Bendix Team Race
Rules
| 4.13 |
CONTROL LINE BENDIX RACING |
|
| 4.13.1 | DEFINITION OF BENDIX RACING | |
| Bendix Racing is a simultaneous race between three models flown by three pilots in the same circuit (in exceptional circumstances, two models flown by two pilots). The objective of the race is to complete the required number of laps in the shortest possible time. A team shall consist of one pilot who shall remain in the centre of the circle, piloting the model, and one mechanic (and one assistant if required) who shall remain outside the flight circle and who shall start the engine(s) and perform any necessary duties throughout the race. The personnel of a team shall remain unaltered throughout a contest. It is not permissible for any person to be a member of two teams. | ||
| 4.13.2 | CHARACTERISTICS OF A BENDIX MODEL | |
| a) | Number of Models – A team may enter and have checked two models, and either or both may be used to complete the necessary number of flights. Only one model may be used in each race. The team may interchange various model parts provided that the resulting model is re-checked by the Contest Director. | |
| b) | Spare propellers, plugs and general accessories are permitted. In the case of engines, spares are permitted, but such engines must not be used by, or exchanged with, other entrant teams during the contest. | |
| 4.13.3 | MODEL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| a) | Maximum engine/s capacity shall not exceed 6.00 cm3. Mufflers are optional except where local noise rules exist. | |
| b) | Maximum fuel tank capacity (including fuel tube) shall not exceed 40.00 cm3. Pressure feed acceptable, but pressure re-fuelling is not allowed. Fuel shut-offs are mandatory. Fuel is at entrant’s discretion excepting substances banned by the MAAA Inc. and the FAI. | |
| c) | Model shall be semi-profile in appearance and must resemble in outline, the fuselage and flying surfaces of a full size aeroplane which has competed in the BENDIX-THOMPSON series of trophy races or NPRPA Formula 1 races or GOODYEAR and CONTINENTAL Trophy Races.Onus of proof, i.e. photos, drawings, etc. are the responsibility of the entrant and must be produced to the contest officials for processing. | |
| d) | The Fuselage shall:-Have a minimum width of 12 mm and a maximum width of 25 mm (excluding cheek cowls) at a point between the leading edge and the minimum vertical depth of wing root section.
Motor must be uncowled. Have a minimum length of 609 mm excluding the rudder (as measured from the back of the propeller to the rudder hinge line which must be clearly marked on the aircraft). Shall have a minimum height of 125 mm at the cockpit. |
|
| e) | The Wing shall:-Be of built-up construction (including foam); Have a minimum wingspan of 1000 mm; Have a minimum root chord (outside fuselage) of 225 mm; Wing thickness of the root shall be at least 38 mm. If the wing is tapered in thickness then the thickness must reduce at a constant rate from a minimum of 38mm at the root to a minimum or 28mm at the tip measurement point. The measurement of tip thickness will be made at a point 400mm from the fuselage centreline. Note: Root shall be defined as the innermost wing section, not counting fillets, that may be measured at the fuselage. | |
| f) | Colour Scheme and Numbers:-Models shall be coloured in a scale-like fashion, i.e. in a colour scheme that may have been used on a full-sized aircraft.
The racing number of the prototype must be permanently affixed to each side of the fuselage, and also the inboard wing, in a minimum height of 50 mm. The contestant’s VH [AUS] number must be permanently affixed to the upper surface of the outboard wing in a minimum height of 25 mm. |
|
| g) | The Lines shall:-Be a minimum length of 18.3 metres measured from the hand grip of the handle to the centre line of the fuselage, + 100 mm, – 0.00 mm.
Be a minimum diameter of 0.455 mm (0.018”). (Mono line control systems are NOT permitted.) All lines, handles, bellcranks and connectors must withstand a pull-test of 30g and must also meet a safety inspection. “LUXON” type or central sliding type line connectors are NOT permitted. |
|
| h) | The Undercarriage shall:-Be of scale location.
Wheels shall be of a minimum diameter of 50 mm and be at least 100 mm apart. In the case of a tricycle undercarriage, the main gear must be at least 100 mm apart. The use of all-metal wheels is prohibited. Nose skids are not allowed. |
|
| i) | Motors shall be started by flicking the propeller by hand. | |
| j) | Model and contestants must conform to local, club, safety and noise regulations. | |
| k) | Model shall have a maximum weight of 1300 gm. | |
| 4.13.4 | CONDUCT OF CONTESTS | |
| The number of laps flown shall be:- Heats – 80 laps with one mandatory re-fuelling stop. Final – 160 laps with three mandatory re-fuelling stops. |
||
| 4.13.5 | RACE SITES | |
| A race site must consist of two concentric circles which shall be marked on the grass as follows:- | ||
| a) | The circle to be used by the mechanics is 22.3 metres radius. This is called the flight circle and is divided into six (6) equal 60 degree sectors, the limits of which define the starting and re-fuelling points. | |
| b) | The circle to be used by the pilot shall be three (3) metres in radius. This is called the centre circle. The pilot is permitted to place one foot outside the centre circle after the mechanic has retrieved the model.The mechanic and assistant, if used, must each wear a safety helmet with a chinstrap worn under the chin, strong enough to withstand the impact of a model being used in the competition. | |
| 4.13.6 | STARTING OF THE CONTEST | |
| a) | A pitting area [1.5 (a)] is occupied by each of the models which are to participate in the race. The model of the team designated first in the draw occupies the place chosen by that team. The other team(s) choose one of the remaining free pitting areas in the order of the draw. | |
| b) | A first signal gives the mechanic the opportunity of running his motor for a 90 second warm up period. | |
| c) | A second signal announces the end of the warm up period. | |
| d) | Thirty (30) seconds are then allowed in which final preparations may be made. The starter will count off the last five seconds during which the pilot must be crouching, the mechanic and assistant, if used, standing upright and with the model on the ground. | |
| e) | The starting signal is then given by means of both a visual (flag) and an acoustic signal. | |
| 4.13.7 | PIT STOPS | |
| a) | The model may not be retrieved with the engine running or prior to touchdown with the engine stopped. | |
| b) | The pilot shall be permitted to place one foot outside the centre circle only after the mechanic has retrieved the model. | |
| c) | Mechanics must not, at any time, enter the flight circle without the consent of the Contest Director, and then they must enter the flight circle radially to retrieve the model. | |
| d) | The mechanic must refuel the model in the nearest rearward sector of the flight circle in which the model stops or is stopped. Only when such sector is already occupied by another team may he occupy the sector forward of the stopping point. | |
| e) | In the case of a model stopping in a sector whose adjacent sectors are already occupied, the mechanic must go back to the nearest free sector. | |
| f) | During the pit stop (re-fuelling and re-starting) the model’s lines and control handle must remain as close as possible to the ground. The centre line of the model must remain outside the flight circle during the pit stop. During the pit stop, fuel must be added to the tank. | |
| g) | Landing models must over-fly all occupied pit segments. | |
| 4.13.8 | FLYING HEIGHT | |
| Racing height shall NOT exceed four metres and the height of overtaking models shall NOT exceed six metres. In overtaking, the faster model must pass over the top of the slower model(s). | ||
| 4.13.9 | FLYING STYLE | |
| The pilot shall fly with his handle not more than 300 mm from his chest. “WHIPPING” of the model is not allowed. The pilot must walk in a forward direction at all times. | ||
| 4.13.10 | FINISH OF RACE | |
| The race is ended when the competitors’ models have completed the required number of laps. In an event, a BENDIX race will finish 10 minutes after the starting signal in any heat and 20 minutes in the final. | ||
| 4.13.11 | TEAM QUALIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION | |
| a) | The contest shall be divided into two (2) preliminary rounds and a final. Each Entrant Team shall be given the opportunity to fly once in each preliminary round. | |
| b) | Time is decided from the moment of the starting signal to the moment of completion of the last lap. | |
| c) | The three teams which have recorded the three fastest times in the preliminary rounds qualify for the final. In the event of a tie, the Entrant’s final placing will be decided by their other preliminary round time. In the event of a further tie, placing shall be determined by a fly-off race flown over 160 laps. | |
| d) | If through interference or obstruction, a team is eliminated from a race through no fault of their own, they shall be given the opportunity of a further attempt at that round. | |
| e) | If only one team remains in participation at the half distance mark in a race, that race will be null and void and that team rematched in another race during the same round. | |
| 4.13.12 | WARNINGS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS | |
| Warnings shall be given to mechanics. Any team receiving three (3) warnings shall be disqualified.A Team Shall Be Warned:- | ||
| a) | If a pilot interferes with or obstructs another pilot, either by his conduct in the circle or by a manoeuvre of his model, prevents another model from flying or landing normally. | |
| b) | If a pilot, instead of walking forward at all times, walks backwards. | |
| c) | If a pilot flies with his handle more than 300 mm from his chest. | |
| d) | If a pilot applies physical effort to increase the speed of his aircraft. | |
| e) | If the prescribed height levels are exceeded. | |
| f) | If during the start of a race or during a pit stop the model is not kept in contact with the ground or kept outside the flight circle or the handle and lines are not kept as close as possible to the ground. | |
| 4.13.13 | DISQUALIFICATIONS | |
| a) | If the pilot steps out of the centre circle before the mechanic has retrieved the model. | |
| b) | If the passing is done by flying under the slower model. | |
| c) | If the pilot whose model is being overtaken carries out any manoeuvre to impede the overtaking competitor. | |
| d) | If a member of a team or their model causes a collision. | |
| e) | If the model is retrieved with the motor still running or prior to touchdown with the motor stopped.Arguing with the Contest Director will lead to disqualification. | |
