It has been a very long time since I flew any scale model in competition. Since I am trying to correct that with a CL scale model I have been reading the rules however all the mumbo-jumbo now associated with AMA Rules makes me wonder about some things.

For example:   "If the pilot is visible in flight in the prototype aircraft then a man-shaped dummy pilot of scale size and width must be visible in the model during flight."

Notice the term "....man-shaped...". Is that for real or used such as "mankind" terminology? I like "Pilots" in my models, but not just "man-shaped" more like just shaped.

If I show up at the NATs with my usual, will I be rejected?  

I have never yet seen a plane, including the C-5A Galaxy, in which the pilot was not visible.  

If you are seriously offended by the sexist language of the rules, go ahead and submit a proposal to feminize them.  In the meantime, comply!

Well, actually, people get away with women, children, animals, and cartoon characters as pilots.  That's fine with me.  Anything beats an empty cockpit, which is clearly illegal, but too often ignored.

Personally, I have appropriate men in all of mine.  You never know when you'll be competing against F Lee Bailey or Geoffrey Fieger.

Personally I like Snoopy - Famous WWI pilot.  Here is a picture of Snoopy stealing an Eindecker.

Snoopy was flying behind the German lines in his Dog House when the dreaded Red Baron Shot Snoopy down.
Being a great WW I war hero Snoopy avoided capture. He managed to steal, from a clothesline, the German peasant outfit he is wearing.  Now that he blended with the locals he stopped at a local bar and woofed a couple of root-beers  with a German lass.  She told him of a great German Army air field nearby that had the latest war machine called the EINDECKER.

This gave Snoopy the idea of how to avoid capture and be a hero in the process.

Snoopy rushed to the flying field, stole this EINDECKER III and flew HOME!!!


Seriously -  You read the rules - You build your model to suite your own heart -  You submit your model to the judges - You don't have to like the judges score but it is final so live with it.

Now regarding the score. As always read the rules.

If the pilot is visible in flight in the prototype aircraft then a man-shaped dummy pilot of scale size and width must be visible in the model during flight. The dummy pilot figure will not be scored or considered in any way during Scale Judging. If the contestant wishes, he may present his model for Scale Judging without the pilot figure in place, and no downgrading will be done by the judges if he does so.

So if in flight the figure is man-shaped (not shaped like a donkey) it could be a boy or a girl - just so the part that is visible is humanoid shaped - it will comply with the rules.

CLANCY,

Looking at you last picture brings to mind the question - How do you handle the spinner rule on early aircraft that have no spinner.  If you have a true scale prop for display it will have a nut plate with safety wires.  Is it OK to use a normal prop and a spinner nut for flight?

John
That is going to be a problem for me this year.  That rule is not compatible with 4 stroke engines.  I would have to cut the crankshaft to display it with a true scale prop and then change crankshafts to secure the prop.  The prop nut furnished by OS for their FS91 SII-P engine is a two part locking system.  I would then be required to add a rounded nut in front of the locking nut!  What does that leave for my electric starter to engage with?  

Where can I buy a SMALL rounded nut for a 5/16 x 24 threaded shaft?
Clancy

For a nut

McMaster-Carr
http://www.mcmaster.com/#acorn-nuts/=bvx81r


Also a search of Tower H for prop nut turns up a bunch of choices.  Dubro has large selection.

Does anyone actually buy PEZ dispensers for the candy?