Welcome to the new home of the Australian Precision Aerobatics

Found an error,  email Rob Clarke

NEWSFLASH RE USE OF ELECTRIC MODELS IN COMPETITION

At the recent European Championships the below domestic rules were enforced and these rules have now been put forward to be included as part of the permanant F3A rules. All pilots of electric models should immediately make sure their models comply.

1. For electric powered models, the electric power circuit(s) must not be physically connected, before the competitor is instructed to start his 8- minutes flight time and must be physically disconnected right after landing.

This means simply that electric motors should not be connected to power until they are in the ready box and asked to do so by the line director

2. The propulsion system(s) must automatically shut-off or fully idle at the moment a R/C signal failure should occur. (closed throttle in failsafe)

And, this means that all fliers using electric models must have their failsafe programmed to cut the throttle to zero (including idle) if there is a break in trasmission or severe inteference.
We will be introducing a rule at the next rules change opportunity that states: All electric models flown at APA sanctioned events must have an external means of connection and disconnection of power.

Relegation

For some time there has been no relegation from FAI-F3A back to Expert, so fliers that are no longer interested in high level competition can be stuck in FAI-F3A whereas they may be much happier back in Expert. It has always been the case that Masters ranked fliers would automatically be removed from the Masters listing if they did not get at least one Masters promotion point within a rolling twelve month period but FAI-F3A were stuck.
Your committee feels that there is a case for relegation from FAI-F3A and we propose to amend the APA rules as follows:
Old clause:
Masters ranked flyers must obtain at least one promotional score in a rolling twelve-month period to retain Masters status. If relegated then three promotional scores in that class must be obtained in FAI-F3a to regain Masters status.
We will add:
FAI-F3A ranked fliers who do not obtain at least one promotional score being the current promotional score from Expert to FAI-F3A in a rolling twelve month period may if they wish, request relegation to Expert class. This request must be submitted in writing to the committee stating reasons for requesting self relegation.
If fliers so relegated subsequently gain three promotional scores from Expert to FAI-F3A in a rolling twelve months they will automatically be promoted back to FAI-F3A.
The committee will review each request at the next available committee meeting. This will be done by using the objective records held by the APA contest director and derived from the APA scoring programme.
The committee’s decision will be final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

DO YOU WANT TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL JUDGE?

The FAI is looking to increase the pool of judges eligible to judge at international events (usually World Championships or CAOCC [AOC]). The MAAA rules for application and selection of judges to go on the Australian list is reproduced on the following page.
If you think you could meet the eligibility criteria and would be prepared give up the time to attend International events please contact Rob Clarke - APA president with your expression of interest.