Section VIII – R/C Electric Special Events back to rules index page

Battery Rules for LMR and Texaco:-

The battery shall consist of seven NiCad or NiMh cells or two LiPoly cells with a manufacturer’s capacity of no more than 100 mAh per ¼ lb of model All Up Weight (AUW; weight ready to fly with battery).

Alternate batteries with different numbers of cells are permitted provided the capacity, in milli-amp hours, is less than:-

700 divided by the number of NiCad/NiMh cells or
200 divided by the number of Lithium chemistry cells( Per ¼ lb. of model AUW.)

NiCad/NiMh Examples:-

Eleven NiCad or NiMh cells of 500 mah marked capacity = 32 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)
Seven NiCad or NiMh cells of 800 mah marked capacity = 32 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)
Seven NiCad or NiMh cells of 1500 mah marked capacity = 60 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)

Lithium Chemistry Examples:-

Two Lithium chemistry cells of 800 mah marked capacity = 32 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)
Three Lithium chemistry cells of 800 mah marked capacity = 48 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)
Two Lithium chemistry cells of 1300 mah marked capacity = 52 oz model (minimum A.U.W.)
The manufacturer’s label, with the capacity specified, must either be clearly visible when installed in the model or the battery shall be removed from the model and presented for inspection by the CD prior to flight.

1E. Electric Limited Motor Run (ELMR) and
2E. Electric Texaco (ETEX):-

A. Model Requirements:-

1. Any Antique or Old Timer design as recognized in the “SAM Approved Designs List ~ Gas Models” may be flown in this event.
2. Unless stated otherwise, the model shall conform to all current SAM Radio Control Old Timer Rules.
3. Models must have a minimum wing loading of 8-oz. /sq. ft. of plan form wing area.

B. Batteries:- (Battery alternatives may also be selected from the linked table here )

1.Batteries shall consist of seven NiCad or NiMh cells or two Lithium chemistry cells with a manufacturer’s capacity of no more than 100 mah per ¼ lb. of model All Up Weight (AUW) ready to fly with battery.
2.Alternate batteries with different numbers of cell are permitted provided the capacity in mah is less than 700 divided by the number of NiCad or NiMh cells or 200 divided by the number of Lithium chemistry cells per ¼ lb. of model AUW. Alternate batteries may also be selected from this table; The table may be interpolated for models of different weights.
3.The manufacturer’s label with the capacity specified must either be clearly visible when installed in the model or the battery shall be removed from the model and presented for inspection by the CD prior to flight.

C. Motors:-

1. Any permanent magnet D.C. electric motor may be used. This includes brush less motors.
2. Motors may drive the propeller directly or indirectly via a (gear or belt) speed reduction drive.
3. Ferrite or non-ferrite magnet motors (i.e. Cobalt) may be used.

D. Power Control:-

1. Power flow from batteries to motor may be controlled by any method.
2. Power shut off by radio command must be demonstrated to the timer.

E. Propellers:-

1. Folding props may be used as long as they are restrained from folding in flight. Rationale: Since some landing gear designs support folding props while other do not, this rule maintains fairness, while allowing the use of folders which can be configured to fold only upon hitting a solid object, thus saving a motor shaft or gearbox from more serious damage.

2. Prop hubs that are partially cut through are not allowed.

F. General Flight Rules:-

1. Models must comply with all R/C LER rules, such as ROG, landing on field etc. unless otherwise noted.
2. Flight time is started at the moment the motor is switched on, or model is released for flight, and ended when the model touches the ground, or some stationary object on the ground.

1E. only - Electric Limited Motor Run (ELMR) Flight Rules:-

1. Standard motor run shall be a single continuous run time of 90 seconds for all motor types.
2.Maximum flight time shall be 10 minutes. This may be increased at the CD's discretion, depending on field and weather conditions.
3. Score the sum of the best 2 of 4 flights.

2E. only - Electric Texaco (ETEX) Flight Rules:-

1. There are no maximum motor run times. The motor may be stopped and started one or more times until the battery pack is exhausted.
2. Two flights allowed. Best single flight scores.
3. Maximum flight time is unlimited unless the CD places limits the day of the contest due to contest conditions or possible high number of frequency conflicts.

3E. Spirit of SAM (Electric Powered - Rubber Model Designs):-

A. Model Requirements:-

1. Any electric powered replica of a pre-1943 rubber model as recognized in the 'SAM Approved Designs List ~ Rubber Models, HL Glider and Towline Glider' may be flown in this event.
2. Unless stated otherwise, the model shall conform to current SAM R/C Old Timer Rules.
3. Scaling is permitted. There are no wing loading or weight requirements.
4. All models shall have landing gear. Landing gear shall be added to models designed without landing gear. A two-wheel gear may replace a one-wheel gear. Dropping gear is not permitted.

B. Batteries:-

1. NiCad batteries only, not to exceed 45 grams (1.6 oz) as removed for weighing. The battery pack must be removable for weighing by the CD.

C. Motors:-

1. Any electric motor(s) may be used.
2. The motor(s) may drive the propeller(s) by any mechanical means.
3. Propellers may fold.

D. Power Control:-

1. Power flow from the batteries to motor(s) may be controlled by any means
2. Power shut off by radio command must be demonstrated to the timer.

E. General Flight Rules:-

1. Models must comply with all R/C LER rules, such as ROG, landing on field, etc. unless otherwise noted.
2. Flight time starts when the motor is switched on and the model is released for flight. Flight time ends when the model touches the ground or some object on the ground.

1. There are no maximum motor run times. The motor may be started, controlled and stopped one or more times at the pilot's discretion.
2. Model must ROG (Rise Off Ground) unassisted.
3. No maximum flight time
4. Three flights are allowed. Two flights are required to achieve a score. The SECOND longest flight counts.

Events for Electric Powered - Rubber model designs

Electric Limited motor Run (ELMR)

1. Any electric powered replica of a pre-1943 rubber model, described as a Wakefield, in the: 'SAM Approved Designs List ~ Rubber Models, HL Glider and Towline Glider'.
2. No Scaling is allowed.
3. Motors are limited to the Graupner Speed 300 or 280 Ferrite models.
4. Seven (7) minute 'Max', maximum flight time.

A. General rules for Rubber Wakefield class:-

1. No modifications allowed to the motors other than timing advance.
2. No restrictions on props or gear boxes.
3. Props may fold.
4. Models must ROG unless field or weather conditions dictate otherwise.
5. Battery power is limited to 7 or less NiCad or NiMH, or two Lithium Chemistry cells of
any capacity.(this clause updated 21-Jan-2010 via DaveH)
6. Motor run is limited to a single continuous run time of 60 seconds.
7. Score the sum of best 2 of 3 flights.

5E. Speed 400 LMR Event:-

1.Models may be based on any approved SAM Old Timer gas model airplane. Scaling is allowed. There is a 16 oz. minimum weight requirement. By rule, North American Old Timer designs are limited to Dec. 31, 1942 and older.
2.Thrust will be provided by a non-folding, non-metal propeller of any size driven directly (i.e., no reduction drives) by a Graupner Speed 400 6-volt permanent magnet ferrite motor without ball bearings. After purchase, motor timing adjustments are allowed. To prevent damage to the motor, folding propellers may be used provided they are locked in the fixed position for normal flight.
3.The battery may be six NiCad cells or six NiMh cells, or two Lithium chemistry cells of any capacity with manufacturer’s label clearly visible.
4.The power to the motor must be radio controlled but may be on/off or ESC.
5.Flights may be hand launched with the landing area determined by field rules.
6.The motor may be run only during the first 180 seconds of the flight; Any running of the motor afterwards results in a zero score for that flight. This time may be changed at the discretion of the CD.
7.The model’s score is the sum of the best two of four 15 minute max flights.

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