Beginner's Guide to Scale Competition

Scal Plane
Can you believe this is a model?

Text from the VFSAA website. Approved for use by John Lamont 2010.

To fly your Scale Aircraft in a ‘scale like’ manner requires practice (repeated exercise to improve skill), patience (calm endurance) and persistence (continue firmly). Even practicing to a plan can, for some, be helpful. In this section we will deal mainly with flying the maneuvers usually found at a scale comp. All flying maneuvers must be judged bearing in mind the performance of the full-size prototype. The aim of the scale flight schedule is to recreate the flight characteristics of the full-size aircraft. Judges must not therefore confuse scale contests with aerobatics contests.
Please refer to the FAI website for current rules and information of the judging criteria.
The information below is to be used as a guide for ARF, F4C and Large Scale competition. Based on the current rules, competitions allow for a flight schedule with a total of ten maneuvers, with Take-Off, Figure 8, Descending 360, and Landing being compulsory. Please note that Figure 8 and Descending 360 can be flown in any order of the eight maneuvers between Take off and Landing. Please note Take off and Landing has the same K Factor.

The Compulsory Maneuvres

Take-off is the first compulsory maneuver and is the second highest scoring and should be performed similar to the real plane (within the limits of the judge’s field of view and area of the flying field).

Figure Eight is a maneuver that consists of two circles of equal dimension joined together side by side with no X in the middle. Takes practice to get this one right.

Descending 360 Degree Circle starts as level flight down the strip at height and when model is centre to judges, power is reduced to low setting and plane banked to descend in a circle and exits at 6 meter height on same heading as entry. Pretty to watch when done well.

Approach & Landing is the only other compulsory maneuver and may be a 90 degree turn or semi-circular turn from base leg to final leg when descending through to touchdown (must be nominated prior to commencement) and landing into wind is allowed. This maneuver has the highest flight points and when done properly is great to see (especially for the pilot having just flown some of the above maneuvers, this gets to be the best one – and when he gets it right, the great feeling of satisfaction).

The Optional Maneuvres

There are a total of eight optional maneuvers which are chosen based on the full size aircraft type, whether it be aerobatic or non-aerobatic.

Straight Flight on a calm day is relatively easy although not as easy as you would expect – but on a windy day – you hope your model has ‘good penetration’.

Chandelle is a full power climbing 180 degree turn.

Retract & Extend Landing Gear or Flaps is entry down the strip, not above 15 meters, extend landing gear/or flaps, (say 20 meters) before judges centerline and proceed into a constant height 360 degree circle and commence retraction of gear/flaps in front of judges and then climb out just past judges position.

Dropping of Bombs or Fuel Tanks should be done in the manner of the prototype in front of the judges.

Stall Turn is entry down the flight line past the judges say 20 meters, vertical climb to a stop and execute a rudder turn left or right (nominated) and dives vertically and recovers to level flight at same height as entry but opposite direction.

Immelmann turn enters down the flight line and starts half loop in front of judges with an inverted hesitation before half roll out to level flight in opposite direction to entry. Low powered aircraft can do a shallow dive prior to half loop to pick up speed.

Loop is intended to be a circular maneuver but not all planes can do that unless they are a jet or high powered aerobatic type, so some discretion by the judges is used for size and shape of loop.

Split S (reversal) is nearly an opposite of an Immelmann turn. Entry at height down flight line, half roll (say 20 meters before judges centerline), reduce power and perform half circular loop down to lower height (say 6 meters) and apply power for level flight exit on opposite track.

Cuban Eight is two vertical circles joined together but now there is an X in the middle when doing a half roll when descending in both directions.

Normal Spin (3 turns) straight entry down flight line at height, throttle off and stall initiated into a spin, usually rudder to kick tail around then full aileron and elevator to continue into a spin, let controls go at say 2 1/2 turns to exit on same heading as entry and apply power to round out to level flight.

Roll is an axial roll at constant height, the trick is to be fully inverted when centre to the judges. A shallow dive for speed is allowed and slow, barrel or snap rolls are allowed if nominated.

Parachute drop should be in manner of prototype where doors or hatch is opened, speed reduced before drop or a braking parachute, such as used on a jet, can be demonstrated.

Touch & Go is a turned approach followed by a landing with main wheels minimum 5 meters on the ground central to judges followed by takeoff and smooth climb-out.

Overshoot has entry at a greater height and wheels are at 3 meters above strip (non-aerobatic types only).

Side Slip (Left or Right) is similar to overshoot except aircraft heading is at least 20 degrees off track when in descent approach and heading is changed to same as track in front of judges prior to climb out.

1st and 2nd Flight Function by Subject Aircraft is the choice of two other manoeuvres not listed in the rest of these, that is peculiar or particular to the aircraft modeled e.g.: Crop Spraying or Outside Loop. Contestant must provide evidence to judges prior to flying that his aircraft did the maneuver(s) nominated, and whilst on the flight line, explain to the judges what the maneuvers will look like. Procedure turn, climbing, turn, descending turn, switching lights on/off is not allowed.

Flight in a Triangular Circuit is to fly a horizontal triangle with 150 meter legs (min.) and a 60 degree turn at each corner with entry and exit at the same position central to judges. (Non-aerobatic types only).

Flight in a Rectangular Circuit is to fly a rectangle beginning 75 metres past judges turn right (or left) 90 degrees away from judges for min. 150 metres turn 90 deg. fly 75 metres turn 90 degrees fly toward you min. 150 metres turn 90 degrees and exit same track as entry (non-aerobatic types only).

Flight in a Straight Line at a constant height of 6 meters maximum, for a minimum of 100 meters in length (non-aerobatic types only).

Flight in a Straight Line with One Motor Throttled is for multi-engine aircraft at constant height minimum 100 meters length.

Lazy Eight is essentially two wingovers in opposite directions with a banked turn each end and an X in the middle.

Wingover comprises flying at a constant height past judges (say 20 meters), and turning up into a smooth bank (at least 60 degrees), and descending at the same rate of bank back to the same entry height, and exit on the opposite track past the judges (non-aerobatic types only).

Inverted Flight is a half roll to inverted flight for at least 100 meters in a straight line, then half roll back to normal flight (don’t forget up elevator is not ‘up’ any more when you’re upside down – oops).

Sport Scale Competition

Entry to a Sport Scale competition requires no ‘Proof of Scale’ documentation or ‘static judging’, therefore ARF’s and planes not built by the owner can enter.

Eligility requirements are:

Motive power may be internal combustion engine(s), ducted fans or jet turbines. Electric power is accepted subject to the limitations of the MAAA Rules regarding battery capacity. Optional maneuvers for Non Aerobatic Aircraft include:- chandelle, flight in a rectangular circuit, flight in a triangular circuit, flight in a straight line at 6 meters height, lazy eight, wingover.

In all events the maneuver is announced just prior to commencement by the pilot calling “NOW” and on completion calling “FINISHED”. Judges sit just behind the competitor parallel to and at a safe distance from the flight line. Take off and landings are allowed into the wind but any maneuver performed behind the judge’s line or over spectators scores a zero.

Flying schedule includes four mandatory maneuvers:


Plus five optional maneuvers

All models are judged for Realism in Flight based on:


F4C and Large Scale Competition

Choice of maneuvers, entry to State Championships, and VFSAA annual events for FAI and Large Scale, requires a minimum of published color photos plus a 3-view showing front, side and plan of the plane modeled, or a silhouette plus 3 photos (e.g.: old-timer where no drawings exist).

Minimum wingspan (or fuselage length in the case of a modern jet fighter) in the 3-view is to be 255mm.

Static judging is performed during the event.

Please note: At these two events, ARF models are welcome and are not required to be static judged therefore no documentation is needed.

 

Text from the VFSAA website, approved for use by John Lamont.


For more information about Scale Flying, please visit the Web site of the Victorian Flying Scale Aircraft Association.


To visit the VFSAA website, click on this link: http://vfsaa.org.au/