SNMFC SCALE MODEL COMPETITION 2025
Only scale models can be entered into this competition to which there are two elements and competitors can enter one or the other or both of them. In the case of the static competition a member may enter more than one model.
There is informal flying and practise flying whilst the static competition is being judged and members are reminded that normal club flying rules apply and due regard must be paid to the safety of members and guests.
STATIC SCALE MODEL COMPETITION.
Any scale model can be entered into this competition where it will be judged by the club members present on the basis of how well it conforms to the full size aircraft it replicates taking into account the overall appearance, the build quality and the level of detail Included. Each member will choose and vote for the one model they judge as being the best.
Because the competition is open to all scale models whether RTF foam, ARTF models, models built from a plan or kit and those purchased already built and ready or nearly ready to fly, each entry must display a notice giving the following information; (a) The name and some basic history of the full size aircraft the model is replicating. (b) the name of the entrant.
(c) The category into which it fits; i.e. RTF foam model, ARTF model, kit of plywood and balsa, scratch built from a plan, purchased ready or nearly ready to fly. (d) To qualify as built from a kit or plan, the model must have been built by the entrant and not by a third party. Models built by a third party will be treated as an ARTF for the purpose of applying the ‘K’ factor.
To try to provide as level playing field as possible and reflect the amount of work and skill in bringing each model to flying condition, each category is given a ‘K’ factor as follows; Foam and RTF = 1; ARTF = 1.2; Kit = 1.5 and Scratch built from a plan = 2.
The Events Officer or a member designated by him, will collect the members votes and count them up for each model entered. The ‘K’ factor will be applied to determine the winner. For example, 3 choices for a foam or RTF model will score 3 x 1 = 3, 3 choices for a ARTF model will score 3 x 1.2 = 3.6 and 3 choices for a plan built model will score 3 x 2 = 6.
SCALE FLYING.
Any scale model can be entered into this competition which involves each model executing a number of manoeuvres according to the flying schedule. Normal club flying rules apply and due regard must be made to the safety of the judges and spectators.
Each pilot will need a caller/spotter and the pilot must verify that the judges have been advised of his flight schedule before commencement of the flight. The schedule as decided by the competitor must be adhered to and only one attempt per manoeuvre is allowed.
The aim of the flight schedule is to demonstrate the flight characteristics of the subject full size aircraft in a realistic fashion and models are expected to conform to the performance limitations of the full-size aircraft they replicate. It is not an exercise in precision flying or a display of aerobatics using a scale model.
The flight schedule consists of the take-off, eight manoeuvres and the landing. Two of the manoeuvres (numbers 2 & 3) are mandatory and six (numbers 4 - 9) are chosen by the entrant from the list of options below.
Mandatory Manoeuvres.
The mandatory manoeuvres are the HORIZONTAL FIGURE EIGHT and the DESCENDING 360 DEGREES CIRCLE.
Optional Manoeuvres
The pilot must select six manoeuvres from the list given and those selected must be typical and within the normal capabilities of the full size subject aircraft. The manoeuvres selected should also reflect the purpose for which the full size aircraft was designed.
If models of aircraft designed to be fully aerobatic fly a schedule consisting of low ‘G’ manoeuvres, then low marks will be awarded.
Only one manoeuvre demonstrating a mechanical function may be included in a pilots flight schedule.
Each manoeuvre must be announced prior to commencement and called upon commencement by the word “NOW” or “START”. All manoeuvres must be announced upon completion by the word “FINISHED" or “COMPLETE”
Apart from the Take-off, Landing, Touch & Go and the Sideslip, which may be performed into wind (i.e using the E/W strip when appropriate) all manoeuvres must be performed parallel with the judges line but may be flown in either direction. If any part of the manoeuvre is behind the judges line it will be marked ZERO.
Models must be flown at a realistic speed based on the the speed of the full size aircraft as if it were performing at a public flying display. Models must be well trimmed and show no signs of instability
Flight Judging
Flight Judges will examine each manoeuvre in the schedule (items 1 - 10) and award marks based on the shape, size, positioning, technical requirements and realism of the manoeuvre.
After the model has landed the judges will assess the entire flight for “Realism in Flight: (items 11 - 14)
K - Factors
The following K-factors apply;
Flight Schedule.
- Take - off……………………………………………………………………..K=11 2.
- Figure Eight………………………………………………………………….K=7 3.
- Descending Circle…………………………………………………………..K=7 4 - 9
- Optional manoeuvres 4 - 9……………………………………………..K=7 10.
- Approach and Landing……………………………………………………K=11
Realism in Flight.
- Manoeuvre Selection………………………………………………………K=6 12.
- Power Management……………………………………………………….K=2 13.
- Speed of the Model………………………………………………………..K=6 14.
- Smoothness of Flight………………………………………………………K=4
A draw will be made for the order of flying
Scale Flying Schedule
- Take Off. This manoeuvre may be flown into the wind and the model may cross the Judges’ line without penalty. (taking off on the E/W strip). Take off in a scale-like manner appropriate to the aircraft being flown, take-off is completed after the model has turned 90° at an appropriate height.
- Figure Eight. Crossover to be centred on the judges and away from the flight line.
- Descending 360 degree Circle. Commencing from straight and level flight on a track parallel with the Judges line above the area in front of the Judges, the speed is noticeably reduced and the model turns away from the Judges and flies a gentle 360° descending circle at a constant rate of turn and at a constant rate of descent. The turn and the descent are arrested at a maximum height of 20 feet over the area in front of the Judges. The speed is then increased and the manoeuvre is completed with the model resuming straight and level flight on the same track as the entry.
- Optional manoeuvre.
- Optional Manoeuvre
- Optional Manoeuvre
- Optional Manoeuvre
- Optional Manoeuvre
- Optional manoeuvre
- Approach and Landing. This manoeuvre may be flown into the wind and the model may cross the Judges’ line without penalty. (Landing on the E/W strip). The manoeuvre is commenced with the model on the base leg (in the same way as the Touch and Go). Prior to this point the model may complete any form of appropriate circuit to achieve a landing configuration. The model completes the turn on to the final approach which may be made into wind, or as required by the competitor to make best use of the landing area available.
The model should descend smoothly, adopting the attitude applicable to the subject aircraft. An aircraft with conventional tail dragger landing gear will make a three-point landing or will land on the main wheels and then gently lower the tail. An aircraft with tricycle landing gear will land on the main wheels first and then gently lower the nose wheel. The model is then braked or allowed to roll smoothly to a complete stop when the landing is complete.
Dependent upon the prevailing wind conditions, a slight bounce or failure to touch down immediately in front of the Judges are not errors.
If the subject aircraft is fitted with wing tip protection devices, then such devices fitted to the model may contact the ground without penalty.
If the subject aircraft used flaps, lift enhancing devices and/or speed brakes for landing, then the model should to and these devices should be deployed at the appropriate point in the landing circuit up to and including the final approach. In the event of a strong or gusty wind, the competitor may choose not to deploy these devices during landing providing the Judges are advised. However, this may result in a reduction of the marks awarded.
If the subject aircraft used a drogue parachute during landing the competitor may demonstrate this. The drogue must be deployed at the correct point in the landing and released when the model has come to a stop.
Optional Manoeuvres : 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 are optional and are to be selected from the following list:-
Procedure Turn (P Turn). The model approaches in straight and level flight parallel to the flight line and when approaching the pilot/judges makes a one-quarter circle turn in a direction away from the flight line. This is followed by a 270° turn in the opposite direction completing the manoeuvre on the reciprocal track on the original approach line. The manoeuvre must be commenced so as to place the point where the model changes from the 90 degree turn to the 270 degree on a line which is at a right angle to the direction of entry and passes through the centre of the pilots/judges line.
Chandelle. From a straight and level flight the model passes the pilot/judges and then performs a 180 degree constant rate climbing turn in a direction away from the pilot, resuming straight and level flight in the opposite direction. The rate of climb should be the maximum which is appropriate for the subject aircraft.
Wing Over. Starting from straight and level flight and parallel to the judges line, after passing the judges position a smooth climbing turn is commenced away from the judges. At the apex of the turn the model should track 90 degrees to the entry track and the bank angle should be appropriate for the subject aircraft. The height gain should be appropriate to the capability of the subject aircraft. The model then continues on a mirror image of the entry flight path and recovers to straight and level flight at the same height but in the opposite direction to the entry and on a line displaced away from the judges.
Inside Loop. Entry and exit height to be the same. The throttle may be reduced at the top of the loop as appropriate to the subject type and opened if necessary when normal flight is resumed. Low powered aircraft types would be expected to execute a shallow dive at full throttle in order to pick up speed before commencing the loop, in which case the finish height will be the same as the height at pull-up.
Whilst the loop is intended to be circular, the ability of a low powered aircraft to achieve that will be significantly less than that of a higher powered aerobatic model in which case a slightly vertically elongated loop is acceptable but a grossly misshapen circle will be marked down.
Split-S or Reversal. From straight flight and at height, the model performs a half roll and when inverted performs half of a circular inside loop (commensurate with the performance of subject type) and resumes straight and level flight on a flight path opposite to that of the entry. The throttle should be closed at the inverted position, as appropriate to type, and opened when normal flight is resumed.
Roll. From straight and level flight the model rolls at a constant rate through one complete rotation and resumes straight and level flight on the same track. The roll to be centred on the judges. Low powered aircraft would be expected to execute a shallow dive at full throttle, in order to gain speed, before the manoeuvre.
Immelmann Turn. From straight and level flight and in front of the judges, the model pulls up into the first half of a circular loop (commensurate with the performance of the subject type) and when inverted, performs a half roll before resuming straight and level flight on the opposite track. Low powered aircraft types would be expected to commence the manoeuvre by executing a shallow dive at full throttle in order to pick up the necessary speed. Low powered aircraft types would also be expected to lose some height in the half roll.
Spin - Three Turns. From straight and level flight, on a track parallel with the judges line the model decelerates into a stall in front of the judges and commences the spin. After three turns the spin is arrested and the model recovers to level flight on the same track as the initial flight direction. During the spin, any drift due to the wind is to be ignored.
Cuban Eight.
This option has four variations as detailed below. Competitors may select a maximum of two variations which must be specified on the flight schedule before the flight is commenced.
Normal Cuban Eight – From straight and level flight the model flies past the Judges and pulls up into a circular inside loop until 45° nose down. In the centre of the 45° inverted dive and when in front of the Judges, the model completes a half roll, and the 45° dive is continued until the entry height is reached. The model then commences a similar circular inside loop in the opposite direction, followed by a half roll In the centre of the 45° inverted dive when in front of the Judges. The model then pulls out of the 45° dive to straight and level flight at the same height as the original entry to complete the manoeuvre.
Reversed Cuban Eight - The model starts with a 45° climb with half roll when in front of the Judges. It then enters a downward loop with the bottom at the original entry height followed by a 45 ° climb with half roll in front of the Judges, before entering the second downward loop, pulling out level at the entry height.
Half Cuban Eight - After the first 45° dive, with half roll, the model pulls out level at the entry height.
Reversed Half Cuban Eight - Start with the 45° climb and half roll then downward loop to finish level with entry.
Throttle may be closed at the top of each loop, as appropriate to subject type, and reopened during each descent. A low powered aircraft would be expected to execute a shallow dive at full throttle to pick up speed before commencing the manoeuvre.
Stall Turn. The model aircraft starts in level flight, pulls up to a vertical flight path until it comes to a stop. At which point the model yaws through 180 degrees in the nominated direction and then dives and finally recovers straight and level on a flight path in the opposite direction to the entry. Entry and exit should be at the same height. Low powered aircraft types would be expected to execute a shallow dive at full throttle to pick up the necessary speed before commencing the manoeuvre.
Extend & Retract Landing Gear or Flaps. The model approaches the landing area in straight and level flight at a height not exceeding 40’ and in full view of the judges, extends the landing gear or flaps. When in front of the judges the model then executes a 360° turn (circle) in a direction away from the judges and with a bank angle not exceeding 30 degrees. After the turn and when again directly in front of the judges, retracts the landing gear or flaps and the model climbs away in straight flight.
Side Slip. This manoeuvre may be flown into the wind and the model may cross the Judges’ line without penalty (i.e using the E/W strip).
The purpose of this manoeuvre is to demonstrate a marked loss of height on final approach without the use of flaps, whilst maintaining the final approach track and avoiding an excessive build-up of speed.
The model commences the manoeuvre in level flight by reducing power on base leg, and then turns through 90° onto a higher than normal final approach which may be orientated into wind. After the model has completed the turn, it starts a sideslip to the left or the right achieving a yaw of at least 20º off track. The sideslip is continued to a point below 5 metres in front of the Judges when the sideslip is corrected, normal straight flight is resumed, and the model climbs away.
Overshoot or Go-around. The pilot should perform a higher than normal landing approach on low throttle, using flaps if applicable. On reaching the centre of the landing area, approximately in front of the pilot/judges at a height of about 10’ power is applied to check the descent and normal flying speed and altitude attained. The aim of the manoeuvre is to simulate an aborted landing due to a higher than normal landing approach.
Touch and Go! This manoeuvre may be flown into the wind and the model may cross the judge’s line without penalty.
The model commences the manoeuvre by descending from base leg, which may be either curved or straight as required by the pilot. The turn is continued through 90° onto final approach. The model then lands and takes off again into wind without coming to a halt. The main wheels must roll on the ground for a minimum of five metres. The ground roll does not have to be centred on the Judges’ position, but the manoeuvre must make the best use of the available landing area. Flaps will be used if applicable.
Inverted Flight. Model half rolls into inverted attitude and makes a straight and level inverted flight at constant speed, track and altitude for a minimum of 100 metres centred on the Judges’ position, then half rolls out of inverted attitude and resumes normal straight flight. A low powered aircraft would be expected to execute a shallow dive at full throttle to pick up speed before commencing the manoeuvre.
Flight in Rectangular Circuit.
