| Recently, I attended a radio-controlled model-aircraft | | | | Course judges use the decals to identify each aircraft. |
| pylon race. I was not prepared for the excitement of | | | | For example, a "Cut Judge" might report a cut like this, |
| the event. Both during and after the event, I wanted to | | | | "Cut on high red." |
| know more about RC pylon racing. I talked with pilots, | | | | Before the races begin, the pilots perform last minute |
| callers, and course workers. To learn even more, I | | | | checks on their aircraft, fuel them, and apply the |
| decided to dig into the Academy of Model | | | | colored decal. |
| Aeronautics(AMA) rules and regulations for pylon | | | | The Contest Director (CD) conducts short |
| racing. | | | | informational meetings for both course workers and |
| A pylon race course is defined by three pylons. Each | | | | pilots. The course workers include cut judges, fueling |
| pylon is between 15-20 feet high. Pylon-1 is positioned | | | | supervisor, flaggers, and timers/lap counters. |
| at one end of the course near a signal board. The | | | | After the meetings, the course workers occupy their |
| start/finish line is positioned 508 feet from Pylon #1 | | | | stations around the course and the pilots for the first |
| down the center of the course and 100 feet from a | | | | heat are driven to the start/finish line. |
| line connecting pylons #2 and #3. Pylons #2 and #3 | | | | Everyone on the course is required to wear a hard hat |
| were separated by 100 feet and formed the end of a | | | | for safety. Also, for safety, all course-worker stations |
| triangular course. | | | | are a minimum of 300 feet from the race course. |
| Ten laps around the course equals 2.5 miles. The | | | | When the pilots are positioned at the start/finish line, a |
| actual distance flown around the course probably | | | | 60-second timer is started. Pilots have just one minute |
| varies between about 3 to 3.5 miles. This is so | | | | to start their engines and prepare for takeoff. |
| because the aircraft fly in loops around the pylons, | | | | Pilots are prepared for takeoff when their aircraft |
| have to fly around and pass traffic, and change | | | | engines are started and they are facing pylon #1 with |
| altitude for one reason or another. The pilots fly their | | | | both hands on the radio transmitter. Pilots not prepared |
| aircraft around the course in a counterclockwise | | | | for takeoff before the timer runs out are disqualified |
| direction, making sharp, left-hand turns only. | | | | for the heat. As soon as all pilots are in position and |
| The course length was selected to result in 10-lap | | | | ready to control their aircraft, the starter gives the |
| times between one minute (fast pace) and two | | | | signal to launch, and the heat begins. |
| minutes (slow pace for beginners). For the quickest | | | | From the start of a heat until the end, the aircraft run |
| aircraft, the speed around the course is typically | | | | "flat-out." There is no remote-throttle control to vary |
| between 180-200mph. | | | | the engine's speed |
| The signal board is equipped with red lights to signal | | | | During the race, the pilot's partner, the caller, is of critical |
| when a pilot's aircraft "breaks the gate." The "gate" is | | | | assistance to the pilot. In addition to launching the |
| a line from pylon-1 to the "flaggers" position not less | | | | aircraft, and because the pilot's attention is so focused |
| than 300 feet away. As an aircraft passes this line, a | | | | on controlling the aircraft, the caller determines when |
| flagger activates a light for pilot's assigned lane. A pilot | | | | the pilot should commence a turn around a pylon and |
| seeing his signal knew that he could make his turn at | | | | calls this out to the pilot. Pilot and caller teams typically |
| pylon-1 without "cutting." There are also two white lights | | | | have long-time associations, and are often family |
| on the board for each of the four lanes. These are | | | | members. |
| used to indicate a "cut" (a turn on the inside of a pylon). | | | | Cut judges are assigned to each pylon in order to |
| The cut lights are also controlled by the flaggers. | | | | insure that the aircraft turn outside the pylons instead |
| The start/finish line for the race has four lanes: a | | | | of "cutting" inside a pylon during a turn. One "cut" |
| maximum of four pilots can participate at once. The | | | | requires an extra lap around the course for a pilot's |
| lanes are designated according to where, on an | | | | aircraft; two "cuts" disqualifies the pilot's aircraft from |
| aircraft, an identifying red or green decal is applied. | | | | the heat. Cuts are indicated to pilots by the white lights |
| If you visualize an aircraft in front of you during a sharp | | | | on the signal board. When a pilot or pilot's caller sees a |
| left-hand bank away from you and around a pylon, | | | | cut light for the assigned lane, they know that the point |
| one end of the wing will be higher than the other. | | | | at which the turn commences must be adjusted. |
| Aircraft in Lane 1 or 2 have a decal on the low end of | | | | After each heat, the winning aircraft is weighed to |
| the wing; aircraft in Lane 3 or 4 have a decal on the | | | | insure that it is not lighter than the AMA's minimum |
| high end of the wing. | | | | weight requirements. |
| Pilots apply a decal according to their assigned | | | | Winners for the race are determined on the basis of |
| starting-lane position for a heat as follows: | | | | several heats. |
| Lane-1, green decal on the low end of the wing, | | | | After the last race, both pilots and course workers |
| Lane-2, red decal on the low end of the wing, | | | | return from the field for awards and prize drawings. |
| Lane-3, green decal on the high end of the wing, and | | | | I live in the Pacific Northwest and the rainy season has |
| Lane-4, red decal on the high end of the wing | | | | begun. The pylon-racing season is over for the |
| A matching color scheme is used to indicate the lanes | | | | year--but you can bet I'll be at the next event held in |
| on the signal board. | | | | my area. |