If you are like me, and the various categories or disciplines in the RAFMAA are a bit a grey area with regards to what is involved in competing, rules and reg’s etc….. then take a look at my layman's guide…… Catchy Title eh!?!

Competitors have a 30 minute period in which to fly a free flight model (i.e not r/c or control line) to gain as many points as possible.

Points are based on flight duration.
Each flight must be in excess of 20 secs to count up to a maximum of 2 minutes (some like to do a round the world attempt whilst trying for max points-Paul B).

Pilots must refuel / recharge and start their models from behind a line.

This is such good fun to do!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well worth the effort.

Competitors have to fly around a 400m triangular shaped course whilst racing against the clock.

Four competitors fly at once with staggered take off’s to avoid collisions.

The number of laps each pilot must complete is governed by the wing type, u/c style, and off course motor size. It is usually around the 9 or 10 mark.

The overall winner is decided over heats leading to a final 4 competitors.

The model you use for this competition has to have been entered into at least one other discipline for you to be able to use it.

The main aim of this comp is to go as fast as you can around the course whilst not jeopardising your pride and joy.

This one brings on the red mist in some!!

Points are awarded on a K Factor (difficulty level) for each manoeuvre and the winner is the one with the most points.

· Sportsman’s Aerobatics

· Standard Aerobatics

· Advanced Aerobatics

This involves flying a prescheduled sequence of aerobatic manoeuvres, which includes things like, loops, stall turns, inverted flight, rolls etc. All of which is possible with pretty much any type of r/c trainer or sports model and should be simple enough for the average club pilot with A Cert ability. There are no end markers to restrict turnarounds at this level.

This is an advance of the sportsman’s aeros with a few more challenging manoeuvres added.

Again, all of which should be within reach of the average club pilot with A & B cert ability, however, box ends apply.

Once more this is an advance of the Std aeros with even more challenging manoeuvres added. All manoeuvres must also be flown within the limitations of a designated area of sky infront of the judges — end markers.

Practice is highly recommended before competing and a copy of the schedules are available on request from the comp sec and RAFMAA web site (RAFMAA Rules).

This a good one.

The competition involves a variety of flights as listed below.

· Limbo

· Touch and go

· Climb and glide

· Roll, Loop, into and down wind with touch and go’s.

The aim is to fly under a ribbon set at a predetermined height as many times as you can in a given time. Sounds easy???? Think again.

The aim is to complete as many touch and go landings within a given area in a specific time period. You aren’t allowed to continuously loop and land unfortunately!!!

Climb and Glide.

You have 30 seconds to climb as high as you can and then cut your engine/motor and glide for as long as you possibly can and then land safely.

If you manage to land within the designated square then you gain extra points.

As far as model type goes, you can use any type of trainer, sports model, funfly but beware this comp can be a little heavy going on an airframe so choose carefully. Danny Houston chose a particularly suitable model for this last year with his own design “HANGER DOOR FOR A WING” funfly. Neck ache from looking up for so long was the only problem with it. That ting duz glide!!!!

You could also do a lot worse than to use a Scallywag models aeroplane (don’t forget to ask for your RAF discount from Geordie Fipps when ordering one, and ask about my advertising commission for me while you’re there!!!).

As the name suggests. You have to complete the listed manoeuvres as quickly as you can with a landing and take off included half way through!!!!!!!!!!

This is where you find out if you have the right model for the job and even more importantly, if you have the engine set up properly!!!

More RAFMAA disciplines broken down in the next newsletter.

Until then, happy flying!!!!

Paul Bellingham

RAFMAA Airmans Representative

email: airmansrep@rafmaa.co.uk

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