----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Page <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
> DBF Q&A #7.
>
> I would like to remind all teams, especially ones new to the competition
> this year, to read the entire FAQ on the contest web site.  Many of the
> questions below are answered in more detail there.
>
> >Q: Our batteries arrived from the distributer without manufactures lables
on
> >them. Will this be a problem?  Do we need to find new batteries with
lables?
>
> A: Personally I haven't seen cells or packs without labels.  The best
thing
> to do in this case would seem to be to ask the supplier to provide you
with
> a statement of origin for the batteries, and bring this with you to the
> competition.  You could also return them and ask they send them back with
> appropriate labels if you wish.
>
> >Q: Our bottles are high density polythene, but are a dark brown
> >non-transparent.  Will this need to be changed?
>
> A: All the polyethylene bottles I've seen or in catalogs are a milky clear
> plastic.  If you can document they are indeed polyethylene then they are
> legal.  Again, a statement of origin or invoice documenting them would be
> helpful for the judges at the tech inspection.
>
> >Q: We would like to use a box to hold the water bottles to make loading
and
> >unloading easier.  Is this permitted or can we only remove the bottles
> >themselves from the airplane?
>
> A: This was considered a "confidential" idea going in to last years
> competition, but as teams who participated last year have already seen the
> idea of some type of "speed loader", I feel it is fair to bring it out in
> the open to all teams (new entries) this year.  Yes, a "device" to speed
> loading and/or contain the bottles in place in the aircraft is allowed as
> long as it flys with the airplane.
>
> >Q:  Can we use an arrester wire across the runway to stop the plane on
> >landing?
>
> A: No.
>
> >Q: How would the structural test be conducted for a multi-wing
> >configuration?  Will the airplane be lifted by one wing or ????
> >Q: If the airplane CG does not lie within the wing tip chord how will the
> >lift test be conducted?
>
> A: Again, there is more on this in the FAQ.  We will use the same approach
> as in past years.  For a bi- or tri- wing configuration you may lift from
> both (all) wings.  To assure even loading to both (all) wings you may use
a
> non-flying inter plain strut during the lift.  If the cg is outside the
> wing tip chord, a third lift point at either the nose or tail will be used
> holding only enough weight to balance the aircraft.
>
> >Q: The rules say the flight team is compesed of five people (pilot,
spotter,
> >3 ground handlers).  Where will these people be located when the airplane
> >is in
> >flight?  Will the spotter be next to our pilot?
>
> A: This is detailed quite a bit more in the FAQ.  The pilot and spotter
> will be the only people allowed on the runway during the flight.  The "pit
> crew" will be in a designated box, nominally at the edge of the runway,
and
> will be signaled by the judges when they may leave the box to begin
> servicing the payload.  The aircraft must come to a complete stop, and the
> motors be "safed" with the arming switch/fuse prior to beginning the
> payload change.
>
> >Q:  Will there be provisions for charging our batteries on the flight
line
> >or will the teams have to provide chagred batteries before the
competition
> >begins?  Will we need extra battery packs?
>
> A: There will be power available for battery charging in the pits.  You
> must bring your own chargers.  The batteries must be charged and installed
> before entering the airplane into the queue to await your flight time.
You
> must change out or recharge the batteries back in the pits before bringing
> the aircraft back to the line for your next flight attempt.  Remember, new
> this year is the requirement for multiple flights, as the scoring is the
> best three flights, so a  quick turnaround time will be a factor.
>
> >Q: How large will the distance from the flight line to the runway be?
> >Will ground time loading and unloading be counted against flight time?
When
> >will our ground crew be allowed to first touch the airplane after
landing?
>
> A: Nominally the "box" for the pit crew will be 50 to 75 feet from the
> start/stop line.  Time for the flight starts when the motor is started for
> the first take-off, and continues until the allotted time is used, or the
> aircraft can no longer make a flight.  More information on the flight
> procedures is in the rules and the FAQ.
>
> -Greg
> Gregory S. Page
> Formula 402
>
> email: [log in to unmask]
> Contest email: Include DBF in the subject line
> Contest web page: http://amber.aae.uiuc.edu/~aiaadbf
>