22nd Annual Worldwide Postal Competition 2013/2014 to Include the KK Senator Postal

The purpose of this postal contest is to encourage friendly participation between aeromodellers worldwide with the prime emphasis being on low-key, leisurely flying without the pressures of ‘regular’ competition. A wide variety of events are offered including classes for types and sizes of models which have been overtaken and/or outclassed by modern developments or are perhaps too small to be considered for ‘serious’ competition work, such as 20” and 25” Rubber and Cloud Tramp, many of which can be flown at any time on smaller local sites without the necessity of travel to more formal contests at larger areas.

Flights may be made outdoors between August 9th 2013 and June 30th. 2014 inclusive; it is not required that all flights in any event be made upon the same day but each is to be pre-nominated as ‘official’. The general format (with exceptions as noted) is for three or more flights to the specified maximum; after three (or more) maximums further flights will be made to a score increasing by increments until the model fails to reach the duration target for that flight. The final score will be the total of all flights, recorded in seconds; the purpose of this scoring system is to reduce the possibility of models being lost in an ‘unlimited flyoff’ and as flights may be made at any time within the contest period it does not entail unduly arduous flying sessions to complete same. In classes where maximum sizes are established, the span shall be measured as per plan, not as ‘projected span’.

‘Vintage/Oldtimer’ classes are for designs authenticated to have been flying outdoors prior to December 31^st. 1950, even though plan publication may be of a later date in any kit, commercial magazine, SAM publication, club newsletter, etc Multiple entries with different models may be made in all events but flights in one event may not be ‘doubled up’ with any other class for which a given model is eligible – separate flights, please. 

The 20” Rubber class is to encourage the flying of all such models designed for outdoor use and not usually considered competitive against larger designs. There is no restriction on publication or production date and all designs ‘published’ in/on freely available sources i.e. newsletters, websites, etc are acceptable provided such source and/or details are made available to others.

To maximise flying opportunities there is ample scope for rubber models and gliders to be flown in multiple events and you are encouraged to take stopwatch, pencil and notepad with you each time you go to your local field, or to a contest, as an added incentive to your flying enjoyment. Bear in mind, also, that any number of individual models may be flown in any event for which they are eligible.

A full report will be forwarded to each entrant by mail or e-mail as appropriate. To assist in the compilation of same a brief account of weather, site, flying anecdotes, photographs, etc. would be appreciated when scores are submitted. Please ensure that all scores are forwarded to arrive by July 15th 2014 as I have limited time thereafter to collate, print and distribute results; earlier submissions would be most gratefully received! I welcome any comments regarding amendment to any event rules that might make same more attractive, or suggestions for other classes that might be considered of general interest in any future Contest. 

Please advise if you have an Email address; transmission of entries/scores/reports/results to me by this means helps to reduce overall costs, eases communications and enables wider distribution of submitted photos. Please return your entries to:

Caley Ann Hand, 6639 Datura Avenue, Twentynine Palms, California 92277 USA

email: caleyannhand@yahoo.com

GOOD FLYING – GOOD LUCK – and … above all … HAVE FUN!

Caley Hand

EVENTS:-

20” Rubber – For any published outdoor designs not exceeding 20”/51 cm span . Three flights to 60 second maximum followed by 30 second increments thereafter.

25” Rubber – Any models up to 25”/63.5 cm span. Three flights to 60 second maximum followed by 30 second increments thereafter.

30” Vintage/Oldtimer – For designs pre-1951, not exceeding 30”/76 cm. Three flights to a 90 second maximum followed by 30 second increments thereafter.

42” Vintage/Oldtimer – For designs pre-1951, with spans greater than 30”/76 cm but not exceeding 42”/107 cm. Three flights to a 120 second maximum followed by 30 second increments thereafter.

P30 Rubber – Standard P30 rules. Three flights to 120 second maximum followed by 60 second increments thereafter. No gears or movable surfaces, other than for d/t operation.

Freewheel Rubber – Any published outdoor design with a freewheeling propeller is eligible, wing span not exceeding 36”/91cm. Three flights to 90 second maximum followed by 30 second increments.

Unlimited Rubber – any rubber model with wingspan not exceeding 42”/107 cm. No auto surfaces. Three flights to a 120 second maximum, followed by 60 second increments thereafter.

KK “Senator” – A one-design class for this popular design. Three flights to 120 second maximum, followed by 60 second increments thereafter.

Cloud Tramp – Any version of the Cloud Tramp design as published. 8” prop (plastic OK), any type of prop bearing. Five flights, no maximum; longest and shortest will be discarded and balance totaled for score. 

Small Bungee Launched Glider – Any glider to a maximum span of 36″ Bungee will consist of two parts, a 22.5 meter towline and 7.5 meters of 1/8 inch rubber. Three flights to 60 second maximum followed by 60 second increments.

Catapult/Handlaunch Glider (small) – For any glider with wingspan no greater than 12”/30.5 cm. Six flights, 60 second maximum (flights under ten seconds need not be reported). If six maximums scored, 30 second increments thereafter. Catapult – a 9” loop of ¼” flat rubber or two loops 1/8″ attached to a 6” handle. Multiple entries permissible.

Catapult/Handlaunch Glider (large) – For any glider larger than 12”/30.5 cm. Rules as above.

Embryo – FAC rules apply for structure size (see Flying Aces Club website for rules) Maxes are 120 seconds with each successive flight increasing by 30 seconds

The following are for those who are new to the hobby with less than 3 years experience

Novice Basic Stick Fuselage – Rubber powered, wingspan 13 inches or less (example: AMA Cub, Squirrel, Denny Dart) 3 flights Max is 45 seconds for the first three flights with successive flights increasing 15 seconds each flight. 

Novice Basic Built-up Fuselage – Rubber powered, wingspan up to 18 inches (examples are the Pussycat and Big Pussycat) Maxes are the same as the Basic Stick Fuselage.

Novice P-30 – Basic P-30 rules apply with the following exception. Maxes are 90 seconds for the first three flights with each successive flight increasing by 30 seconds each flight.

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Scale Rules: Flights of less than 20 seconds can be reflown. Five official flights are required. The longest and shortest flight are discarded, and the remaining three are totalled for your flying score. Wingspan allowed is 22 inches and under.

This year we have one design builds for three categories of scale.

Low-wing scale build is the P-40, any version

High-wing scale build is the Pilatus Porter, any version

Biplane scale build is the Antonov AN-2

NOTE: Scale is still an experiment. Based on participation, next year will see scale

Postal flying expanded to many of the Flying Aces categories. There is no scale scoring.

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Another Note: There is some confusion about how many rounds a person must make after achieving the preliminary maxes. Since some participants may be flying alone, it is up to them to decide just how far into the flyoffs they wish to go. If you keep achieving the next higher max during all of your flyoff flights, and decide to quit there, that is your decision, and may be that someone who flew one more flight might win. The Postal is a low-keyed activity. Participation is the most important factor. Of course, winning is important, so you need to make the decision of how much flying you wish to make in order to achieve that win.