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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0122.PDF
FEBRUARY 27, 1909. FRENCH COMPETITION RULES OF THE C.A.M. THE Commission Aerienne Mixte have just published in book form their official rules relating to competitions and trials in that sphere of aeronautics over which they exercise jurisdiction in France, and we publish below a translation of the more important section which relates to the actual organisation of these events. The general rules and regulations are of less widespread interest, inasmuch as they mainly refer to such matters as that programmes of competitions must expressly mention the recognition by the organisers of the rules of the C.A.M. and F.A.I., that competitors must not employ pseudonyms without permission, that adherents to the F.A.I, have a right of appeal to that body, that the C.A.M. decide the eligibility of competitors, and like matters, so far as they concern events taking place in France. There are four recognised classes in which machines can take part in official trials; each class has its own set of special rules and the classes are as follows :— Class A, dirigibles ; Class B, motor-driven flying machines ; Class C, flying machines without a motor; Class D, kites and unmounted machines. The following are the special rules relating to each class :— CLASS A.—Dirigibles. 1. Competitions.—Dirigibles belonging to Class A will be con- sidered as those machines which do not rely exclusively upon mechanical means for their support, and in the ensemble of which any gas whatever is used, either temporarily or permanently, for the purposes of support. 2. Distances will be measured :— Up to 5 Idioms, by such means as the officials consider proper. From S to 50 kiloms. on an Ordnance Map scale 3-5^17. Over 50 kiloms. on a globe at sea-level. 3. Speed Trials.—Speed trials consist of making the greatest possible velocity in respect to still air. This real speed may be measured directly or indirectly. Manoeuvring at the start and finish is not included. 4. The direct measurements of real speed must be made by methods and instruments certified by the C.A.M. Self-recording instruments must be submitted with unbroken seals, and instruments which need operation by hand must be in charge of an official on board. 5. Indirect measurements of real speed will not take into account observations of the state of the wind, but will be deduced from a sufficient number of observations of the absolute speed. To this end, the trials may be made with and against the wind, across the wind, and over a closed circuit, in particular a square. A programme must be drawn up indicating the site for operations,-and must specify the disposition and distance apart of the mark-posts which determine the course. 6. In speed trials classification by absolute speed is permitted, and awards may be allotted on this classification, but the deduced speed in relation to still air must be the basis of any special awards. 7. Trials of absolute speed must always take place over a closed circuit. 8. In such trials the following classes are recognised : — (1.) Limited cubic capacity with unlimited engine power. (2.) Limited engine power with unlimited cubic capacity. (3.) Limited power and capacity. 9. Descents with and without replenishment are authorised, but replenishments may only take place at points fixed in advance. 10. Records.—No record will be registered other than those recognised by the C.A.M. 11. Applications for registration of records must be accompanied by all the calculations. 12. Records established in connection with competitions must be visecd by an official at the trial when sent in for registration. Records established apart from a competition must be accompanied by authentic certificates relating to the event. 13. Records recognised at the present time are as follows :— (1.) Real speed (in respect to still air). (2.) Absolute speed from point to point. (3.) Absolute speed for a return journey. (4.) Absolute speed over an open polygon. (5.) Absolute speed over a closed circuit. (6.) Distances run to a certain destination (with or without descent). (7.) Distance run over a return journey (with or without descent). (8.) Distance run over an open polygon (with or without descent). (9.) Distance run on a closed circuit (with or without descent). (10.) Duration of journey. (11.) Altitude. 14. Time occupied in descents will be included in the record. CLASS B.—Motor-Driven Flying-Machines. 1. Competitors must personally insure the attendance of one or more officials, chosen from a list approved by the C.A.M., at any trial which they undertake. The oldest official present is respon- sible for the organisation of the trial and for the choice of the attendants necessary for its control. He can be assisted by officials- chosen among members of societies affiliated to one or other of the four associations represented on the C.A.M. 2. When necessary, the C.A.M. may delegate its authority in connection with a trial to a society which is affiliated to one or other of the four associations represented by the C.A.M. 3. Entries will not be accepted unless the entrant gives sufficient evidence of previous satisfactory performances. 4. The C.A.M. or its representative must agree as to the trial ground and general rules in all cases. 5. The responsible official has authority on the trial ground within the limits of the rules in force. He has always the right to refuse to hold a trial, or to stop one already in progress. 6. In competitions and records which partly take place out of sight of the officials, competitors must provide control devices, which must be certified by an official. The C.A.M. reserves the right to specify the type of these devices, or to pass those submitted by the competitors. Should such devices not work properly, the official can cancel part or all of the trial. 7. Courses must be marked out as follows :—Circuits which have to be covered a certain number of times must be of polygon form and without re-entrant angles. The angles of the circuit must be indicated by posts or ballonettes. Competitors must pass outside the marks and leave them always on the same hand. Should a competitor foul a mark, he can continue only on the condition that he first circles the mark which he has fouled. Courses which are not closed must be marked at the beginning and end by a couple of posts or ballonrtteB, between which the competitor must pass. Should the competitor foul the marks he may only continue on the condition that he first circles them. 8. Closed circuits will have an official length equal to the sum of the sides as represented by straight lines joining the posts iu sequence. Open courses will have an official length equal to the straight line distance between the start and finish. 9. Distances up to 5 kiloms. may be measured by the officials in such manner as seems to them best. From 5 to 50 kiloms. the distances must be measured en an ordnance map having a scale of is-simr- Distances above 50 kiloms. will be measured on a globe at sea-level. 10. A report of the trial must mention all important incidents connected therewith, and specify the conditions under which it was carried out; it must be accompanied by a plan of the course, and a table of times, distances, names of witnesses, and details of breaches of rules, if any. A report must be sent to the C.A.M. immediately after the trial. 11. Competitors must give 24 hours' notice of their intention to make a trial, and must send the entrance fee, if any, at the same time. The entrant must specify the day and hour for the trial ; also the names of the officials whom he has personally enlisted in hisservice. CLASS C—Flying Machines Without a Motor. 1. These rules apply to machines designed to effect glides without engines. The machines may be mounted or unmounted, and the trials in each case will be considered separately. 2. Mounted gliders can only be admitted for trial on sufficient evidence of previous satisfactory experiments. 3. In each specific class of trial a distinction will be made between records and competitions. 4. The three following trials are admitted for records :— (1.) Glides of gradual descent. (2.) Trials of sustaining power. (3.) Trials of load-weight ratio. 5. Glides of gradual descent must be effected at a maximum angle to the horizontal of 40°. Records will be established 124
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