What is F3F ?

What is F3F ?

5.8 CLASS F3F - RADIO CONTROL SLOPE SOARING

5.8.1. Definition

This contest is a speed event for radio controlled slope gliders. A minimum of four rounds must be flown. The organiser shall run as many rounds as conditions and time permit.

5.8.2. Characteristics of Radio Controlled Slope Gliders

• Maximum surface area (St) ............................150 dm2
• Maximum flying mass . ...................................5 kg
• Loading on St ...............................................between 12 and
  75 g/dm2
• Minimum
  radius of fuselage nose 7,5 mm in all orientations (see F3B nose definition
  for measuring technique)
• The radio shall be able to operate simultaneously with other equipment at the
  normally used spacing in the allocated R/C bands (i.e. 35 MHz : 10 kHz).

The competitor may use three models in the contest. The competitor may combine the parts of the models between the rounds provided the resulting model used for flight conforms to the rules and that the parts have been checked before the start of the contest. Addition of ballast (which must be located internally in the model) and/or change of angles of setting are allowed. Variation of geometry
or area is allowed only if it is actuated at distance by radio control.

5.8.3. Competitor and Helpers

The competitor must operate his radio equipment personally. Each competitor is permitted one helper. The helper is only to assist and advise the competitor until the model is passing Base A for the first time and after the timed flight is completed.

5.8.4. Definition of an Attempt

There is an attempt when the model has left the hands of the competitor or his helper.

5.8.5. Number of Attempts

The competitor has one attempt on each flight. An attempt can be repeated if:

a) the launching attempt is impeded, hindered or aborted by circumstances beyond the control of the competitor, duly witnessed by the official judges;
b) his model collides with another model in flight or other impediment and the competitor is not to blame on that account;
c) the flight was not judged by the fault of the judges.
d) the model (ie the fuselage nose) fails to pass above a horizontal plane, level with
the starting area, within five seconds of exiting the course, due to circumstances
beyond the control of the competitor, duly witnessed by the official judges. The re-flight shall happen as soon as possible considering the local conditions and the 
radio frequencies. If possible, the model aircraft can stay airborne and has to be brought to launching height, launching speed and launching position before the new 30 second period is started by the judge.

5.8.6. Cancellation of a Flight

A flight is official when an attempt is carried out, whatever result is obtained.

A flight is official but gets a zero score if:

a) the competitor used a model not conforming to FAI rules;
b) the model loses any part while airborne;
c) the helper advises the competitor during the timed flight;
d) the model is controlled by anyone other than the competitor;
e) the flight is not carried through;
f) the model lands outside the assigned landing area;
g) the model is not launched within 30 seconds from the moment the starting order is given.

h) the model (i.e. the centre of gravity) fails to pass above a horizontal plane, level
with the starting area, within five seconds of exiting the course.

5.8.7. Organisation of Starts

The flights are to be performed round by round. The starting order is settled by draw in accordance with the radio frequencies used.

The competitor is entitled to three minutes of preparation time from the moment he is called to the ready box. After the three minutes has elapsed, the starter may give the order to start. After the starter has given the order to start, the competitor or his helper is to launch the model within 30 seconds. The competitor or his helper is to launch the model by hand from the starting area indicated by the organiser.

If possible, the starting area, including the audio system, shall be situated in the middle of the course (equal distance from Base A and Base B). The time from launch to the moment the model enters the speed course must not exceed thirty seconds.

If the model has not entered the speed course (i.e. first crossing of Base A in the direction of Base B) within the thirty seconds, the flight time will commence the moment the thirty seconds expires. If the model has not entered the speed course within the thirty seconds, this is to be announced by the judges.

5.8.8. The Flying Task

The flying task is to fly 10 legs on a closed speed course of 100 metres in the shortest possible time from the moment the model first crosses Base A in the direction of Base B. If some irremovable obstacles do not allow 100 m the course may be shorter but not less then 80 m. This exception does not apply for world or continental championships.

5.8.9. The Speed Course

The speed course is laid out along the edge of the slope and is marked at both ends with two clearly visible flags. The organiser must ensure that the two turning planes are mutually parallel and perpendicular to the slope. Depending on the circumstances, the two planes are marked respectively Base A and Base B. Base A is the official starting plane. At Base A and Base B, an Official announces the passing of the model (i.e. the fuselage nose of the model) with a sound 

signal when the model is flying out of the speed course. Furthermore, in the case of Base A, a signal announces the first time the model is crossing Base A in the direction of Base B.

5.8.10. Safety 

The organiser must clearly mark a safety line representing a vertical plane which separates the speed course from the area where judges, other officials, competitors and spectators stay. Crossing the safety line by any part of the model aircraft during the measured flight will be penalised by 100 points subtracted from the sum after conversion, the penalty not being discarded with the result of the round. The organiser must appoint one judge to observe, using an optical
sighting device, any crossing of the safety line.

5.8.11. Judging 

The flights are judged by two judges who do not have to be the same for all competitors.

The judges' task is to control that the flights are performed according to the rules, to be time keepers and to ensure that the right distance is flown.

5.8.12. Scoring 

The result of the flight is stated as the time in seconds and hundredths of seconds obtained by each competitor. For the purpose of calculating the result of the round, the competitor's result is converted this way:

1000x (PW/P)

where PW is the best result in the round, and P is the competitor's result.

5.8.13. Classification 

The sum of the competitor's round scores will determine his position in the final classification. If more than three rounds were flown the lowest round score of each competitor will be discarded and the others added to obtain the final score which will determine his position in the final classification. If more than fourteen rounds were flown, the two lowest round scores will be
discarded. To avoid ties in the classification concerning the five best scores, "classification 

rounds" are flown until the ties are broken. If this is not possible, the result of the discarded round will determine each competitor's position in the final classification.

5.8.14. Organisation of the Contest

The competition must be held at a site which is suitable for slope soaring. When marking the starting and landing areas and the turning planes, the organiser must take into account the configuration of the terrain and the wind direction.

5.8.15. Changes

Any changes in the flight and landing areas may be made only between flight rounds.

5.8.16. Interruptions 

A round in progress must temporarily be interrupted if:-

a) the wind speed constantly is below 3 m/sec or more than 25 m/sec.
b) the direction of the wind constantly deviates more than 45O from a line perpendicular to the main direction of the speed course.

If these conditions arise during the flight the competitor is entitled to a re-flight.

A round in progress is to be cancelled if:

a) the interruption lasts more than thirty minutes;
b) fewer than 50% of the competitors have been able to perform the task caused by marginal conditions. Without the condition "constantly" (i.e. 20 seconds) have been met and thus caused re-flights.