SEN 3373

1. The 46th Annual MMM 14-Round Contest
2. Want to Buy: Spare tailboom for Vasi Beschansyy F1A
3. The future of F!B
4.  PATTERSON MEMORIAL

 

The 46th Annual MMM 14-Round Contest
From:  Pete McQuade and John McGrath, CDs
Denver, July 12-13, 2025

Good weather, great competition, and visits with old friends combined to make this a very nice contest. Turnout was lower than in recent years—but for good reasons. Jack Murphy and Todd Reynolds were busy representing the USA at the FAI World Championships in Romania. And Tiffaney O’Dell and Blake Jensen were also there at the WCs, assisting the team. But we were fortunate to have Jace Pivonka travel from Idaho to fly F1A (instead of his usual event, F1B).
A few days before the contest, Chuck Etherington and Frank Menanno mowed the flight line and parking area, and also mowed an excellent circular towline-glider park. Their efforts made the flying much easier and more enjoyable than ever for everyone.

On both Saturday and Sunday, we were treated to some fabulous grilled lunch, served up by our Grill Chefs, Len Sanders, Karren and Bill Groman, Frank Menanno and Bernie Olson. Sean McEntee brought most of the food for cooking, supplemented by other food brought by volunteers. On Sunday morning, Lee Pivonka, Jace’s Dad, brought a load of fresh, home-made burritos—served on a red-and-white checked tablecloth! Free flight dining just doesn’t get much better than that!
Jace put up a remarkable performance in his first-ever F1A contest, flying a beautiful electronic bunter. Although the model needed some tweaking to its bunt program, Jace’s outstanding air picking and athletic prowess made the flying look easy. He maxed six of seven rounds on Saturday. The seventh-round flight went out of sight and he couldn’t pick up the Walston signal. Undeterred, Jace rode out on his chase bike the next day—and returned with the model!
Winners of the two-day-contest FAI perpetual cups and trophies were as follows:
F1A   Jace Pivonka
F1Q   Frank Menanno
F1G   John McGrath
F1S   Don DeLoach

Want to Buy: Spare tailboom for Vasi Beschansyy F1A 

From: Pete McQuade

Wanted: Spare tailboom for Vasi Beschasnyy F1A. Please contact: Pete McQuade at [email protected]

The future of F!B 

From:  Michael Woodhouse
The Proposal for a 5-Gram Weight Reduction for F1B Motors

Introduction
The proposal for a 5-gram reduction in weight for F1B motors has been referred by CIAM back to the technical committee for further consideration. A sensible decision as the proposal had little prior discussion amongst those effected before being officially tabled. The proposal raised considerable debate as to the rationale and the effects that might arise from the change. I like others raised questions and a petition against the change was created by other concerned fliers. This paper is a development the earlier piece which I had quickly knocked together at the last minute before the CIAM meeting
This paper examines potential alternative ideas that address the issue of a performance reduction for F1Bs.

Rationale for the change

The primary justification for the proposal to reduce the weight of F1B motors is that too many fliers are progressing to the fly-off rounds at championships. The assumption is that the current 30-gram motor weight is making it easy for more competitors to reach these final rounds and possibly undermining the overall competitiveness of the event.
It is argued that reducing the allowed rubber weight will help reduce the number of fliers advancing to the fly-off stage. My contention is that there are better ways to reduce the number of competitors reaching the fly off. The actual model specification and the allowed amount of rubber is not the issue it is other factors that are causing the issue.
The effect of implementing the proposed change/solution
While the proposed weight reduction of motors seeks to level the playing field, there are significant challenges and concerns. The change will disadvantage fringe and developing fliers, who already face difficulties making it to the fly-off stages. By making this change, the playing field will become even harder for those who are still improving their skills and equipment.

It is noted that many top-tier fliers have commented that reducing the motor weight by 5 grams will not significantly affect their ability to succeed. This raises the question: if the change won’t impact the World’s best fliers, is there a rationale for implementing the change? Has the change already been defined as an ineffective solution? Therefore, this proposal does not address the root cause of the problem.

The reason that large numbers make it to the flyoff is not the volume of rubber
I submit that the real issue behind the increased number of fliers making it to the fly-off stage lies not in the weight of the motors but in the way thermal conditions decide the result of a competition. The individuality of model design has all but gone with the majority save a few flying “factory” built models that all have the same inherent performance. Thus, the ability to locate a thermal will determine the outcome of a flight rather than through unique model design.
In F1B events, competitors are in the situation in that once the motor is wound, the model can be launched at any time and aimed directly at a potential thermal. This gives experienced pilots an edge, as they can wait for the right air to launch, thus increasing their chances of success. Over the years fliers have become more expert in locating thermals and through experience we have learnt the art of thermal picking. The art has been reinforced scientifically using computer aids. The event has therefore become a thermal picking event not a model performance event. The requirement thus now becomes one of managing/controlling thermal picking.
Alternative suggestions to address the issue

Thus, rather than reducing motor weight, alternative methods could be implemented to help level the playing field and reduce the number of fliers advancing to the fly-off. As noted, the competition is now thermal picking rather than one of model design which in the past had given inherent differential performance. The solution that I propose is:

Ban thermal detection devices: 
* Prohibit the use of mechanical or digital devices that help competitors detect thermals. Currently, devices that detect thermals have become an essential part of many fliers’ tool kit prohibiting the use of these devices would require fliers to rely solely on their own abilities or watch others to identify potential thermals. This would create a more equal opportunity for all, rather than allowing those with the best technology to have a distinct advantage. A simple short streamer to indicate the wind direction.

Time-Window for launching: 

* In addition, the time allowed for fliers to locate a thermal and launch their models should be reduced. This can be achieved by introducing a system where the flyer calls a specific window of time during which they will wind and launch. Once the window is called, the flyer would have a set period (e.g., 10 minutes) to wind and launch the model. Failure to launch within that time window would result in an attempt.
* The length of the window could be adjusted by event organizers, providing flexibility based on weather conditions or other factors. This approach would effectively turn each flight into a “fly-off,” where fliers must demonstrate their skill in both selecting the right time to launch and managing a time limited period to do so.
The effect of the banning of physical devices and limiting the attempt time allowed would be:
* The competitors will have to use their own senses
* The window of opportunity would reduce what often currently happens is to wait for others to launch which can develop into three “waves” of flights in each round. The flight now becomes and individual decision window.
* Experience shows that time limitation is an effective way of applying pressure that will in turn result in a dropped flight.

Conclusion

The suggestion to prohibit thermal detection devices and introduce a time window for launching models offers a targeted solutions aimed at the “real” problem. It should reduce the number of fliers progressing to the final rounds without disadvantaging developing competitors and focus on the personal skill-based aspects of the sport and offer a fairer way to ensure a competitive environment while maintaining the integrity of the event.
The above are my thoughts. Share, publish, pass-on as you think appropriate.

Michael J. Woodhouse April 2025
PATTERSON MEMORIAL

Nov 8th & 9th Reserve Nov 10th, 2025 at Lost Hills Field
Sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Sanction No. 18964
Americas Cup Contest

Saturday, Nov 8th: F1A, F1B, F1C, F1Q, F1P
Seven [7] one-hour rounds start @ 7:30 AM with extended max times
F1A, F1B, F1C, and F1Q: 240 sec F1P 180 sec
Remaining round maxes are 180 sec.
Fly off schedule 30 min after end of last round. Event start times will be posted

Sunday, Nov 9th: F1G, F1H, F1J, F1S
Tie Breaker flight to the ground. F1H, F1G,F1S,F1J  ALL FLY TOGETHER 30 MIN ROUND STARTING AT 7:30 – 8 AM
There may be a slight delay, if F1A, F1B, F1C require morning fly offs
Standard Five [5] rounds 60 minute long starting @ 8:15 AM, 120 sec maxes.
2 FO flights starting 30 min after end of last round   Event start times will be posted.
If tied at end of standard rounds, tie breaker flight time will be added

Tie breaker as above 10 second motor run timed to the ground
F1S will run in rounds the same as F1H & F1G  ( 10 sec motor run 2 minute max)
Fly off 1 will be 5 second motor run 2 minute max
Fly off 2 will be 5 second motor run 3 minute max
If there is tie after 5 rounds +2 fly offs, tie breaker will be based on early morning flight.

Entry Fees: 
FAI events: FIA, B, C, G, H, J, P, Q, S; $25 first event, $10 for second
AMA age juniors: $5/event,

Awards
Medals awarded for 1-2-3 places in F1A, B, C, G, H, Q, J, and F1S
Perpetual trophies for F1A, B, C, G, H, J (if they show up at the field)!
Junior Hi-Time Trophy Glider, Rubber

F1P 1st   only

Notes:
AMA & Lost Hills Field Association memberships are MANDATORY
FAI events run to the 2025 FAI rules, including altimeter use in Fly offs

Flight line will move as needed to avoid retrieval from the trees
No Moto-flapping
RDT allowed all events.

Contest Director      
Risto Puhakka
39739 Bissy Cmn
Fremont CA 94538
Email: [email protected]
Cell 408-391-3669

SEN Status

Our new web site is online with archives of SEN going back to 1997 plus many items about FAI Free Flight. It can be found at http://www.faifreeflight.org

Existing SEN subscribers can update their preferences by following the update your preferences link at the bottom of this page.

New users can sign up at  this link http://eepurl.com/crOnvj
or at the SEN website

 
…………..
Roger Morrell