Academy of Model Aeronautics

5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, Indiana 47302
(765) 287-1256 – Voice • Competitions Fax (765) 286-3303
www.modelaircraft.org

EXHIBIT A RULES CHANGE PROPOSAL FORM

PROPOSAL NO. RECEIVED DATE

(To be inserted by Headquarters) (To be inserted by Headquarters)

REVISE DATE VERSION NUMBER

PROPOSAL TYPE (Check One): X Basic  Cross Indicate Original Proposal Number

 Urgent/Safety/Emergency  Interpretation

 General Section  Executive Council  Outdoor Free Flight  Indoor Free Flight  CL Speed

 CL Racing  CL Navy Carrier  CL Aerobatics  CL Combat  CL Special Events X RC Aerobatics  RC Scale Aerobatics  RC Pylon Racing  RC Helicopter  RC Soaring  Scale  Electric

 Special Events  RC Combat

Brief summary of the proposed change.

Change to 4.3 to clarify weight rules and prescribe penalties for violations since there are none currently.

Exact wording proposed for the rule book. (List paragraph numbers where applicable. Example: Change “quote present rule book wording” to “exact wording required”.

Current

4.3: Weight and Size. No model may weigh more than five (5) kilograms (11 pounds) gross, but excluding fuel, ready for takeoff. Electric models are weighed with batteries. No model may have a wingspan or total length longer than two (2) meters (78.74 inches).

Change to:

4.3: Weight and Size. No model may weigh more than 5000 grams gross, but excluding fuel, ready for takeoff. Electric models are weighed with batteries. In Sportsman, Intermediate and Advanced an allowance of 115 grams is permitted. No model may have a wingspan or total length longer than two (2) meters (78.74 inches). Wherever practical, all aircraft should be weighed prior to the start of the contest. If weight is being enforced then all planes competing in that class must be weighed before the same round (1 or otherwise) for a baseline. Only two attempts at making weight will be allowed on the day specified for weigh-in. If no calibration system is available for the scales, a tolerance of 50 grams will be allowed for possible inaccuracies in the measurement instrument. Random checks may be conducted at any time during the contest. Aircraft which are damaged and repaired during the contest, after the initial weigh-in, are subject to being reweighed. Models failing the weight and/or size limits shall be disqualified for competition but recorded scores with the legal aircraft will stand. Aircraft qualifying for a Final shall be weighed and size-checked prior to the commencement of the Finals and may be checked again at any time at the discretion of the Event/Contest Director. Only one attempt at making weight will be allowed for a Finals weigh-in. In the event that the disqualification occurs amongst the Finalists at the Nationals, the next highest competitor shall be allowed to replace the disqualified competitor in the Finals. In the event that more than one Finals round has been flown at the time of a disqualification, no additional pilot will be invited to replace the disqualified pilot. Models shall be weighed in a manner that does not cause damage to the aircraft.

Logic behind proposed change, including alleged shortcomings of the present rules. State intent for future reference.

Rationale:

Creating an allowance for the lower classes provides a degree of flexibility which will encourage participation with a larger variety of aircraft. Retaining the existing 42.56 voltage limitation while raising weight allows the lower class electric competitor to choose from a wider array of less expensive “fuel” alternatives without providing any real advantage over glow powered models.

There is currently no prescribed penalty for failing the size and/or weight requirements. The presumption by most is that a competitor whose model fails these tests will be disqualified. In a recent Nationals, one competitor failed the weight test following an official flight during the Finals. The pilot was not disqualified and the round that had just been flown was not zeroed, essentially removing any reason for the rule to exist.

New event test data/information (new events only), please provide what testing of this new event has taken place to include number of participants and number of contests.

N/A______

Effect, if any, on current AMA records.

None______

Note: The Contest Board Chairman may, in coordination with the submitter of the proposal, at any time prior to submitting a proposal to the Contest Board for Final Vote, edit proposal wording to increase clarity and to avoid ambiguity provided the proposal intent is not changed.

1. Proposer John Fuqua AMA 5955

Street Address

175 WT Hulion Rd

Crestview FL 32539

Day Telephone 850-951-0736 Evening Telephone Same

Date of Signature 8 Nov 2009