F5J Euro :: news

F5J goes FAI II.

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:26:00 +0200

Some time has passed since proposed rule text was submitted to FAI and first impressions are already rolling in. First, a quick summary of the proposal:

Same as F3J: competition format, groups, timing, re-flights, most of the scoring
Landing bonus is only 50 points out to 10m
New term "launch height" is introduced, defined as maximum height reached by model from motor start to 10s after motor stop
Launch height is used as a score penalty: the higher you start from, less points you achieve. This scale is nonlinear: half point is subtracted from score for each m up to 200m, above 200m 3 points are subtracted
To simplify implementation of this in the hardware, only one motor start is allowed; after that, your reciever (and with it, limiter) must be power cycled

What we created here is basically F3J without a winch, with "time on the line" replaced by "launch height". It really was the only option as long as people insisted on timing duration of flight as a measure of one's success.

By now we have first devices available that enable us to organize such competition:

Operation of these displays is very simlple: you just plug it in the altimeter, it gets its power via the cable and it has three buttons: one on the left to read/write the setting and two on the right to scroll up and down. This is what you see immediately after you connect it:

You have the option to edit the only settings that are interesting to you in the context of the competition: motor run time and the height point at which the scoring curve breaks:

For example I've set myself a lower altitude:

Device nicely confirms the new settings:

Since it was a cold day, I've only made two quick flights. Launch height is obtained by simply connecting the display and pressing the left button. This one would cost me 136*0.5=68 points:

And this one would cost me 150*0.5+(261-150)*3=408 points:

With these rules, many new strategy options are possible with planes that climb with only 5-8m/s. It even becomes feasible to delay your start in the group for few tens of seconds or so, check who found lift and start in that direction below him.

We now have to wait for FAI meeting on April 15th, where the text will be voted for inclusion into F5 category.

3rd Eurocup, Hungary

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:55:00 +0200

Since I totaly forgot to mention 2nd Eurocup event in Holič, let me mention mention Hungary event even before the invitation is out.

SInce we had bad luck with weather in Krško, we have decided to organize two competitions in same weekend in Hungary. Friday and Saturday morning we'll fly Slovenian Eurocup and Saturday afternoon and Sunday we'll fly Hungarian Eurocup. Place of the event is now an airfield near Matko and we have some pictures from the F3J event that was held there recently. Time is the same, second weekend in September, 10-12.9. 2010. More details will follow soon!

F5J goes FAI

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:15:00 +0200

I'm sure that you already know that a working group was formed at the last FAI meeting in April with the task to put together worldwide F5J rules, acceptable for all. Since I already invested some time into transforming our Eurocup rules discussion and modification into a process, I was appointed to represent a voice of Slovenia in the working group.

Since the working group hasn't yet produced any definite agreements, there's nothing to show officialy. Instead, let me report on one of the possible compromises we're likely to end up with.As you know, there are two major directions in which F5J is developing: one is component limited (to limit the power available) and the other is height limited (where the starting height is defined). Each group has good arguments for their direction and against the other direction, but I think these are easy to overcome if only there's some political will to actually do it. That's why I suggested a compromise where the height would be defined not as a starting height but as an upper limit and the pilot would still have the freedom to start his flight at a lower height, therefore having the possibility to get more seconds for his flight.

This of course led to the discussion about rate of climb and how to limit that. We agreed that we'll try to use the existing equipment already in the models, the height limiter. With some software upgrades it will be possible to use it also as a rate of climb limiter - you climb too fast, your motor turns off. I spent last two days for putting together appropriate motor-gearbox-prop-battery combo for one of my models that would enable me to test these software features when they become available. I'm in contact with the guy behind RC electronics who develops the most popular altimeters and height limiters around here and I expect we'll have something ready to show for event in Holič in two weeks. See you in Holič!

1st eurocup 2010 Krško

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:13:00 +0200

After some comlications and a change of organizer at the last minute, here it is: Invitation to Krško, Slovenia, 2010. Most of the info you will get from the slovenian forum. While you are there, you can check a video and some pictures from the last year ;)

Winter calm

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:58:00 +0200

Winter is usualy calm in RC modeling scene. Not much flying, but there is much more talking and behind-the-scenes going on. We already have the dates for 2010 Eurocup events, we're prepairing a revision of rules for 2011 season and I'm working on a facelift of this page :)

Rewritten rules are based on Slovenian expirience and are basically the same thing as today, just written in a more organized way. We're going to fly them in 2010 and fix any problems that show up during the season. I'll write more about it when I get initial feedbacks from other Eurocup members.

1st Eurocup 2009, Krško

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:37:00 +0200

Invitation for the first Eurocup event of 2009 has just been posted. The event will be hosted by modeling club Krško at their beautiful location south of town Krško. This year will bring an expansion of 400 category with various small brushless vairants that have sprung into life everywhere. That's a bit of an experiment, but I think it's necessary in order to find common ground as broad as possible and acceptable to everyone.

3rd Eurocup 2008, Kiskunfélegyháza

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:21:00 +0200

Hungarians will have their competition at the new place for F5J, but already known to F3J pilots. Invitation here.

2nd eurocup 2008, Nitra

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:52:00 +0200

The invitation is already up. Let's hope we'll have weather as perfect as last year!