[50%300SFlyer]

Have a look here guys. http://www.f3m.com/

The FAI provisional class is spreading around the world... Its only a matter of time.

[OverTemp]

Um... neat?

I can barely afford going to local contests much less taking a 40% plane to Europe... seems destined to flail (not fail) except for the sponsored guys... we get an airshow in Europe and we can have the RC NATO dictate our rules to us!!!! Will we have F3M Security Counsel Resolutions? Noise limites under 90db?

All in good fun... should be neat to watch.

In all seriousness...
1) Knowns good for 2 YEARS... that's gonna get boring... 1 year is bad enough!
2) Will freestyle be mandatory for all? Looks that way.
3) 83" minimum wingspan?
4) 92db on grass? I guess it's measured at 7m though.
5) You do the noise test, then fly, THEN they impond your plane and TX and give you do a re-test WITHOUT being allowed to work on anything? If it fails again, then they zero your last round!!!
6) Marked Aerobatic Box
7) Time limits for the flight
Landings are scored on attempts and a marked landing area

Sequence looks like a cross between Intermediate and Advanced... no terribly difficult.

I take it we keep our Scale Aerobatics since not too many guys in basic are into snaps or rollers?

[50%300SFlyer]

The FAI is the only world wide recognized organization governing competitive sport aviation of all types, including but not limited to, ballons, gliders, and powered aircraft both models and full scale. All of the maneuvers we fly in IMAC, come from the "FAI" catalogue.

F3M is currently a "provisional" class. This means it is not yet an official FAI world championship event. Unlike IMAC, it uses a 3 zoned box with centered judging criteria.

Being a provisional class, also means that any member country of the FAI, [which includes Canada and the USA] may submit recommendations to the FAI, through their countries representative. Again unlike IMAC, every member country has equal representation within the FAI. This gives every member country around the world, an opportunity to help shape and mold the F3M class.

When the F3M class does become official within the FAI, IMO, it would likely replace the current Unlimited class now being flown in Canada and the US. You would not need to be a world class sponsored pilot, in order to compete within your own country at regular contests. I would also suspect that the zoned box with centering criteria, would also be adopted "again", to ensure only one set of judging criteria exists for all the classes of Scale Aerobatics. It would not make sense to have separate criteria for just one class.

[Rick Kroeze]

Mike,

Are you suggesting that F3M is going to replace pattern and scale aerobatics or is it in addition to?

[50%300SFlyer]

Neither Rick..

Pattern already has its own FAI class.... F3A.

Im suggesting that F3M will replace the Unlimited class [current top level] in Scale Aerobatics.

[Rick Kroeze]

So 1 set of criteria for Basic through Advanced new set for Unlimited? That would be awkward to learn and judge.

In addition to Jason's points it looks like it would take a lot more personnel to run a contest if all that has to be tracked. Takes a lot just to do it now.

Going by the popularity of the Unlimited class, can't see it changing to anything else in the near future. Time will tell. Can't see everything changing just so a couple people can compete on the world level. Those that want to can do so now, without changing anything.

F3M as a separate class.... maybe?

[50%300SFlyer]

Originally Posted by Rick Kroeze

So 1 set of criteria for Basic through Advanced new set for Unlimited? That would be awkward to learn and judge.

In addition to Jason's points it looks like it would take a lot more personnel to run a contest if all that has to be tracked. Takes a lot just to do it now.

Going by the popularity of the Unlimited class, can't see it changing to anything else in the near future. Time will tell. Can't see everything changing just so a couple people can compete on the world level. Those that want to can do so now, without changing anything.

F3M as a separate class.... maybe?

Just one set of judging criteria for all classes, is what I believe most would prefer. FAI or the IMAC way?? Your right... time will tell.... The 3 zoned box with centering criteria is the better way... IMO.

While the TOC, the Masters have attracted some of the worlds best pilots, those contests no longer exist. Once F3M becomes an official FAI class, world championships would be held every two years, just like it is done now for Pattern, Pylon racing, gliders, helicopters and other model aviation SIGs.

[Bob Hudson]

I would like to suggest that the 5 classes IMAC (USA) and Canada now have will remain the same, and that a 6th class, the FAI class will be created.

The FAI class sequences will need to be designed a lot tougher if they anticipate bringing the North American pilots into the fray. A simple look at our current Unlimited class, let alone the Tucson Shootout Invitational Class sequences should substantiate the need for tougher FAI class sequences.

[OverTemp]

Landings are scored on attempts and a marked landing area

I wasn't being cocky... I guess the number 8 with a ) after it forms that shady smiley face.

I agree with Bob... the sequence looks pretty friggen' easy for the good dudes out there. I also dislike the landing judging... I'd really hate to see guys trying to force their 40%s onto the ground and wrecking them just so they wouldn't lose a few points. Leave landings alone.

The only problem with creating another class is participation... who will fly in the class if Unlimited and Freestyle still exist, plus it will make events just that much longer. The length of an IMAC event is what's keeping many guys in my club from participating. On the other hand, it's too different to replace Unlimited with F3M... this is going to be fun to watch the fall-out.

[scaleguy]

Originally Posted by OverTemp

The length of an IMAC event is what's keeping many guys in my club from participating.

Jason,

Do you mean your club members can'tor won't commit to a two day event OR they feel they will be sitting around most of the time doing nothing, waiting to fly when they could be at another field flying their faces off, if they wanted, without being at a contest?