Chapter XVI: Rules for Conducting Model Aeroplane Contests

PREPARED BY THE WEST SIDE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, NEW YORK.

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS FOR 1911.

1. These General Rules and Conditions shall apply to the events
conducted by the West Side Y. M. C. A.
2. Each and every contestant for a prize shall accept without
reservation the conditions laid down by the West Side Y. M. C. A.
and shall abide by the decision of the referee. Each contestant
must register his name, age and address before the event.

(a) All contestants in Class "A" must be 18 years of age or over.
(b) All contestant in Class "B" must be under 18 years.

3. Every machine competing must be made by the operator (no toys
admitted), and it must be built along practical lines, that is, a
model from which a practical man-carrying machine can be built.
4. The Committee shall have the right to reject any entry, the
rejection of which they deem advisable.
5. The flights shall be accounted level flights and no allowance will
be made for variation of height.
6. A trial shall be considered to have ended whenever the machine
touches the ground.
7. Competitors shall decide by drawing lots the order in which they
shall take their turns.
8. Any entrant not ready to commence his trial when called upon will
forfeit his turn to him who is next ready, and will fall back to
the end of the list.
9. The commencement of the distance flown shall in the case of
machines on wheels be counted not from the starting line, but from
the point which is determined by the judges as that at which such
machines actually leave the ground. In the case of machines using
the catapult, there shall be deducted from the total distance
flown the equivalent of the initial impulse of the catapult.
10. There shall be no restrictions as to the design, size, weight,
form or amount of power, but the power must be self-contained in
the model.
11. All models must start from the ground.
12. Each contestant shall have three trials.
13. The longest flight in the three trials will be counted for the
prize.
14. All awards shall be made to the owner of the model and not to the
operator, unless by special agreement between owner and operator.
15. The contests shall cover a period of two hours, unless otherwise
designated by the judges.

RULES FOR CONDUCTING MODEL AEROPLANE CONTESTS

PREPARED BY THE NEW YORK MODEL AERO CLUB.

The officials at the distance contest will be: One entry clerk, one starter, one judge.

The officials at the spectacular flight contest will be: One announcer and starter, a jury composed of three persons selected from spectators, not members of the Club.

The officials at the demonstration of a lifting-power contest will be: One entry clerk, one measurer and calculator, and one judge.

There will be a director in the center of the armory room to order the flights.

The director will have a whistle.

Each starter will have a flag.

Starters will ask for the floor by showing flag.

The director will order the flights as follows:

Three whistles for a spectacular flight.

Two whistles for a distance flight.

One whistle for a lifting-power flight.

Contestants must keep off the floor unless following their own machine in flight.

After they have picked up their machine, they must leave the floor in the most expeditious manner.

Contestants will apply to entry clerks for directions.

RULES FOR MODEL AEROPLANE CONTESTS

PREPARED BY THE NEW YORK MODEL AERO CLUB.

The contests shall be open to all.

The entries are free, and shall be received at the New York Model Aero Club, 141 Lexington Avenue, either by letter until March 18, 1911, or verbally on March 4 & 11, 1911, from 8:15 P. M. to 10 p. M., and at the 13th Reg. Armory on March 18 from 8 to 9 p. M.

Models must be built by the contestants.

There shall be two contests: A distance contest and a spectacular flight contest.

DISTANCE CONTEST Two prizes:

I. The first prize shall be awarded to the contestant making the
longest flight, and the second prize to the contestant making
the next longest.
II. Each contestant shall have only his longest flight recorded.
III. Models must start from the ground under their own power.
IV. Contestants are not allowed to push their models. Two special
officers of the Club shall be appointed to watch this
particular point.
V. All models must start from the same starting line, which will
be marked on the floor; they must be off the ground at a
distance of twenty feet from the starting line. In case a model
is not off the ground at said distance, it shall be
disqualified for that flight.
VI. Flights shall be measured from the starting line to the point
of landing.
VII. A one-quarter-inch rope shall be laid on the ground without
being fastened at either end, at a distance of 20 feet from the
starting line.
VIII. Models must measure at least two feet in length and two feet in
spread.

SPECTACULAR FLIGHT CONTEST One prize:

I. The cup shall be awarded to the contestant making the most
spectacular flight as previously announced.
II. A jury of five persons, selected from the spectators, shall
decide upon the most spectacular flight.
III. Power shall be optional.
IV. Models must measure at least two feet in length and two feet in
spread.
V. Models must be fitted with a landing device by which, if proper
speed was obtained, the machine would leave the ground.
VI. Each contestant, before launching his model, must announce the
object of his flight. The announcement will be made to the
public.
VII. Contestants are at liberty to fly their models from the ground
or from the hand, and start wherever they wish.

Non observance of any of the above rules shall disqualify any flight.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF A MODEL AEROPLANE CLUB

COURTESY OF NEW YORK MODEL AERO CLUB

CONSTITUTION

ART. I

This association shall be called the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The object of this Club shall be to popularize and study the Science and Art of Aviation through models.

ART. II

_Membership_. There shall be two classes of members: 1st.—Senior Members, who have been elected as such by the Admission and Membership Committee; who are qualified to represent the Club at all competitions, and shall have a vote at all meetings in the conduct of the affairs of the Club; 2nd.—Junior Members, comprising all such that have not qualified as seniors, and who shall have no vote.

Any person may become a member of this Club who is passed upon by a majority of the Admission and Membership Committee, to whom all applications, either made directly or through a member of the Club, must be submitted.

All applicants accepted shall at once become Junior Members, and shall remain so until elected Senior Members by the Admission and Membership Committee.

ART. III

_Officers_. The Officers of this Club shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary-Treasurer, and a Board of Governors, to consist of said officers and the Chairman of the Patent Bureau and Contest Committee.

The President and Second Vice-President shall constitute an Executive Committee of the Board of Governors, with full power to act for them in the affairs of the Club.

ART. IV

_Dues and Assessments_. The dues shall be 25c (twenty-five cents) per month for Junior and Senior Members alike, to be collected at the first business meeting of each month.

ART. V

_Standing Committees_. There shall be the following Standing Committees, to consist of four members each:

_1st.—Patent Bureau_. The Patent Bureau shall investigate and pass upon claims for any feature of a member’s own contrivance, and register and insure to members the exclusive use thereof in the Club.

_2nd.—Contest Committee_. The Contest Committee shall arrange details of, attend and record all competitions held by the Club. They shall also attend and report on any other competition at the request of the Board of Governors.

_3rd.— Admission and Membership Committee_. The Admission and Membership Committee shall examine all applicants for membership, with full power to accept or reject them, and shall further examine the Junior Members who wish to qualify as Senior Members.

The Committees shall convene regularly at every business meeting and besides, as often as their duties may require.

ART. VI

_Special Committees_. Special Committees may be appointed at any time, by motion or resolution, to take into consideration and report upon special matters. Unless otherwise provided for, they shall be appointed by the presiding officer.

Art. VII

_Meetings_. Regular meetings shall be held every Saturday. The first Saturday in October and the first Saturday in April shall be semi-annual election and business meetings. Following these, every first and third Saturday of each month shall be a business meeting.

All other meeting nights shall be called Social meetings. At the social meetings no regular order of business shall be observed.

ART. VIII

_Elections_. The officers and members of the standing committees shall be elected by written ballot.

The President and First Vice-President shall be elected at the first business meeting in October, to serve for one year; the Second Vice-President and the Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the first business meeting in April, to serve for one year.

Two members of each of the standing committees shall be elected at the first business meeting in October, to serve for one year; the two other members of each of the standing committees shall be elected at the first business meeting in April, to serve for one year.

ART. IX

_Amendment_. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any regular business meeting; but, no amendment shall be entertained unless it shall have been proposed in writing at the previous business meeting.

By-laws may be altered, suspended, annulled or amended by the majority action of the members present at any meeting.

BY-LAWS

ART. I

_Duties of President and Vice-Presidents_. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Governors, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office.

The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall in his stead perform such duties.

ART. II

_Duties of Secretary-Treasurer_. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Governors; issue notices to members of all special meetings, and perform such other duties as may be assigned him by the Constitution, by the Club, or by the Board of Governors.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the accounts of the Club; receive all moneys, fees, dues, etc.; pay all bills approved by the Board of Governors, and preserve all proper vouchers for such disbursements. He shall, at each regular meeting of the Board of Governors, make a statement of the financial condition of the Club; and shall, at the semi-annual meetings, submit a report, approved by the Board of Governors, of the financial transactions of the preceding fiscal half year.

ART. III

_Enforcement of Rules by the Board of Governors_. The Board of Governors shall have full power to expel or suspend any member whose conduct shall be pronounced, by a two-third vote of the members present at a meeting, to have endangered the welfare, interests or character of the Club.

ART. IV

_Liabilities_. The Board of Governors shall have no power to make the Club liable for any debts exceeding in total the amount of five dollars, unless authorized to do so by a recorded vote of a meeting of the Club.

ART. V

_Meetings of the Board of Governors_. The Board of Governors shall hold regular meetings on the last Saturday of each month.

ART. VI

_Non-Attendance at Governors’ Meetings_. A member of the Board of Governors who, without satisfactory explanation, shall fail to attend two consecutive meetings of that body, shall be deemed to have resigned.

ART. VII

_Colors_. The Club colors are Sky Blue and Red.

ART. VIII

_Arrears_. A member one month in arrears shall not have a vote at the meetings, nor hold office in the Club.

ART. IX

_Order of Business._

1. Reading of Business.
2. Reports of Officers and Committees.
3. Unfinished Business.
4. Election of Officers.
5. New Business.

DICTIONARY OF AERONAUTICAL TERMS

A

Aerodrome.
A tract of land selected for flying purposes.

Aerodynamics.
The science of aviation, literally the study of the influence of
air in motion.

Aerofoil.
A flat or flexed plane which lends support to an aeroplane.

Aeronaut.
One engaged in navigating the air.

Aeronautics.
The science of navigating the air.

Aeroplane.
A heavier than air machine supported by one or more fixed planes.

Aerostatics.
The science of aerostation, or of buoyancy caused by
displacement, ballooning.

Aerostation.
The science of lighter than air or gas-born machines.

Aileron.
The outer edge or tip of a plane, usually adjustable, used to
balance or stabilize.

Airship.
Commonly used to denote both heavier and lighter than air
machines; correctly a dirigible balloon.

Angle Of Incidence.
The angle of the plane with the line of travel.

Area. In the case of planes, the extent of surface measured on both the
upper and lower sides. An area of one square foot comprises the
actual surface of two square feet.

Aspect Ratio.
The relation of a surface crossing the direction of flight with
that paralleling the line of flight.

Automatic Stability.
Stability secured by fins, the angle of the planes and similar
devices.

Aviator.
One engaged in aviation.

Aviation.
The science of heavier than air machines.

B

Balancer.
A plane or other part intended for lateral equilibrium.

Biplane.
An aeroplane with two supporting surfaces one above the other.

Body. The main framework supporting the plane and the machinery.

C

Camber.
The curve measured from the cord to the highest point of the
plane.

Carriage.
The part on which the main body is supported on land or water.

Center Of Gravity.
The point at which the aeroplane balances.

Center Of Pressure.
The imaginary line beneath the plane at which the pressure
balances.

D

Deck. The main surface of a biplane or multiplane.

Directional Control.
The ability to determine the direction of the flight of an
aeroplane.

Dirigible.
A balloon driven by power.

Down Wind.
With the wind.

Drift. The resistance of the plane to the forward movement.

E

Elevator.
The plane or wing intended to control the vertical flight of the
machine.

Engineer.
One who controls the power, driving the machinery.

Entering Edge.
Front edge of the forward plane of an aeroplane.

Equilibrator.
A plane or other contrivance which makes for stability.

F

Flexed.
A plane is said to be flexed when it curves upward forming an arc
of a circle.

Fin. A fixed vertical plane.

Flying Machine.
Literally a form of lighter than air craft; a gas-born airship.

Following Edge.
The rear edge of the plane or wing of an aeroplane.

Fusilage.
The body or framework of an aeroplane.

G

Glider.
An aeroplane without motor power.

Guy. A brace, usually a wire or cord used for tuning up the aeroplane.

Gross Weight.
The weight of the aircraft comprising fuel, lubricating oils, and
the pilot.

Gyroscope.
A rotating mechanism for maintaining equilibrium.

H

Hanger.
A shed for housing an aeroplane.

Harbor.
A shelter for aircrafts.

Heavier Than Air.
A machine weighing more than the air it displaces.

Helicopter.
A flying machine driven upward by rotary screws on vertical
shafts.

Helmsman.
One in charge of the steering device.

L

Lateral Stability.
Stability which prevents side motion.

Loading.
The gross weight divided by the supporting area measured in
square feet.

Longitudinal Stability.
Stability which prevents fore and after motion or pitching.

M

Mast. A perpendicular stick holding the stays or struts which keep the
planes rigid.

Model Aeroplane.
A toy aeroplane, reproducing a man-carrying machine.

Monoplane.
An aeroplane or heavier than air machine supported by a single
main plane which may be formed of two wings extending from a
central body.

Motor. A contrivance for generating driving power.

Multiplane.
An aeroplane with more than three main planes one above another.

N

Nacelle.
The car of a dirigible balloon, literally a cradle.

Net Weight.
Complete weight of the machine without pilot, fuel or oil.

O

Ornithopter.
A machine supported and propelled by planes moving in imitation
of birds; a flapping wing machine.

Orthogonal.
A flight maintained by flapping wings.

P

Plane. A surface or wing, either plain or flexed, employed to support or
control an aeroplane.

Pilot. One directing an aeroplane in flight.

Pitch. Theoretical distance covered by a propeller in making one
revolution.

Pylon. Correctly, a structure housing a falling weight used for starting
an aeroplane, commonly a turning point in aeroplane flights.

Propeller.
The screw used for driving an aeroplane, plane.

R

Rudder.
A plane or group of planes used to steer an aeroplane.

Runner.
Strip beneath an aeroplane used for a skid.

S

Scale Model.
A miniature aeroplane exactly reproducing the proportions of an
original.

Spar. A mast, strut, or brace.

Stability.
The power to maintain an even keel in flight.

Starting Platform.
A runway to enable an aeroplane to leave the ground.

Skin Friction.
Resistance offered by planes or wings.

Slip. The difference between the distance actually travelled by a
propeller and that measured by the pitch.

Soaring Flight.
A gliding movement without apparent effort.

Surface.
The extent of planes measured on one side only.

Sustaining Surface.
Extent of wings or planes which lend support to an aeroplane.

T

Tail. The plane or planes, both horizontal and vertical, carried behind
the main planes.

Tandem.
An arrangement of two planes one behind the other.

Thrust.
The power exerted by the propeller of an aeroplane.

Tension.
The power exerted by twisted strands of rubber in unwinding.

Tractor.
A propeller placed before the main plane.

Triplane.
An aeroplane with three main planes one above another.

U

Up Wind.
Against the wind.

W

Wake. The churned or disturbed air in the track of a moving aeroplane.

Wash. The movement of the air radiating from the sides of an aeroplane
in flight.

Wings. Planes or supporting surfaces, commonly a pair of planes
extending out from the central body.