Preamble
Contest Rules Index
Free Flight Rules
Radio Control
Concours
SAM Champs
SAM Awards and Perpetual Trophies

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Preamble

The competition flying of free flight and R/C model aircraft of vintage design is intended to be casual, enjoyable and interesting for both competitor and spectator alike. It is neither desired to advance the state-of-the-art of aeromodeling, per se, other than to increase participation in the sport generally, nor to reprove that which is already recorded in aeromodeling history books.

The intent of these rules is to categorize the basic types of vintage models and establish an equitable and simple framework of regulations for competition purposes.

Therefore, model designs that revolutionized flight competition and necessitated the formation of two basic classifications, “Antique” and “Old Timer” are expected to compete in the Old Timer Events.

Contest Rules Index

Free Flight Rules  

Section I – Free Flight Definitions and Basic Regulations

A. Categories
B. Gas Powered categories:
C. Non-Gas Powered categorized
D. Antique models & Old Timer Models – defined
E. Authentication of Design
F. “Builder Of The Model Rule"
G. Thermal detection devices
H. Free Flight Grand Champion
I. Championship points.  

Section II- Free Flight Gas Models

A. Competition Categories ~ Basic Events (Gas)
1. Antique:
2. Old Timer:
B. Power and Classes
1. Original Ignition
2. Diesels:
3. Glow Engines:
4. Classes of Old Timers:

C. Gas Powered Competition ~ Basic Events

D. Gas Powered Competition Rules

1. Fuel, Ignition engine shut-off, Diesel shutoffs
2. & 3. Design modifications
4. 30-Second Antique models
5. Engine runs for Old Timers
6. Fuel Allotment allowances
7. Number of models allowed per event
8. An official flight - defined

Section III - Free Flight Gas ~ Special Events

1. 1/2A Texaco
2. Gas Scale
3. Old ruler
4. Post ’42 Event
5. Replica .020 Power
6. Texaco

Section IV – Rubber Powered Models - Basic Events

A. Classes

1. Large Rubber
2. Small Rubber
3. Wakefield
4. Four Ounce Wakefield
5. Eight Ounce Wakefield

B. Propeller and Power and Wing Loading

1. Modifications

C. Rubber Powered Competition - BasicEvents

Section V - Hand Launched Glider - Basic Event

 Section VI - Free Flight Rubber-Special Events

1. Classic Wakefield
2. Commercial Rubber
3. Jimmie Allen
4. Rubber Scale
a. Propellers
b. Judging
c. Scaling
d. Flying
e. Awarding Points For Placement
5. Twin Pusher

Section VII – Catapult and Towline Launch Glider

1. Catapult Glider
2. Towline Glider

Section VIII – Free Flight Records

Section IX – Free Flight Safety

Section X – Binoculars

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Section I - Aircraft Definitions

 A. Categories J. Engine Displacement
B. Antique-Definitions K Modifications
C. Old Time-Definitions L Autopilots.
D. Basic Events M Launching
E. Authentication of Designs N. Flying Wings
F. Fidelity of Designs O. Scaling
G. R/C Gas models P. Engine cut-offs
H. Builder of Model Rule Q. Propellers
I. Wing loading

Section II - Engine Definitions

A. Engine Types
B. Ignition engines
C. Converted Ignition engines
D. Cross Scavenged Glow and Diesels
E. Schnuerle Glow and Diesels
F. 1/2A Texaco engines
G. Engine Classes
H. Four Cycle Engines
I. Mufflers
J. Engines ~ Others
K. Replica engines
L. Engines ~ Basic Events

Section III - Fuels

A. Ignition engine fuel
B. Diesel & Glow fuel
C. 1/2A Texaco fuel

Section IV - Events Definitions

A. Event descriptions
B. Basic Events, Scoring
C. Engine Run Times
D. Run time measurements
E. Texaco event fuel allotment
F. Fuel Allotment by model weight

Section V - Contest Procedures

Section VI - Basic Event Summaries 

Section VII - Basic Event Specifications

Section VIII - Special Events - Engine Powered and Glider

Section IX - Special Events - Electric Powered

1e. Electric - Limited Motor Run (ELMR)
2e. Electric - Texaco (ETEX)
3e. Spirit of SAM (Electric-Rubber model designs - (SOS)
4e. Electric - Wakefield (Electric-Rubber model designs - (EW)
5e. Electric: Rubber - Unlimited (Electric-Rubber model designs - (ERU)

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Jim Adams Memorial SPIRIT of SAM CONCOURS

Concours d'Elégance special event for display of SAM era models

SAM Champs

THE SAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The SAM Championship, commonly known as the SAM Champs, is an annual weeklong event based on the original Nationals (Nat's) annual events held during the Golden Age of Aeromodeling in the 1930's and 40's. It is with this spirit of competition that the men and women of SAM gather annually to relive the nostalgia and good times of days gone by.

The rules within this booklet are offered to provide guidelines for the building, flying and competition of the SAM era models. Strict adherence to the rules is expected at the SAM Champs. However, there are hundreds of old time models that fly at SAM regional events and local flying fields where the contents contained herein are used as a basic guideline for more relaxed flying events.

The SAM Champs location is rotated on an annual basis between large flying sites available on the east and the west coast. The primary location on the east coast is the AMA ( Academy of Model Aeronautics) headquarters located in Muncie, Indiana. The west coast location can vary depending on availability.

SAM members come from all over the world to attend this unique event and participate in the flying, the camaraderie and the fun times crammed within the weeklong festivity. While old time models and flying are the primary activity the off moments are filled with on-field vendor booths, photo opportunities, bean feeds, banquets, swap meets, a membership business meeting, awards banquet, receptions, cocktail parties, a Concours de Elegance display of the finest models, and Ladies of SAM events.

The Free Flight and the R/C flying areas are separated on the same field dependent upon wind direction. Vehicle parking is done adjacent to each Free Flight or R/C flying area.

Non-SAM members are welcome to attend and join in on the festivities. A contestant is required to be a SAM member. U.S. and Foreign entries must be accompanied by proof of AMA, Canadian MAAC or other national MAC and SAM Membership. Foreign entries (except for MAAC members) will require affiliate membership in AMA ($28.00) for Insurance purposes prior to start of competition.

Keep 'em Flying !

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THE SAM CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Presentation plaques will be awarded to the SAM Champs winners at the farewell Banquet and Award Ceremony.

Honorary Perpetual Trophy awards will be presented at the final evenings farewell Banquet and Award Ceremony. The winners will receive a presentation plaque in recognition of their win of the Perpetual Trophy. The trophies are quite large and will be retained on permanent display at the AMA museum. Award winners will have their name and year of winning engraved on a permanent plaque attached to the trophy.  

Jim Adams Memorial Spirit of SAM Concours

Colin Borthwick Memorial trophy for Spirit of SAM - Electric RC-rubber model

Dick Huang Memorial trophy for Electric R/C High Time

Jim Adams Memorial Spirit of SAM Concours

Colin Borthwick Memorial trophy for Spirit of SAM - Electric RC-rubber model

Dick Huang Memorial trophy for Electric R/C High Time