(CONGRATS!!!!)

Today they continued with F4C and H and completed the entire last round of F4B.  It was still windy but it was noticeably calmer than the past few days.  I spent most of the time at the control line circle or watching the tether car demo so I didn't get to see too many RC flights.  My static score did in fact do the job for me and I fly tomorrow afternoon.  The forecasted wind is 9 gusting to 17, which is much reduced from earlier this week.  

We had an opportunity to review all the competitor's declarations, I looked through all the ones in F4C.  It was amazing to see how many of the planes are entirely scratch built, to include the wheels, tires, and rigging fittings.  I'd say it was probably half.  One or 2 were kit or plans built, the rest were designed and built by the competitor.  Or at least that's what the declarations said, but that's another matter altogether.

Now for some pics

F4B and H static isn't too terribly different than AMA static, It's done at 5m, there's a max number of pictures, and a time limit (15 or 20 minutes I think).  F4C static is a bit different.  There is no upper limit to the documentation, just minimum requirements.  And the judges were definitely checking for compliance to those minimums, even measuring the 3 views to ensure that they met the requirements.  There is no time limit, most planes took them about 50-55 minutes.  And while outline and such is checked at 5m they are allowed to (and will) go up to the model and inspect it closely, they just can't touch it.  Here's some pics, apparently they do check the belly

Static judging was in the Goldsmith hangar on the facility with these great skylights the only light in the room.  The light did a great job of showing colors and highlighting all the imperfections in your finish  .  I found defects I didn't even know about prior.  They also had white backdrops to better highlight the shapes of the planes.

Another difference from AMA static is that the judges go through the hangar before static and look at all the planes, comparing them and making notes.  They don't spend a lot of time at each plane but they are definitely looking.  During Tim's static one of the judges noticed that there were some rivets missing from his aileron earlier and he had replaced them.  But they are using this look through to rank the quality of the work so that they can give the appropriate marks in craftmanship.  They can also ask you questions during static.  

They had a mini Free Flight scale comp after RC flying one of the days, the planes were arranged in the hangar while I was in static.  It was entirely too windy for them and the results were predictable, but a couple managed to stay in the air for a bit.

Our Female competitor Kathy Bauer was interviewed by the BBC, I haven't seen it yet but I'll post it when I can.

We also took a group picture today, this is the largest F4 gathering ever.  And this isn't even everyone

Ben

Cannot thank you & your wife enough for highlighting the static judging.  I was vicariously enjoying the competition through your marvelous photos & those captions really helped out identifying the aircraft type & model dimensions & more.  For you to take the time out to post all these photos & provide each with information is very much appreciated more than words can describe. I knew there was a 5m distance on the initial round & for the F4C category & it’s allowed to go up close but had no idea there was no time limit, judges are allowed to ask questions & the craftsmanship portion of judging can take upward of an hour.  This is really amazing & has given me much insight to the competitions.  By any chance did you pick up what kind of questions were asked?  

Just one ( more ) question;  were the nonparticipating spectators allowed to view these models up close?  I’ve seen several YouTube videos put out mostly by the wonderful Japanese & their videos seem to show spectators in their folding chairs watching the flying portion. So I was wondering if they’re permitted to enter the tents & view these models up close for a limited period of time.

Again, thank you!

To answer your questions about static judging-

I believe the craftsmanship score is determined by both the survey of the field and the detailed inspection.  A large portion of the ~50 minute static is determining outline and marking accuracy, the 3 outline scores have the highest K factor.  Followed by craftsmanship quality.

The questions seem to be mostly dealing with how things are made.  We all have to submit a declaration stating what we made and such, it looks like this

I also have a separate sheet detailing some of my answers, such as the Printed Decals, explaining that I made all the artwork and Callie just printed and cut them for me.  There have been instances of people trying to pass other's work as their own.  There is nothing in the rules prohibiting you from using a kit, or commercial parts, or even an entire plane that you didn't build.  But you'll take a downgrade in craftsmanship or some other part, I didn't bother looking since I made it all myself.  Anyway, they will try to determine if the competitor can answer questions about how they made certain things.  I've never been around when they catch someone but apparently it's pretty evident when someone didn't actually make the part.  I hope that makes sense.  There's a current protest against one of the competitors and his declaration but I'm not privy to the details.

They may also just be curious about how you made something, I always like sharing how something is made.

Regarding access to the model tent, it's open to anyone.  Some days have been quite but others have had lots of spectator traffic and quite a few distinguished guests.  I did see the people doing walk through videos the first few days in every language imaginable, it was pretty neat.  If you want to find one of these videos they're everywhere.  I wanted to do a still photo survey with the names and details attached.

Ben

Thank you very much for your detailed response.  It was more than I bargained for.  Really insightful on the form you provided along with your commentary on the judges’ “curiosity” on how the model was made & whether any available commercial products were used such as tires, graphics & more at the risk of being downgraded.  As unfortunate as it may sound, it makes sense to catch a “gotcha moment” to weed out the potential cheaters claiming more than what is real on their stated declaration.  This alone, provides a good “ feel” for the environment surrounding the atmosphere on the competition & the pressures felt on competitors trying to pass off as their own in design or materials used.  

I’m sure I speak for many of us here in the States & on this site in particular that we’re grateful for your efforts in keeping us in the loop.

Thank you.  

Gary 

For the last round of these they take the ranking at the end of round 2 and fly in reverse ranking.  So the bottom 10 in F4H fly in the first session, the bottom 10 in F4C fly the second, and so on.  This leaves the people who are at the top of round 2 to fly on Saturday before the banquet and awards ceremony.  I think they're doing the best 6 in each class tomorrow.  The forecast is for continued improvement so we should see some good flying.

Word got to me today that the founder of Laser Engines, Neal Tidy, was looking for me.  We found each other and had a great chat.  I did tell him that I designed the F24 for a Laser but that didn't work out.  He was incredibly kind and I really enjoyed meeting him.  Jack Buckley has known him for 30 years so once Jack showed up it was a real party.

I flew this afternoon in decent winds.  Really it was pretty light until it was time for the touch and go and landing, then the crosswind kicked up a bit.  But it was the kind of day where the F24 is a real pleasure to fly.  Where in the first 2 rounds I was just hanging on trying to keep it from getting carried away by the wind, today I was able to enjoy it and just take a leisurely flight around the pattern.  I noticed several of the other light planes doing the same thing.  I bounced the touch and go a bit and landed just before a hump which launched it back into the air but it went well.  Well enough to put me in 5th place with the top 6 left to fly.  2 of those 6 are currently behind me but they could easily pass me up, but I think top 10 is within reach.

Here's a shot from today.  2 years ago in Romania, Mika Jylha (jylhami) was the only competitor from Finland and needed a caller.  Since we knew each other from RCSB we agreed to call for each other, despite being competitors in the same class.  Well he's here with several more team members this time but we are still calling for each other.  He helps me out with the maneuvers and I hope my calling is also useful to him.  Here we are after the round

While watching the second F4H round this afternoon I noticed that the 3 11-12 year olds here found each other and were hanging out together.  This is not staged, I walked up on them quietly for the picture.

This is Iroha Otani (team helper from Japan), Konrad Lange (pilot from Germany) and my daughter.  They sat and watched Konrad get ready for the round

And watched him fly.  It's worth noting that the only junior competitor currently has the high flight score in round 3 F4H, he really flew the hell out of it.

Things like this are part of the wonderful community of modelers here.

Ben

I asked Konrad's dad about it.  It's not paint, he called Liquid Chrome but didn't give a brand or anything.  He said it was 2 parts that are mixed in the gun with water and make a chrome finish, it's then clear coated.  It sounded like this plane was a test, there are some durability issues like peeling if you damage the finish somewhere.  So far though it looks great and the Spit really looks amazing flying around.  Also the plane is electric, I previously thought it was an inline.

Ben