Re: Science Olympiad Elastic Glider event

From: Jeff <janderson_at_twmi.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 02:59:00 -0000

Bill, I know you are a dedicated SO mentor and event supervisor, well aware of how SO works. If it seemed otherwise, I apologise.

As to my statement, I wanted to point out additional differences from AMA rules, and preempt assumptions that AMA practice applied to those not familiar with SO, nothing more.

If I was inappropriately terse or short, again, I apologize.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI



--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, William Gowen <wdgowen@...> wrote:
>
> I think that Jeff's reply to my post about the SO glider event was very
> disappointing and deserves more comment. I have been mentoring kids in the
> Science Olympiad program for 14 years and I totally understand that SO
> rules have no relationship to AMA rules. All of my activities in the past
> have been to help SO kids to successfully compete in the aero events while
> carefully observing the rules governing those events. I also was the Event
> Coordinator for the Georgia state finals for several years which certainly
> requires knowledge of the rules.
>
> Several of us thought from a first reading of the rules that they were very
> similar to the AMA SCLG rules. My post was only meant as an alert to
> potential mentors that the rules were different from what we operate under
> in the AMA glider events. Teams may use methods that are completely foreign
> to understanding how and why catapult gliders work. If this is the goal of
> the SO rules - "thinking outside the box" - then it is certainly their
> right to have that kind of rule set.
>
> This thinking was evident when competitors were allowed to stick
> helicopters to the ceiling in the last couple of years - which of course
> didn't help them understand how to build a more efficient helicopter. The
> methods that will probably show up in the elastic launched glider event are
> also probably not going to advance the students' knowledge of aerodynamics
> but may make them more successful lawyers.
>
> Bill Gowen
> (starting 15th year of mentoring)
>
> On Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 8:33 PM, Jeff <janderson_at_...> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Couple of other differences.
> > - Nose has to be blunt, details in the rules.
> > - No restriction on wing shape changing, ie folding wings are allowed.
> > - No restriction on how MANY wings.
> > - Probably other things we haven't thought of.
> >
> > Yes it was deliberate.
> >
> > Do not assume any AMA general or specific rules apply to SO events. The
> > ONLY rules that apply are those explicitly written into the SO rules.
> >
> > This used to come up with Wright Stuff where AMA flyers would assume AMA
> > rules like no torque burners applied. It was established then, that because
> > it was not in the SO rules it was NOT forbidden. The SO rules are the SO
> > rules.
> >
> > Jeff Anderson
> > One of the SO rules writers
> > Livonia, MI
> >
> >
> > --- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "Bill" <wdgowen@> wrote:
> > >
> > > 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 Tue Oct 16 2012 - 19:59:03 CEST