Tour Event Rules and Processes

Recent updates:
11-26-2018 – 2019 season changes: Revised #5.

This page summarizes the default set of rules and processes that should be published in advance of each F5J USA Tour event. Text from this page can be copied and modified, or deviations from items in this page (e.g. start and end times) can be specified external to this page.

The following clarifications/interpretations/processes will be implemented for this event:

  1. Pilots meeting. A pilots meeting will occur at 7:30AM at the CD tent. The pilots meeting will be brief and used only for clarification questions and points the CD desires to make. The goal is to ask any clarification questions to the organizers via email prior to the event.
  2. Start of day’s flights. Be prepared for the start of the event, we anticipate starting the prep time at 8:00AM.
  3. End of day’s flights. The last round will attempt to be completed before 5:00pm on the first day.
  4. Lane assignments. Lanes will be randomly assigned via the flight matrix.
  5. FAI F5J rules and exceptions. Per the F5J USA Tour Contest Rules, the F5J FAI “no motor restart” rule is waived.  In the event of a motor restart, the pilot will be given a zero score for the round. In addition there is a 3 second delay after launch before turning Tour rule. All other FAI F5J rules shall be in effect which can be found here. Also refer to the F5J USA Tour CD Guidelines for rules clarifications and interpretations.
  6. Fly-offs (if planned)
    1. The number of pilots planned for the fly-offs will be per the FAI rules at 30% of the pilots (rounded down) with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14. The CD will retain the option of adjusting the total fly-off pilots per tour CD Guidelines.
    2. There will be 3 fly-off rounds if we get at least 8 qualifying rounds. If we do not get 8 qualifying rounds for any reason, we will continue the qual rounds without fly-offs.
    3. There will be about 30 minutes from the end of the qual rounds to the beginning of the fly-offs.
    4. If a contestant declines to fly in the fly-offs the next highest placing contestant in the qual rounds should be added to the fly-offs pilot list
  7. Audio distribution system. One wireless audio speaker will be used for every 2 flight lanes and positioned along the flight line. With this method there should be no appreciable delay in the sound to any lane.
  8. BEGINNING OF HORN INDICATES THE MASTER CLOCK TIME!  If you are landing, and not on the ground at the beginning of the horn – then you are late! If you are launching and your motor starts or if your plane leaves your hand prior to the beginning of the horn – then you are early.
  9. Timing system failures. In the event of a timing system announcement failure after the launch signal, we will either call the group down and re-fly the group, or the timing announcements will continue with manual announcements on the PA system.
  10. Flying in the wrong group. In the event that a pilot flies out of turn (in a group he is not assigned), he will receive zero score for the round unless he can fly in the proper group in the same round.  This is per the Tour CD Guidelines.
  11. No altitude limiters or altitude telemetry allowed. Per FAI F5J rules you are not allowed to use any form of altitude cutoffs or altitude telemetry. The CD reserves the right to conduct spot checks for this during the event.
  12. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. You need to follow both the letter and intent of the rules. As declared in the F5J USA Tour Qualifying Events page, unsportsmanlike conduct will result in either the disqualification of a flight or ejection from the contest based on the gravity of the conduct.
  13. Safety Zones. The safety zones will consist of the launch corridor, the Officials/CD Tent, the pit/spectator areas and the parking area. Simply put, if your aircraft hits any object in the safety zone you are penalized 300 points. If you hit a person in a safety zone, then you receive a 1000 point penalty. Penalties are permanent and cannot be removed by a throw-out.
  14. Prep Time. Usually 6 minutes prep time with a 1-minute overfly count (total=7 mins) is used. Once the prep time starts it will not be stopped unless the CD determines there is rightful cause. Not being ready is not a valid reason.
  15. Leave field free of debris. All stakes/spikes/nails or similar things that are punched into the ground MUST have orange flagging on them to ensure removal. These things do bad things to the mowers and cutters, and we don’t want to leave the field in poor condition with metal stakes.
  16. Procedure for protests. Any protest must be filed before the event ends. See the F5J USA Tour CD Guidelines for details.

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