GENERAL
Q: What is the rationale for a registration fee of $50 - $100 per team?
A: The registration fees will be channelled towards the administration cost of running the competition. This includes the organisation of complimentary training workshops for participants and infrastructure setup for the competition eg. safety nets surrounding all the flying areas in the competition.
Q: What kind of training workshops will there be? Will there be training on how to fly these models?
A: FREE training workshops will be conducted for registered participants for categories A, B and C. The workshops will cover basic theories of flight and know-how to build flying machines. For Category C, practical flying techniques will also be covered. Registered participants can, in addition, sign up for aerodynamics labs to have a better understanding of Aerodynamics
Q: Is it compulsory to attend the training workshops?
A:Attendance is not compulsory, but recommended.
Q: Will the organisers sponsor the purchase of hardware and software?
A: No, all hardware and software costs are to be borne by the teams / schools.
Q: Are overseas exchange students eligible to participate?
A: Any student that is officially registered in any school located in Singapore will be eligible to participate.
Q: Will wireless internet be available in the presentation and competition site?
A: All presentations and Challenges will be held in Science Centre premises and there are wireless hotspots available. Participants should be prepared to work in location without wireless internet access.
Q: Will there be a re-run of the workshops for those participants who miss the workshops?
A: Handouts and presentation slides used during the workshops may be made available to the competitors upon request. There will not be any re-run of the workshops. Participants can email to safmc@science.edu.sg if they need assistance.
Q: Does "creativity" applies to the presentation or the flying machine design?
A: The term "creativity" applies to the design of the flying machine and not on the creativity of the presentation.
Q: Are 2.4GHz Radio frequency allowed to be used in the competition?
A: The recommended radio frequencies to be used in the Challenge Announcement booklet will be from 29.7 – 30.0 MHz as approved by IDA. However, SAFMC will not pose any restriction on the usage of 2.4GHz radios and SAFMC will not bear any responsibility and liable for possible cause of frequency interference occurrence during the challenge. Participants are allowed to use 2.4GHz radios at their own risk of frequency interference.
Q: Are other radio frequencies such as 35, 40, 72 MHz are allowed to be used in the competition?
A: Radio frequencies such as 35, 40, 72 MHz are strictly banned from usage in the competition.
CATEGORY A
Q: Are vertical loops allowed during the acrobatic mission?
A: No. Teams are assessed based on the number of horizontal ¼ loops performed on the pole.
Q: How are the teams assessed on the precision mission?
A: Points are awarded based on the position of the nose of the paper airplane lands. The final position after the plane glided on the floor after the nose touches the ground is NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
CATEGORY B
Q: How many gliders can we build and how many designs can we have?
A: There is no limit to the number of designs or gliders that the team can build. However, only 2 gliders can be used on competition day for the 2 launch attempts.
Q: Are we allowed to install servos and/or mechanisms to move the control surfaces and/or wings during flight?
A: Servos and/or mechanisms are not allowed to be used on the glider.
Q: Can the glider have spring activated mechanism?
A: No, spring activated mechanism is not allowed for the glider since it contributes to the propulsion/thrust of the glider.
Q: Is remote control of the control surface of the glider allowed?
A: No, for teams who are interested in remote controlled planes, they are encouraged to participate in CAT C competition.
Q: Can we stow the wings before flight and only deploy it after the glider is launched?
A: As long as the wing span of the flying machine is between the 0.5 to 1m (as stated in the rules and regulations), it would be acceptable. In addition, the wing span must not exceed the 1m upper limit at anytime during the competition.
Q: Must the attachment that is provided be visible on the glider?
A: Yes, it needs to be as this would be resting on the launcher adaptor before launching.
Q: Where do we purchase the materials to build the glider?
A: The possible places mentioned in the workshop include Bras Basah Complex, Fook Hai Building and Daiso Store.
Q: Is there any restriction on the material used for the fabrication of the glider?
A: As stated in the rules and regulation, "No balloon or airship design would be allowed. No gaseous substance lighter than air will be allowed".
CATEGORY C
Q: What kind of training workshops will there be? Will there be training on how to fly these models?
A: The workshops primarily cover basic theories of flight, aero-modelling and practical flying techniques.
Q: Do we have to use a specific brand of receiver?
A: No, as long as the frequency requirement of the receiver is met.
Q: Are we allowed to engage an external pilot to fly our team’s flying machine? Is there a penalty in doing so and if yes, what’s the penalty?
A: Only registered members of the teams can pilot the flying machine. All registered members must abide by the general rules & regulations for the respective categories.
Q: If the flying machine crashes and is damaged, are we given time for repair during the competition?
A: During the competition, there will be no trial flying, except for competing team in the flying areas. Limited time will be given for teams to repair and carry out their subsequent flight attempts.
Q: Are we allowed to use gyrocopters design for this competition category?
A: The theorical and practical workshops focused on the basic knowledge and guidance in design and construction of basic fixed wing radio controlled planes for this competition category, and did not cover any lesson for gyrocopters. There is no restriction for participants to design and construct a gyrocopter, as long as the design fully complied with rules and regulations for the category. Please bear in mind that flying machine must demonstrate the rolling take off and landing ability for awarding of points. Participants are encouraged to join Cat E competition if they are more interested in working on unconventional flying machines.
Q: Are we allowed to test fly our plane during the one minute setup time?
A: Due to the confined flying area available in the event hall, no flying is allowed other than the actual team taking place in the actual competition challenge inside the flying area.
Q: Can the pilot move along the 20 metre margin behind the runway while he is controlling the flying machine?
A: No, pilot is only allowed to stand at the allocated piloting position while controlling his/her flying machine.
Q: Is there any particular order in which we must complete the obstacle course?
A: No, there would not be any particular obstacle clearing order and specific fly-through direction required for the flying competition.
Q: Will the obstacle course be available for the teams to practice before the competition?
A: Due to availability of competition hall in Science Centre, the obstacle course will not be available for the teams to practice before the competition. Teams are encouraged to practise in multi-purpose hall in the schools.
Q: What is the failsafe feature?
A: The failsafe feature is in-built in the RC transmitter-receiver system. Participants need to demonstrate the failsafe action of their flying machine’s motor and propeller to turn off/stop spinning when RC transmitter is switched off. The RC transmitters purchased or used by the participants must be equipped with the required failsafe feature to ensure flight safety during competition.
Q: Are we allowed to continue with attempt when aircraft drops to the floor (i.e. after hitting a structure) and still able to take off and carry on from that spot?
A: As long as the aircraft touches the ground of the flying field, it’s considered an attempt (As set out in the rules and regulations). The team then has an option to take their second attempt or other wise lose points for not completing the rest of the circuit. If the aircraft hits the ground but is able to continue flying with the pilot exhibiting sufficient control authority, the attempt will not be terminated. However, in the event that the team needs to restart or rescue, in any way, the aircraft, the attempt would be terminated.
Q: Are we allowed to take a second attempt if we didn’t achieve a perfect score in the first?
A: Yes, you are allowed to make the second attempt.
Q: If flying machine crashes and damaged, are we allowed for time out to repair and carry on with competition (even with penalty)?
A: Teams are only allowed 10 mins in total for the circuit flying section. At any event there is a crash, teams are allowed to do any minor repair, and quickly carry out their second attempt as long as they complete the circuit in 3 mins.
Q: Where will the pilot be standing? Is it inside the flying zone or outside the net?
A: There is a designated pilot area inside the flying area (net) and near the take off zone.
Q: Are we allowed taking off and land (i.e. get the points for take off and landing) and then take off again to clear structures?
A: Teams are not allowed to do so as every take off and landing/touching the ground is considered as an attempt.
Q: Are fitting a forward propeller and wheels to a heli-aircraft be sufficient to satisfy non-VTOL criterion?
A: No. The aircraft needs to exhibit forward takeoff roll and any obvious aiding by vertical lifting (VTOL or heli) will be deemed to have violated the non-VTOL criterion. It is not advisable to use a forward propeller that doesn’t contribute much to the takeoff/flying.
CATEGORY D
Q: Why are pure RC flights not included in Category D?
A: RC flight is included in Category C.
Q: Why are postgraduate students not allowed to participate in Category D?
A: This is to level the playing ground between polytechnic students and undergraduate students. Postgraduate students can however, participate in Category E (Open) Competition.
Q: Is the purchase of COTS (Commercial-off-the-shelf) components allowed?
A: Yes. However, a certain level of system integration needs to be demonstrated.
Q: Is there any judging weightage towards fly-by-video, semi-autonomous and autonomous?
A: Yes, flying autonomous will have more weightage over flying semi-autonomous, which in turn will have more weightage over fly-by-video.
Q: During fly-by-video, can the pilot seek assistance from callers on flight instruction?
A: No, it is not allowed.
Q: Will there be any training courses offered before the competition?
A: No, there will be no training courses.
Q: What are the estimated costs for participating in Category D?
A: There is a $100 registration fee to participate in this category. Other costs involved are the various components and sub-systems needed to develop the vehicle. To facilitate a potential participating team to make prudent financial assessment, a rough guideline for cost estimates is as follows:
a. Aerial vehicle: from $200 onwards
b. R/C Controller Set from $400 onwards
c. Datalink / Videolink from $200 onwards
d. Onboard camera: from $100 onwards
e. Servo from $50 onwards
f. Yaw gyro from $100 onwards
g. Onboard flight computer: from $1000 onwards
h. IMU: from $100 onwards
i. Extra sensor(s) for indoor navigation: depending on the choices from the teams
Q: Does the team need to follow a preset sequence of tasks?
A: No, the scoring system depends on the summation of marks from all the tasks the team has successfully fulfilled, regardless of sequence. The team can choose its own strategy to finish those tasks.
Q: Is it required for the flying machine to follow the strips and arrows on the ground during the mission?
A: No, the strips and arrows on the ground are designed to facilitate autonomous flying mode. For example, track the width of the strip from a downward looking camera to maintain the flying machine’s height.
Q: In the event of flying machine crash during the competition, how should the team proceed?
A: The site of the crash will be marked. If the team is able to fix the flying machine within its allowable time slot, the team can continue with the remaining tasks. All the previously conducted tasks will be recorded as part of the overall score. However, if the team thinks that the flying machine is beyond repair and wants to use a new flying machine, the team needs to starts the competition from the very beginning. All the previously conducted tasks will not be counted.
CATEGORY E
Q: Is novel design important? Is it ok to copy COTS or "known" design?
A: Yes, novel design is the main theme for Category E. We hope to use this category to encourage new concept(s) generated from known design. Teams must have their own design contribution (> 50%) in the fabrication of their prototype model instead of sending in “lock, stock and barrel” from a commercial product.
Q: What does "No flammable substances" mean? Is it ok to use paper, cloth or foam?
A: We are referring to substances that may self-combust, e.g. hydrogen gas. These exclude flammable materials such as paper, wood or foam.
Q: What are special stunts?
A: Special stunts are stunts not commonly / easily performed by conventional flying platforms. It is meant to showcase the unique flying capabilities of the unconventional design eg. perching, airframe-morphing, quick transition between hovering to forward flight during flight. Participant should bring along their own props when necessary. Special stunts must be made known to the organisers during presentation OR prior to the competition for safety approval.
Q: How big is the stunt area?
A: The stunt area is a combined area with the runway, with an overall area of 16 x 20m.
Q: Is the flying circuit mission and stunt performance mission conducted in a single challenge (within 10mins) or separate challenges (2 x 5mins)?
A: Both missions will be conducted in a single challenge within 10 minutes, whereby 5 minutes is allocated to circuit flying and another 5 minutes for stunt performance.
Q: Will more points be allocated if the team completed the flying circuit mission faster?
A: No, no bonus points will be allocated to team which completed the flying circuit mission faster.
Q: Can two pilots allowed to fly the flying machine, e.g. one for flying circuit mission and the other for stunt performance mission?
A: Yes, but only ONE RC controller is allowed to be used among the two pilots. Do note that the transition of handling over the controller to the other pilot requires some skill.
Q: Can the flying machine flies beyond the stunt area during the stunt performance mission?
A: No. However if you need more space for your flying machine, you can seek permission from SAFMC to use the flying circuit area but it is subjected to approval.
Q: Are we allowed to bring additional items into the competition?
A: Yes, you may only bring additional item(s) after seeking the approval from the organizing committee (during your project presentation) as the organizing committee needs to consider the safety and suitability of the item(s).
Q: What is the time interval between TWO attempts for Cat E available for the team to perform repairs and maintenance on their flying machines?
A: There will be at least 15 mins between two attempts.
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