S.O.Rules clarification

From: Chris Borland <candjborland_at_sbcglobal.net>
Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:22:04 -0000

Hi All,

As you know there has been a problem, at least some think so, with the 2008 rules in
regard as to what is the definition of "opaque" and "vertical". Since I will be presenting 4
hours of workshops at the National Coaches Conference in San Francisco this weekend, I
needed an answer quickly. I felt that most people, if they looked at the rules, would
(should) ask about this.

Anyway, today I reached people at the S.O. headquarters on the phone and asked about
this, explaining why I had to find out something quickly. I was told that the new rule arose
after several models had to be flown at once at some meets, especially at the Nationals
last year, because of the large number of entrants and not enough time blocks available.
The rule is an attempt to identify different models in the air at the same time.

I was refered to a person, (a very qualified one, not at headquarters), who is on the
committee that formulates the model airplane rules and he agreed that there is a problem.
As we discussed the situation, this is what he came up with and he said that they (the
committee) will be finalizing a clarification very soon and posting it on the S.O.
clarifications page (soinc.org).

Here it is - Opaque will mean colored tissue paper will be O.K. Felt tip pens used on mylar
will not be O.K. as this can be very translucent and/or faint. He agreed that many designs
don't use vertical surfaces, only angled tips for stability. Therefore, vertical is to mean not
horizontal and having no vertical rudder (fin) will be O.K. Colored, angled tips will do fine
as the idea is identification.

This, or a similar version, will appear soon on the S.O. clarifications page. btw, the person
refered to above is on this net, at least as a lurker.

Chris Borland - Sacramento
Received on Wed Oct 03 2007 - 23:22:22 CEST