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Rules

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Latest News from the Editor

Updated 12th July 2010

Fourth race now complete. Q500 results were incredibly close with 1.8 seconds covering the top 3 at the end of the day. Always good to go to Nowra. Cuts a plenty! Wintery weather is starting with a bit of breeze on the Saturday for practice but perfect conditions on the Sunday. Results here as usual. Now off to Pitt Town 2.

We have had a request from the organisers of the 2011 World Championships in Bundaberg Queensland 11/14 August 2011 for helpers to run the event. See here for more details. Contact Details on the form. Please contact them directly as NSW Pylon is not involved in the organisation.

The decision has now been made about the scoring for this year. Although we have reduced the number of rounds from 8 to 7, we will still be maintaining the "drop your worst" and scoring your best 6 rounds. This is to allows you to skip one without penalty (but apart from 4 of us, you all have one already).

About Us

Remote control aircraft racing is very popular in New South Wales Australia using "Q500" sport type air frames. Three classes exist "Q500, F400 and F3D". All classes are quite popular and we are seeing people progressing from the entry class into the national classes.

Q500 (sport pylon) is much like the 424 class in the USA and is highly contested by beginners and pro's. You must have a standard popular engine (.46ci max) with a 10*6 prop and the supplied non-tuned muffler and factory head shims installed. We use Standard, 4/1 Fuel (no nitro) which is supplied. The air frames have proved easy to fly and quick to replace with the ARF Sonic 500 and Great Planes Viper 500 being very popular.

F400 is an Australian formula of QM40. F400 flyer's can use any modified (.47ci max) engine and prop. F400's provide performance without the excessive noise and cost of formulas of the past.

Championship rounds will be held in 2006 at different R/C clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales, only a few hours drive from Sydney. Races are held about every two months in summer and monthly in winter.

Rules for NSW Q500

NSW Pylon rules are identical to the draft rules published on the AMPRA website in the "Class Rules" page, with the exception of the clause in section 5.3.5.1.5 regarding head shims.

IN NSW Q500, A COMPETITOR MUST NOT MODIFY THE HEAD CLEARANCE OF THE ENGINE SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACTORY FITTED HEAD SHIMS MUST REMAIN INTACT. Any violation of this rule will be punished by extreme ridicule. (No seriously, don't do it).

There was a significant amount of discussion on this topic. The NSW committee has decided that for NSW Championship events, the factory installed head shims must be installed. That is, the engine timing must be UNMODIFIED. Many factors such as engine life, tuning and reliability with no nitro fuel and performance were taken into consideration. This decision was made as this is an entry level class and once any modifications are allowed, then things gets out of hand to the detriment of the class. For National events run in NSW, head shims may be removed in line with the national and other state rules. Engine bearings and glow plugs may be replaced due to wear and tear.

Planes & Engines

The predominant engine in the Q500/Sports class is the Thunder Tiger Pro 46. See some more information on this engine here. We have seen some OS AX engines coming in lately but nothing to report.

Pretty much everyone flies the Great Planes Viper 500. Ones of these can be put together in less than 10 hours from opening the box. Flies fantastic and you can be competitive with modifications for durability all that is required. See Andy Lucketts description of the things to do to it for racing and some more on the Cowra website.

For F400 and F3D, you are on you own !!!

Miscellaneous