I'm with a Giant Scale club that has been hosting Giant Scale events for the last 32 years. We used to be under the AMA Special Interest Group (SIG) IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association) until it was dissolved 3 years ago.
Under IMAA, Giant Scale aircraft were defined as:
Monoplanes - 80" wingspan and above
Multi-winged planes - 60" wingspan and above
Jets - 140" or more combined wingspan and fuselage length
Planes could be smaller IF they were at least 1/4 scale of an actual human carrying aircraft.
Now there is no definition of what constitutes a Giant Scale aircraft in AMA rules or classifications. Most Giant Scale events are Class C non-competition Fun Flys. For our next event in August we have followed the old IMAA standard guidance with one exception. For jets we are saying 130" combined wingspan and fuselage length.
Now Motion RC has a jet that falls under our definition of Giant Scale, that being the new 80mm A-10.
Since there is not currently any "Official" organizational definition, maybe it's time to update the criteria to be more inclusive of current manufacturing measurements standards. In addition, if done right, it could increase event participation by those that would be excluded under the old IMAA standards.
Suggested updated standards could look like this:
1) Monoplanes - 2m (78 3/4") excluding sailplanes and powergliders
2) Multi-winged planes - 1.5m (59 1/16")
3) Jets - 3.2m (126") combined wingspan and fuselage length
4) Sailplanes and Powergliders - 3m (118").
These new standards would allow companies like Motion RC and others to now enter into the Giant Scale market. If there is sufficient support by AMA members and the RC industry, it could become the new standard.
What are your thoughts and input?
Under IMAA, Giant Scale aircraft were defined as:
Monoplanes - 80" wingspan and above
Multi-winged planes - 60" wingspan and above
Jets - 140" or more combined wingspan and fuselage length
Planes could be smaller IF they were at least 1/4 scale of an actual human carrying aircraft.
Now there is no definition of what constitutes a Giant Scale aircraft in AMA rules or classifications. Most Giant Scale events are Class C non-competition Fun Flys. For our next event in August we have followed the old IMAA standard guidance with one exception. For jets we are saying 130" combined wingspan and fuselage length.
Now Motion RC has a jet that falls under our definition of Giant Scale, that being the new 80mm A-10.
Since there is not currently any "Official" organizational definition, maybe it's time to update the criteria to be more inclusive of current manufacturing measurements standards. In addition, if done right, it could increase event participation by those that would be excluded under the old IMAA standards.
Suggested updated standards could look like this:
1) Monoplanes - 2m (78 3/4") excluding sailplanes and powergliders
2) Multi-winged planes - 1.5m (59 1/16")
3) Jets - 3.2m (126") combined wingspan and fuselage length
4) Sailplanes and Powergliders - 3m (118").
These new standards would allow companies like Motion RC and others to now enter into the Giant Scale market. If there is sufficient support by AMA members and the RC industry, it could become the new standard.
What are your thoughts and input?
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