RCU Forums - View Single Post - Wing Loading of Hand-Launched RC Planes

08-31-2010 | 04:49 PM

#22

BMatthews

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Chilliwack, BC, CANADA

RE: Wing Loading of Hand-Launched RC Planes

From the rules site;

Quote:

Aircraft Requirements - General

The aircraft may be of any configuration except rotary wing or lighter-than-air.

No structure/components may be dropped from the aircraft during flight.

No form of externally assisted take-off is allowed. All energy for take-off must come from the on-board propulsion battery pack(s). Energy imparted by the hand launch is allowed and not excluded by this requirement.

Must be propeller driven and electric powered with an unmodified over-the-counter model electric motor. May use multiple motors and/or propellers. May be direct drive or with gear or belt reduction.

Motors may be any commercial brush or brushless electric motor.

For safety, each aircraft will use commercially produced propeller/blades. Must use a commercially available propeller hub/pitch mechanism. Teams may modify the propeller diameter by clipping the tip, and may paint the blades to balance the propeller. No other modifications to the propeller are allowed. Commercial ducted fan units are allowed.

Motors and batteries will be limited to a maximum of 40 Amp current draw by means of a 40 Amp fuse (per motor or battery pack) in the line from the positive battery terminal to the motor controller. Only ATO or blade style plastic fuses may be used. (e.g. "Maxi" size Slow Blow, 1.15"x0.85". Available online www.Mcmaster.com part #7460K51)

Must use over the counter NiCad or NiMH batteries. For safety, battery packs must have shrink-wrap or other protection over all electrical contact points. The individual cells must be commercially available, and the manufacturers label must be readable/documented (i.e. clear shrink wrap preferred). All battery disconnects must be "fully insulated" style connectors.

Maximum propulsion battery pack weight is defined in the mission rules section. This battery pack must power propulsion systems only. Radio Rx and servos MUST be on a separate battery pack. Batteries may not be changed or charged between sorties during a flight period.

Aircraft and pilot must be AMA legal. This means that the aircraft TOGW (take-off gross weight with payload) must be less than 55-lb, and the pilot must be a member of the AMA.

Since this is an AMA sanctioned event, the team must submit proof that the aircraft has been flown prior to the contest date (in flight photo) to the technical inspection team. Contest supplied qualified pilots will be available to teams who require them.

I take the bolded part to mean that the model will be launched, fly one mission, land, receive or swith payloads and then be launched again. Once all three missions are accomplished then the "flight period" is over and the team and model leave the area for subsequent post flight processing. Or the weights/ball count may well be processed on the spot between mission tasks but during the same "up at the line" flight period.

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