F3I


Glider
The glider have a semi-scale look and the general characteristics are :
Minimum wing-span : 3.5m
Maximum flying weight : 5kg
Maximum loading : 75g/dm2
The fuselage, measured in centimeters at the maximum cross -section shall be at least equal to 3.2% of the glider wing-span for the width, 4 % for the height. It shall include a transparent canopy.
A wheel is needed giving a minimum fuselage -to-ground clearance of at least 1 cm. To facilitate aero-towing, the glider shall be fitted with a single tow-hook, working with a simple nylon bow, situated not more than 10cm from the nose of the model.
On the ground, only the change of radio frequency as well as changes of wing and tail incidences is allowed. In flight, surface and incidences may be changed by remote control. Any device for transmission of information from the model to the pilot or his helper is prohibited.

Contests
During an aero-tow glider contest each competitor performs two different tasks with the same glider (identically loaded for the two tasks of a round) after having been towed to soaring altitude. For the two tasks, the altitude of 200m is determined by an automatic altimeter(contact me) carried in the tow plane which action is to stop the climb by throttling back the engine to idle.
During a duration task, Groups of 3 or 4 competitors fly together ( they are released in a time slice of 7mn30 or 10 minutes). A flight is performed with a maximum duration of 8 minutes and a precision landing. The best of the 3 or 4 competitors obtains 1000pts. The other competitors' score is in proportion.
A speed course is performed between two parallel vertical planes, 250m apart. The speeder competitor obtains 1000pts. The other competitors' score is in proportion.


Tow planes
Without tow plane, F3I doesn't exist. Pilots of tow planes have to be vigilant, accurate and regular...
Their plane is specially built for towing. They can release with a great rightness. Just where the pilot of the glider wants .
A certificate is required to tow during a champion ship . The tow pilot must be able to execute all the maneuvers the glider wants. A few special requirements are imperative for the tow plane ( weight, swept volume, noise etc...)
Of course, learner tow pilot can take part in common contest. They train and take advantages of the knowledge of the experienced pilots.

The rules and the subcommittee F3I
Any body can ask for the integral F3I rules :
-Fédération Française d'Aéro-Modélisme : 108, rue Saint Maur-75011 PARIS
-Federation Aéronautique Internationale
Organizer's guide (French) and judge's guide are disposable .
A subcommittee undertakes to development and different champion ships . Members of subcommittee assume relationships with foreign pilots interested in F3I (they try to write in English as well as possible...)

Development of F3I
In 1997, a lot of modifications take place.
A tow plane guide and a F3I guide are going to be proposed .
Automatic altimeters are constructed in France . A new organization of starts for the speed task is tested. Improvements take place in the rules to increase safety and fairness.

European F3I ?
A few international contests take place in Belgium, Italy and France .
Some pilots came also from Spain, Germany, Suede, Switzerland. All these contests are free and the present objective is to meet a lot of pilots found of F3I.
What we hope is to turn an international category.

Brigitte GOURDET.






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