Legal F3J launch gear

[Robglover]

It's an F3J year at the Nats, which will bring a bunch of us who don't normally fly the event out of the woodwork. How about a refresher on launch equipment that satisfies the rules? Anybody?

Thanks!

[Hal]

This is from the FAI sporting code:

5.6.8.3. a) Tow persons are allowed no mechanical aids, other than pulleys, to facilitate towing but may use a
hand reel (hand winch) to recover the towline after launching is complete.
b) Immediately after release of the model aircraft from the launching cable, without delay the towline
helpers must either recover the towline on a hand reel (hand winch) or, when a pulley is used, they
must continue to pull the towline until it is completely removed from the towing area in order to avoid
crosscutting with other lines which are still in a state of towing or will be used for towing.
c) If towing with pulley, behind the pulley an unbreakable shield with diameter of minimum 15 cm must be
fixed to protect the towing helpers against broken whipping line ends.
In the case of towing with a pulley two helpers have to operate the pulley and one of the following
preventive measures must be taken:
· The pulley and protective shield must be connected to a 5 mm minimum diameter cord arranged in a
V , the arms of which must have a length of 1,5 to 3,0 m and with hand loops on each end; or
· The pulley and protective shield must be connected to the centre of a sufficiently strong yoke of
minimum 80 cm length with handholds at each end.
In the case of towing with a pulley, the towline end must be attached to a ground anchor, which is fixed by
metal ropes to two additional safety pins. The length of the main stake must be at least 50 cm from the
towline linkage. The safety stakes must be at least 30 cm long. The main stake must be driven into the
ground to a depth at least 40 cm. The towline linkage must not exceed 10 cm above the ground. The
ground anchor-dimensions and its setup could look like as shown in the drawing "Guideline for proven
ground anchor setup".

Here are some pics that might help: http://www.usf3jteam.com/pics.php

Hal

[OVSS Boss]

Bubba,
I figured yo had some titanium stake and nanotube lines to attach the pulley to you in some harness that was suitable for the space shuttle launches.

But I may be wrong.

The Northern Bubba

[Robglover]

Marc -

Nah, none of that here. I'm a rank novice at an F3J event. Just trying to figure out the latest interpretation of how to nail down a pulley.

I do hear from our team manager that there are currently a couple genetically enhanced tow girls interviewing for positions on our team...we're always scouting for girls who give good tow.

Bubba South

[OVSS Boss]

As long as they give good tow, we all want ot have a goal...

TNB

[redietz]

Just a question about the new thread group structure -- If this group is for "multi task", why is F3J here? Shouldn't it be in Thermal? For that matter, why is anything other than F3B here?

Or does "F3X" take precedence over "multi task"? And if so, why is F3K still in "Hand Launch"?

[Robglover]

Just a question about the new thread group structure -- If this group is for "multi task", why is F3J here? Shouldn't it be in Thermal? For that matter, why is anything other than F3B here?

Or does "F3X" take precedence over "multi task"? And if so, why is F3K still in "Hand Launch"?


Let me guess...you're a lawyer, right?

[MDM]

Let me guess...you're a lawyer, right?

HA, don't hire him he cant read.

Forum description is:

This forum is for those whom enjoy the challenge of F3F, F3B and F3J high performance contest flying.

[winchdoc]

I make some nice F3J pulleys. $75 shipped in Conus
You make your own stake.

WinchDoc

[redietz]

Let me guess...you're a lawyer, right?


No, I'd just like to see a more descriptive title for the forum.

Bob

[Wing-span]

No, I'd just like to see a more descriptive title for the forum.

Bob


Redietz,

I designed the title to encompass topics of conversation regarding the multiple tasks of F3F, F3J and F3B. The aircraft involved in these disciplines have some very distinct similarities. The 'Thermal' forum area is very popular but was/is more suited to what I regard to be more general thermal soaring interests. It is still a popular area and will continue to be so. The 'Hand launch' forum area again is very popular and contains some great threads on the subject matter.

Initially I considered focusing on just F3B. This was put out to the 'community' but the reply came back that a forum area containing F J and B would attract a larger audience.

Things are looking good so far...

Lets stick to launch gear chat now.

Wing-span :)

[winchdoc]

I just put a thread up for the pulleys with a pic:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=703345