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• The payload is a single, GoPro Hero 3 camera carried by a 1/18 or larger scale mini off road truck or buggy.

• Take off and fly 15 flags.  After passing the final upwind pylon, the plane may fly a pass over, or land on the grass runway deploying the ground vehicle and sensor.

• Navigate the ground course (manually or autonomously) to the objective.

• A single, internal combustion (IC) engine only.  Either of the following engines are allowed:

• O.S. 46 AX II ABL
• O.S. 55 AX ABL

• Methanol / Nitromethane fuel only.  Contest provided Cool Power 15% or equivalent

• No Injections, fuel additives, or turbocharging

• All propulsion power must come from the single IC engine.

• No modifications may be made to the stock engine or the stock muffler other than removal of the conical baffle.

• Engines may be marked in an inconspicuous location during inspection.  Teams must be willing to break down engines for post-contest inspection / rules verification.

• Propeller must be a commercially available, balanced propeller for gas/glow engines only. Propeller blades may be clipped in diameter. 

• ROG (Rise off Ground) only. No launch assist of any type, including hand launch.  Teams may use a flight crew member to hold the airplane at the tail prior to release if they desire, as long as the crew member is completely behind the propeller arc.  The runway is a smooth geotextile material, and is 60 ft wide by 600 ft long.  Three small seams run along the length of the runway spaced 15 ft. apart.  There is also an adjacent grass runway of similar dimensions.  Teams may use both runways.

• Teams may compete with multiple airframes, however the basic airframe shape and size for each must be the same.

• No part of the flight vehicle system may be jettisoned until after the air mission is complete (after the last flag is crossed in the air).

• Any 1/18 scale or larger, stock or modified mini off road truck or buggy is acceptable.  For example

• Four-wheeled vehicle (4WD recommended)
• Electric powered.  2S Lipo, or 7-cell NiMH or NiCD maximum.
• Suspension: Off road. (Course is a combination of dirt (bare ground), mowed grass, and runway)
• Minimum wheelbase:  6.25 in
• Width (min tire edge to outer edge):  6.5 in
• Tire diameter (min):  2.125 in
• Tire width (min):  7/8 in
• Vehicle minimum dimensions must be met at all times.

• Take off and fly to the safe distance designated course entry (indicated by the safety judge)

• Time starts after the pilot is cleared to enter the course, and the plane passes the first turn line.

• Fly figure 8’s with all turns away from the pilot as seen in the figure below. Planes do not need to fly around a flag, they just must pass a turn line in space.  

• Each team will provide two flight crew members to serve as turn indicators, and will stand next to the Cut Judges.  When a plane crosses the turn line,  they will signal their caller by raising a flag.  Crew flaggers must not raise a flag prior to the airplane crossing the turn line, or it will be considered a "cut."   

• Cut Judges  will use a sighting guide to determine when a plane has passed a turn line, and if a flag has been raised early, or if a plane has "cut" the turn.  If a cut occurs, the judge will indicate a disqualification (DQ) for that flight attempt by raising a flag.  If a plane is DQ'ed, the pilot should land as soon as possible.  

• After completing 15 flags, the aircraft must deploy the ground vehicle on the grass runway (to the east of the main runway).  This may be done by landing on the grass runway,or deploying by other means such as dropping.  The only restriction is that the operation must be conducted over or on the grass runway .  If deployed by air drop, the aircraft may remain orbiting and then land at pilot/safety judge discretion.

• Once deployed on the grass runway,  the ground vehicle must navigate a course to the objective.  The course will be revealed to the teams at the event, but expect it to consist of navigating around widely spaced cones, passing of sections of mowed grass (1.5 inches or less), bare ground, and high speed runs along a length of the mat runway.  Expect the ground course total length to be between  2400 ft. and 3600 ft long.

• The ground mission may be done manually or autonomously.  Autonomous navigation results in a score bonus.  To receive the bonus, all operation of the ground vehicle after the vehicle begins moving, must be done autonomously.  Teams will be allowed to preview the course for GPS coordinates if desired.  Manual navigation must be done with the driver in a predetermined location.  The course will allow the vehicle to be seen at all times, however the vehicle may be as much as 400 ft away from the driver location at times.  Teams may not physically interact with the vehicle untill the mission is complete.

• On a part of the ground course, a sign which is unreadable from the team location, will be placed.  To receive the mission score, the team must identify the contents of the sign using the camera, either via video feed, or by downloading the recording after the mission.  The sign content may change each mission.  The sign will be on a vertical board at least 24 x 24 inches, and mounted so that the bottom edge is on the ground.  The image/lettering on the sign will be identifyable from at least 50 ft away using the naked eye.

• Contestants are expected to conduct themselves, and operate their aircraft in accordance to the AMA Safety Code. (the following link contains all AMA documents including the Safety Code:  http://www.modelaircraft.org/documents.aspx)

• Every person beyond the spectator line (including officials), must wear a helmet approved by OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL,NOCSAE or other recognized organization that certifies safety equipment.  There is a very wide variety of helmets that meet these criteria including; skateboarding helmets, bicycle helmets, construction hard-hats, etc.

• Any flight crew member involved with starting the aircraft engine at any time (flightline or pits), Or holding the plane at runup/start, must wear official safety glasses,  gloves (level-5 cut-resistant gloves are strongly recommended example), and hearing protection (foam earplugs are sufficient)

• Teams must make sure that people are standing clear of the plane of the propeller in case of a blade failure.  The safest location is behind the propeller.  All individuals must be behind the plane of the propeller when running up the engine.  Only the starter should be in front, however the throttle should not be advanced until the starter is in a safe location.

• Flight Crew: Required minimum flight crew is 4 members (Pilot, Caller, and 2 Flagmen).  Beyond that, the number and makeup of the flight crew is at the discretion of each team, however it may consist of a maximum of 7 team members. Functions of flight crew members may be combined if desired.  All must verify current AMA membership at the event.  Typical flight crew functions include:
• Pilot
• Caller:  Stands by the pilot to call turns.
• Crew Flagmen:  Minimum of two.  Stand near turn marker judges to indicate turn line passage
• Recovery:  (Optional) Only flight crew and contest officials may go recover aircraft
• Starter/Timer:  (Optional) Teams may have a member assist with starting the engine on the runway, and runup prior to start.  The person may also serve as a timer or additional flagman.
  

• Any level of flight autonomy must be compliant with AMA rules (See http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/560.pdf)
  


• When a team number is called for a flight, only flight crew may enter the field beyond the spectator area.

• All aircraft to be flown must go through an airworthiness inspection outlined below.

• For teams not familiar with AMA contest airworthiness inspections, it is recommended that an experienced RC pilot or AMA Contest Director assist the team with an airworthiness inspection prior to travelling to the Speedfest in order to reduce the chances of a delay requiring repairs or modifications.

• All team members, who attend the event should be AMA members.  It is the opinion of the organizers that all team members, must be committed to the AMA safety code when designing, building, and flying, unmanned aircraft.

• Engines or motors must not be started in the teams pit area.  There will be designated areas for engine runup and testing.

• Speedfest is not an event appropriate for novice pilots.  Teams should use experienced pilots with a record of safety.
• Contest organizers will provide a pilot upon request.  Teams may not however request a specific pilot.
• Pilot  instructions:
• Safety must be the primary responsibility of every pilot.  
• If there is some aspect of the airplane that the pilot deems unsafe, he must ensure the team takes corrective action before flight.
• Pilots must follow the instructions of the safety officer during flight.  If instructed to abort, or even sacrifice the airplane for safety, the pilot must do so immediately without question.
• Pilots must never allow the airplane to cross a line defined by the West edge of the runway.  If the line is crossed, power must be cut immediately, and a turn made away from the spectators.
• Pilots will be instructed how far to the east to fly patterns in order to maintain safe distances from the spectators.  India class uses a 275 ft. setback from the spectator line.  Alpha class uses a 675 ft. setback.
• During high speed flights in the pattern, Alpha class pilots are requested to fly as low as they feel comfortable, to provide an extra margin of safety for spectators.

1. Push/pull rods or cables and control horns, shall be installed in such a way that they will not become disconnected in flight. Clevises must have a "keeper mechanism." Adjustable control linkages that use set screws or friction are NOT acceptable.  
2. Pushrods shall have only one threaded end that is free to turn. 
3. Control surfaces shall be firm on the hinge line without excessive play.
4. Servos shall be mounted securely with little play.
5. Any servo extensions used must have connections secured with a servo lead lock
6. All screws holding the engine to the mount and the mount to the firewall shall be in place and secure using nyloc nuts or Loctite.
7. Spinner or prop nut used to secure propeller.
8. Prop tips painted white last 0.5 inches of span.
9. The radio receiver and battery pack shall be secure, and surrounded by soft foam rubber or other vibration-dampening material and adequately protected against contamination by engine exhaust, raw fuel, or fuel residue.
10. Receiver battery check: 5-cell NiCD or NiMH, external switch and Voltwatch.  Voltwatch set to 6v setting.
11. Wings, if removable, shall be securely attached to the fuselage by some mechanical means such as bolts.
12. The aircraft shall be structurally sound as well as free of structural damage which may compromise safety.
13. Range check / failsafe verification 
14. Proof of prior flight.  Teams must demonstrate proof of prior flight.  This may be done using pictures or video evidence.

• Each team will be provided at least 3 flight attempt opportunities.  Maximum number of flight attempts  depends on several factors,  and may be 7 or more. The best score of all attempts will be retained.

• Speedfest objectives and scoring have been designed to minimize the effect of weather conditions.  Expect competition to continue unless winds are above 30 mph sustained with cross, or if there is continuous rain.  If all teams are not provided with 3 flight attempt opportunities, the rain date will be used.

• Speedfest is a competition between teams.  There are no restrictions on repairs, spare parts, replacement aircraft, etc.  Repaired and replacement planes must still conform to the rules for a particular class.  If an aircraft is damaged to an extent that airworthiness may be questioned, and is to be re-flown, the airplane must go through the airworthiness inspection again.  Also, if a replacement plane is used, it must also go through the airworthiness inspection.

• Mandatory Items to bring:

• Current AMA membership cards for flight crews
• Proof of flight
• Helmets, safety glasses, hearing protection, and gloves for Flight Crew listed above.
  

• There will be limited electrical service for individual teams.  A charging station will be provided where teams may connect their charging equipment.

• A Rules Committee will be formed for the purpose of resolving any rules questions during the Speedfest event.  The committee will consist of the contest director, a representative from one of the host industries, and 3 volunteer team advisors (familiar with the Speedfest rules) taken from the competing teams.   Any controversial rules interpretations, protests, or conflicts, will be resolved by the committee by a simple majority vote.

• Flight crews must each show proof of current AMA membership
• Team Flags and safety gear will be checked
• Flight Crews, advisors, and mentors should report with their airplane to have a team photo taken.

• Teams will be assigned a queue number.  

• Numbers will be called in sequence from 1 to n

• Teams will be fueled prior to entering the queue. Before receiving the fuel, teams must be able to confirm to a judge that their fuel tank is empty. 

• When teams are called, they will need to go get their fuel in the hangar, and have a receiver/transmitter voltage check.  Failure of the voltage check will result in DQ for that round.

• After fueling, teams will move to the queue boxes

• Only teams that are called to the flight line may pass the spectator line and enter the course.  They must wear the appropriate safety gear. 

• Alpha Class:  Each team has an X minute window when called to the flight line.   Within that window, the team must be able to set up their plane, compete, and clear the course.  Failure to leave the course in the X minute window will result in forfeiting the team’s time slot in the next round.  Continued violation will result in losing best score. 

• Videos may be no more than 2 minutes in length total.
• May not refer to specific competitors teams in a negative light.
• May not contain material considered to be obscene by professional standards.
• Royalty-free music is preferred. Teams should test their videos on YouTube so that they are not removed or muted due to copyrighted music.

• Speedfest Alpha Class is open to all academic institutions of any type (2-year, 4-year, trade, postgraduate, etc.)
• Team members (other than pilots), must be students of the institution.  Students may be any level (undergraduate, graduate, etc.)
• All team members should be current AMA members.  Flight crew must be AMA members.
• International teams:  All team members must be members of the organization equivalent to the AMA in your country.  Pilots however, must have either AMA membership, or membership in an organization that has a reciprocity agreement with AMA.

• To keep the Speedfest manageable and enjoyable, a limited number of entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• A single institution may compete with no more than two teams.  

Can the airplane land on the runway but deploy the car in the grass?

Yes.  Under the Air Vehicle Design Constraints, the rules state that “both runways may be used.”  However, the deployment of the ground vehicle must be done over the grass runway. 

Can the airplane begin the turn before the flag?

Yes.  However the team may NOT raise their turn flag early.  If the flag is raised early, it will be considered DQ.   If the plane turns before the team flag is raised, the plane will have to turn back to pass the flag before the flag is awarded.

How long is the “X” minute time window?

That will depend on the number of teams.  Expect the window to be no less than 8 minutes.

Do we need to tell the judges what the sign says within the X minute time window?

No.  You have until your next flight window to identify the sign to the scorekeeper.  That is usually at least 1 hour.

At what point could team members enter the flight zone to retrieve parts of the plane? 

When the safety judge gives the team clearance after the plane lands.

Do all items have to be retrieved during the X minute window?

Yes.  All items should be recovered (unless it is beyond the fence) and the team completely off of the field.  Otherwise the team’s next flight window is forfeited.  For any item beyond the fence, recovery is at judge’s discretion.  This may happen later during a flight break.

How will autonomous be verified?

After initiating the vehicle motion, and switching to autonomous control, the driver must not have his hands on the control stick or wheel.  The flight line judge will verify the car is not being driven.

Can we possibly have more information about the ground course?

Expect a ground course that is somewhat similar to a Speedfest air course, with the addition of a leg to identify the sign.