Overview

This competition is suitable for any kind of aircraft capable of flying under its own power. The objective of the competition is simple. Entrants will be given 30 seconds to take off and climb to a comfortable height at which point the engine must be cut, (throttle fully back in the case of electric aircraft).

The pilot then has to land his/her aircraft as close as possible to a target in the centre of the patch. The time allocated for the glide/landing is 60 seconds. The pilot will be notified at 15-second intervals of remaining time, i.e. 45 seconds left, and 30 seconds left, 15 seconds left, time up!

Points will be allocated as soon as the aircraft comes to rest. One point will be given for every second either under or over the 60-second period, (to the nearest second). One point will be given for every foot that the aircraft comes to rest from the target, (to the nearest foot).

For example, if an aircraft were to come to rest after exactly 60 seconds and precisely on the target then 0 points would be scored, (the best possible score). Another example could be that the aircraft comes to rest after 48 seconds, (scores 12 points), at 16 feet from target, (scores 16 points). This would give a total of 28 points for that round. The competition will consist of three rounds. The winner will be the one who scores the “least” cumulative points at the end of three rounds.

Rules

1. Once ready the pilot has 30 seconds to take off and climb to a comfortable height. The Competition Director, (CD), will commence timing the 30-second period as soon as the aircraft begins to move. One abandoned take off only within the 30 seconds will be permissible. A second abandoned take off will render that pilots round over and an automatic 60 points will be awarded.
2. After 20 seconds the “CD” will commence a count down to the end of the 30 second powered flight period, ending with a clear “cut motor” at which point the pilot must immediately cut the motor, (stick fully back in the case of electric flight). Failure to do so will result in that pilots round becoming void and will incur a 60-point penalty.
3. The 60-second period will then commence and the “CD” will give notice every 15 seconds of lapsed time. The pilot must land his/her aircraft, bringing it to rest as close to the target as possible. The glide/landing should ideally take 60 seconds and any deviation from this will incur points.
4. The stopwatch will be stopped when the aircraft comes to rest and the deviation from 60 seconds will be calculated and the appropriate points awarded at the rate of 1 point per second to the nearest second.
5. The distance from the centre of the propeller to the target will be measured and the appropriate points awarded at the rate of 1 point per foot to the nearest foot.
6. Any aircraft coming to rest outside the landing area, (the patch), will automatically score 60 points.
7. The aircraft must be in a safe and serviceable condition to fly again, otherwise a 60-point penalty will apply. The “CD’s” decision will be final.
8. Any round not entered/completed by a pilot will incur a 60-point penalty.
9. In the interest of safety and for the inexperienced the pilot may opt for reducing the throttle to idle by prior notification, (before take off), to the “CD” and will incur a 10-point penalty. If the aircraft is throttled up at any time after the 30 second period, (including electric), for any reason then that round becomes void and will incur an additional 60 point penalty.
10. All club rules and attention to safety will apply.
11. At all times the “CD’s” decision will be final.