Academy of Model Aeronautics

5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, Indiana 47302
(765) 287-1256 – Voice • Competitions Fax (765) 286-3303
www.modelaircraft.org

EXHIBIT A RULES CHANGE PROPOSAL FORM

PROPOSAL NO. RCSA 11-31 RECEIVED DATE

(To be inserted by Headquarters) (To be inserted by Headquarters)

REVISE DATE VERSION NUMBER

PROPOSAL TYPE (Check One): X Basic  Cross Indicate Original Proposal Number

 Urgent/Safety/Emergency  Interpretation

 General Section  Executive Council  Outdoor Free Flight  Indoor Free Flight  CL Speed

 CL Racing  CL Navy Carrier  CL Aerobatics  CL Combat  CL Special Events  RC Aerobatics X RC Scale Aerobatics  RC Pylon Racing  RC Helicopter  RC Soaring  Scale  Electric

 Special Events  RC Combat

Brief summary of the proposed change.

Remove from the Scale Aerobatics rules, all reference to the sound rule requiring a ground DB noise level check.

Exact wording proposed for the rule book. (List paragraph numbers where applicable. Example: Change “quote present rule book wording” to “exact wording required”. Attach additional sheet if needed.

The following existing rule, should be removed entirely.

5. Scale Aerobatic Sound Limits:

5.1: Maximum Sound Levels. The maximum ground sound level for all classes shall be: 96dBA measured on soft surfaces and 98dBA measured on hard surfaces. Contest Directors may implement a correction factor due to unusual conditions.

5.2: Standard Method of Sound Measurement. The sound measurement shall be taken with the sound meter set to the ―A‖ weighting, slow response with windscreen installed. The sound meter shall be placed downwind, twenty-five feet from the model centerline and positioned in line with the prop arc at twenty-four inches in height (see Fig. 1). The sound meter shall be pointed directly at the model and perpendicular to the fuselage. The model being measured shall have its engine run at full power for the sound test. No noise reflecting objects will be allowed within three feet of the sound meter.

5.3: Ground Sound Level Test. Prior to flying the first round of a contest; each competition model must pass the Ground Sound Level Test. The Ground Sound Level Test must be completed at the sanctioned contest site by the Contest Director or his/her designee. Testing shall be done in an area designated by the Contest Director and may be completed prior to or during the first round. Models successfully completing the test will not be measured again during the contest unless their sound level is deemed to have increased significantly since the initial check by the Contest Director. Any plane that fails the test will not fly, but will be moved to the back of the flight order, and allowed one more attempt to pass the test. Any model that fails the second test will zero all judged sequences he would have flown during the current round. Any model that fails the second test may be tested again during future rounds with the same Ground Level Sound Test criteria being applied. No model will fly any judged sequences at any Scale Aerobatics contest until it passes the Ground Sound Level Test.

Logic behind proposed change, including alleged shortcomings of the present rules. State intent for future reference.

Despite having this sound level check in the Scale Aerobatics rules, it has been ignored by contest directors for years, including the Scale Aerobatics Nationals in Muncie. The failure to follow this rule has caused dispute within the IMAC community and it is widely believed within the IMAC community and IMAC BOD that the ground sound check has nothing to do with the resultant in-flight noise, and appears to be in the rules simply to placate the AMA. Striking this rule will allow IMAC contests to be conducted in accordance with the rule book.

Effect, if any, on current AMA records.

No known effect on current AMA Records.

Note: The Contest Board Chairman may, in coordination with the submitter of the proposal, at any time prior to submitting a proposal to the Contest Board for Final Vote, edit proposal wording to increase clarity and to avoid ambiguity provided the proposal intent is not changed.

1. Proposer: James R. Woodward AMA # 638975

Street Address: 1502 Jason St.

City: Albertville State: AL Zip: 93590

Day Telephone : 256.677.8819 Evening Telephone (_____)______

Date of Signature: 31MAR10