Hi friends, I'm new around here and I can't find any info on which size electric set ups (if any) are legal in 1/2A scale. Any guidance would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Glenn

Come on Mike, just admit you don't like electric.   In reality get ahold of Eric at RSM Dist.  and he can help you.

Glenn, the problem in 1/2A scale is electic to an IC power plant is not a level playing field. 1/2A IC engine is a challenge at best to keep running and some people do very well with them. But an electric power plant is, switch on and fly, no problems. Maybe somewhere down the road if electric 1/2A scale becomes more popular it might become an event. It is not practical to have an event for every idea that comes along. The Nats and club contest could not afford to offer events that are not well attended. Sorry.

Blessings
Allen

the other class's are not set up by engine size

What's the deal with this electric motor in 1/2A scale issue.  The official AMA rules don't appear to exclude electric motors, which would drastically alter 1/2A, eliminating the challenges of operating these little devils.  Does anyone have clarification on this?

So, this is stating that electrics are allowed as long as they are of similar power?  It still doesn't appear to clearly exclude electrics from 1/2A scale.

I'm with you on this.  I initiated the 1/2A scale event at the Milwaukee Circlemasters contest.  I do not want to see electrics involved with 1/2A scale. I'm just trying to deflect, in advance, the protests of the guys who are going to attempt interpreting the rules to fly their electrics in competition.  It is unfortunate that the rules were worded in a way that makes it unclear.  I would much prefer to use AMA rules now that we have them.

That's cool.

The Dayton Buzzin' Buzzards will be hosting a Scale contest in August. 1/2A will be interpreted to mean recips only.

I'm exploring what it will take to make that clear - quickly - in the AMA Competition Regulations as well.

Take care.

  Bob, u saved me a lot of writing   .there is 4 other class's that welcome Electric, leave 1/2 A alone

  Glenn ,if not u than someone else will want to know until it is put in Black and White

I've never seen an electric motor that displaces .061 cubic inches. Unless one can measure the cumbustion's swept area in that electric motor, I'd say that it's not legal. All the black and white one needs.
Chris...

I sort of brought this discussion up with our club recently.  The club has introduced a proposal for a 1/2a twin engine profile scale competition.  I totally agree that 1/2a and small electric aircraft are two distinct and separate classes that cannot be mixed.  A problem with electric is the lack of a clear and field measurable definition of 'small electric'.  A simple suggestion would be to limit the electric motors to a maximum weight of 1oz and powered by no more than 12v.    There is only so much copper, iron and rare earth magnetic material that can be stuffed into a 1 oz package.  Another problem with electric is that it will require the development of a different scoring rubric.  The skill required to get consistent  performance from a small glow engine is just not there.

Until there is enough competitors for a separate class (if ever) I have asked the club that I be allowed to enter the competition with my small electric and be judged & scored but be exempt from the final standings and any awards.  That allows me to come out and join the fun, because that's what all of us are really interested in.

Paul

Two things:

First: I am completely converted to electric and I am here to tell you that 1/2 A sized electric is NOTHING like a 1/2A glow and the two should never mix in a small scale model class. 

Second: Its very hard to control things like battery size & current draw to limit the electric power system - by that I mean hard to administrate.  The best method I have seen is the "Renkar Rule" that Jim Renkar used at his 1/2A stunt contest.  Rather than getting hung up over .049 versus .051 or .061, or electric, he simply limited everyone to a 6" prop.   Applying that approach to a scale class would result in a 1/2A SIZED model that will be fairly representative of a very good 1/2A glow powered model.


I know, the LAST thing we need is ANOTHER event.  However, I have always like 1/2A sized airplanes, and the idea of a SEPARATE event for small electric models would appeal to me.  I would call it something like "Six Inch Electric Scale" and go from there...?  Think about it, these could be flown indoors in the winter on a HS basketball court or church auditorium too.

From 2007 thru 2014, the Tucson rules specifically stated "No Electrics" - being set for I.C. engines .010 thru .061 only.

Now that the contest is under new management, it is sincerely hoped that this will not change.

This is an update from the "new management":

The 9th Tucson 1cc Multi-Engine CL Scale Contest is now scheduled for October 10-11, 2015.  Our Tucson rules for this contest have been altered slightly to allow full scale fuselage and nacelles.  (It is no longer a profile only contest.  Last year, scale nacelles were allowed -rationale for allowing scale nacelles is available on request.)  The rules/scoring is set up such that a profile can still be competitive.

This contest is still for models only powered with internal combustion engines with a maximum displacement for each engine of 1cc (0.061 cu in).

Rules are provided in the Events section below and are available on the Cholla Chppers website at

http://www.ccmaconline.org/halfa-multiengine-profilescale.htm

Please note the proxy entries are allowed.  There is a new Pilot's Choice perpetual award being initiated this year.  Also, there is a new perpetual Slab Award being initiated.  Explanation of the Slab Award can be found in the rules.  This is not a separate event, but any model in in either of our two scale categories that comply with the Slab definition is eligible.

Keith