F3K Rule Changes 2024

[Neil Harrison]

Myself and Paul are currently reviewing the BMFA F3K rules, (these are effectively, our local rules) with a view to making some changes to better reflect how the league is run today, as these have not been updated for many years.

We already have one major International rule change that was voted for and agreed at the CIAM meeting earlier this year, this will be in the FAI F3K rules for 2024.  This is the number of rounds that are completed before a dropped score.  Currently, as most of you know we are only allowed to drop our worst score after completing 12 rounds, for 2024 this has now been reduced to 6.      This will certainly make for a more competitive season and allow you to drop a bad round at the one day competitions.

 

As for our BMFA (local rules), other than a few typos and change of wording, there are two main items that we want to see changed for 2024.

1.  The removal for the use of bungees, I cannot recall any competition I have flown in, other than in the 1990's were mini bungees have been used.

2.  The minimum number of starting competitors to make a valid league competition to be changed from 8 to 6, this would give us more flexibility and help with the reduction of cancelled events due to lower than average numbers.

 

We have to submit our proposed changes to the SFTC by December, therefore if anyone would like to make comment or has a proposal for change, then please either reply below or reach out to me on PM.  I would like to set a deadline for any proposals as midnight October 31st, this will give Paul and myself enough time to review them. 

I have attached the current version of the BMFA rules for your reference.

2023 SILENT FLIGHT RULE BOOK.pdf

[Neil Harrison]

You have one week left to submit any recommendations for 'local' rule changes to be considered for 2024.  As a reminder, these are BMFA rules which we can adopt, change or introduce to help with the running of the competitions or encouragement of new competitors.  

Please note - we will not consider any local rules to adopt electric models in F3K.

It is a given that we will be following the FAI F3K rules for 2024, I have attached the proposal for rule changes, and below are the final CIAM plenary vote on the 2023 FAI F3K for these rules proposals. Those approved will go into effect 1-1-2024.

a) 5.7.11 Definitions, approved
b) 4C 5.7.7 Flight time, approved
c) 4C 5.7.9.5 Flight testing time, Not approved
d) 4C 5.7.10.1 Final score, approved
 

CIAM 2023 F3K Proposals.pdf

[Neil Harrison]

Following the request for any local rule changes, I have not received any further proposals, however reviewing all the initial changes and the new FAI rules for 2024, I have since made a further proposal, see below.

There are quite a few small changes to the BMFA Silent Flight Rule Book, such as gender corrections, formatting and spelling, but there are 4 rule changes I propose for F3k and hope to see changed, if anyone has any strong objections or valid argument to oppose any of them, they will be submitted for approval to the SFTC/BMFA at the end of this week.

Proposed Changes

1. Removal for the 'use of mini bungees,' 7.5.1

2. Change of the number of times we need to fly every task in a season from twice to once, 7.5.2.2(d)

3. Change the number of minimum competitors to make an official contest from 8 to 6, 7.5.2.3(b)

4. Change the number of qualifying league contests to determine the league results, the addition of six or more contests, the best 5 results to count, 7.5.2.6(a)

Rationale/Reasons for changes

1. Since the 1990's there has been no F3K contest that has required that we use this local rule to allow the use of bungees at a contest, in reality this would also seem problematic to accommodate and potentially reduce the number of rounds we can complete during the contest.

2. Although we schedule around 10 events per year, this season is a good example that it is not possible to be able to fly all tasks twice in a given season. I am comfortable with the use of the world 'all tasks' as the FAI rules specify that the only current 15 minute specific task is for 'fly off'. The other 15 minute task is poker, however this is defined as 'can be 10 OR 15 minutes'.

3. We have flown 3 up in a contest and this does work, it maybe not the best 'experience' but this year was a prime example of a scheduled competition not going ahead, as the total number of competitors did not reach the current minimum number of 8 to make it an official league contest. However this competition could have made significant changes to the league placing and team selection.

4. In the past there were not as many competitions scheduled, now we are consistently scheduling 10 contests per year with 3 reserve dates, having 5 scores count will provide a better representation of the best and most consistent pilots.

In addition, there are two other significant reasons to increase the number of scoring contests. Firstly the new FAI rule change in 2024 to reduce the number of completed rounds before allowing a dropped score, having an additional qualifying league contest should offset any disparities in the scores over the course of the season. Secondly, it will encourage more competitors to take part in each contest knowing that they need to complete 5 contests in a season to qualify for a team place (should 6 or more be flown). This should offset the mindset of both the change to the minimum number of entries from 8 to 6 and also the increased number of contests we now normally schedule in the season.

Summary

The proposed changes to our local rules are designed to promote a more competitive season and encourage a higher attendance at each contest.

Given that we now schedule more contests in a season and the new rule change for 2024 to reduce the number of completed rounds to allow a dropped score from 12 to 6, this means our one day contests will be more competitive.

As a result of these factors, it is important that we stay dynamic and make the necessary changes to continue to have the best representation of the top pilots to be selected for team GBR at either the World or European Championships.

Many thanks

Neil

[MikeDLG]

Seems all good to me.