RULES AND REGULATIONS
FPVWRA 2020 Rulebook
The Pilot's Basic Code of Ethics
OFFICIALS
Judges will utilize FPV Goggles or video screens
The pilot may opt to have the official call out missed gates/flags during the race
Judges say is FINAL!!! No arguing with the judge, but a DVR review may be requested.
RACE SAFETY
At NO TIME are pilots permitted to fly beyond the designated flight boundary
Pilots MAY NOT power up their aircraft at anytime during a race unless it has the strict approval of the race director. Powering up without approval will result in disqualification.
Reckless or dangerous flying is not permitted. A damaged aircraft may be forced to land at the option of the race director.
In the event of a video loss, the pilot must reduce throttle to zero and attempt to keep the aircraft away from event boundaries
Aircraft may be powered up ONLY between races, with a proper dummy load in the designated area.
RACE METHOD
A flight boundary (not necessarily a flight line) shall be established in which no pilot shall cross during the race.
The track shall be designed so that pilots racing will not make turns toward the flight boundary area without a significant safe distance.
All racers must have control of their aircraft at all times.
In the event of a video or control failure, the pilot will do their best to navigate the airplane to a safe landing zone away from pilots and spectators.
The race director may at his or her discretion force an unsafe pilot to land their aircraft.
Landing shall be done in the specified landing area which shall be away from the pilot ground stations and spectators.
When the race is over, the pilots will land in the designated landing area.
In the event of a fire, the race shall be cancelled immediately. All pilots shall either land or fly safely away from the fire so that emergency crews can put out the fire.
Races shall be started from a 10 second count down with all wings flying. At the end of the countdown, the race begins.
Pilots may launch their own airplane or have a designated launcher. You are permitted one failed launch per race provided your airplane needs no repairs and can be re-launched immediately.
At NO time are pilots permitted to fly past the flight boundary
At the end of the race pilots must land quickly in the designated landing area only
A 3 second penalty will be assessed for each flagged turn missed
A 10 second penalty will be assessed for pilots missing a flight gate
Maneuvers such as split-S and Immelmann maneuvers are MANDATORY. Missing one of these maneuvers constitutes a 3 second penalty.
Each pilot is expected to present themselves in a respectful manner toward other pilots and spectators. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
Points:
Qualifying points shall be assigned as follows:
1st – 10pts
2nd – 7pts
3rd – 5 pts
4th – 3pts
5th – 2pts
6th – 1 pt
The accumulation of points will determine the final races.
TECH PROCEDURE
Watt testing:
Watt testing shall be done at the event before the races begin. (During race registration) Props and batteries will be marked. BEFORE each qualifying race, the plane shall be inspected to verify markings.
For championship races, the planes shall be watt tested again. Passing planes will be immediately impounded until the time of the race.
XT-60 IS NOW THE MANDATED POWER CONNECTOR
Power up the radio with throttle full
Turn on the plane
Bring throttle to zero (calibrating ESC)
Check that battery is 4v per cell or more
Full throttle for 5 seconds, then take the current Wattage reading
Drop motor speed to idle
Turn off radio.
If prop stops then failsafe is set and pilot is cleared to fly.
STARTING THE RACE
Races shall be started either by bungee assisted launch, teammate launch or by timed start. A re-launch for a failed launch will be granted ONLY in the timed start races so long as the airplane can be re-launched immediately after a brief inspection. Launching shall be done away from the pilots and away from the flight line except in a bungee assisted start. In the timed start, a loud verbal countdown shall begin after all planes are up and flying. The clock starts and the race begins when the countdown reaches zero. False starts shall be assessed a 3 second penalty.
FLYING THE COURSE
DVR recording:
DVR recordings shall be made for EACH heat. It shall be up to the event organizer to record DVR footage. If the organizer is not capable of providing DVR recordings, DVR recording shall fall on the pilots. Pilots may opt to have a spotter or a separate ground station DVR their heat. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE EVENT ORGANIZER TO SEE IF THEY WILL PROVIDE DVR RECORDING
For qualifying races, DVR petition for review shall be submitted no later than 30 minutes after the heat has ended.
For championship races, no standings will be made official until DVR is reviewed and verified.
Spotters
Pilots shall be required to be spotters of the race immediately following their race (eg, Heat 1 spots for Heat 2, Last Heat spots for Heat 1 etc). This requires all pilots to be present once racing commences. Spotters shall watch in FPV form, either under goggles or a monitor. Racing pilots are required to have gear available for spotters if standard 5.8GHz channels are not used. It is the duty of the spotter to tell the pilot when a flag or a gate is missed and to call out laps LOUDLY.
Timing System
For any points race, a timing system shall be used. This system should be provided by the event organzier
UTT WING RACING QUALIFIERS
One of the ways to qualify for the championship race is to have a top competitive time on the UTT racetrack. Times are recorded as the fastest completion of 3 consecutive laps. DVR or HD footage must be submitted to the FPVWRA for review to qualify. In your recording, it must be clearly visible that all flags, gates, and turns were made properly. Missing a flag or a gate disqualifies that lap. Any airplane can be used to qualify via UTT track. This includes but is not limited to: flying wings, dual boom pushers, tractor propellers, and canards.
To qualify for WTC standings it is required that an un-edited video of the 3 fastest laps as well as the results from a timing system be submitted to the WRA.
REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
Another way to qualify is to win a regional qualifying race sanctioned by the FPVWRA. In these races, the top ranked pilots will be qualified for the National championship. In the event that a race is won by an individual whom is already qualified, that person’s position will not count against the other pilots and the position will be handed to the next ranked pilot in line.
PENALTIES
In the regional qualifiers penalties are assessed for missing flags and gates. The standard penalty for missing a flag is 3 seconds. The standard penalty for missing a gate is 10 seconds. These penalties are subject to change at the discretion of the race director.
