Posts: 633
Joined: 7/13/2002 From: Canyon Lake,
TX, USA Status: offline
Hey Guys,
I am interested in what set backs every one is actually using for club 40 and Q-25 2 pole races?
I have heard from several groups that they are actually using very short set backs in many areas. In Texas, most of our fields have a waiver of the set backs so that we can fly at many smaller fields.
These same planes are flown every day as "Sport" planes, but when we decide to chase each other around the pins, we are required to move back an incredible distance.
According to the AMA Safety Code, with a .40 size engine we are required to have 330 ft from pylon line to pilots and 495 ft. from pylon line to spectators.
There is an agenda item in front of the AMA safety committee that would reduce the required set backs for sport racers with aircraft that fly at an AVERAGE AIRSPEED of 100 mph or less. This does not mean TOP speed, but AVERAGE AIRSPEED. All of our club 40 and Q-25 planes would fall under this rule.
The supplemental safety code for R/C pylon racing, AMA PDF #530, states:
Current rule - 2. The distance from the nearest pylon to the spectator line will be in accordance with the current AMA Competition Regulations rules for a two- or three pylon course layout.
We are proposing the following ADDITION to the rule -
Except that for races on a 2 pole course involving only low performance aircraft with an average airspeed under 100 mph, regardless of engine displacement ;
1. The set back from the nearest pylon line to pilots will be a minimum of 150 ft 2. The set back from pylon line to officials will be a minimum of 200 ft. 3. The set back from the nearest pylon line to spectators will be a minimum of 275 ft. 4. All persons with-in 275 ft. of the nearest pylon line during flight operations will be required to properly wear helmets (hard hats).
Using a simple "time over distance" calculation will give you average airspeed.
We need your assistance to get this item passed. Please contact your DVP and members of the AMA Safety Committee and let them know how you feel about this. The next meeting of the Safety Committee is early April, so please act quickly.
This change will allow many more fields to host club 40 and Q-25 races.
I welcome discussion on this item. If you prefer, e-mail me. chuckstt@gvtc.com
Posts: 630
Joined: 2/11/2002 From: Endicott,
NY, USA Status: offline
You can apply for a waiver on those distances, we did (and were granted a waiver) at our field as we just didn't have the space to layout a course per AMA guidelines.
In order to keep speeds down we race Q-500's with OS 40LA's or FP's- probably similar speeds to your Q-25.
Posts: 633
Joined: 7/13/2002 From: Canyon Lake,
TX, USA Status: offline
I guess I should have said before - we have been using these distances, with a waiver, for over 2 years now. We have never had any serious safety issues.
The main problem with the waiver system is that it is very inconsistent between the districts.
Posts: 6220
Joined: 12/8/2002 From: Valdese,
NC, USA Status: offline
GF, I will contact the fellow who set up the T-6 and Q-25 races and find out what his layout was. They had plenty of room, I think they only got a 30' or so variance but I will find out to be sure. It may take me a day or two to get the straight story but I will let you know when I do.
Posts: 633
Joined: 7/13/2002 From: Canyon Lake,
TX, USA Status: offline
Hey Guys,
After talking to the chairman of the Safety committee, Bob Underwood, we think it might not be a good idea to flood the e-mail boxes of each committee member with e-mails.
Instead, I would like you to send me any responce to this proposal and I will compile them and send a "Fact sheet" to the committee along with copies of all e-mails.
The committee will only have one day to consider this proposal and prepare a recommendation to the EC.
PLEASE, let your feelings be known on this proposal. Try to keep them short and to the point, with no name calling, but please respond to this.
All mail can be addressed to Bob Underwood, Chairman, AMA Safety Committee. Then send it to me at: chuckstt@gvtc.com
Posts: 424
Joined: 5/5/2002 From: Arlington,
TX, USA Status: online
Wow, just in time here. I was going to start a post about why set backs are engine size related, instead of MPH... Does not make sense if a trainer with a bushing .40 that goes 50mph has to have such a course. Being there are so many different clubs racing different planes, the mph is the best way to set a course. (my opinion)
We race B&H Hobbies Rookies, with bushing .40's and they can fly up to around 90mph with the bushings, but on the race course they are slower, never had the radar gun to see how much slower, but probably only 60-70 (guessing) Jerry Stafford brought a Club .40 (bearing .40) out months ago, and the better Rookies could hang with it. We let any plane with similar specs fly with us too.
Our field was maybe 150' from the pilots to the poles (525' course, 2 pole) Then we decided to get consistent with other clubs, and changed to 450' and set the poles out to 225' This seems a little far out, especially for our slower planes, but that seemed to be the best we could do for our field size. We have a creek behind us, so we can't back up any. What do we have to do to get legal? Thanks for all you do for us too!
Posts: 633
Joined: 7/13/2002 From: Canyon Lake,
TX, USA Status: offline
First - send me an e-mail addressed to the Safety committee supporting the proposal!
Second - send in a request for a waiver to Greg Hahn gregh@modelaircraft.org Ask him for a waiver of the set back requirement for your field. Attach a line drawing showing your field and the proposed set backs. Include a contact person.
Waivers are granted for the field, not an event.
third - Come on over to the Thunder Birds field (lake Benbrook) Sunday around noon and watch some Q-25 racing and let's talk!
Chuck
edit - corrected e-mail address for Greg Hahn
< Message edited by gunfighter -- 2/12/2008 12:51:05 AM >
Posts: 774
Joined: 4/24/2006 From: Willis, TX, USA Status: offline
It's funny,, I can fly my Shrike at 130mph and not have any set back, fly my Jett, and Nelson q-500's at 150+ with no set back. But put two sticks up to go around and they have to be so far away you need the Hubble telescope to see the planes. I understand safety, but the distances for the slower planes, it should be a "No brainer."
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Set Backs for Club 40? - 
