Eliminator Air Racing Rules and Regulations
Course

Pilot Qualifications
Pilots must demonstrate that they can safely operate their RC aircraft. Some pilots maybe required to perform a test fight as proof of their operational abilities (to be determined by the contest director). All Pilots must show proof of current AMA insurance. Transmitters must use 2.4GHz frequency. The pilot of record must fly all heats without assisting of a wireless training system (Buddy Box).
No timing devices (watches, stopwatches, transmitter timers, etc.) will be allowed at the pilot station during the heat racing. Unsportsmanlike conduct by a pilot, caller, or crewmember is grounds for the pilot’s disqualification from the event.
Classes
Run What You Brought
Model Aircraft Requirements: | |
Any fixed wing RC Aircraft that is safe to fly at the host field. (Field restrictions will be inforce). This aircraft must be able to complete the course (10 Laps) no faster than 2:00 minutes and no slower then 4:00 minutes | |
Start and Takeoff: | 1:30 minutes |
Air Starts: | 30 Seconds countdown |
Timing Index: | 2:30 minutes |
Foul Timing Penalty: | |
Start Cuts: | 7 Seconds + (Start Cut difference x2) |
Pylon Cuts: | 7 Seconds |
Break Out: | 7 Seconds + (Break Out difference x2) |
Warbird (Silver)
Model Aircraft Requirements: | |
Entry must be a scale models replicating heavier than air, fixed wing, man carrying, military aircraft that were in production after January 1, 1937, or scale models of non-military aircraft that have raced in any category of the Reno or Mojave Air Races or in an unlimited air race affiliated with the Unlimited Air Racing Association. Aircraft must have a wing area no less than 300 square inches. Field restrictions of aircraft will be inforce. This aircraft must be able to complete the course (10 Laps) no faster than 1:30 minutes and no slower then 4:00 minutes | |
Start and Takeoff: | 1:30 minutes |
Air Starts: | 30 Seconds countdown |
Timing Index: | 2:00 minutes |
Foul Timing Penalty: | |
Start Cuts: | 6 Seconds + (Start Cut difference x2) |
Pylon Cuts: | 6 Seconds |
Break Out: | 6 Seconds + (Break Out difference x2) |
Warbird (Gold)
Model Aircraft Requirements: | |
Entry must be a scale models replicating heavier than air, fixed wing, man carrying, military aircraft that were in production after January 1, 1937, or scale models of non-military aircraft that have raced in any category of the Reno or Mojave Air Races or in an unlimited air race affiliated with the Unlimited Air Racing Association. Aircraft must have a wing area no less than 300 square inches. Field restrictions of aircraft will be inforce. This aircraft must be able to complete the course (10 Laps) no faster than 1:30 minutes and no slower then 4:00 minutes | |
Start and Takeoff: | 1:30 minutes |
Air Starts: | 30 Seconds countdown |
Timing Index: | 1:30 minutes |
Foul Timing Penalty: | |
Start Cuts: | 4 Seconds + (Start Cut difference x2) |
Pylon Cuts: | 4 Seconds |
Break Out: | 4 Seconds + (Break Out difference x2) |
700 Large (Coming Soon)
Model Aircraft Requirements: | |
Entry must be a scale models replicating heavier than air, fixed wing, man carrying, aircraft that were in production after January 1, 1937. Aircraft must have a wing area no less than 700 square inches. Field restrictions of aircraft will be inforce. This aircraft must be able to complete the course (10 Laps) no faster than 1:45 minutes and no slower then 4:00 minutes | |
Start and Takeoff: | 1:30 minutes |
Air Starts: | 30 Seconds countdown |
Timing Index: | 2:15 minutes |
Foul Timing Penalty: | |
Start Cuts: | 20 Seconds + (Start Cut difference x2) |
Pylon Cuts: | 10 Seconds |
Break Out: | 30 Seconds + (Break Out difference x2) |
New Pilot Consideration
Any pilot that would like to expand to Warbird Silver or Warbird Gold may do so with a non-conforming aircraft for 2 events. After which he will then need to build a conforming aircraft for any class entered.
Matrix and Scoring
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1; pilots will be matrix in order of registration (1st to register is last to fly). All additional qualifying rounds pilots fly in order of qualifying time or position (1st qualifying position is last to fly). Qualifying field will be set base on event entries (8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40). Fastest qualifying times will set the field for eliminations.
Elimination Rounds
With each elimination heat the 1st and 2nd placed aircraft (based on adjusted times) will advance to the next round. Once all aircraft have been eliminated the 1st and 2nd placed aircraft of the final round will win the event. Matrix will follow the example noted below.
17th Qualifier (Alternate)
In each class the 17th qualifier (9th or 13th) will act as an alternate or stand-in pilot. In the event that a pilot is unable to race in any of the elimination rounds the “17th Qualifier” is allowed to take his place in the event. This exchange can happen any time before the heat starts (when the Score Keeper starts the startup music).
Scoring
Heats are scored on elapse time of 10 laps plus fouls (foul times are noted in each class). Fastest adjusted time wins 1st place (advancing elimination rounds) and 4 points, 2nd fastest adjusted time wins 2nd place (advancing elimination rounds) and 3 points, 3rd fastest adjusted time wins 3rd place and 2 points, 4th fastest adjusted time wins 4th place and 1 point and 5th fastest adjusted time (if 5 plane heat) wins 5th place 1 point. If the pilot cannot complete the race or is black flag no points are given. All points are accumulative over the race series.
Tie Breaker
If there is a need for a tie breaker any time in the race the following rules will apply. 1st tie breaker is the qualifying position (higher qualifier gets the tie breaker). 2nd tie breaker is the registration order (earlier the registration gets the tie breaker).
Racing Procedures
Engine Starting Procedures
After aircraft flying in the heat have been identified to the pylon judges, and radios have been checked to insure they are operating, the starter will begin a 90-second timing device. Pilots and their callers will be instructed to start their engines and have the 90-seconds to get their engines running and launch their aircraft. Pilots are allowed one takeoff attempt. Once the aircraft main wheels leave the ground and/or the motor dies due to the propeller striking the ground or any object; the ruling will be that a takeoff attempt has been made. If during the 90 seconds the engine dies and a takeoff attempt has NOT been made, the plane may be restarted if it can be done prior to time expiring.
Take off Procedures and Directions
Contestants may take off on a first come, first served basis, but the starter will control access to the runway. Callers will carry, or guide, the pilot’s aircraft onto the runway, and should take great caution when handling aircraft with the engine running, so as to not pose danger to themselves or others. Taxiing of aircraft onto the runway to take off is prohibited. The starter will determine what direction the aircraft must use to take off. This will generally be dictated by the wind direction. If the takeoff direction is from right to left the aircraft must be carried to a position on the runway beyond the left most pilot station and released from there. This is a safety procedure to help compensate for aircraft that tend to turn to the left on takeoff, due to engine torque and/or wind.
Heat Start Procedure
After the 90-second engine start up time has elapsed, the 30-second countdown clock is started. The announcer will advise as the clock counts down to 30 seconds, 15 seconds, and then count down from 10 seconds to the start of the heat. The heat begins when the clock reaches zero. At this time, all aircraft are to be to the left of the start/finish line. Failure to meet this requirement is a start cut and results in time penalty for the heat. Loops to avoid jumping the start are NOT permissible. Pilots, who find they are about to jump the start, can execute a legal sharp left pitchout turn and then circle back safely to the start/finish line.
Heat Racing Procedure
The heat will consist of 10 laps in a racetrack pattern flown past each pylon without crossing the deadline. Pilots must also keep their aircraft above the tops of the pylon. Pilots who fly near the deadline, or who briefly drop below the top of the pylons will receive one warning from the starter. Any aircraft crossing the deadline will result in a black flag disqualification from the heat. Repeated infractions of the deadline, or flying too low, or other unsafe erratic flying can disqualify the pilot for the remainder of the day, and the pilot may be required to demonstrate flying proficiency on the race course before being allowed to fly at another event. Victory rolls and other acrobatic maneuvers at any time during, or after the heat, are strictly prohibited, and are grounds for black flag disqualification for the heat. Any pilot not pulling off the racecourse after receiving the black flag for any reason will be disqualified from the rest of the event.
Heat Finish Procedure
For each competing pilot, a racing heat will be concluded when the aircraft has flown 10 consecutive laps, and it has crossed the finish line in the air. Aircraft are not required to be under power when crossing the finish line to finish the heat, and may complete the heat by gliding across the line. Landing order will be as each aircraft finish the race. The starter can change the landing order at anytime.