I don't see where the need to change the FAI weight rule is coming from. From an electric point of view, it would have helped a lot when electric pattern was getting started. The FAI gave a leg up to 4-strokes to help them get going and then removed the displacement rule completely. Currently it is not that difficult to use gas, glow or electric and make weight in FAI. At that level cost is typically not that big a factor. It has also been pointed out that these planes are not that expensive in historical terms. <div>
<div>If the FAI increases or removes the weight rule, you will see a change in complexity and cost of new designs. We do already see this in the FAI patterns as the schedule difficulty continues to increase in an effort to challenge the best in the world as they refine new designs. A weight rule change would accelerate this process.</div><div>
</div><div>Each country has the ability to change the weight limit for their introductory and advanced classes. This alleviates the pressure to make weight on a model that has been converted, crash repaired, a handmedown from FAI that no longer has the expensive and light prop, spinner,wing tube, batteries, etc. Also  takes care of the builder who is only beginning to learn how to build/assemble a light model. These are  valid reasons for a relaxed weight rule.</div><div>
</div><div>We tried to get a weight increase through here in the States for our AMA classes in the last rules cycle and failed miserably. I still haven't figured out the logic of this rejection but do consider it to be shortsighted. </div><div>
</div><div>John Gayer</div><div>
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