FLYING CATEGORIES and PLANE DEFINITIONS

PREFACE:

The flying of vintage radio control aircraft it intended to be casual, enjoyable and interesting for everyone involved. It is neither desire to advance the state-of-the-art of aero-modeling nor re-write what is recorded in aero-modeling history. The intent of these guidelines is to define the requirements for planes flown at VR/CS events to provide consistency between events.

GENERAL:

These guidelines will govern those models flown at VR/CS events with emphasis on maintaining the primary objective of the Vintage Radio Control Society. Our primary objective is to preserve and promote the memory of radio control aero-modeling activity as it was in the past.

The pilot is responsible for furnishing documentation for any model not on the VR/CS Approved Planes List as published on this website, or the VR/CS Bylaws, Guidelines and Policies & Practices Booklet.

Four categories of flying have been defined as follows:

Open – this category applies to all flying at VR/CS events that does not fall into either of the following three categories.

Concours – this premier category is for those models that best represents that spirit of imagination, experimentation and craftsmanship which characterized the early days of radio control aero-modeling. Planes must have been designed for RC.   Winning Concours planes shall be retired from further competition.

                     Pattern – this category is for those planes, which are flown in the aerobatics or pattern competition.
                                            Planes must have been designed for RC.

                 Scale - this category is for planes that are exact or very near replicas of full size aircraft.
                                        Planes must have been designed for RC.

NOTE: All pilots should affix the plane’s name and design year to the plane so that is easily visible and readable. A minimum of ˝ inch graphics should be used. This is requested to provide vital information about the plane for judging and general member interest.

AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS:

OPEN:

  1. Aircraft must be built to the plan form (outline) of the original design.
  2. Airfoils, stab placement, control surfaces can be modified.
  3. Size may be modified. This is to say that scaling is permitted.
  4. The pilot does not have to be the builder of the model.
  5. Original plan materials or construction techniques need not be used.
  6. Any covering material may be used.
  7. Any engine can be used as long as the displacement does not exceed .61 cubic inches (10cc) for a two-stroke engine or .91 cubic inches (15cc) for a four-stroke engine.
  8. Electric motors may be used with a maximum battery voltage of 42 volts and a maximum of 30 nickel cadmium cells.
  9. Landing gear design can be modified.
  10. Any radio allowed by the AMA/FCC is legal for use.

CONCOURS:

  1. Planes must have been designed for radio control.
  2. Aircraft must be built to the plan form of the original design.
  3. Original airfoils must be maintained.
  4. Original size must be maintained. No scaling is allowed.
  5. The contestant does have to be the builder of the model.
  6. Original plan materials and construction must be followed with the exception that modern adhesives may be substituted.
  7. Period covering materials and covering techniques must be used.
  8. The plane should be powered with an engine similar in size and type to the original design.
  9. Landing gear must be according to the original design regarding construction and placement.
  10. Any radio allowed by the AMA/FCC is legal for use. However, use of vintage radios and control systems is encouraged and should receive credit in judging.
  11. Models entered in this category must demonstrate their flying ability by flying at least one flight of two minute duration without structural damage other than a broken prop or bent landing gear.

PATTERN:

  1. Planes must have been designed for radio control.
  2. Aircraft must be built to the plan form of the plans.
  3. Original airfoils must be maintained.
  4. Changes to bolt on wings instead of rubber bands are OK.
  5. Stab location can be altered.
  6. Foam wings can be substituted for built up balsa.
  7. Strip ailerons may be substituted for “barn door” style ailerons.
  8. No scaling is allowed.
  9. The pilot does not have to be the builder of the model.
  10. Original plan materials or construction techniques need not be followed.
  11. Power
    1. a. Any side exhaust two cycle up to and including .61 cubic inches (10cc) is legal.
    2. b.  Four-cycle engines up to and including .91 cubic inches (15cc) without air chambers or supercharging of any kind are legal.
    3. c. The use of vintage engines is permitted provided the above guidelines are met, but all engines must use a proper muffler. Tuned pipes are prohibited.
    4. d. Electric power may be substituted for glow; there are no limitations on battery/motor combinations.

SCALE:

The static judging will consider the models appearance and the degree it conforms to the original design plan or kit plan based on the following criteria:

  1. Original plan form and airfoils must be maintained.
  2. Original control surfaces and hinge line locations must be maintained.
  3. Original size must be maintained.
  4. Original plan materials and construction must be followed with the exception that modern adhesives may be used.
  5. Original plan covering materials and covering techniques must be used.
  6. Engine must be similar in size and type as the original. Additional bonus points will be given for an engine of the same manufacturer, displacement and type as flown on the original plane.
  7. Any radio allowed by the AMA/FCC is legal. However, use of a vintage radio and control system that duplicates type used in original will receive additional points in judging.
  8. Additional points will be given for overall conformance to the original design by incorporating features such as the installation of throttle control on a control line engine, operating flaps via throttle response, adjustable ailerons, etc. (Example-Berkeley designs)
  9. Additional points will be awarded for entries with two, three, or more engines and pusher configurations.
  10. Additional points will be awarded for entries that are tail less or have two, three or more wings.
  11. A member may enter as many models as he wishes (the more the better) but he must be the builder of each model.
  12. Points will be awarded for overall craftsmanship.

All scale entries must be accompanied by the plans from which model was constructed for use by the judges to determine degree of conformance to original design.

All scale entries must complete a two-minute flight before Static judging.