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An introduction to F5J electric thermal glider rules - the new international rules that take the emphasis off a fast climb and expensive models.

You no longer need a high-powered electric glider to compete in a thermal flying competition. The F5J rules that have  been accepted  by our international governing body shift the emphasis away from a fast climb. The key to the event is to fly for 10 minutes in a 10 minute window by climbing for up to 30 seconds under power and starting from as low a height as possible. A link to the rules is at the end of this page.


Here you can also get an article about how the rules work, and how to fly the event. You can also find an article by Dave Hines about choosing the right  motor for an F5J electric glider.


The AEFA has purchased 10 data logging devices to use with F5J and a hand-held reader to use in the field with these devices – the equipment is available for loan to AEFA members.


Many AEFA events and our Postal Competition now include F5J, to foster the Aussie experience with the event.  All this is designed to promote the rules and develop expertise and an understanding of the event in Australia, so that when it comes time for a World Championship we will have an effective team of F5J fliers to send overseas. Would you like to be one of that team? It will certainly be less expensive than setting yourself up for F5B. It also focuses on thermalling and spot landing skills.


So, if you have an electric glider with a moderate climb, that thermals well, and you can land it at your feet, give F5J a go!  These flyers did.

 F5J Resources

  • The F5J idea:  New Glider Comp.pdf
  • Picking a Power Set Up:  F5J power.pdf
  • View the 2020 F5J Rules  here
  • View the chief rule changes between 2017 and 2018 here 
  • View AMRT devices approved for F5J here
  • Download Time Calls Sound File, from countdown to launch throught to task completion: F5J Countdown  (~4MB) (Right click the link and choose “Download the Linked File As).

LATEST F5J NEWS

Some of the latest news can be fund on the links below. Click the "Back" button/arrow when finished with the article.

  • Notes from Marcus Stent on locating and using thermals - click here
  • Presentation from the 2017 F5J Team that flew in Slovakia - click here
  • Fabulous video from Peter Baumgartner at the Australian F5J Trophy competition in Canberra in November - click here
  • Team Selection process for the Australian Team for the 2019 F5J World Championships as devised by LSF - click here
  • Current Device Approval (2020) document from the CIAM EDIC committee that approves devices for FAI events - click here. Posted here for the benefit of fliers intending to compete overseas - does not necessarily apply to Australian events, but please check with your CD

ELECTRIC OLD TIMER NATIONALS 2013

 

conducted by the AEFA on behalf of the MAAA

 

Commences 9:00am on 23 February 2013

 

at the NSW State Field at Cootamundra

See pictures of the filed and facilities at http://masnsw.org

 

Events:

Electric Old Timer Texaco

Electric Old Timer 1/2A Texaco

Electric Old Timer Duration

Electric Old Timer Height Limited

Demonstration of possible Nostalgia class (Zoot Suit plus others) see newsletter article about the concept here

 

Entry fee: $20 for the weekend

FAI cards must be presented

Lunch catering on the field


For information:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(02) 4228 4906 • (0405) 366 038

 

Entry forms in   Word or pdf

 

Rules - see EOT Rules pages

 

Downloadable brochure

 


 

 Fly on any day of the month,

                wherever you choose, chris wilson and ken hopgood hard at work in arno bay sa

                              whatever conditions you choose   russell wiltshires radian

                                        then post a score.               

  • The general idea of postal comps is to fly a given task each month, record your score, and then ‘post ‘ it to the Contest Director (strictly speaking, email it) .
  • The idea is to submit your best score each month and your result for the year is based on the best ‘x’ out of ‘y’ scores. If it looks like a tie is likely, the CD will nominate how that will be resolved.

In 2021 we will run postal comps for:

  • 2 metre E-RES Glider
  • F5J (limited motor run glider)
  • 1/2A Texaco Electric Old Timer
  • Texaco Electric Old Timer
  • Duration Electric Old Timer
  • Height Limited Old Timer
  • Electric Vintage Glider

 


 

 

Postal Comp Details          

2 metre E-RES Glider

  • The task is to fly a 2 metre E-RES glider for up to 5 minutes (with an additional 30 seconds allowance for landing) using one initial motor run.
  • There is a motor run of 30 seconds and height limit of 100m.  Both of these parameters are to be controlled by a suitable device that cuts the motor at 30 seconds or 100m, whichever comes first.
  • Timing to start from when the model leaves the pilot's hand and ceases when the model first touches the ground.
  • 20 points are awarded for landing within a 20 metre diameter circle.
  • A maximum of 5 minutes to be completed if possible, including the motor run time. If still flying after 5 minutes of flight, the flier has 30 seconds to land and still score landing points.
  • 1 point will be awarded for every second flown up to 5 minutes and 1 point deducted for every second flown over 5 minutes.

At the end of each month please send your duration time and landing result to Mel Gillott at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Detailed E-RES rules can be found by clicking here

F5J (limited motor run glider)

You can also fly F5J, under the same postal comp arrangements.

  • The postal rules remain the same as the standard F5J competition rules. In summary: You can fit any altimeter logger capable of measuring the maximum height achieved between launch and 10 seconds after the motor is shut down, there is a maximum 30 seconds motor run, you attempt to fly for 10 minutes within a 10 minute window and attempt a spot landing. Flight timing starts when the model leaves the hand of the launcher. If you fly longer than 10 minutes you lose your landing points. Timing stops when the 10 minute window is finished, even if you are still in the air. Land within 60 seconds or score zero.
  • The full F5J rules can be found in the AEFA Rule Library here
  • The postal comp will now include three self assessed categories.  The guidelines for this self assessment  are as follows;
    • Sportsman. Consider yourself a newcomer to F5J, maybe having competed in a few events, but still building up experience in this class.
    • Advanced. Placed twice in minor F5J events with less than 20 competitors in the last two years.
    • Expert. Placed twice in major F5J events with 20 or more competitors in the last two years.

·         At the end of each month please send your launch height (metres), the duration of your flight (minutes:seconds), landing distance from the spot (metres) and category (Sportsman, Advanced or Expert) to Mel Gillott at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ELECTRIC OLD TIMER

 

1/2A Texaco

1/2A Texaco task time is 10 minutes. Fit up to either a 2S 460 mAh or 3S 310 mAh battery and run the motor as much as you wish (or can).

Texaco

Texaco task time is 10 minutes and battery capacity is determined by the model’s weight. Note that ballasting is permitted if you wish to fit a larger battery.

Duration

Duration rules have been altered.  7 min contest, 25 sec motor run, battery size based on wing area.

Height Limited

Model must be fitted with a limiter to cut power at 200m or 30 seconds, whichever comes first. There are no battery capacity rules but packs are limited to 4 cells.

Electric Vintage Glider

This event is open to all Vintage Gliders which were designed, kitted or published on or before 31st December 1956. Model must be fitted with a limiter to cut power at 200m or 30 seconds, whichever comes first. There are no battery capacity rules. 

You can access the Electric Old Timer rules via our “AEFA Rules Library” page.

Clarifications

Pilots can ballast models to any extent they wish (subject to not endangering the structural integrity of the model) and in Texaco events, they may increase battery capacity in accordance with the increased weight.

Competitors could fly as many flights as the pilot wished and submit the result of the last flight flown.

 

Further information contact Phil Stevenson.