Re: Re: Exact Builder of Model Rule

From: Don Slusarczyk <don_at_slusarczyk.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:22:08 -0500

> and if legal, buying it, too.
>
>

Kang,

I never really looked at the FAI definition until posted here. What it
says it not what I thought it said. I think the FAI rule is vague
enough to allow the buying of parts, many parts actually. The AMA goes
an extra step to try and define "constructed". The FAI rule says you
have to be the "builder", and no further explanation so by dictionary
definition a builder means "one who builds", then builds means "to make
(something) by putting together parts or materials". Interstingly
"assemle" is "to connect or put together the parts of (something, such
as a toy or machine)" so I would interpret as some building is required
as opposed to simple assembly or connecting of premade parts (similar to
what the AMA calls out as not allowed). So buying a hub and adding prop
blades to it would to me seem legal under the FAI definition same with
buying a premade prop outline as it would require additional building to
add the ribs, cover, and connect to the VP hub. If the prop blades were
all premade and just required assembly (plugged into the hub) then I
would think it is not allowed by the FAI. So I would think more prefab
is OK for F1D where AMA does not allow the same prefab level with the
"average kit" wording. So like I was saying before If you buy prefab F1D
parts and want to fly AMA HLS with the same model it would be FAI legal
but AMA illegal. I have to admit my gut reaction to buying VP hubs and
prop outlines for F1D was it was a BOM violation but I was applying the
AMA definition as I understood it, but the FAI definition being vague to
me allows more leniency. Personally I would not be in support of
allowing purchased premade VP hubs but the FAI rule as currently written
does not guide me enough (speaking on a CD basis) to disqualify its use
for F1D, F1M, or F1R at a contest.

Don S
Received on Wed Jan 29 2014 - 19:22:40 CET