The Sportsman Class is designed as an informal, enjoyable, entry level event intended for first time racers, or racers in their first calendar year of racing. Its purpose is to provide the opportunity for new racers to experience racing and flying the course, with a seasoned helper, and with a minimum of cost.

This class is not about speed but rather emphasizes practice flying of the course with smoothness, safety, and with experienced help. The racer’s skill should increase with each successive heat, leading hopefully to the racer soon advancing to the Standard Class.

Rules and other information can be found on the NEPRO website, www.nepro.org. The Standard Class rules will apply to the Sportsman Class with the exceptions listed below. Where there are conflicts, these Sportsman Class rules will govern. Since these rules are newly adopted, and undergoing continuous refinement, there may be areas that need clarification. New racers are encouraged to contact any NEPRO official if any questions. Also, there’s an email address on the website, or email NEPROinfo@cs.com. We at NEPRO are happy to help you get started in racing!

1. Engine: Any sport R/C engine widely available in the U.S. No tuned pipes or tuned mufflers. No racing engines specifically designed for AMA racing events will be allowed, such as the Nelson Quickie 40 or the Jett Quickie 40. Jetstream and Ultrathrust mufflers not allowed. No rear exhaust engines are allowed. No turbines or rocket motors. Electric power may be used, but exotic, high priced systems are discouraged as the spirit of this event is “low to moderate cost, entry level”.. No multi, engine or motor, powered models. Suitability of engines and motors will be determined by racing officials with flight safety as the major criteria.

2. Airplane: A sport airplane is ideal. Racing planes are discouraged, but the Q500 type airplane will be allowed if powered with a sport engine as described above in rule #1. Other desirable planes include trainers, advanced trainers, sport scale, pattern, and 3D. Any wing position including low, mid, shoulder, or high, is permitted. There is no maximum engine size, but the engine size must be appropriate for the airplane as specified by the airplane manufacturer, and/or as judged by NEPRO officials, with safety as a major criteria.

3. Practice: Practice flights are allowed before the first heat, usually between 8am and 9:30. Experienced help is available.

4. Heat operation: In this class there will be a maximum of 3-planes per heat, rather than the usual 4-plane heats in other classes. Also, the planes will be launched sequentially by Lane 1, then 2, then 3, by the starter’s flag drop, one drop for each lane, about 1 second apart, to help avoid possible launching collisions. All timers will start their watches on the first flag drop. Note that stopwatch times are only secondary information due to possible timing errors. The first plane across the finish line wins, then second and third respectively.

5. Scoring: Scoring shall be under the same rules as the Standard Class, except (due to only 3-plane heats): 1st place = 3 points, 2nd place = 2 points, third place = 1 point. For 1st year racers that are members of NEPRO, season points tracking will be provided and results displayed on the NEPRO website and newsletters. All racers are encouraged, but not required, to join NEPRO. The first year is free, a $50 value.

6. Prizes: For 2008, Viper Q500 ARF kits, or equivalent, will be included in the prize lineup. In order to help insure that more racers receive the available kits, a racer will be allowed to win only one kit per season. Additional prizes as may be offered, of merchandize and/or cash, and will be awarded as usual.

7. Advancement: A Sportsman Class racer, after achieving a heat time of under 2 minutes (2:00:00) twice, in one race season (one calendar year), will then automatically be required to advance to the Standard Class at the beginning of the next race season.

8. Safety: All airplanes will be given a safety inspection by the NEPRO Safety Officer or designee(s), prior to flying on the course, including practice flights. The airplane and/or pilot may be grounded, by the above officials, at any time, due to unsafe flying, in their judgment. This and all NEPRO classes and events operate under the AMA Safety Code and all flyers must comply. A copy of the code comes with your AMA license. View it at www.modelaircraft.org. AMA membership is required to race.

End of rules for the Sportsman Class.