F3A-X
F3A-X is the name of an existing in Germany since 1982 Modellflug -Wettbewerbsklasse, in the original model airplanes similar one aerobatic flying program (long program), which, as is known, evaluated from many other sports of judges. A special goal in this class is to simulate the preliminary flights of man-carrying aerobatics as realistically as possible. The rules correspond roughly to those of class F3A, unless otherwise agreed in the general tender. The main difference (for an outside observer) is the size, engine and the appearance of the flight models.
The technical specifications and competition processes described in this article are only valid for competitions in Germany, although the deviations abroad are often only minor.
Models
There are models flying that are at least replicas of manned aerobatics that are similar to the original. Since 2009, the previously applicable weight limit of 10 kg no longer applies. This regulation was replaced by a limitation of the motorization. All types of engines may be used as long as the model is propeller-driven. The following rules apply:
- the maximum displacement for internal combustion engines is 110 cm³
- the maximum power for electric drives is 8 kW (input power) with a supply voltage of no more than 42 V.
- the deviation of the scale may not exceed ± 10%
- the span is at least 2.0 m for monoplane
- the span is at least 1.7 m for double-deckers
Since 2007, pilots entering an F3A-X competition for the first time have had changed size and weight restrictions to make entry into the class easier. With the elimination of the weight restriction from 2009, first-time participants can also compete in class C with a model of their choice (see upper limits for drive power above). These exceptions only apply to the first year of participation and only in classes B and C (see below).
- the maximum span for monoplane is 2.7 m
- the maximum span for double deckers is 2.1 m
In principle, the following aircraft are suitable (excerpt):
- monoplane
- Cap (various types)
- Diabolo
- Extra (different types)
- Giles
- Raven
- Katana
- S-brook
- Sukhoi Su-26
- Sukhoi Su31
- Superstar
- Velox
- Votec
- Wigens
- Yak 54
- Yak 55
- XtremeAir XA41
- double decker
- Christian Eagle
- Pitts
- Ultimate
The most common aircraft of the types Extra, Raven, Giles, Velox, Yak and Ultimate can be found at the competitions.
competition
Annual round
There are four sub-competitions every year at four different model airfields in Germany. Each of these partial competitions is staggered by three to five weeks, so that the competitions are evenly distributed over the summer. Each participant can thus take part in up to four competitions, of which the three best are included in the annual ranking. This regulation allows every participant to be absent from one of the four competitions without making it impossible to achieve first place. At the end of the season, the pilot with the most points wins.
Flight evaluation
5 judges evaluate each figure of the three competition flights. They award points between 0 and 10, with 10 points corresponding to an optimally flown figure. Since these figures have different levels of difficulty, they are multiplied by a fixed K-factor. This factor is 1 to 5, depending on the degree of difficulty. For each evaluated figure, the judges with the highest and lowest scores are removed from the evaluation. The total of points of these three judges is now added and multiplied by the described K-factor. At the end of each race, you add up all these points and get the overall result for the corresponding round. Of the three flights flown and rated, the worst is deleted in order to minimize weather-related differences in performance between the participants. The pilot with the most points wins the partial competition.
Aviation sector
It is flown in a so-called box. The box denotes the airspace in which the model is located during the competition flight. This is limited to the left and right of the center line (viewing direction straight ahead) and upwards at a 60 ° angle with planes. The flight distance from the pilot's location is approx. 200 meters.
Difficulty classes
There are generally three levels of difficulty flown. Class C is the entry level, B corresponds to the midfield and A is the class with the highest level of difficulty. The programs differ in the number of figures and their demands on the pilot's flying skills. Each pilot is only allowed to start in one of the classes A, B or C. Everyone takes part with three competition flights.
Since 2009, only 2 rounds will be flown in the known compulsory class. The third competition flight was replaced by an unknown obligation that will only be announced at the competition.
The winners of classes C and B move up to the next higher class in the following season. This rule does not apply to the participants in class A.
Number of participants
The following table gives an overview of the total number of participants in an annual round, broken down according to the level of difficulty. The number of participants in a competition is always slightly lower. Details regarding the number and persons can be viewed on the homepage (see web links). Class C has only existed since 2007.
| year | A program | B program | C program |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 17th | 34 | - |
| 2002 | 19th | 31 | - |
| 2003 | 20th | 32 | - |
| 2004 | 18th | 29 | - |
| 2005 | 17th | 30th | - |
| 2006 | 17th | 22nd | - |
| 2007 | 18th | 31 | 13 |
| 2008 | 14th | 23 | 8th |
| 2009 | 9 | 29 | 14th |
Flight sequence
Start and program preparation
The pilot starts his model on the runway. He stands a few meters in front of the 3rd of the 5 judges, i.e. in the middle of the lane. The start is not rated, but should be smooth and calm. The model continues to gain height and turns with a large 180 ° curve. The aircraft moves to the distance at which the participant carries out his program. This is followed by a straight flyby in which the pilot can do a final trim of the model. This is called a trim flight. Then the aircraft is turned again, whereby no curve is flown, but one of the many turning figures is used.
characters
After the described trim flight and the first turn, the scoring of the flight maneuvers begins. These figures, described by Aresti symbols , are basically divided into two types: central figures and marginal or turning figures. The central figures should be flown directly in front of the pilot and the judges, while the marginal figures are to be placed on the right and left of the central figure. However, it is necessary to remain in the flight space described above in order to avoid deducting points or even losing points completely.
- Central figures (excerpt)
- Looping (aerobatics)
- Avalanche - looping with snap roll in the upper point
- 6-corner looping
- Cuban eight - vertically lying eight (similar to the infinity sign ) with rollers placed in the middle, which can be flown through in all directions and from below or above.
- Double Immelmann
- Turn
- Eight - Standing eight in front of the pilot. It usually starts in the middle, i.e. at the intersection of the lines.
- Role circle
- Triangle - Bottom or top right-angled triangle. The climb and fall flights are to be completed at a 45 ° angle and can be supplemented by rolling.
- Square or square looping - a square that can be supplemented by rollers. The straight flights are exclusively vertical or horizontal.
- Diamond - Similar to the square, but only 45 ° up or down may be flown.
- Hat - The aircraft goes from the horizontal position to the vertical climb, then back to the horizontal flight to go back to the vertical fall. The excursion is level again. The figure can also be flown from above, with the plane falling first.
- Knife flight
- Spin
- role
- Point reel - Like a reel, except that it is flown with briefly stopped intermediate times, the number of which varies
- Snap roll or cracked roll
- Marginal figures (changing the flight direction)
- Humty - after a vertical climb, a narrow half loop is either pulled or pushed (see horizontal stabilizer ) and then goes into a vertical fall.
- Turn
- Half Cuban Eight - Only one side of the Cuban Eight described above will be flown.
- Immelmann
- Half Square Looping - Only one side of the square described above is flown.
- Wind correction - This is a hat (see above), but a 1/4 or 3/4 turn is carried out in the vertical passages. This means that the flight space can be offset forwards or backwards.
- Half loop
- Goldfish - After a 45 ° descent or climb, a 5/8 loop is pulled or pressed in again 45 ° ascent or descent. The entry and exit height thus changes.
All figures are flown in and out in a horizontal direction of flight. In addition, all of the flight maneuvers described can be combined with different roles (see above) to increase the level of difficulty.
End of the competition flight
The program ends automatically when you leave the last figure. The aircraft is now steered in a semicircle in the direction of the runway and landed. This part of the flight is unrated. At the end of each program, the judges give a general assessment of the flight, the use of the engine power and the noise level in the so-called "noise assessment", which is on a par with a figure shown. The general but subjective assessment of the noise level in the "noise assessment" applies. The aim is to demonstrate your competition flight as quietly as possible.