I expect that the rules assume a dry plane, but compensate for the fuel to be added.  A 40 size plane usually weighs 40 ounces or so, and uses 4 ounces of fuel.  128ounces of fuel (1 gallon) weighs about 8 lb. so 1 ounce weight per fluid ounce is close.  The result is that there would be about 3 extra pounds of pull test at most compared to a 30 pound basic pull, hardly likely to destroy a well built model!  I never have heard of a contest being lost because of the pull test, unless the bellcrank exited the wingtip (seen that, been there, not pretty) and this was with the old pull test rules and an ill tempered pilot who jerked on his model because we insisted on following AMA rules.  A well built model should easily withstand the pull test with margin to spare, it isn't that hard to do the structure, nor does it add significant weight.

I hardly think the pull test will decide a contest.  EVER!  I just see this as a non-issue in reality.

Sorry!

Roger has made two valid points. It does not matter what the power train is. The actual flying weight should be the determining factor. A glow model is weighed at less than the flying weight. True, it is only at that weight until the engine is started and then the weight diminishes throughout the flight. It may affect the pull test number and it may even be an insurance issue if the additional weight of the fuel puts the glow model over the weight limit for the line size increase.

How would we implement this rule fairly and accurately? Have the pilot of the glow model declare and sign off on the the size of the tank in ounces. As Larry Renger noted, glow fuel weighs almost exactly an ounce per fluid ounce. Simply add however many ounces of weight to the model's weight as is the tank size. For example: If the model has a 6 ounce tank, add 6 ounces to the weight of the model and that would yield the pull test weight and be the weight by which the line size is determined.

We need to get this one cleared up for the sake of fairness and safety.

Bob Hunt       

Thanks Bob & Gary for understanding the points I was trying to make.  For example, Gary's Stilleto would not require .021 flying lines if it were weighed without the battery.  That could also be the case with some nitro powered planes but they would currently be allowed to fly on .018 lines if weighed without fuel.  This is not only an advantage in weight and drag but it is also a safety issue.  The simplest and most accurate way of accomplinshing this would be to have the owner/pilot fill his plane at the weight station before of while the plane is weighed.

Roger

Good point Dennis - folks are discovering electric and more are switching every day.