The following AMA events: Class A Old Timer (617); Class A Sailplane (609); Class B Sailplane (611); and Fun Scale (520) for electric will be flown at the IEFF, in addition to the FAI and Fun events below.
Download the AMA electric rules here
Download AMA Scale Rules here.
These rules are in .pdf format, and requires the Acrobat Reader.

What is F5B and how is it flown?

F5B is an international competition class for electric powered radio controlled model gliders. It is a multitask event where you have to fly more than one 'task' per flight.
There will be three classes of this event flown at the EWC2000. They will be:

1) Open class-usually powered by 26-27 cells. Speeds for these planes are over 150mph! (The official rules available to download from the FAI website).
2) 10 cell class-planes are larger and limited to 10 cells. (The official rules available to download from the FAI website).
3)7 cell class-limited to 7 cells(not a FAI event). Local rules are simple-7 cells and any size plane as long as it meets the standard FAI surface loading requirement(75gm/dm or 24.5 oz/sqft).

Task 1 - Distance
From launch you have 3 minutes (180 seconds) to fly as many 150-meter legs as possible. You get 10 points for every leg completed in this time. There are 2 sighting lines called base A and base B that are 150m apart. Spotters at base A and base B sound a buzzer when the model has crossed the line. The pilot turns the model when the buzzer is sounded. The area between base A and base B is called the course. The area beyond base A or B is off the course. The electric motor is used to gain height off the course. The motor must be switched off before the model enters the course. The model must always enter the course at base A. this is the end where the pilot stands. The model must make a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 climbs in the 3 minutes. Each time the motor is switched on counts as a climb. Most pilots fly 4 legs from a single climb. The current record (August 1998 by Thomas Pils) for legs flown in the 3 minutes is 39. That is 5.85km in just 180 seconds, which are 117km/h! This calculation does not include the time taken to climb or the time taken to turn the model at base A or B.

Task 2 - Duration
At the end of the distance task the model must complete 5 minute (300 second) duration flight. You score 1 point for every second that the model stays airborne, up to a maximum of 300 (5 minutes). The duration task starts when the model completes a limbo below 3 meters at base A. One point is deducted for every second of motor used during the duration task. If you land before or after the 5 minutes you lose 1 point for every second. In other words, over-flying the task by 5 seconds loses 5 points in the same way that under-flying by 5 seconds does. The top pilots are able to complete the duration with 2 or 3 seconds of motor in zero lift conditions. They achieve this by completing the limbo very fast. One option is to climb before the limbo and dive through at great speed. Another is to use the motor to accelerate the model just before the limbo. Several have managed to complete the task without using any motor, but this required thermal assistance.

Task 3 - Spot landing
The flight ends with a precision landing. 30 points are added to the score if the nose of the model is within a 7.5-meter radius of the spot. 15 Points are added for a landing inside the 15-meter radius spot.

F5D --The need for speed
F5D is the pylon is a racing event for electric powered models. The models are limited to 425 gram battery packs and usually weigh less than 1kg ready to fly. There is only a single task in F5D-going fast! The course is arranged as a triangle with the distance between 2 of the legs being 180 meters and other being 40 meters. A pylon marks each of the points of the triangle. (The official rules available to download from the FAI website).

The event is flown with planes grouped together in 3-4 plane heats. The race is 10 laps around the pylons in a counter clockwise direction. Each planes time is measured and recorded. The winner is the pilot with the lowest score at the end of the contest. Current fast times for F5D racers are now below 80 seconds. These times equate to speeds of 130-140 mph-not bad for a "7 cell" electric plane.

S400 Racing-Cheap thrills
This event is the low cost racing class where the only rules regarding the model are that it's limited to 7 cells and that the motor MUST be a S400 type motor. This is truly a class for those that want to race but don't have the unlimited funds. The S400 class is run on a 300 foot by 50 foot 1/2 "A" course. Groups of up to 4 planes are flown against each other. Winners are determined by finish order-- not time. The pilot with the most "wins" after the contest is the overall winner.
Planes weigh between 12 and 15 oz and are powered with a 6volt S400 motor . The battery of choice is a pack made up of 7 500AR cells. Graupner 4.7/4.7 props have been the most popular prop. The fastest planes complete the course is 90-100 seconds. Speeds are 60-80 mph.

Sunrise-Sunset
Task: This is a team event. The aim is, with the least number of launches, for each team to keep at least one model airborne between sunrise and sunset. Sunrise: 6:11 h , Sunset: 19:41 h. The team that can achieve this with the least number of launches is the winner. In case of a tie in any rank, the team with the least number of penalty launches precedes. If there is still a tie, then the team with the longest single flight precedes.

Scoring: Each launch of a model from a team shall be counted, even when the previous model is still flying. For each minute or part of a minute that a team has no model airborne, one penalty launch will be added to the score of that team. When a model is piloted by a non team member, the model shall be considered to be not flying, thus a penalty launch shall be added for every minute or part of a minute until the model is flown again by a team member or another model is launched. Any loss of sight of a model has to be announced to the timekeepers. If the pilot cannot identify his flying model to the officials within 15 seconds upon request, his model is considered to be not flying. Then the penalty clause applies.

Teams: Each team shall consist of up to four pilots. A team will nominate a team manager entitled to deal with the organizers.

Models: Each team may use a total of eight models, the components of which may be combined, provided the resulting model conforms to the rules. All kinds of electric powered models are allowed, max. total lift area 150 dm_, max. weight 5 kg, total wing loading between 12 and 75 g/dm_. No power link from the ground is allowed. Telemetry is forbidden.

Flight Batteries: The power source shall consist of NiCd cells only. In case of any doubt, the competitor has to provide evidence of his cell technology, e.g. by a certificate issued by the manufacturer or dealer. The mass of the battery must not exceed 1/3 of the flight mass of the model. The mass of the battery comprises the cells and all accessories like shrink sleeves, cables and connectors that cannot be disconnected and re-connected without the use of tools. No more than 30 cells may be connected in series. Mechanical or chemical rework of cells is forbidden.

Frequencies: Each team is permitted a maximum of four frequencies. The organizers will inform the team managers by June 17th which frequencies the teams may use.

Safety rules: A safety line separates the flight area (front side) from the preparation and spectator's area (rear side). Access to the front side is permitted only to pilots and helpers during launch and landing. Flying on the rear side is permitted only at a minimum altitude of 30 meters.

Sunrise and Sunset times in San Diego (32.5°N, 117.5°W):
1. 8. 2000: 6:10 - 19:43 Duration: 13 hours 33 min
2. 8. 2000: 6:11 - 19:42 Duration: 13 hours 31 min
3. 8. 2000: 6:11 - 19:41 Duration: 13 hours 30 min
Definition: Center of Sun geometrically crosses the horizon.