Building season is upon us once again. Last build-season we had some great participation and had some very nice models appear on the forums. I've been asked to start another build-off and we are starting this one earlier. Adjudication will be the same as the last one but really we are in this to have some fun. Please read the ENTIRE post before submitting your entry in this thread. There are changes from last year that will make some folks very happy (GLIDERS!!!) I've taken cues from other build-offs on the web, as well as last-year's lessons learned, and have outlined the build-off as follows:
Summary:
Participants will build a “Sport Scale” electric motor driven, radio-controlled airplane (or helicopter) model and demonstrate that it is capable of controlled flight. At the end of the competition, a panel will be selected to select winners from completed and flight-proven models.
Build-Off objectives are to:
o Foster interest in building sport scale electric-powered models
o Promote building as one of the aspects of the FT community
o Practice our craft, learn from others, and do the best we can
o Have some fun
Build-Off Rules:
1. Models entered (“entries”
must resemble a full-sized aircraft design that was either built or proposed to be built (ie. designs that were produced as engineering, feasibility or other conceptual studies but which were not ultimately constructed). In keeping with the Sport Scale nature of the Build-Off, scale outlines may be changed within reason to improve flight characteristics or for ease of construction. Color schemes for entries need not depict an actual full-sized aircraft.
2. Entries must be powered by at least one electric motor. The propulsion system of the entry need not resemble the propulsion system of the full-sized aircraft. Scale gliders are permitted and are exempt from this rule. Gliders will receive full points for propulsion by default (a strategic advantage in adjudication but comes with more difficulty in other areas).
3. Building and covering materials may be of any type (balsa, composite, foam etc.) the participant chooses.
4. To be eligible for consideration as a winner, entries must demonstrate that they are capable of controlled and powered flight (gliders are exempt) before the Build-Off closing date. Photos or videos of the entry in flight will be considered proof of flight-worthiness.
5. Already started builds may be entered providing they have not been covered or painted by the start of the Build-Off.
6. Entries will be grouped into one of three categories, each of which will be considered for a separate winner. Categories are as follows:
a. Scratch Built – An original model designed and built by the designer “from scratch”. Existing design work may be entered as long as the design has not previously been built, published or sold. Manufactured parts (eg. plastic cowls or canopies, etc.) are permitted. "Frankenplanes" are not permitted. This category includes building from 3-views of existing aircraft.
b. Plan Built – A model built from plans by a builder other than the designer, or by the designer himself if the design has previously been built, published or sold. Builders in this category must supply the parts and materials required to build the model.
c. Kit Built – A model built from a commercially available kit or short kit containing plans and at least some of the parts required to build the model. ARFs, RTFs, or "bashes" (enhancement modification) of them and the like are not permitted. However, some vintage "ARFs" that are not pre-covered, painted, and require substantial building are allowed and will be evaluated for entry. Contact the coordinator (Willsonman) if you have a question on this for your entry.
7. Participants may submit more than one entry.
8. The Build-Off coordinator may participate, but is ineligible for consideration as a winner.
Coordinator's Instructions:
- Registration for the Build-Off will be by posting participant members’ FT user name, the proposed category for the entry (Scratch, Plan or Kit Built), the model to be entered, and a link to a build thread on this thread, NOT via PM to the OP.
- Build threads should be entitled using the following format "Scale Build-Off – Guillows 27" span Spitfire "
- Thread titles can be modified (for existing threads) by clicking “Edit Post” on the first post of their thread. Once there click on “Go Advanced” and you can edit your thread title from there. Once the title is edited click on “Save Changes.”
Example of entry format:
JoshScott
Kit Built
Scale Build-Off – Guillows 27" span Spitfire
link to the build thread
- Registration for entries will open and the Build-Off will start on Oct 1st 2015.
- Registration will close on December 1st, 2015. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
- Build-Off will close on May 1st, 2016. CLOSED
- Build-Off adjudication will be completed and points accumulated will be posted by June 1st 2016.
- It is recommended that builders to not review the rubric for adjudication during the course of their build. To foster creativity and fun review at the start to make your plan, build, and then review when nearing completion to see where you may accumulate additional points. The rubric has been attached to this posting.
- Any further questions may be posted in this thread or directed to the Build-Off coordinator (Willsonman).
Summary:
Participants will build a “Sport Scale” electric motor driven, radio-controlled airplane (or helicopter) model and demonstrate that it is capable of controlled flight. At the end of the competition, a panel will be selected to select winners from completed and flight-proven models.
Build-Off objectives are to:
o Foster interest in building sport scale electric-powered models
o Promote building as one of the aspects of the FT community
o Practice our craft, learn from others, and do the best we can
o Have some fun
Build-Off Rules:
1. Models entered (“entries”
must resemble a full-sized aircraft design that was either built or proposed to be built (ie. designs that were produced as engineering, feasibility or other conceptual studies but which were not ultimately constructed). In keeping with the Sport Scale nature of the Build-Off, scale outlines may be changed within reason to improve flight characteristics or for ease of construction. Color schemes for entries need not depict an actual full-sized aircraft.2. Entries must be powered by at least one electric motor. The propulsion system of the entry need not resemble the propulsion system of the full-sized aircraft. Scale gliders are permitted and are exempt from this rule. Gliders will receive full points for propulsion by default (a strategic advantage in adjudication but comes with more difficulty in other areas).
3. Building and covering materials may be of any type (balsa, composite, foam etc.) the participant chooses.
4. To be eligible for consideration as a winner, entries must demonstrate that they are capable of controlled and powered flight (gliders are exempt) before the Build-Off closing date. Photos or videos of the entry in flight will be considered proof of flight-worthiness.
5. Already started builds may be entered providing they have not been covered or painted by the start of the Build-Off.
6. Entries will be grouped into one of three categories, each of which will be considered for a separate winner. Categories are as follows:
a. Scratch Built – An original model designed and built by the designer “from scratch”. Existing design work may be entered as long as the design has not previously been built, published or sold. Manufactured parts (eg. plastic cowls or canopies, etc.) are permitted. "Frankenplanes" are not permitted. This category includes building from 3-views of existing aircraft.
b. Plan Built – A model built from plans by a builder other than the designer, or by the designer himself if the design has previously been built, published or sold. Builders in this category must supply the parts and materials required to build the model.
c. Kit Built – A model built from a commercially available kit or short kit containing plans and at least some of the parts required to build the model. ARFs, RTFs, or "bashes" (enhancement modification) of them and the like are not permitted. However, some vintage "ARFs" that are not pre-covered, painted, and require substantial building are allowed and will be evaluated for entry. Contact the coordinator (Willsonman) if you have a question on this for your entry.
7. Participants may submit more than one entry.
8. The Build-Off coordinator may participate, but is ineligible for consideration as a winner.
Coordinator's Instructions:
- Registration for the Build-Off will be by posting participant members’ FT user name, the proposed category for the entry (Scratch, Plan or Kit Built), the model to be entered, and a link to a build thread on this thread, NOT via PM to the OP.
- Build threads should be entitled using the following format "Scale Build-Off – Guillows 27" span Spitfire "
- Thread titles can be modified (for existing threads) by clicking “Edit Post” on the first post of their thread. Once there click on “Go Advanced” and you can edit your thread title from there. Once the title is edited click on “Save Changes.”
Example of entry format:
JoshScott
Kit Built
Scale Build-Off – Guillows 27" span Spitfire
link to the build thread
- Registration for entries will open and the Build-Off will start on Oct 1st 2015.
- Registration will close on December 1st, 2015. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
- Build-Off will close on May 1st, 2016. CLOSED
- Build-Off adjudication will be completed and points accumulated will be posted by June 1st 2016.
- It is recommended that builders to not review the rubric for adjudication during the course of their build. To foster creativity and fun review at the start to make your plan, build, and then review when nearing completion to see where you may accumulate additional points. The rubric has been attached to this posting.
- Any further questions may be posted in this thread or directed to the Build-Off coordinator (Willsonman).
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