I want to make some official rules changes for slow combat. The old slow combat is no longer a valid event and should be replaced with the speed limit events that have been growing in participation. I don't to reinvent a new event, just modify what we already have. Right now, 329 slow combat is the same as 328 fast combat with these exceptions.  Current is on the left, proposals on the right.


                      Current                                                                                                                                                   New 75mph rule replacement
Applicability, equipment, purpose, rules, procedures, and judging are the same as
CL Combat, except as specified below.
2. Aircraft Specifications.                                                                                                                                     2. Aircraft Specifications
                                                                                                                                                                          Any engine size allowed up to a maximum size or 40
The aircraft shall have a profile fuselage. The fuselage shall conform to the                                                                     Any aircraft allowed
Control Line General Profile definition except upright or inverted engine                                                                          Any fuels system allowed
installations are not allowed. The aircraft must fly counterclockwise in level                                                                    Aircraft must not exceed 75 mph. This will be calculated at the beginning of the match by timing the
flight.                                                                                                                                                                  aircraft for two laps while pulling a full streamer. the time shall not be less that 7.3 seconds for two laps.
a. The fuselage length shall be at least 24 inches between the thrust washer face                                                             If model is too fast it must be grounded and repaired to not exceed speed limit. No airtime will be
and the foremost part of the movable elevator surface in the projected view.                                                                   aquired until model does not exceed the speed limit. Venturi must be fixed. No adjusting throttles in air.
b. There shall be a five- (5) inch minimum between the thrust washer face and the                                                          Pilots must start their own engines, or pilot must stay outside flying circle until their engine is started by
most forward part of the wing in the projected view. Shaft extensions, thick, nonstock                                                      pit man.
drive washers, etc., shall not count towards these minimum distances.                                                                           Spectra (or equalivant ) flying lines will be allowed and must pass pull test requirements.
c. No pressure fuel systems, inboard fuel tanks, pumps, etc. shall be allowed. The
tank vents may be positioned to take advantage of the airstream. The engine
crankshaft axis shall pass between the fuel tank and the center of the fight circle
(all parts of the tank shall be to the right of the engine crankshaft axis line when
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Competition Regulations | Control Line Combat 14
the airplane is upright, viewed from the rear). The fuel tank must not be enclosed.
Notching into the wing is permissible if safety is not compromised.
d. The wing area shall be at least 300 square inches.
3. Procedure.
A kill does not end the match. Either or both competitors may score a kill in the
same match. Not more than one (1) kill may be scored by one (1) competitor in a
match. Once both strings have been cut, at a signal from the judge, both fliers
must fly level and counterclockwise. The fliers shall fly level and
counterclockwise in such a manner as to avoid midair collisions, near misses, etc.
4. Scoring.
A kill counts 100 points

My .002

 I would tend to be concerned with a spectra and .018 steel wire combat match..no real experience but I would think a cut line flyaway more possible ...but this is just a gut thought...You guys with spectra combat experience probably know if or if not that is a safety concern in a realm of no fuel cut off required (my preference as less complicated) 75mph combat

As long as there is no restriction on model size, I think allowing up to .40 engine MIGHT promote a broader range of air-frames and would be my preference...simply to see who builds and flys a bigger heavier streamer eater 

And so many folks already have ready to go 40's for 75mph combat. Plus there are lots of cheap ones available. Seems to me that as long as you go 75mph its irrelevant what power plant is used. As a matter of fact, I will propose that electric power plants be allowed also.

I did get to get some experience flying against spectra lines while at the Brodak event. I didnt get my steel lines cut by spectra lines, but I did get my steel lines destroyed. I also noticed how much easier they were to get untangled since they didnt coil up. My take on it.....I bought some spectra lines.

Anyone who tries them will switch. Cheaper, faster to make and just as strong, and the big plus NO KINKS!

Bob ,

I must say having no shut off rule up in The Great White North and being able to run 80 makes the planes fly much nicer. Maybe while your at the rule change thing could you get the AMA to raise the shut off curse up to 80 . Free the beast!!

Brad

I did not mean my thought to suggest Spider wire...spectra gel spun stuff..... was NO good or dangerous...just concerned that the steel lines might be prone to cutting the spectra...not the other way

I have not yet used spectra for big combat or stunt planes but like it a lot for 1/2a flying. Well, except the knot on the 10~20lb stuff is a challenge for my gnarled arthritic fingers

BTW, You guys just exploring the use of Spectra...be sure to NOT be tempted to get the China made lower cost versions...  the cheap stuff is not up to spec: breaks below rating, and has more stretch

My walMart has a ok selection but the Cabelas , Dick's, Academy sporting goods places have almost all the colors and weights

I prefer the Hi vis Yellow...the green and brown are worthless to me,,,, completely disappears in the grass

When  I used Spiderwire for fishing purposes, I would set the knot with thin CA glue.   In all of my years using that stuff, I never had the line break. It would straighten hooks or open swivels before the line broke.

No glue is needed if you use the correct knot. The modified surgeons knot that Phil Cartier uses is the best. I've never had one slip or break.

Yes sir.  I can do a Palomar. I will also look up the modified surgeons knot Mike mentioned.
Again thanks for the info.