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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Here is the reply from Bob Skinner about FAI noise
rules...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Tony Stillman<BR>Radio South, Inc.<BR>3702 N. Pace Blvd.<BR>Pensacola, Fl
32505<BR><A
href="http://www.radiosouthrc.com">www.radiosouthrc.com</A><BR>800-962-7802</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=bobskinn@global.co.za href="mailto:bobskinn@global.co.za">Bob Skinner</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=tony@radiosouthrc.com
href="mailto:tony@radiosouthrc.com">tony@radiosouthrc.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, September 15, 2002 2:12 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> NOISE</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Tony</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many thanks for your message, which I read upon my
return from the European Championships in Spain.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Be assured that there is no support for a lowering
of the current noise limit. I have in fact cautioned many proposers on the
dangers of lowering the noise limit even further. A Belgian proposal was
defeated some time ago, calling for 92dBA over tarmac/concrete and 90dBA over
grass. On the other hand, it is going to be extremely difficult to convince the
CIAM president that we desire a higher noise limit than the current 94dBA. We
know that F3A models are of the quietest on the competition scene, and,
ultimately, the judges still have the final say in whether a competitor should
be penalised for a perceived noisy model.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the near future I am going to canvas for
modification to the noise rule so that the nose of the model is pointed into
wind and the measurement still taken on the right-hand side. That will help in
strong wind conditions. Also for consideration - 94dBA over all surfaces. In
Belgium (2000 European Championship) we had prolonged rain which saturated the
grass, and instead of the sound being absorbed (supposedly 2dBA), it was
reflected from the water barrier, causing a problem for some fliers. We
experienced the same in Singapore during the CAOCC 2000.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We did not have one competitor fail the noise test
in Spain, and the lowest that I know of was 87dBA, which proves that standard
equipment is quite capable of being operated quietly. Yes, I am aware that some
(probably most!) are using a condition which results in a slightly lower rpm at
the noise test. I've thought of designing a device that will record the servo
travel during the noise test, and if the device should record a travel that
exceeds the one at the noise test, there is reason to believe that a competitor
cheated. But it becomes more complicated, with yet another device needed to run
a competition. The judges cannot be cheated though, and a noisy model will soon
receive the in-flight noise penalty.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then of course, we try to keep the models
reasonably quiet, and we try to enforce the manoeuvring area with the 60 degree
left and right markers, only for some fliers to make their take-off turns from
county to county!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Having said all this, I would like you to keep me
informed on this matter. We would like people to fly, not to penalise or prevent
them on a technical matter.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Best regards</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bob</FONT></DIV>
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