The IMAA does NOT require 4-40 hardwre as I understand it... Just receive the following email from them regarding an upcoming meet...

Hello.
I am sending this email in response to a couple inquires regarding the use of 2-56 push rod material in an IMAA airplane and whether or not an airplane can fly at the 2006 IMAA Rally of the Giants event at the Castle air base in May 24-29.
Apparently some were informed that these planes would not be allowed to fly at this years event.
The IMAA Safety code states that the IMAA recommends the use of 4-40 push rod material for push rods in Giant Scale Airplanes. The use of 4-40 is however not mandatory.
Safety is #1 to the IMAA as it should be to everybody and in a majority of Giant Scale Airplanes 4-40 push rod material should be used, however there are some IMAA legal airplanes that do not need 4-40 sized push rod material and 2-56 sized material is fine and considered safe.

When we as pilots go to IMAA sanctioned events we sign the safety review form stating that our planes have been flown a minimum of 6 times and that everything is in safe working order (and more).

Please pass this information on to that those that you feel might go to Castle to fly at this years IMAA Rally of the Giants in Atwater, CA.
Thanks
Mike Brown
IMAA National Safety Officer