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PROPOSAL NO. POSTMARK/RECEIVED DATE (To be inserted by Headquarters) (To be inserted by Headquarters) RULES CHANGE PROPOSAL FORM Send to AMA Headquarters. (Attach extra sheets if necessary) The current issue of Competition Regulations must be used to reference rules.
Please Print PROPOSAL TYPE (Check One): X Basic Cross (Indicate Original Proposal Number) Urgent/Safety/Emergency Interpretation
General Section Executive Council X Outdoor Free Flight Indoor Free Flight CL Speed CL Racing CL Navy Carrier CL Aerobatics CL Combat CL Special Events RC Aerobatics RC Scale Aerobatics RC Pylon Racing RC Helicopter RC Soaring Scale Electric Special Events RC Combat
Brief summary of the proposed change.
Banning motorized lofting.
Exact wording proposed for the rule book. (List paragraph numbers where applicable. Example: Change “quote present rule book wording” to “exact wording required”. Attach additional sheet if needed.
14. Motorized Lofting (OFF-3, Add) Retrieval vehicles (such as motor cycles, off-road vehicles) can’t be used to dislodge thermal bubbles by riding ahead of a model, closely tracking its flight. For clarity, the motorized lofting should be done for at least 10 seconds. Persons who violate this rule will have their retrieval vehicle impounded by the CD until the contest ends or when they leave the field. Logic behind proposed change, including alleged shortcomings of the present rules. State intent for future reference. Motorized lofting can be effective under certain conditions, particularly if the rider or riders are skilled. It can add 10-20 seconds, helping a model eek out a max, thus impacting contest results. One can object to it on three grounds: (a) Being inconsistent with the notion of free flight, changing the natural parameters a model is flying through. Selecting bad air can be remedied after the fact – giving a measure of influence on a model’s performance (duration). (b) Being unfair, since motorized lofting is done selectively, among a group of fiends, to improve their results. (c) As a safety risk since it requires the rider or riders to be ahead of the model that is circling above, running the risk of hitting rough terrain or obstacles that could injure the rider or others (by standers or other riders).
Motorized lofting practiced primarily in California and the south west on large desert fields. Fortunately, so far, there have been no known accidents.
People at contests around the country occasionally try auto-loft by swinging their T-shirts, hats or towels under a model. As they can’t run as fast as a model (about 15 ft/sec), this is not very effective. It is considered more of a group activity to participants and as a spectacle to onlookers.
After at least one flier made the 2008 free flight team assisted by motorized lofting, the free flight team selection committee prohibited motorized lofting at free flight Finals. Some Californian clubs decided to follow suite, but on a voluntary basis. Since motorized lofting occurs in both FAI and AMA events, it should be banned through an AMA ruling.
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. Signatures of one Contest Director and two Open class members are required.
1. Primary Proposer Aram Schlosberg AMA # 63362 79-02 212 St., Bayside, NY 11364. 718 479 0478 [email protected]
Signature Dec. 24, 2009 Membership Status: X CD