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Proposal for 2011 Judges Guide
Published: 2/11 2009
Last update: 9/1 2010


Proposal for the CIAM Bureau Meeting
3-5 December Lausanne, Switzerland

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ANNEX 4D
CLASS F2D – JUDGES GUIDE


Purpose of this Guide
This Guide is intended as an aid for Judges/Circle Marshals, Officials and Organisers as well as Competitors of how to interpret, understand and use the Sporting Code Rules concerning F2D Combat. Most of the content in this guide could also be used for class F2E.

Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Processing (before the contest)
At processing, before the contest, the following issues can be checked and/or tested:
  • Measurement of the venturi inlet diameter using the simple plug gauge.
  • Measurement of the silencer outlet diameter using the simple plug gauge.
  • Measurement of the silencer volume by filling with an appropriate liquid (oil or other).
  • Measurement of the silencer length.
  • Measurement of the swept volume of the motor(s) (random check).
  • Inspection of the silencer's internal compartment to determine if it is truly "simple", i.e. it is an empty container with no internal components and a single exhaust opening.
  • Pull test of the safety strap and safety wire and inspection of its implementation.
  • Inspection of a working shut-off.
  • Inspection of the streamer retaining device.
  • Check the wing area and model weight.
  • Check that the model is marked with FAI License Number (Minimum size specified in the General Section of Sporting Code) and FAI sticker and check that the Model Specification Card (One per model type) is filled in, signed and stamped.
  • Mark the models and engines and record the number of models and engines.
Note: Although checked at processing this is not a certificate that a competitor’s equipment can’t be a source of disqualification in the competition.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.3. Combat Site       Rule Book
If the centre (pilot) circle is laid out on other material than grass it is recommended that this material have a maximum radius of 4 metres although the pilot (centre) circle must be marked with a radius of 2 metres.

Circles are best marked using white paint or chalk but also plastic strip can be used. In the case of using plastic strip the organiser must make sure it is laid out and fastened in such a way as not to cause a trip hazard to pilots or mechanics. Plastic strip should be avoided when marking the pilot circle.

Contestants not directly involved in the organisation or flying in a heat are always requested to withdraw behind the safety fences or outside the contest area. Spectators and others not involved in the Combat

Contest must at all times stay behind the safety fences or at the allotted places.

The organisers should provide special safety fences for the Scorers/Time Keepers. Judges and Team managers should also use this safety measure as intended when flying is in progress.

The safety strap and shut-offs must be used at practice flights.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.4. Competitor       Rule Book
There is no rule saying that the mechanic(s) must be of the same nationality as the competitor. This means that a single competitor from a country can find and employ mechanics at the World or Continental Championships. The only demand is that they possess a valid Sporting License and are not registered for another National Team.

When the pilot is outside the centre circle for other reasons than picking up the handle or waiting for his model to be serviced all rules that apply to mechanic(s) also apply to the pilot.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.5. Characteristics       Rule Book
b) All handle and line connections should be covered in such a way not to interfere with the opponent’s lines but not longer than necessary to cover the connectors. More than one connector per line at the handle and at the model aircraft is not permitted. Note that open connection connectors are not allowed (see sketch). Pilots using this type of handle must tape the handle before the heat.


f) There must always be a wire connection between the engines and the lines. Info
k) When referring to the engine shut-off (engine stop) device this cover both the anti fly-away device (shut-off) and the system used to stop the engine at the pilots will.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.6. Technical Verification       Rule Book
d) Demonstrations of a working shut-off can be requested at random.
e) When pull testing the safety wire it is recommended to ask the competitor (owner of the model) in what direction to pull.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.8 Streamer       Rule Book
The mechanic(s)/pilot can not ask for another streamer just to save time in a heat, for example if it is wrapped around the lines.
All parts of the opponent’s streamer/string should be cleared from your own streamer/string before relaunching.
No matter if the competitor uses a metal ring or not to attach the streamer to the model, the string should have a single loop and one knot.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.9. The Heat from start to finish       Rule Book
f) When the model is launched the pilot should walk directly into the centre circle. It is the responsibility of the competitor to make sure where the Circle Marshal is to avoid running into him.
h,i) At take-off and before the signal to start combat the models should fly level in an anti-clockwise direction. The competitors are not allowed to do any loops or other manoeuvres unless asked to by the Circle Marshal in order to separate the models. Take-off should take place in level flight forward, not upwards or backwards. Any break of these rules will result in a disqualification.
k) In conditions of heavy wind, a grounded model which does not have a running engine may be moved to a safer launching position under supervision by the Judges. While doing this, the mechanics are not allowed to carry the model aircraft and lines over an opponent’s grounded model aircraft and/or pitting crew. Parts of a crashed model aircraft are not considered a grounded model aircraft.
l) The mechanic(s)/pilot may move around in the vicinity of their pitting position.
n) The pilot will receive a yellow card if he uses a rough or unsafe flying style, causes a line tangle or shows unsportsmanlike behaviour. The Judges/Circle Marshal shall not hesitate to give a yellow card to keep the level of combat on an acceptable and fair level. A yellow card can be given during the heat or after the heat when the Judges/Circle Marshals have had a chance to confer about situations in the heat. The first yellow card is a 40 point penalty while the second and/or third yellow card is a disqualification. If the first yellow card incident is considered severe, the pilot shall also be disqualified for this offence.
o) The scorers must be observant and aware that the heat can be stopped.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.10. Scoring       Rule Book

c) The scorers’ times should be rounded to the nearest whole second and then added together. The added result should be divided by the number of scorers, and then rounded to the nearest whole second. This result should be the competitor’s official time in the heat. If any scorer’s time shows a significant deviation from the average, it should be excluded (but still noted on the score sheet). The scorers must be observant and stop their watches if there is a fly-away of the model they are scoring.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.11. Reflights       Rule Book
c) A reflight may be granted if, for instance, the model is stuck high up in a tree or in a safety net where it will take too long, or be impossible to retrieve the streamer.
 
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.12. Penalties and disqualifications
A. A competitor will receive a penalty of 40 points:       Rule Book
a) No penalties should be given to the pilot if he is pushed out of the circle. Instead his opponent should receive a yellow card or be disqualified (4.4.12.C.e) unless the Circle Marshal consider it an accidental incident where neither of the pilots can be blamed.
b) In order to reach a grounded model the mechanics are not allowed to cut across the flying or pitting circle (See sketch). If a model is crashed close to the centre circle it is especially important for the mechanic(s) to be observant at what point to enter the circles. A penalty should be given if, for example, the pilot picks up the crashed model on one side of the centre circle and brings it out on the opposite side of the circle.


c) Be observant that all line tangles must be cleared before the model is serviced or the streamer is moved to the spare model (Except for the case where both pilots have the permission of the Circle Marshal to continue). This rule is also valid if the model is outside the flying circle, for example due to a fly-away.
f) See 4.4.9.n.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


B. A competitor will receive a penalty of 100 points:       Rule Book
a, b, c and d) The scorers must be observant and stop their watches if this happens for the model they are scoring.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


C. A competitor will be disqualified from the heat:       Rule Book
a) This means that a model without a silencer, a working shut-off, a streamer hook etc can not be used again until repaired.
c) For safety reasons it is not allowed to attach tools, weights etc to a crashed model to compensate for a lost outer wing.
f) If lines or handles are dragged into the centre circle by accident the Circle Marshal should order the pilots to cease combat and fly level until the circle is cleared and it is safe to continue.
h) It is the responsibility of each competitor and his Team Manager to be aware of when his flight is scheduled.
m) Crossed lines which do not interfere with the course of the heat are not a problem and is no reason for disqualification. If the spare model aircraft is needed to take-off and it is prohibited by the crossed lines of the opponent then another situation is created and rule 4.4.12.C.u is applied: Interference with his opponents equipment.
o) When a pilot without a streamer chooses to fly level and combat still is going on, and his opponent flies in such a way to cause a crash or collision he will be disqualified.
p) This situation must be carefully watched by the Judges and if the streamer/string can be suspected to have been hit or partly cut in a previous attack or mid-air collision it should be counted as a cut for the opponent.
q) A part of the string must always be attached to the streamer retaining device. Only the metal ring (if used) is not enough. If the streamer retaining device is bent or missing due to a mid-air collision the pilot should not be disqualified. Also, if the string is missing and device is intact but the model is damaged close to the device and it can be concluded that the string is cut in the loop no disqualification should be given.
t) See 4.4.12.A.f.
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


u) For example such as tampering with the streamer (putting water, saliva or fuel on the string before tying the loop, additional single knots on the string wherever, cause damage or weak spots on the string by pulling with the teeth, pliers or scissors , soaking the paper with fuel, pre-cut, the paper, etc).
This rule can also be used to disqualify a competitor due any other breach of the rules that is not covered in a separate paragraph.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.13 The use of Video equipment       Rule Book
Note that is only the Judges/Circle Marshal/FAI Jury that can decide if they want to look at the video recording or not. A competitor can make a request or give in a protest after a heat but if the Judges/Circle Marshal feel certain, they should not be obliged to look at the video recording.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.14 Individual and Team Classification       Rule Book
f) Although this competitor will fly his heat in the following round his score will count to the round where he was the odd one.
i) Do a fly-off following the rules in 4.4.14.h.
 
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.


Rule 4.4.15. Judges and Timekeepers       Rule Book
a) It is of most importance that the Judges have a good understanding of the rules and that they have a common language as this will reduce delays and possible errors. The Circle Marshal has the main responsibility for the centre circle and the pilots and their behaviour although all Judges have the right to give penalties. Penalties can always be given after a heat where the Judges/Circle Marshal have had a chance to discuss situations that occurred in the heat. In case of three Judges one should be assigned to each pilot and his mechanic(s) while the third Judge will have an overall function. The Judges must work together and watch any models landing/crashing close to them.
b) All scorers should count cuts as well as record airtime for the competitor. Every scorer should have a notepad where he/she can make records of the number of cuts as well as the air time (after the heat). A good way is to divide the six scorers into three groups of two and spread them around the circle. Each group will consist of a scorer for each pilot and they should be instructed to talk to each other during the scoring. If, after the heat, the scorers have a different cut count they must conference and try to come to a decision. They also have the possibility of asking the Judges for advice.
Warning:
This is the proposal for the 2009 CIAM Bureau Meeting

The official version of the 2011 rules can be found here.