2011 Heli Specifications

[smartkid222]

The rules should be arriving soon. I would appreciate it if someone could post the specifications here as soon as they arrive. I'm sure everyone is wondering what they are and a lot of people don't get their rulebooks for a while. Thanks.

[fleet130]

Construction rules and allowed materials are pretty much as in the past for Wright Stuff

A quick scan reveals:
......1. Minimum total mass(excluding rubber motor) 4.0g
......2. Rotors must all be on same axis of rotation (my interpretation of 2.d, line 1)(Edit:See post below)
......3. Up to 3 fixed pitch rotors
......4. Maximum rotor diameter 40.0cm
......5. Rotors constructed by contestants-commercially manufactured rotors/propellors not allowed
......6. No limit on number of blades or their chord
......7. No other lifting surfaces
......8. Rubber motor must not exceed 2.0g
......9. Any type string maybe used for bracing
.....10. Penalty for no/incomplete flight log

[jander14indoor]

Hmmm, changed the wording on us and I missed it. Anyway, not how I'd interpret rule 2.d. I think the axis refers to a SINGLE rotor, not all three. Probably worth a clarification question once they open up.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[fleet130]

I think the axis refers to a SINGLE rotor

My bad! On re-reading, I agree that is the intent. Unfortunately, "Rotors" implies all of the rotors. For clarity, rotors should be rotor and not included in the definition. e.g., Rotor: Defined as surfaces...

[illusionist]

Do the rules prohibit the use of metal and rubber as ballast material?
I can't find anything that says yes, or no...

[lllazar]

I think a ballast is some sort of extra mass to provide stability? Couldn't you just use clay of some sort?

[chia]

How exactly would you use rubber/metal as ballast anyway? I've used clay.

[illusionist]

Clay probably is abetter alternative, but I had metal on hand so I just used that

[smartkid222]

clay, rubber, or metal balast is not allowed.
You must use either glue or tape for extra weight.

[illusionist]

Really?? That's gonna suck... O__o

[eta150]

clay, rubber, or metal balast is not allowed.
You must use either glue or tape for extra weight.

Are you serious? I was using clay!
Geez, I missed that...

[wlsguy]

If you metal is somewhere near the "functional component", it could be described as an attachment and permitted (rule 2b- line 4)

In any case, I do not think this was the intent. Previously in WS ballast could be added made of "any dense material".

I will submit a clarification and follow up.

Thanks,

[Ze_Duke101]

hello, just wondering, could I maybe use gears on the rotor?
gears, as in wooden gears...

[blue cobra]

clay, rubber, or metal balast is not allowed.
You must use either glue or tape for extra weight.

The rules only specify what materials may be used for the functional components, they do not specify what materials may be used for the non-functional components, so any material should be allowed as ballast. Clay has been allowed at both competitions I've been to.

[smartkid222]

Since the "any dense material may be used as ballast" line which they had in WS is not included in the helicopter rules and the topic not mentioned in the construction part, it can be argued that ballast is not allowed. That's weird because both at Div B and C states last year they made teams take off the clay.