In 424 (Sport Quickie) and by extension, Q-25, it is not legal to use molded composite wings. OK, fine, I agree with that. But what about the wing TIPS? Would it be legal to use a conventional balsa over foam core wing for the 47.5 inches of the constant chord section and then slap on either vacuum formed or molded fiberglass tips? I HATE carving balsa tips and I can never find balsa blocks of the same density which then means that I have to add weight to one side of the wing to get lateral balance. It would be easier to use tips made from fiberglass or from vacuum molded plastic. By the way, there is some historical precedence. The "Quickest 500", kitted by "Model Masters" (the late Don Downing, and very much alive Jerry Small) came with vacuum formed wingtips.

I realize that this forum has no legal authority, and that the real judgment call is up to the NMPRA and the AMA, but since the top Q-500 fliers hang out here from time to time, I thought I'd put up a trial balloon and see what the general consensus is.

Whaddya think?

Rule 16.3.1 states the last three inches of each wing tip may be made from any material, so as long as you still maintain the 47.5" of constant chord/thickness, you can make them any way you want.

i have a sport quickie with fiberglass wing tips. if we could just find a source for replacement fiber glass viper wing tips. that would be great...... but, i guess i could just make my own.

Believe it or not Gary, Schmitty has been doing this so long he knows the paragraphs right off the top of his head.

Sorry Lee, I don't know the paragraphs off the top of my head, I had to cheat and look up the rules on the AMA website (and...it's SCHMIDT, LOL)

I know it's Schmidt, just messing with you..

I didn't know it was 3" though.. I thought it had to be foam for the 47.5".. I guess that's what I get for not reading the rules..

OK Lee, now you know what to do with those CAD files that I just sent you...

Thanks Gary, I should have read the rules more carefully before I posted.

No problem, it can be hard to find some stuff in the rules if you're not sure where to look.

Gary James

Just though I would let you know that in 2009 when our North Texas Q-25 pylon racing group changed our rules we adapted the AMA 424 rules as our main rules guideline. This included rule 16.3.1 stated in other post about the last three inches of each tip being any type material for the wing tips so as long as you still maintain the 47.5'' of constant chord/thickness.

See you April 18th at our Q-25 series race #2.