junior classi
fication. Whenever possible, the Organiser should
try organising separate flight groups for them.
6.1.13.2. National Teams, when applicable,
shall consist of up to eight (8) competitors
from the same Nation.
6.1.13.3. A National Teams classification shall be
established, taking into account the classification of the
three (3) top ranking competitors from each Nation.
6.1.13.4. National Junior Teams,
when applicable, shall consist of up to five
(5) competitors from the same Nation.
6.1.13.5 A National Junior Teams classi
fication shall be established, taking into account
the classification of the three (3) top ranking
Junior competitors from each Nation.
For the AeroMusicals class, the amendments that
should be introduced are simple procedure changes
with no bearing on the possible results, except for
the two-stage qualification that enables any pilot to
get a second chance to access a further round.
6.2. CLASS F6B – AEROMUSICALS
6.2.1 Definitions
6.2.1.1 Definition of an AeroMusicals competition
A competition in which pilots perform flights to music to
express their piloting and artistic skills. The performance
is judged on variety, precision and expressiveness.
There are three sub-classes according
to the competition site:
• Sub-class A (indoor): for performance
in restricted indoor halls
• Sub-class B: for performance in large indoor sport
arenas or small-size outdoor sporting places
• Sub-class C: for performance in medium-
size outdoor locations.
6.2.1.2 Definition of an AeroMusicals aircraft
An electric-powered model aircraft, but not a helicopter,
that is aerodynamically manoeuvred by
control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude
by a pilot on the ground using radio control,.
6.2.2 General Characteristics of Radio
Controlled AeroMusicals Aircraft:
Maximum total weight:
Sub-class A: 500 g
Sub-class B: 1000 g
Sub-class C: 2000 g
Power source limitations: any suitable electric power
source may be utilised. Batteries are limited to a
maximum of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.
For better visibility, brightly decorated
aircraft are recommended.
AeroMusicals Aircraft shall be controlled with commercially
available radio control equipment. There
are no restrictions on the number of control functions
or auxiliary equipment. No other restrictions apply.
Paragraph B.3.1 of Section 4b (Builder of Model)
is not applicable to class F6B.
6.2.3. 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.
6.2.4. Attempts
6.2.4.1. There is an attempt when the competitor
is given permission to start. Take-off shall
take place within one minute after that moment.
6.2.4.2. Each competitor is entitled
only 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 aircraft 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 light shut-off, music airing
malfunction, etc.), the competitor is entitled a re-fly. The
whole flight shall be re-flown and scored as a whole.
6.2.5. Definition of an official flight
There is an official flight when an attempt
is made, whatever the result.
6.2.6. Definition of a Round
A Round consists of one flight for each competitor
entitled to fly in that Round. The number of
rounds is established by the Organiser according
to the planned competition duration.
6.2.7. Number of Rounds
6.2.7.1. The competition shall be planned so as
to limit the total duration. A competition duration from one
hour up to no more than two hours is recommended.
6.2.7.2. The competition consists of one or
several rounds leading to a final round. The starting
order for the initial round is established by the Organiser
according to any suitable accepted criterion. It
is suggested that the starting order takes into account
the competitors skill ranking (established by any generally
accepted mean) so as to increase the spectators’
interest from the beginning to the end of the round.
6.2.7.3. All pilots are entitled to fly the first round.
6.2.7.4. At the conclusion of each round, only the
best ranking competitors are entitled to take part in the
following round. The number or percentage of competitors
flying in any following round is defined by the Organiser
according to the expected competition duration.
At the Organiser’s discretion, access to any following
round except the last one may be split into direct quali
fication for most of the competitors and indirect quali-
fication for up to three (3) additional competitors to fill
up the originally planned number for that round. In this
case, all pilots not directly qualified may take part in an
additional round to select the last qualified competitors.
6.2.7.5. The starting order for any round after the
initial one is in reverse order of the classification
at the conclusion of the last complete round.
6.2.7.6. The last round is called “Finals”
with a limited number of competitors,
preferably 2 (two) or 3 (three).
6.2.7.7. The Organiser shall set up and display
for each round a timetable stating the time each
competitor will be allowed to start his flight.
6.2.8 AeroMusicals flights
6.2.8.1. These are flights where each competitor
must compose his own sequence of manoeuvres
to suit a music of his 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.
6.2.8.2. The flights shall be judged for technique,
artistic quality, variety, compliance with the chosen
music and overall appearance. A judging guide
defines the judging criteria and their relative weights.
6.2.8.3. The music shall be chosen by each
competitor according to his own taste. The music shall be
composed of alternating slow and faster tempo segments
so as to enable the competitor to display the widest
possible range of manoeuvres and mood impressions.
The competitor must provide the Organiser with a record
of the chosen music on CD, tape or any other suitable
support specified by the Organiser in the original invitation
document. Details of the music used (composer,
interpreter, CD label, etc.) shall be supplied to the Organiser
for Public Performance Rights collection purpose.
6.2.8.4. The music shall be of 120 seconds duration.
The competitor may elect to fly a different manoeuvres
sequence and/or to a different music for any flight.
6.2.8.5. For Finals, at the Organiser’s discretion
the music may be of 240 seconds duration, provided this
is specified in the initial competition invitation bulletin.
6.2.8.6. 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.
6.2.9. Timing procedures
6.2.9.1. It is the competitor’s responsibility
to check the timetable and make sure he is ready to
start at the prescribed time. He may be handed out
his transmitter at any time as allowed by the Transmitter
Impound Stewart but no later than the prescribed
starting time of the previous competitor.
6.2.9.2. Once the competitor is given permission
to start, he signals to the Steward the moment
he wants the music to start. If he fails to signal
this moment, the Steward will start the music 15 seconds
after the permission to start has been given.
6.2.9.3. Scoring by the judges begins when
the music starts and ceases at the moment the music
stops. At the choice of the competitor, the end of the
scored flight may occur at landing or in flight. If in flight,
the competitor must land his aircraft quickly thereafter.
6.2.10. Time penalties
6.2.10.1. If the competitor fails to
take off within 15 seconds after the music
starts, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.2.10.2 If the freestyle music lasts less
or more than the prescribed duration, the flight
score shall be reduced accordingly.
6.2.11. Scoring
6.2.11.1. Judging
6.2.11.1.1. In general, all flights shall be judged
by a panel of at least 3, and preferably 5, judges. The
scores of all judges shall be taken into account.
6.2.11.1.2. Each flight may be awarded
marks, in half point increments, from 10 to 0
by each of the judges and for each judging criterion
as defined in the Judging Guide.
6.2.11.1.3. The score awarded by each judge
shall be displayed immediately after each flight.
6.2.11.1.4. When the Final Round involves only two
competitors, the Organiser may elect to have the winner
elected by the spectators, provided this is clearly stated
in the initial competition invitation bulletin. In this case,
if the result of the spectators vote is not clearly decisive,
the panel of judges shall have the decisive vote.
6.2.12. Classification
6.2.12.1. All competitors are entitled
to compete in the first round.
6.2.12.2. Scores are not carried over
from one round to the following one.
6.2.12.3. The final classification is established according
to the last round flown by the competitor and the
classification in this round, in decreasing order from Final
to initial Rounds and from highest score to the lowest.
Although a few amendments may be introduced
in the Hand Thrown Glider class, they are not yet
finalised and will, if approved, only involve minor
procedure changes.
RADIO CONTROL HAND THROWN GLIDERS
6.4. CLASS F6D – HAND THROWN GLIDERS
6.4.1 General
A contest where RC gliders must be hand thrown to altitude.
The organiser must provide a sufficient number of
timekeepers in order to allow enough simultaneous flights
at all time. In principle, each competitor is allowed one
helper who should not become physically involved in the
flight. Handicapped persons may ask their helpers for assistance
at launching and retrieving (catching) their glider.
The organiser should provide a transmitter impound
where all transmitters are kept in custody while not in use
during a flight or the corresponding preparation time.
6.4.2. Definition of hand thrown gliders
Motorless model aircraft, with the following limitations.
Wingspan max. ........ 1500 mm
Weight max. ........ 600 g
Radius of the nose, minimum 5 mm in all orientations
(see F3B nose definition for measurement technique).
The hand thrown glider must be launched by
hand and are controlled by radio equipment acting
on an unlimited number of surfaces.
The hand thrown glider can be equipped with holes,
pegs or reinforcements, which allow better grip of the
model aircraft by hand. The pegs must be stiff and
remain a firm part of the model, neither extensible nor
retractable. Devices, which do not remain a part of the
model during and after the launch, are not allowed.
The competitor may at any times change his model
aircraft as long as they conform to the specifications
and are operated at the assigned frequency.
Each competitor must provide five frequencies on
which his model aircraft may be operated, and the
organiser may assign any of these frequencies for
the duration of any round or the complete contest.
6.4.3. Definition of the flying field
The flying field should be reasonably level and large
enough to allow several model aircraft to fly simultaneously.
The main source of lift should not be slope lift.
The organiser must define the launching and landing
area before the start of the contest and all launching and
landings should happen within this area. Any launch or
landing outside this area is scored zero for the flight.
A typical launching and landing area could
be a rectangle 100m x 50m oriented with longer
side perpendicular to the wind direction.
6.4.4. Definition of landing
A landing is considered valid if:
the glider comes to rest and at least one part of
it touches the launching and landing area;
the competitor catches the glider by hand (or if competitor
is handicapped, his helper, if launching was
made by this person), while standing with both
feet inside the launching and landing area.
6.4.5. Flight time
The flight time is measured:
At task 1 from the moment the glider leaves the hands of
the competitor
At task 2 from the end of the launching interval
The flight time is measured to the moment the glider comes
to rest on the ground or ground based object or the
competitor catches the glider by hand or the working time
expires. One point will be awarded for each full second the
glider is flying, up to the given maximum flight time One
point will be deducted for each full second flown in excess
of given maximum flight time.
The flight time is official if the launching happens from inside
the launching and landing area and the landing happens
inside this area.
6.4.6. Organisation of rounds
The competitors are arranged in groups. A group should
be a minimum of 5 pilots. The contest is organised in qualifying,
semi-final and fly-off rounds.
At qualifying rounds the task 1 and 2 is flown. The start
and end of the working time are announced with a soundsignalling
device. The results are normalised within each
group, 1000 points being the basis for the winner of the
group.
To the semi-final rounds the best pilot from each qualifying
group proceeds. Other pilots, up to the number of 24, proceed
to semi-final according to their normalised results. In
case of tie at last proceeding places a draw decides.
At semi-final the pilots fly task 2 in three groups.
To the final group the best pilot from each semi-final group
proceeds. Other five pilots proceed to final according to
their normalised results. In case of tie at last proceeding
places, the pilot with better result from qualifying round
proceeds.
At fly-off eight pilots fly in one group. All pilots with non zero
score proceed to the following round. Usually the number
of pilots is reduced by one at each consecutive round, so
that at the last round only two pilots compete for the total
winner. If in any round all pilots get zero or maximum score
the round is repeated
For each round, the competitors receive at least 2 minutes
preparation time, as announced by the organiser. During
the preparation time, the competitor is allowed to turn on
and check his radio, but is not allowed any launch of his
glider, either outside or inside the launching and landing
area.
6.4.7. Total winner
The winner is the pilot with best result from the last round
at which two pilots were flying. The third place gets the
pilot who has been flying in the last but one round.
6.4.8 Tasks
6.4.8.1. Task 1 “Last flight”:
During the working time, the competitor may launch the glider
an undefined number of times, but only the last flight is
taken into account to determine the final result. The length
of the flight is limited to 5 minutes. Any additional release
of the glider annuls the proceeding timing. When the competitor
announces that he has completed his last flight (his
official flight for this task), he must leave the launching and
landing area, together with his timekeeper.
Working time - 7 minutes.
6.4.8.2. Task 2 “All up”:
All competitors of a group must launch their gliders simultaneously,
within 3 seconds. The signal for launching comprises
from three short beeps each second and a continuous
tone lasting three seconds. During continuous tone
the glider has to leave the hand of the pilot. Releasing the
glider earlier or later results in zero score for this flight.
Maximum flight time is 3 minutes. Each flight time of the 3
attempts of each competitor is to be added up and will be
normalised to obtain the final score for this task.
Example:
Competitor A: 45+50+35 s = 130 s = 812.50 points
Competitor B: 50+50+60 s = 160 s = 1000 points
Competitor C: 30+80+40 s = 150 s = 937.50 points
6.4.8.3 Task for fly-off rounds
All competitors of a group must launch their model aircraft
simultaneously, within a three second period. The signal
for launching comprises a three second countdown with a
single beep for each of those three seconds and a continuous
tone lasting three seconds. During the continuous
tone the model aircraft has to leave the hand of the pilot.
Releasing of the model earlier or later results in zero score
for this flight. Maximum flight time is 3 minutes.
When the first model lands or at three minutes flight time
a thirty seconds interval starts. All models must land within
these thirty seconds.
The pilot whose model landed first receives a zero score
or a pilot who released his model before or after the three
seconds interval for launching or whose model landed outside
the landing area or landed after the thirty seconds
interval receives a zero score too.
This WAG Newsletter will be published whenever new information is
available.
If you know other pilots who may be interested to take part in the
2009 World Air Games, tell me at WAG2009@online.fr
Guy Revel
Chairman, CIAM WAG Selection Committee
In 2009 zal de FAI, de World Air Games organiseren in Turijn.
Voor de F3K vliegers onderons, een hele simpele vraag; Willen wij meedoen hieraan, in de klasse F6D?
Hieronder heb ik de FAI nieuwsbrief, bij geplakt. Voor de extra informatie.
Indien wij willen meedoen, moeten we binnenkort ons aanmelden (als land) en volgend jaar wedstrijden hiervoor organiseren (of misschien bestaande F3K wedstrijden, hiervoor laten meetellen)
Graag jullie mening?
The World Air Games 2009 will be held from 7 to 13 June 2009 in Turin, Italy.
http://www.worldairgames.org/
World Air Games
Newsletter 012007/09
This Newsletter will bring, whenever necessary, the latest information about the
model events that will take place during the 2009 World Air Games, the competitors
selection process & contests and the test events that are due to take place in
2008 at the same location.
World Air Games are an Olympic style event simultaneously
involving all Air Sports. After the two
initial events that took place in Turkey (1997) and
Spain (2001) the format has been changed into a
more compact, Media and spectators friendly format
over one week of intense competition and on a shared
time basis at the same location (and an ancillary site
nearby for a few events with special requirements,
such as Hang Gliding or Indoor Model Aerobatics).
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale,
(FAI) – The World Air Sports Federation, officially
launched the opening of the bidding process for its
marquee event, the World Air Games 2009, in October,
2006.
On 26 October 2006, at the 100th FAI General
Conference in Santiago de Chile the FAI President,
Pierre Portmann, officially opened the bidding process
for the World Air Games 2009, open to all cities,
regions, FAI member associations, private event organisers
and corporate partners.
The World Air Games is the biggest gathering of
air sports in the world and brings together the World
Champions and top competitors in ten different air
sport disciplines. The event showcases a week of tremendous
competition and fills the sky with excitement
and thrills for the public. Alongside the competition
are plenty of opportunities for air shows,
on-site demonstrations, and interactive activities for
spectators.
The FAI, in cooperation with TSE Consulting, a
specialised sports consultancy, took the initiative to
modernise their World Air Games concept to make
it more attractive for potential hosts, athletes and
spectators. In addition, the FAI and its broadcasting
partners have established a worldwide broadcasting
network to air the event.
The bidding process has been re-structured into
two simple phases. Interested parties had until December
31st midnight, to submit the Phase 1 Application
Form, which demonstrate their interest in
hosting the World Air Games in 2009. An FAI Selection
Committee then selected the Organiser at a
high-profile event in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital,
in June 1st , 2007.
Turin (Italy) has been chosen to host the World
Air Games 2009. The decision was announced by the
President of FAI, Pierre Portmann, at the Olympic
Museum, Lausanne.
The FAI Selection Committee reached its decision
by a majority vote cast after the final presentations
of the three remaining bids on the selected shortlist
Moscow (Russia), Odense (Denmark), and Turin
(Italy).
Turin were successful winners after a bidding process
which was launched in October 2006. The bidding
process consisted of two short-listings, based
on a candidate questionnaire, the submission of a
bid book, evaluation visits and final presentations
that took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne
Switzerland.
Commenting on the decision, the President of the
FAI, Mr. Pierre Portmann, said: “Turin has been chosen
today by the FAI Selection Committee and they
are a great choice. There are, however, no losers today,
as all three bids made wonderful presentations
and would make successful hosts for the World Air
Games. Each bid had tremendous backing from their
National Air Sport Federations and their governments.
We commend them all on their efforts and hope that
each bid continues their interest in air sport competitions”.
Commenting on their successful bid, Mr. Angelo
Moriondo, President of the Turin 2009 Bid Committee,
said: “We are both pleased and honoured to be
awarded the World Air Games 2009. Building on our
past experience, we are committed to making the Games
a step forward for all air sports. We invite all our
friends in the air sports community to join us in 2009.
Now the real work starts !”
The Games are planned to take place during the
period of 7th to 13th June 2009. The World Air Games
is the biggest gathering of air sports in the world
and brings together the World Champions and top
competitors in ten different air sport disciplines. The
event showcases a week of tremendous competition
and fills the sky with excitement and thrills for the
public. Alongside the competition are plenty of opportunities
for air shows, on-site demonstrations,
and interactive activities for spectators.
World Air Games, the new concept
The model events
3 model competitions will take place at the Turin
World Air Games (WAG). Because it was long ago recognised
that none of the CIAM World Championship
classes had the potential to attract spectators and
Media, work had begun already in 2000 to introduce
new competition classes with a better potential. The
first such class - Artistic Aerobatics - soon proved
its value when flown at FAI World Grand Prix, sharing
time with full-size aerobatics. Then the growing
popularity of indoor flying was the deciding factor
for AeroMusicals that immediately catched on. Two
years later a glider class, Hand Thrown Gliders,
evolved from the popular F3K class with a different
format to make it, not only challenging for the pilots,
but spectacular for spectators as well.
To access these prestigious World Air Games competitions,
modellers the World over will have to qualify
through selection contests run between October,
2007 and November 2008.
Since the March, 2007 CIAM Plenary meeting, a
Selection Committee has been at work to define how
WAG competitors would be selected. The mission
was to present in Turin at WAG 2009 the absolute
World’s top model competitors.
Early on, it was decided to allow pilots from all
parts of the World to compete at WAG. To this end,
the World is divided into 6 Continental Regions: Africa,
North America, South America, Asia, Europe and
Oceania. Provided there are Selection Contests held,
there will be, for each competition class, at least one
representative from that Region who will be invited
to compete in Turin in front of thousands of spectators
and benefit from the live worldwide TV transmissions.
Here are the first official decisions that were sent
by CIAM, the FAI Modelling Commission to all National
Air Sports Governing bodies by the end of June,
2007:
“Three exciting Aeromodelling events will be part
of the Games:
Hand Thrown Gliders (FAI Class F6D) are 1.5
metre radio controlled gliders thrown by hand to incredible
altitude. Competitors go through a progressive
elimination process until the last two remaining
pilots compete for the title.
AeroMusicals (FAI Class F6B) is an indoor aerobatics
event in which competitors fly their lightweight
airplanes to music and produce their personally
designed routines allying grace and harmony with
incredible mastery.
Artistic Aerobatics (FAI Class F6A/C) is an
outdoor aerobatics competition where airplanes and
helicopters battle for the best and most impressive
flights to music.
The top competitors from the whole World will be
selected through National and International competitions
beginning October, 2007. Selection will be independently
made by Continent to ensure every part
of the World is represented. The final list of competitors
will be decided at the December 2008 FAI/CIAM
Bureau meeting.
Selection will be made by continent (Africa, North
America, South America, Asia, Europe & Oceania)
with an equal number of places reserved for each
continent, the remaining places being decided on a
Worldwide basis according to points gained by competitors
at selection competitions’.
Selection competitions (which may be organised
by any club worldwide) shall follow these guidelines:
A) International contests
They shall be regularly registered in the FAI Contest
Calendar (submitted before Nov. 15th) as WAG
Selection competitions with an international Jury
according to CIAM rules (2 different nationalities,
etc.).
The Jury shall report to the organiser’s NAC and
to the CIAM within 7 days and include the full detailed
results with competitors name, nationality &
valid FAI licence number.
B) National contests
Local contests involving only competitors from the
organiser’s nation. Such contests shall be approved
by the National Governing Body (either the NAC direct
or the aeromodelling governing body that has
been delegated by the NAC). Such contests shall be
on the National contest calendar and registered to
CIAM as WAG Selection competition (CIAM may also
maintain such a freely-available list separate or appended
to the International contest calendar). Such
contests shall be watched by at least one Official Observer
delegated/approved by his NAC (or National
Governing Body) who shall attest the competition
has been fair and run according to national and FAI
rules. This Observer shall report within 7 days to
his NAC and to CIAM and include the full detailed
results with competitors names, nationality & valid
National or FAI licence number.
In addition, results of National or International
aerobatics selection contests (AeroMusicals & Artistic
Aerobatics) shall include the judges names, full
credentials and copy of the score sheets.
WAG Selection contests may preferably be run
using as local rules the proposed, amended F6 rules
that have been sent to CIAM for publication in the
2008 CIAM Plenary Agenda for use at WAG 2009. A
special entry form will be posted on FAI website and
contest organisers’ websites as well as other websites
wenever selection contests will be announced.
Later on, details of the selection system have been
defined and approved:
Points gained by competitors at selection contests
will be computed as follows:
points = (100 * (square root of n) / p
where n = number of competitors
p = competitor’s ranking in that contest
Then :
Hand Thrown Gliders (F6D):
Final continental ranking from the best 2 selection
contests.
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 30
Artistic Aerobatics (F6A):
Final continental ranking from the best 3 selection
contests.
Any international selection contest will count 1.5 x
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 15
AeroMusicals (F6B):
Final continental ranking from the best 3 selection
contests.
Any international selection contest will count 1.5 x
Whatever the number of competitors actually flying
at any contest, maximum value of n = 30
Note: To be on the 2008 International Contest
Calendar, international selection contests must
be registered to the FAI Office, through your
National Governing Body, before November 15,
2007. If not, they still can be run, provided they
are registered a minimum of 3 months in advance.
They may not appear on the FAI Contest Calendar
but will still be on the WAG Selection Contests
Calendar as well as on this Newsletter.
Turin, Italy promises a week of
competition and excitement at a
level never seen before
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is basically
made of two partners: The Italian Aero Club,
through its member clubs, is responsible of the sport
events as such while a professional events organiser
takes care of all practical matters, advertising, communication
& Media, etc. And with their experience
of the very successful 2006 Winter Olympic Games,
they know how to do it !
Here is an extract from the Organiser’s dossier:
‘There will be three Competition Venues:
• Aeroclub Torino (Microlights, Helicopters, Parachuting,
Experimental Aircraft, Gliding, Aerobatics),
• Avigliana lakes (Hang gliding, Paragliding)
• Mondovì (Hot air ballooning).
Two other locations will also be used:
• Turin Palasport (indoor Aeromodelling)
• downtown Turin (night-time as baloon departures)
The Opening Ceremony will take place in the beautiful
squares in the city centre. The ticketing strategy
includes a balanced mix of paid and free admission,
to guarantee the largest possible number of spectators.
Stands seating up to 4,000 paid spectators will be
set up at the competition venues, with two categories
of seats, and weekly tickets.
MEDIA CENTRES AND PRESS SERVICES
The experience gained during the Winter Olympics,
and good relations with all the main international operators
will pave the way for the efficient management
of the Media, starting from the correct identification
and involvement of all the potential communications
managers, from the aeronautical and sports field generally,
to the major periodicals and dailies, the radio
and the large Italian and global television networks.
Painstaking preparation of the invitation and
pre-accreditation process will make it possible to
involve a broad universe of journalists, both to follow
the competition and to spread the values of air
sports. The pre-accreditation stage will be accompanied
from 2007 by a launch and “teasing” stage,
with press conferences related to the main event and
to collateral events, and meetings and educational
events organised with the main editors, local news
editors, senior editors and managing editors of the
major papers, to involve them and encourage them to
write about and attend the 2009 World Air Games.
The Main Press Centre will be set up at Aeroclub
Torino two months earlier, to organise accreditation,
reception (with welcome-bags) and assistance for Ita-
lian and foreign press, radio, television and Internet
journalists.
The Main Press Centre will provide services and
support in the main languages of the participating nations,
and will cater for the press, radio, broadcasting
and the web, and their respective technical requirements.
It will include a suitable number of work stations
with broadband connections to simplify the transmission
of photographs in real time, a technical secretariat,
screens to follow all the events live, boards with
results and statistics, and all the necessary information
to enable the media to work. The Main Press Centre
will also include the Press Room for the general
press conferences and those for the competitions held
at the Airfield.
The Main Press Centre will be managed jointly with
FAI communications managers, and the staff will include
a Chief Press Officer, an assistant Press Officer
for the general organisation and an assistant Press
Officer for relations with the foreign media.
There will also be ten professional journalists, two
for each media type plus two for general back-up, assisted
by juniors, volunteers and translators (no less
than 20 people).
The Main Press Centre will be supported by the
Broadcasting Centre which will be dedicated entirely
to the television networks, and it will be responsible
for the management, organisation and editing of video
images of the entire event. Based on the needs of the
accredited journalists, of FAI and of the individual federations,
it will be possible to activate satellite cover
for Intranet transmissions of data and images of all
parts of the competition venues.
There will also be Press Centres in the other two
competition venues, similarly equipped and each managed
by members of the press office.
Mixed zones will be identified at the competition
venues for live post-performance interviews, as well
as Press rooms for post-event press conferences.
A logistics and catering service will be organised at
the various competitions.
A secure area (with closed lockers) will be set aside
for the technical gear of the operators and journalists.
OPENING CEREMONY
The opportunities offered by a big town like
Turin, including the many trained volunteers
and the city architecture, can be exploited during
the opening ceremony, to communicate the
strong values that lie behind air sports immediately
and convincingly, and to create the right atmosphere
to attract large crowds to the events.
The ceremony will be developed around 6 conceptual
pillars: 3 key principles and 3 inspiring concepts
that will be expressed in a spectacular performance.
The 3 key principles are:
Spectacle, like the beauty of the aerial evolutions
combined with “breath-taking” presentations
Visibility, making it easy to watch the ceremony,
perhaps just by looking up to the
sky, involving everyone without distinction
Participation, to enter the public’s hearts and to
involve thousands of people in the great event.
The 3 inspiring concepts are:
A passion for flight, which accompanies the
history of mankind, from the Greek myths to the
conquest of other planets, a continuous cutting-edge
challenge to technology and to man’s capabilities
The emotion of flight, which involves all the
inhabitants of the earth from childhood, who are
fascinated by this victory over the air, and inebriated
by the sense of total freedom that flying gives;
Flying champions, the true protagonists
of the Games, the athletes who pit themselves
with discipline and respect first against
themselves and against the laws of physics,
and then against the other contestants.
Combining these six pillars means imagining
a parade in the open air, not indoors, but right
through the city centre, a series of images that
evolve like an exciting film, all of which will capture
spectators’ attention, creating a single plot.
The parade will follow an “L” about 3 kilometres
long, starting from Piazza Vittorio (the largest
completely open square in Europe) and concluding
in Piazza San Carlo (Turin’s historical “drawingroom”),
along Via Po, around Piazza Castello
with the Royal Palace, and down Via Roma.
The acrobats, hot air balloons, special effects
and scenery will ensure that the itinerant ceremony
starts off with a narrative that combines history and
emotions with one’s head in the air, entertainment
and technology, reproducing all air disciplines.
The parade will end with all the athletes, led by
FAI, divided by event and not by country, all wearing
their competition outfits, who will be greeted and
acclaimed by thousands of people along the route,
like the heroes of the Roman Empire, with ribbons,
confetti and music that will rain down on them, a
tribute from the skies that they will be challenging.
The choreographic, spectacular part of the ceremony
will conclude when the parade reaches a
stage suspended in mid air at the centre of Piazza
San Carlo, surrounded on every side by spectators,
and the institutional, formal opening of the World Air
Games 2009 will begin, accompanied by pictures
of the various events projected on giant screens.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The entire last day of the WAG will be dedicated to
the finals of the various specialities.
The end of the competitions will be marked by a
display over Aeritalia by the Frecce Tricolore, the Aerobatic
Team of the Italian Air Force, which will offer a
final tribute to all participants.
At 9 pm that evening, there will be a farewell from
Turin in front of the Royal Palace, with a setting inspired
by flight, where the first three contestants in each
category will be presented on a large, long wing-shaped
stage, followed by music and films of the events.
The FAI and Italian authorities will formally close the
Games, and fireworks and lights will fill the sky, before
celebrations continue with the crowds in the streets
of the city.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
The strength of a region, its resources and its population
must come together to celebrate the World Air
Games 2009 and participants.
1. MAIN VENUE (AERITALIA AIRPORT) The flight
show area will be set up at the Aeritalia airfield, the
Main Venue, where every day all types of spectators
(pilots, fans, families, young people, etc.) will be able
to satisfy their desire to fly, with simulators, meetings
with the athletes, technical tests, and to learn about
the materials, machines and history. An AIR VILLAGE
will also be created, where there will be restaurants,
cafes, and stands selling local products, all surrounding
a stage where musical and other entertainments
will be organised every evening for local and foreign
visitors. An Air Music Festival will be held at the AIR
VILLAGE, with all forms of musical expression inspired
by flight, by air, by space, etc., a spectacular
happening with choreography inspired by the same
theme.
2. DOWNTOWN The city itself will be both a setting
and a protagonist, thanks also to its Museums which
have promised to organise exhibitions and displays
linked to the theme of the Games: International Cinema
Museum which will programme a series of films
about flying Bolaffi Philatelic Centre which will exhibit
a vast collection of historical stamps Modern Art Gallery
that will offer an exhibition of how flight has been
depicted in the figurative arts of the 20th century.
WHITE NIGHT
We will organise, together with the Torino Municipality,
a “white night” to the WAG, with animation,
music and entertainment in various parts of the city
centre in honour of the guests and spectators from all
over Italy and the rest of the world, and to mark the
gas balloon race which will start at night. The race
should set off from the riverside Valentino park, in the
heart of the city, from where the first Italian regular
flight took off, and would be the focal point of the celebrations.
The balloons will set off through the night,
saluted and accompanied by light effects in the night
sky. We must underline that similar events organised
in the past have attracted crowds of up to 500,000
people.
TEST EVENTS
Test events to prepare ourselves to the World Air
Games will be organised during 2007 and 2008. They
will include regional and national competitions for
sports in which the Aeroclub Torino has less concrete
experience.
The main goals of the Test Events will be;
• To verify our organisation: Logistics, Transport, Medical
services, Accommodation, Protocol, Marketing,
Volunteers, Ceremonies, etc.
• The involvement of the public, the Sponsors on
board and potential sponsors still to be formalised,
through press and television communications’.
The model competitions
As can be seen from the documents above, the model
events will take place at two different locations:
Artistic Aerobatics and Hand Thrown Gliders will
take place at Aeritalia Airport, which is Turin’s historical
airport, now used exclusively for sport flying
and within easy reach from the city
Torino Aeritalia Airport
showing the initially
planned setup.
Grandstands and giant
video screens should
enable spectators to
follow every detail of
the competitions that
will alternate every day
at the same location.
AeroMusicals should take place in the Palaruffini
Sports Arena with seats for 4,000 spectators.
The WAG competition classes
Only classes from Volume 6 of the Sporting Code
may be used for World Air Games, as they have been
specially designed to be attractive to spectators.
Because FAI WAG rules state that WAG competition
rules shall be frozen no later than 8 months before
the event and because decisions for model events
are made at CIAM Plenary Meeting in March, any
change to the present rules have to be decided and
approved in March, 2008 and these rules will be
enforced at WAG 2009. For this reason, it is highly
recommended that selection contests taking place
during 2008 and the last part of 2007 make already
use of the amended rules as they have been submitted
to CIAM, so that selection take place under
similar rules to the actual WAG competitions.
For convenience, a draft of the rules including the
proposed amendments has been made. Here it is:
RADIO CONTROL freestyle AEROBATICS TO MUSIC
6.1. CLASS F6A – ARTISTIC AEROBATICS
6.1.1 Definitions of an Artistic Aerobatics Aircraft
A model airplane that is aerodynamically manoeuvred by
control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude by a
pilot on the ground using radio control, or a helicopter.
An R/C helicopter is a heavier-than-air model aircraft
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.
6.1.2 General characteristics of Radio Controlled
Artistic Aerobatics Aircraft:
6.1.2.1. Propeller-driven aircraft:
Maximum overall wing span: 2 m
Maximum overall length: 2 m
Maximum total weight: 5 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 aircraft are limited to a maximum
of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.
6.1.2.2. Jet-powered aircraft:
Minimum overall wing span: 1.80 m
Maximum total weight: 15 kg without fuel
Maximum nominal engine thrust: 150 N
6.1.2.3. Helicopter
Maximum rotor swept area: 300 dm2
Note: 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.
Maximum total weight: 6 kg without fuel
An electronic rate gyro is permitted on the yaw axis only.
All-metal main or tail rotor blades are prohibited.
6.1.2.4.
Paragraph B.3.1 of Section 4b (Builder of Model)
is not applicable to class F6A.
Radio equipment shall be of the open loop type (i.e.
no electronic feedback from the aircraft 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. It is highly recommended
to use the 2.4 GHz RC systems to improve substantially
the safety of flying in front of the spectators.
Example:
Permitted:
Control rate devices that are manually
switched by the pilot.
Any type of button or lever control that is initiated
and terminated by the pilot.
Manually operated switches to couple control functions.
Not permitted:
Snap buttons with automatic timing mode.
Pre-programming devices to automatically
perform a series of commands.
Auto-stabilisers ( “gyros” ) for automatic wing levelling.
Propeller pitch change with automatic timing mode.
Any type of voice recognition system.
Any type of learning function involving manoeuvre
to manoeuvre or flight to flight analysis.
6.1.3. 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 takeoff
and retrieve the aircraft following the landing.
6.1.4. Number of rounds
6.1.4.1. The competition consists of one or several
qualifying rounds leading to a final round. The starting
order for the initial round is established by the Organiser
according to any suitable criterion. It is suggested
that the starting order be established in reverse order of
the competitors skill ranking (established by any generally
accepted means) so as to increase the spectators’
interest from the beginning to the end of the round.
6.1.4.2. For each competitor, a qualification
round consists of one Music Free Style flight.
A final round consists of one Music Compulsory
and one Music Free Style flights.
6.1.4.3. All pilots are entitled to fly the first qualifying
round. If there is a second qualification round, it will be
open to no more than the top 80 % competitors. The number
of competitors accessing the second 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. If more than two qualification
rounds are flow, the Organiser shall similarly decrease
the number of pilots accessing any subsequent round.
6.1.4.4. The final round shall be open to no more
than the top 5 remaining competitors. 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.
6.1.4.5. At the Organiser’s discretion, access to any
following round except the last one may be split into
direct qualification for most of the competitors and indirect
qualification for up to three (3) additional competitors to
fill up the originally planned number for that round. In this
case, all pilots not directly qualified may take part in an
additional round to select the last qualified competitors.
6.1.4.6. The Organiser shall set up and display
for each round a timetable stating the time each
competitor will be allowed to start his flight.
6.1.5. Definition of an attempt
There is an attempt when the competitor
is given permission to start.
Note: If the competitor fails to take off (lift off) within
the 60 seconds allowed, he must immediately
make room for the next competitor.
6.1.6. 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 aircraft 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 broadcast
malfunction, etc.) , the competitor is entitled a re-fly.
6.1.7. Definition of an official flight
There is an official flight when an attempt
is made, whatever the result.
Manoeuvres must be performed where they
can be clearly seen by the judges.
If an aircraft is, in the opinion of the judges or the
Contest Director, unsafe or being flown in an unsafe
manner, they have to instruct the flight marshal
who will command the pilot to land. In this
case, the flight will be deemed complete.
6.1.8. Marking
6.1.8.1. Judges
All flights shall be judged by a panel of at
least 3, and preferably 5, judges. The scores
of all judges shall be taken into account.
The score given by each judge for each competitor shall
be made public immediately at the end of each flight.
6.1.8.2. Qualification and Finals flights
Each flight may be awarded marks, in half point increments
by each of the judges and for each judging
criterion. Judging shall be done on:
Technique (difficulty and precision of
the individual manoeuvres) ;
Artistic quality (originality, harmony & rhythm,
composition and versatility of the entire flight
sequence, adhesion to the music) ;
Overall appearance (use of the flight space, positioning
of the manoeuvres and general impression).
Each judge may award a maximum of 30 points
to each competitor. A judging guide shall define
the judging criteria and their relative weights.
6.1.9. Classification
6.1.9.1. The score of a qualification or final round
is the sum of the flight scores of that round.
6.1.9.2. The flight starting order at the beginning of any
round after the first qualification round is in reverse order
of the classification at the end of the preceding round.
6.1.9.3. The final classification is established according
to the last round flown by the competitor and the classi
fication in this round, in decreasing order from Final
to initial Rounds and from highest score to the lowest.
6.1.9.4. In case of a tie, the ranking of the preceding
round will prevail. If the tie remains, the sum of the
scores of the last and preceding rounds will decide.
6.1.9.5. Provided this is specified in the competition
announcement, the Organiser may elect to organise
Airplane, Helicopter and Jet Artistic Aerobatics as a
single competition with only one aircraft type or any
combination of them with a common classification.
6.1.10. Tasks
6.1.10.1. Music compulsory flights
These are flights where each competitor must compose
his own sequence of manoeuvres to suit a
compulsory music. Any manoeuvre may 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 (precision
and difficulty of the individual manoeuvres), artistic
quality (composition of the complete sequence,
variety of the manoeuvres, rhythm and adherence
to the music) and overall appearance as detailed in
6.1.8.2.. Excessive noise deters from the overall ap-
pearance and shall accordingly induce downgrading.
The music to be used may be chosen and prepared
by the ad hoc sub-committee or the Organiser
and must be available to the competitors
three months in advance at the latest.
For finals, the duration of the compulsory music
shall be between 100 and 140 seconds.
6.1.10.2. Music free-style flights
These are flights where each competitor must compose
his own sequence of manoeuvres to suit a music
of his 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 6.1.8.2.. Excessive
noise deters from the overall appearance and shall
accordingly induce downgrading. A judging guide may
define the judging criteria and their relative weights.
The music shall be chosen by each competitor according
to his own taste. The music shall be composed
of alternating slow and faster tempo segments so as
to enable the competitor to display the widest possible
range of manoeuvres and mood impressions. The
competitor must provide the Organiser with a record
of the chosen music on CD, tape or any other suitable
support specified by the Organiser in the original invitation
document. Details of the music used (composer,
interpreter, CD label, etc.) shall be supplied to the Organiser
for Public Performance Rights collection purpose.
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.
When the finals is limited to 2 or 3 competitors, the Organiser
may elect tu run the previous round ( “semi-finals”
) with 240 seconds music pieces. The number of competitors
entered in such semi-finals shall not exceed 5.
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.
6.1.11. Timing procedures
6.1.11.1 It is the competitor’s responsibility to check
the timetable and make sure he is ready to start
at the prescribed time. He may be handed out his
transmitter at any time as allowed by the Transmitter
Impound Steward, but no later than the prescribed
starting time of the previous competitor.
6.1.11.2 Once allowed to enter the flight area and with
permission from the Field Marshall, the competitor or his
helper may start his engine(s). The start of the take-off
roll (the moment the aircraft moves under its own power)
or lift-off shall occur no later than 60 seconds after the
moment permission has been given to start the engine(s).
6.1.11.3 During Music Compulsory and Music Free-
Style flights, the competitor may elect to start his scored
sequence (start of the music) at any time from
the moment of the start of the take off roll (or lift off)
until 30 seconds after this moment. He must express
his choice to the Judges and timekeeper before the
beginning of his flight and signal to the Steward the
moment he wants the music to start. If he fails to signal
this moment, the Steward will start the music 30
seconds after the start of the take off roll (or lift off).
6.1.11.4 During Music Compulsory flights, scoring
by the judges ceases, at the choice of the competitor,
at landing or in flight. Whatever the choice,
scoring stops at the moment the music stops.
6.1.11.5 During Music Free Style flights, scoring by the
judges ceases at the moment the prescribed music
duration comes to an end. 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.
6.1.11.6 If the competitor elects ending his scored
sequence while in flight, he must land his aircraft
(the moment the aircraft first touches the
ground on the designated landing area) within 30
seconds of the end of the scored sequence.
6.1.12 Time penalties
6.1.12.1. If the competitor fails to take off within
the time allowed, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.2. If the competitor fails to begin
the scored sequence within the time allowed,
the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.3. If the competitor fails to land within
the time allowed after the end of the scored
sequence, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.1.12.4. If the freestyle music lasts less
or more than the prescribed duration, the flight
score shall be reduced accordingly.
6.1.13. Junior and National Team participation
6.1.13.1 When at least 5 Junior competitors
are competing, there shall be a separate Junior classi
fication. Whenever possible, the Organiser should
try organising separate flight groups for them.
6.1.13.2. National Teams, when applicable,
shall consist of up to eight (8) competitors
from the same Nation.
6.1.13.3. A National Teams classification shall be
established, taking into account the classification of the
three (3) top ranking competitors from each Nation.
6.1.13.4. National Junior Teams,
when applicable, shall consist of up to five
(5) competitors from the same Nation.
6.1.13.5 A National Junior Teams classi
fication shall be established, taking into account
the classification of the three (3) top ranking
Junior competitors from each Nation.
For the AeroMusicals class, the amendments that
should be introduced are simple procedure changes
with no bearing on the possible results, except for
the two-stage qualification that enables any pilot to
get a second chance to access a further round.
6.2. CLASS F6B – AEROMUSICALS
6.2.1 Definitions
6.2.1.1 Definition of an AeroMusicals competition
A competition in which pilots perform flights to music to
express their piloting and artistic skills. The performance
is judged on variety, precision and expressiveness.
There are three sub-classes according
to the competition site:
• Sub-class A (indoor): for performance
in restricted indoor halls
• Sub-class B: for performance in large indoor sport
arenas or small-size outdoor sporting places
• Sub-class C: for performance in medium-
size outdoor locations.
6.2.1.2 Definition of an AeroMusicals aircraft
An electric-powered model aircraft, but not a helicopter,
that is aerodynamically manoeuvred by
control surface(s) in attitude, direction and altitude
by a pilot on the ground using radio control,.
6.2.2 General Characteristics of Radio
Controlled AeroMusicals Aircraft:
Maximum total weight:
Sub-class A: 500 g
Sub-class B: 1000 g
Sub-class C: 2000 g
Power source limitations: any suitable electric power
source may be utilised. Batteries are limited to a
maximum of 42 Volts for the propulsion circuit.
For better visibility, brightly decorated
aircraft are recommended.
AeroMusicals Aircraft shall be controlled with commercially
available radio control equipment. There
are no restrictions on the number of control functions
or auxiliary equipment. No other restrictions apply.
Paragraph B.3.1 of Section 4b (Builder of Model)
is not applicable to class F6B.
6.2.3. 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.
6.2.4. Attempts
6.2.4.1. There is an attempt when the competitor
is given permission to start. Take-off shall
take place within one minute after that moment.
6.2.4.2. Each competitor is entitled
only 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 aircraft 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 light shut-off, music airing
malfunction, etc.), the competitor is entitled a re-fly. The
whole flight shall be re-flown and scored as a whole.
6.2.5. Definition of an official flight
There is an official flight when an attempt
is made, whatever the result.
6.2.6. Definition of a Round
A Round consists of one flight for each competitor
entitled to fly in that Round. The number of
rounds is established by the Organiser according
to the planned competition duration.
6.2.7. Number of Rounds
6.2.7.1. The competition shall be planned so as
to limit the total duration. A competition duration from one
hour up to no more than two hours is recommended.
6.2.7.2. The competition consists of one or
several rounds leading to a final round. The starting
order for the initial round is established by the Organiser
according to any suitable accepted criterion. It
is suggested that the starting order takes into account
the competitors skill ranking (established by any generally
accepted mean) so as to increase the spectators’
interest from the beginning to the end of the round.
6.2.7.3. All pilots are entitled to fly the first round.
6.2.7.4. At the conclusion of each round, only the
best ranking competitors are entitled to take part in the
following round. The number or percentage of competitors
flying in any following round is defined by the Organiser
according to the expected competition duration.
At the Organiser’s discretion, access to any following
round except the last one may be split into direct quali
fication for most of the competitors and indirect quali-
fication for up to three (3) additional competitors to fill
up the originally planned number for that round. In this
case, all pilots not directly qualified may take part in an
additional round to select the last qualified competitors.
6.2.7.5. The starting order for any round after the
initial one is in reverse order of the classification
at the conclusion of the last complete round.
6.2.7.6. The last round is called “Finals”
with a limited number of competitors,
preferably 2 (two) or 3 (three).
6.2.7.7. The Organiser shall set up and display
for each round a timetable stating the time each
competitor will be allowed to start his flight.
6.2.8 AeroMusicals flights
6.2.8.1. These are flights where each competitor
must compose his own sequence of manoeuvres
to suit a music of his 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.
6.2.8.2. The flights shall be judged for technique,
artistic quality, variety, compliance with the chosen
music and overall appearance. A judging guide
defines the judging criteria and their relative weights.
6.2.8.3. The music shall be chosen by each
competitor according to his own taste. The music shall be
composed of alternating slow and faster tempo segments
so as to enable the competitor to display the widest
possible range of manoeuvres and mood impressions.
The competitor must provide the Organiser with a record
of the chosen music on CD, tape or any other suitable
support specified by the Organiser in the original invitation
document. Details of the music used (composer,
interpreter, CD label, etc.) shall be supplied to the Organiser
for Public Performance Rights collection purpose.
6.2.8.4. The music shall be of 120 seconds duration.
The competitor may elect to fly a different manoeuvres
sequence and/or to a different music for any flight.
6.2.8.5. For Finals, at the Organiser’s discretion
the music may be of 240 seconds duration, provided this
is specified in the initial competition invitation bulletin.
6.2.8.6. 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.
6.2.9. Timing procedures
6.2.9.1. It is the competitor’s responsibility
to check the timetable and make sure he is ready to
start at the prescribed time. He may be handed out
his transmitter at any time as allowed by the Transmitter
Impound Stewart but no later than the prescribed
starting time of the previous competitor.
6.2.9.2. Once the competitor is given permission
to start, he signals to the Steward the moment
he wants the music to start. If he fails to signal
this moment, the Steward will start the music 15 seconds
after the permission to start has been given.
6.2.9.3. Scoring by the judges begins when
the music starts and ceases at the moment the music
stops. At the choice of the competitor, the end of the
scored flight may occur at landing or in flight. If in flight,
the competitor must land his aircraft quickly thereafter.
6.2.10. Time penalties
6.2.10.1. If the competitor fails to
take off within 15 seconds after the music
starts, the flight is scored 0 (zero).
6.2.10.2 If the freestyle music lasts less
or more than the prescribed duration, the flight
score shall be reduced accordingly.
6.2.11. Scoring
6.2.11.1. Judging
6.2.11.1.1. In general, all flights shall be judged
by a panel of at least 3, and preferably 5, judges. The
scores of all judges shall be taken into account.
6.2.11.1.2. Each flight may be awarded
marks, in half point increments, from 10 to 0
by each of the judges and for each judging criterion
as defined in the Judging Guide.
6.2.11.1.3. The score awarded by each judge
shall be displayed immediately after each flight.
6.2.11.1.4. When the Final Round involves only two
competitors, the Organiser may elect to have the winner
elected by the spectators, provided this is clearly stated
in the initial competition invitation bulletin. In this case,
if the result of the spectators vote is not clearly decisive,
the panel of judges shall have the decisive vote.
6.2.12. Classification
6.2.12.1. All competitors are entitled
to compete in the first round.
6.2.12.2. Scores are not carried over
from one round to the following one.
6.2.12.3. The final classification is established according
to the last round flown by the competitor and the
classification in this round, in decreasing order from Final
to initial Rounds and from highest score to the lowest.
Although a few amendments may be introduced
in the Hand Thrown Glider class, they are not yet
finalised and will, if approved, only involve minor
procedure changes.
RADIO CONTROL HAND THROWN GLIDERS
6.4. CLASS F6D – HAND THROWN GLIDERS
6.4.1 General
A contest where RC gliders must be hand thrown to altitude.
The organiser must provide a sufficient number of
timekeepers in order to allow enough simultaneous flights
at all time. In principle, each competitor is allowed one
helper who should not become physically involved in the
flight. Handicapped persons may ask their helpers for assistance
at launching and retrieving (catching) their glider.
The organiser should provide a transmitter impound
where all transmitters are kept in custody while not in use
during a flight or the corresponding preparation time.
6.4.2. Definition of hand thrown gliders
Motorless model aircraft, with the following limitations.
Wingspan max. ........ 1500 mm
Weight max. ........ 600 g
Radius of the nose, minimum 5 mm in all orientations
(see F3B nose definition for measurement technique).
The hand thrown glider must be launched by
hand and are controlled by radio equipment acting
on an unlimited number of surfaces.
The hand thrown glider can be equipped with holes,
pegs or reinforcements, which allow better grip of the
model aircraft by hand. The pegs must be stiff and
remain a firm part of the model, neither extensible nor
retractable. Devices, which do not remain a part of the
model during and after the launch, are not allowed.
The competitor may at any times change his model
aircraft as long as they conform to the specifications
and are operated at the assigned frequency.
Each competitor must provide five frequencies on
which his model aircraft may be operated, and the
organiser may assign any of these frequencies for
the duration of any round or the complete contest.
6.4.3. Definition of the flying field
The flying field should be reasonably level and large
enough to allow several model aircraft to fly simultaneously.
The main source of lift should not be slope lift.
The organiser must define the launching and landing
area before the start of the contest and all launching and
landings should happen within this area. Any launch or
landing outside this area is scored zero for the flight.
A typical launching and landing area could
be a rectangle 100m x 50m oriented with longer
side perpendicular to the wind direction.
6.4.4. Definition of landing
A landing is considered valid if:
the glider comes to rest and at least one part of
it touches the launching and landing area;
the competitor catches the glider by hand (or if competitor
is handicapped, his helper, if launching was
made by this person), while standing with both
feet inside the launching and landing area.
6.4.5. Flight time
The flight time is measured:
At task 1 from the moment the glider leaves the hands of
the competitor
At task 2 from the end of the launching interval
The flight time is measured to the moment the glider comes
to rest on the ground or ground based object or the
competitor catches the glider by hand or the working time
expires. One point will be awarded for each full second the
glider is flying, up to the given maximum flight time One
point will be deducted for each full second flown in excess
of given maximum flight time.
The flight time is official if the launching happens from inside
the launching and landing area and the landing happens
inside this area.
6.4.6. Organisation of rounds
The competitors are arranged in groups. A group should
be a minimum of 5 pilots. The contest is organised in qualifying,
semi-final and fly-off rounds.
At qualifying rounds the task 1 and 2 is flown. The start
and end of the working time are announced with a soundsignalling
device. The results are normalised within each
group, 1000 points being the basis for the winner of the
group.
To the semi-final rounds the best pilot from each qualifying
group proceeds. Other pilots, up to the number of 24, proceed
to semi-final according to their normalised results. In
case of tie at last proceeding places a draw decides.
At semi-final the pilots fly task 2 in three groups.
To the final group the best pilot from each semi-final group
proceeds. Other five pilots proceed to final according to
their normalised results. In case of tie at last proceeding
places, the pilot with better result from qualifying round
proceeds.
At fly-off eight pilots fly in one group. All pilots with non zero
score proceed to the following round. Usually the number
of pilots is reduced by one at each consecutive round, so
that at the last round only two pilots compete for the total
winner. If in any round all pilots get zero or maximum score
the round is repeated
For each round, the competitors receive at least 2 minutes
preparation time, as announced by the organiser. During
the preparation time, the competitor is allowed to turn on
and check his radio, but is not allowed any launch of his
glider, either outside or inside the launching and landing
area.
6.4.7. Total winner
The winner is the pilot with best result from the last round
at which two pilots were flying. The third place gets the
pilot who has been flying in the last but one round.
6.4.8 Tasks
6.4.8.1. Task 1 “Last flight”:
During the working time, the competitor may launch the glider
an undefined number of times, but only the last flight is
taken into account to determine the final result. The length
of the flight is limited to 5 minutes. Any additional release
of the glider annuls the proceeding timing. When the competitor
announces that he has completed his last flight (his
official flight for this task), he must leave the launching and
landing area, together with his timekeeper.
Working time - 7 minutes.
6.4.8.2. Task 2 “All up”:
All competitors of a group must launch their gliders simultaneously,
within 3 seconds. The signal for launching comprises
from three short beeps each second and a continuous
tone lasting three seconds. During continuous tone
the glider has to leave the hand of the pilot. Releasing the
glider earlier or later results in zero score for this flight.
Maximum flight time is 3 minutes. Each flight time of the 3
attempts of each competitor is to be added up and will be
normalised to obtain the final score for this task.
Example:
Competitor A: 45+50+35 s = 130 s = 812.50 points
Competitor B: 50+50+60 s = 160 s = 1000 points
Competitor C: 30+80+40 s = 150 s = 937.50 points
6.4.8.3 Task for fly-off rounds
All competitors of a group must launch their model aircraft
simultaneously, within a three second period. The signal
for launching comprises a three second countdown with a
single beep for each of those three seconds and a continuous
tone lasting three seconds. During the continuous
tone the model aircraft has to leave the hand of the pilot.
Releasing of the model earlier or later results in zero score
for this flight. Maximum flight time is 3 minutes.
When the first model lands or at three minutes flight time
a thirty seconds interval starts. All models must land within
these thirty seconds.
The pilot whose model landed first receives a zero score
or a pilot who released his model before or after the three
seconds interval for launching or whose model landed outside
the landing area or landed after the thirty seconds
interval receives a zero score too.
This WAG Newsletter will be published whenever new information is
available.
If you know other pilots who may be interested to take part in the
2009 World Air Games, tell me at WAG2009@online.fr
Guy Revel
Chairman, CIAM WAG Selection Committee
)