Science Olympiad Elastic Glider event

From: Bill <wdgowen_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:47:00 -0000

A couple of people have stated that the rules for this event are exactly the same as AMA SCLG rules. Actually they aren't. There is a small difference in maximum wingspan - 30cm vs. 12". But the biggest difference in specs is that there is no chord limit for the SO glider.

The chord limit isn't a big deal IMO because the SCLG wings are already at a pretty low AR. Increasing the chord beyond 3" may help but I don't think it's a game changer.

What can be a game changer is the rules that were left out:

No maximum launch device length.
No minimum launch height.

Since some of the people involved in the rules writing probably know of the history of AMA glider rules then there is a question as to whether these omissions were deliberate. If so and if there are no rules clarifications issued be prepared for models and methods of launching that bear no resemblance to AMA gliders.
Received on Mon Oct 15 2012 - 11:47:02 CEST