As of the January 21, 2012 Nepro Business Meeting we have adopted the AMA National rules as they apply to AMA424 "Sport Quickie".

Nepro's suggested claim price is $500US.

Nepro uses the Thunder Tiger Pro40BB engine.

Nepro Philosophy continues to apply and appears at the end of this section.

The 2011-2012 "Sport Quickie"AMA 424 rules shown here are for convenience and are from:

AMA Competition Regulations 2011-2012
Rules Governing Model Aviation
Competition in the United States
Radio Control Pylon Racing

Amendment Listing
Original Issue
1/1/2011

Governing rules can be found at their source at the AMA:

Click here for the actual AMA document


16.3. Event 424: Sport Quickie

16.3.1. Airframe. The airframe specifications for this event are identical to those for Quickie 500 (Event No. 428*) with the following exceptions: Wing and tail construction. Wings and tails must be constructed of either all wood or wood sheeting over a solid foam core. Wings and tails manufactured in molds designed to produce hollow core structures are prohibited. Traditional fiberglass reinforcement, carbon fiber or inset wood spars continue to be acceptable. The last three inches of each wingtip may be made of any material. The intent of the rule is to keep the cost of participation to a minimum.

* [I have included this referenced section below also for convenience only.  Governing rules can be found at their source at the AMA]

16.3.2. Powerplant
a. Engine.

1) Maximum displacement: 0.403 cubic inch.

2) Configuration: Stock, commercially available, front-intake, side-exhaust.

3) Intake: A single carburetor, as supplied by the manufacturer of the engine being used, with a maximum inner diameter of 0.325 inch. The carburetor shall be fully functional and shall be stock, except for longevity-enhancing modifications as follows:
(a) Adjustment screws and idle needle valves may be held in place with commercially available thread locker, epoxy, or other adhesives and safe-tied with rubber bands, wire, or plastic ties.
(b) Barrel retaining screws or pins may be replaced with commercially available screws or pins of harder material and may be held in place with commercially available adhesives. Barrels may be deburred for smoother movement and may be safe-tied with rubber bands, wire, or plastic ties.
(c) Throttle arms may be modified or replaced.

4) Exhaust system: The engine shall be equipped with an expansion chamber muffler or zero-boost muffler as provided by the manufacturer of the engine being used, and having a single exhaust outlet with a maximum outlet area of 0.0621 square inches (equivalent to the area of a round hole measuring 9/32 inch in diameter). The distance from the center of the piston to the centerline of the muffler shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches. The overall length of the muffler shall not exceed 7-1/4 inches, measured from the front of the header to the back of the exhaust outlet. The outside diameter shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches. No modifications to the muffler are permitted except that the muffler may be tapped for a pressure fitting to supply pressure to the fuel system. Tuned mufflers and tuned pipes are prohibited.

5) Fuel feed: Other than muffler pressure, no fuel system pressurization is permitted.

6) Power output: Sport Quickie is  intended as an entry-level event for pilots who  are new to racing. Sample engines are tested via  committee and a list of permissible engines is published and updated as necessary, annually. Criteria include purchase price and power output in both the normal takeoff RPM range and the presumed in-air (unloaded) RPM range. Any engine with a tuned muffler is strictly prohibited.  The cost of the engine must be below $120 (street price). If engines more powerful than this are to be used at a contest, the contest should sanctioned as Quickie 500 (Event No. 428), not Sport Quickie.

7) Prior approval of engines.
a. Procedure: All engines, past and future inclusive, shall not be entered into competition until a five-member subcommittee of the RC Racing Contest Board has approved the engine by an affirmative vote of at least three members thereof. Such approval may be given orally, but shall be recorded for future reference. An engine shall be considered eligible for competition if it meets all requirements of section 16.3.2.and, in addition, does not hinder the state of this entry level event as determined by the aforementioned five-member committee. The committee is appointed by the Racing Contest Board Chairman and will not include any member with a vested interest in the sale or manufacturing of an engine for this event. In addition, any engine can be removed from the list by an affirmative vote of at least three members thereof.
b. Propeller.
1) Material: APC composite or a similar, commercially available composite.
2) Dimensions: Minimum diameter nine (9) inches. Nominal pitch six (6) inches, as indicated by the manufacturer’s stamp or packaging.
3) Availability, modification:
Propellers shall be commercially available and either supplied by the hosting organization or specified by brand and size in all pre-contest publicity. Propellers shall be stock, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7.5.2.
c. Fuel. The fuel shall be commercially available, containing not more than 15 percent nitromethane, and shall be supplied and dispensed by the hosting organization. The dispensing operation shall include draining the tank of any existing fuel and then filling from a supply container when the pilot brings the aircraft to the ready box.

16.3.3. Special Provisions

a. Routine inspections encouraged:
The CD or the CD’s designee may elect to check the top three finishers’ engines for legality at the end of the contest. In addition, CDs are encouraged to check the carburetor bore, muffler outlet area, and propeller diameter of aircraft that are being weighed immediately after each heat.
b. Rule variations permitted: The engine rules specified below have been used successfully on a local basis to limit the cost or power output of engines used in this event. These and any other variations from the rules specified above should be noted in all pre-contest publicity. 
Note: any variation that results in the use of engines larger than 0.403 cu. in. displacement, tuned mufflers, or tuned pipes will result in the event being sanctioned as Quickie 500 (Event No. 428) rather than Sport Quickie.

1) Claiming rule: In addition to either both of the above approaches, a claiming rule allows any contestant to purchase any other Contestant’s engine after the contest for a specified price. $100 is suggested.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* [Here is an excerpt from the “Event 428: Quickie 500” that applies to our racing]

16.2. Event 428: Quickie 500
16.2.1.
a. Weight. Weight of Q500 to weight no less than 3-3/4 pounds.
b. Wings.
1) Area: Minimum 500 square inches.
2) Span: Minimum 50 inches (projected), maximum 52 inches (projected).
3) Chord: Constant for at least 47-1/2 inches of span.
4) Airfoil thickness: Minimum 1-3/16 inches for at least 47-1/2 inches of span.
c. Fuselage.
1) Depth: Minimum 3-1/2 inches at its deepest point, which must occur within the wing chord.
2) Width: Minimum 2-7/8 inches at its widest point, which must occur within the wing chord. Width and depth points need not coincide.
3) Cross-section: The fuselage shall have a simple, rectangular “box” cross-section with a maximum radius of 1/4 inch at the corners. Diamond-shaped cross sections are prohibited. Fillets or fairings between the fuselage and wing are prohibited. Canopies and turtle decks are acceptable but shall not be included in width or depth measurements. The front firewall shall be a rectangular, flat plate measuring at least 2-1/4 inches by 2-1/4 inches. The perimeter of the front firewall may be rounded to a maximum radius of 1/4 inch.  4) Engine installation: The engine and engine mount shall be fully exposed. No cowling or streamlining of the engine is permitted. A back plate-type radial engine mount that replaces the stock engine back plate may be used so long as it displaces the same crankcase volume as the stock back plate. Corners and edges of the engine mount may be rounded to a maximum radius of 1/4 inch.
d. Landing Gear. The landing gear shall be fixed, with a least two main wheels of diameter not less than 2-1/4 inches.  The main wheels shall be at least seven (7) inches apart, measured parallel to the wing span.   No wheel pants, wheel spats, or strut fairings shall be used to streamline the main landing gear.  Struts shall be either, round wire, at least 1/8 inch in diameter, or any other material no more than 1/8 thick. Flat stock or molded gears may be filed or otherwise shaped to an airfoil cross-section. Nose or tail wheels, if used, may be streamlined or enclosed.

NEPRO 424 Q-500 RULES

INTENT OF THE RULES

Any kit or scratch built aircraft should qualify, provided it complies with the intent of the rules as exemplified by the Scat Cat 500 or Spickler Q-500. The aircraft must be of conventional design with a forward wing and aft empennage.

Weight

The weight for NEPRO Q500 is now a minimum 3lbs 12oz per national rules as of Jan 1, 2007.

WING

NO COMPOSITE WINGS ALLOWED! Constant chord, constant thickness platform with a minimum of 500 square inches. The overall span shall be a minimum of 50 inches and a maximum of 52 inches measured along the center of the chord, wing tip to wing tip. The minimum thickness shall be 1 3/16 (1.187) inches for at least 47 3/4 inches of the span.

FUSELAGE

The fuselage shall be of a basic box (rectangular) cross section with a minimum width of of 2 7/8 (2.875) inches and a minimum height of of 3 1/2 (3.5) inches from the fuselage to the bottom of the wing center section. Minimum width and height must occur within the wing chord, but doesn't have to be in the same location along the chord. Canopies, turtle decks, pods, etc., will not be used to satisfy the minimum measurement requirements. All fuselage corners may not have a radius of more than 1/4 (.25) inch. No wing fillets are allowed.

FIREWALL

Must be a rectangular flat plate 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 (2.25) inches. The firewall must not have a radius of more than 1/4 (.25) inch.

STABILIZERS

No minimum size or thickness. Horizontal stabilizers must have elevator control. Vertical stabilizers must have rudder control. Dihedral, anhedral, and V-tails are permitted. V-tails must have sub rudders or elevator/rudder mixing. For safety reasons it is suggested that stabilizers be a minimum of 3/16 inch in thickness.

ENGINE AND MOUNT

No modifications are allowed. This includes head shims and the removal of the muffler baffle!!

The only engine allowed is the Thunder Tiger Pro .40 R/C. Remote needle valves are permitted for safety reasons. The only pressure allowed is muffler pressure. All replacement parts except screws, bearings, glow plugs, prop washer and nut must come from the manufacturer. A rounded spinner or safety nut is required. The engine must be fully exposed between the engine lugs. No cowling or streamlining of the engine is permitted. It must be demonstrated that the throttle is operational and able to be shut off by a dedicated servo on demand by the transmitter.

ENGINE PROTESTS

Engine protests must be accompanied by a $20.00 fee, which will be returned, if the engine is found to be out of specification or illegal. If the engine proves to be legal, the $20.00 goes to the owner of the engine. The CD at his or her discretion, may at any time during or after the race require an engine to be torn downward checked to be sure it is within specification and is legal.

MUFFLER

Stock muffler only. Baffle MUST be in place !!!

PROPELLERS

APC or Master Airscrew Scimitar in 9-6 sizes only.  Props may be balanced by lightening one blade only. The flash may be cleaned off both blades.  No reworking to improve performance or change the blade pitch, length, or shape.

Landing Gear/ wheels

Bicycle or in-line landing gear are disallowed.  Wheels will be a minimum of 2 1/4 (2.25) inches in diameter.

FUEL

10% or 15% nitro is supplied by the sponsoring club or NEPRO.

CONTROLS

The aircraft must be equipped with 4 servos operated by at least a 4 channel radio. The aileron, elevator, rudder, and throttle controls must each have a dedicated servo operating independently from any other except where two servos are used for V-tail mixing. In flight needle valve control or other adjustment via the transmitter is not allowed. Engine shut off on demand and an idle low enough to land is required.

GENERAL

Contestants may be required to preregister, but should always do so regardless. Each contestant is allowed one back up aircraft which must be processed and checked along with the primary aircraft prior to the closing of entries for the race. The back up aircraft must be on the same frequency as the primary aircraft. The starting position will be according to the computer or by draw. Total engine run time will be about 4 minutes. In the even of a mid air collision or should the CD or starter determine the aircraft is not controllable you will be asked to land and/or not fly the aircraft until it can be inspected and found race worthy.

---Superceded January 21, 2012

NEPRO PHILOSOPHY

1. We race because we enjoy racing and want to win, but we know and understand:
   • It's our hobby and we're only doing it because we love it.
   • We'll win our share of races because we're "GOOD" at it - not because we take advantage of our friends by bending and/or breaking the rules.
   • It's the fun we've had and the friendships we've experienced and not the trophies that makes each of us a winner at the end of the season.
2. We sincerely believe "workers" are a special breed of wonderful people that are willing to endure the hot sun, rain, cold, and other miseries for nothing more than a tube of glue and a chance to risk life and limb out on the course. As racers, we know we're totally dependent on these good people and therefore we take an oath to:
   • Never say anything to these great people except "THANK YOU!"
   • Hold them in highest regard and treat them as the race treasures they are.
3. We recognize and appreciate the hardship and sacrifice a club and its members endure to sponsor a race for us, so we pledge:
   • To support the CD with a gracious spirit of cooperation BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the race.
   • To come to the club field as an INVITED GUEST and leave it better than we found it.
   • Should we have any complaints we promise:
     • If 'urgent' - relay the problem to a NEPRO officer who will take whatever action NEPRO feels is warranted.
     • If 'general' in nature - to state the problem in writing, with a constructive solution and give it to a NEPRO officer after the race.
   • To thank the club members and WORKERS for having us and helping us enjoy another great day of racing.
4. We acknowledge and understand that good racing doesn't just happen. it takes "some" effort from all, as well as a solid, responsive organization to support, promote, and make it all happen. NEPRO, it's members and supporters are "that kind" of ORGANIZATION!

• < Prev