- Submitted by Lloyd Burkett

1/2A Profile is intended to be an easy entry level type of class.  As such, the airplane design is restricted.  The fuselage, of course, is a profile not a full body with a minimum length of twelve inches.   The model must look like a conventional airplane with regular wings (minimum of 44 sq. inches), a stabilizer, a canopy,  an exposed two-line control system and an exposed side mounted engine.

The engine of choice is the CS .049.  Visit their site for the engine specs.  No exhaust system is permitted and the engine must run as an "open face".  The scoring of the 1/2A Profile is a standing start for one mile.  That is, the timing starts the moment the model is released.

This class allows unrestricted airplane designs.   They are full-bodied and  streamlined to reduce drag.  The model design may be a conventional or an asymmetrical design.  The current trend is to build asymmetrical models.  Speed  models do not have landing gear to eliminate drag.   They use a takeoff dolly and land on the belly of the fuselage.   Flight control is usually via a mono line system.

The engine of choice for 1/2A at the moment is the CS .049.  Visit the CS web site for the engine specs.   1/2A Speed is one of the speed classes that allows unrestricted exhausted systems.  That means you can use a full wave tune pipe.  Fuel is also unrestricted.  Think of it, 80% nitromethane and 20% oil.  It's quite exciting!

Charlie Leggs' 1/2A Speed models, 1953 - 1998,  speed has climbed from 90 mph on 35 foot lines to 155 mph on 47 foot lines.
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These speed classes are allowed unrestricted airplane designs.   They are full-bodied and  streamlined to reduce drag.  The model design may be a conventional or an asymmetrical design.  The current trend is to build asymmetrical models.  Speed  models do not have landing gear to eliminate drag.   They use a takeoff dolly and land on the belly of the fuselage.   Flight control is usually via a mono line system.

A Speed and B Speed classes allow unrestricted exhausted systems.  That means you can use a full wave tune pipe.   D Speed is restricted to open face exhaust or mini pipe.  A mini pipe is a straight pipe with a constant diameter.   Fuel is restricted in the A, B, and D speed classes to 10% nitromethane, minimum 20 % oil, and the balance methanol.
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Both Sport .21 and Formula 40 are intended to be an easy entry level type of class.  As such, the airplane design is restricted.   The model must look like a conventional airplane with regular wings and a stabilizer.  The fuselages are a full body design but Sport 21 does allow profiles.  In reality, fliers use the full body as it has less drag to slow the plane.  Formula 40 also requires at least one wheel permanently attached to the model and must be used in takeoff and landing.  These classes use a two-line control system.

The exhaust is restricted to a mini pipe which is a straight pipe with a constant diameter.
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Objective: It is the purpose of .21 Proto to fly semi-scale, realistic airplanes in C/L speed competition.  Proto speed model need not ne scale models, however, true scale models are highly encouraged.

Design: The model must have a full fuselage and rudder.  Butterfly type stabilizers are not acceptable unless it is a true scale model.  The engine can be mounted upright or inverted only with no "sidewinder" type installations.  A model with a small fuselage and helmet cowl used on traditional speed model designs in not acceptable.  the model must have a cockpit or cabin as laid out in specification following.  No pod and boom fuselage, flush or prone cockpits or flying wing designs will be accepted unless they are actual scale models of full size aircraft.

The engine must be fully cowled except in the case of a scale model.  if the builder wishes, the glow plug or head fins may be exposed.  Wing area enclosed in the fuselage will be considered but area fillets shall not be counted.  The must ne colorfully painted, with no all clear finishes.  The entrant's AMA or MAAC license must be permanently affixed to the upper right-hand wing surface at least one inch high and prefixed with either "N" (USA) or "C" , "CF" (Canada).

Airplane Specification: The model shall have a minimum of 125 square inches of wing area.  The stabilizer must be a minimum of 25% of the wing and the rudder shall be a minimum of 5% of the wing area.  The minimum wingspan shall be 24 inches or 16 inches for a biplane.  The minimum distance from the trailing edge of the wing to the leading edge of the stabilizer must be 5 inches.  The wing and stabilizer must be of equal span with no asymmetry, maximum deviation is 1/4 inch.

The model must have a clear canopy, a minimum dimension of 4 inches in length by 1 inch high and 1 inch wide and shall houses a scale pilot with a minimum of 1 inch in height (Williams Brothers type or equivalent).

The landing gear must be of the fixed type and similar to a real airplane.  The main landing gear shall consist of two wheels spaced at least 6 inches apart between wheel centers.  Wheels must have a minimum diameter of 1 1/2 inches.

The weight limits of the aircraft (dry) shall be 18 oz minimum and 28 oz maximum.

Engine, Propellor and Fuel System:  The engine shall have a maximum size in displacement of .2135 cubic inches.  An open exhaust or a mini pipe type exhaust system only.  A mini pipe cannot be longer than 6 inches from the centerline of the engine bore to the end of the pipe.  The inside diameter of the pipe shall be of constant size.  Any fuel system is acceptable and the use of a shutoff is encouraged.  Only standard two-bladed propellors are acceptable either wood or composite.

Flying Lines: Only two wire type control systems are acceptable.  Minimum two wire size shall be (2) .016 inch x 60 feet.  The minimum wing tip separation of the lines shall be .20 inch.  The model and control system shall be subjected to a 40G pull test.

Fuel:  Fuel shall be of standard composition containing 10% nitromethane, 10% castor oil, 10% synthetic oil, and 70% methanol.  The fuel will be supplied by contest management.

Distance of Timed Course: The model will be timed from the instant the model is released from takeoff for 14 laps (1 mile).  The flier will be allowed 1 1/2 full laps to get the model airborne before entering the pylon.  Any attempt to whip the model more than is necessary to get airborne during the first lap shall constitute a foul and the flight will be DQed.

Judging:  All models will be lined up where an experienced panel of three judges will place them in order of appearance from the best to the worst.  The model aircraft will be inspected and judged upon REALISM,  CONSTRUCTION, and FINISH and models will receive points based on the following formula:

That is the three divided by the number of entries, with each model receiving points according to its position.

Scoring:  Each contestant uses their best Proto speed time in MPH converts that time to points and adds in the appearance points for the final tally.

Records:  All records local or national will be expressed in the actual Proto Speed time of the model only.
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This is the formula one of speed classes.  It is also known as F2A which refers to the FAI regulation section that governs this event.  There is a championship held every couple of years to crown a world champion.
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Jet Speed

AMA record speed 196.43 mph

Jets are really pulse jets.  They are not the turbine engines that you see an airliner.  Think of them as a series of explosions inside a long tube (a shotgun??).

What can I say about Jet Speed other than that they are fascinating and are really loud.   I am going to take the easy way out and refer you to another site.  They do it better that I can.  Visit:  www.pulse-jets.com  or  C/L SPEED REVIEW

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