2026-2027 RULES PROPOSALS
Competitions/Technical
By JC Zankl, Competitions and Technical Director | johnz@modelaircraft.org
The 2025 rules proposals cycle is in full swing. Initial voting began on April 15. In this cycle, we ended up with 22 approved rules proposals. Those select contest boards have reviewed and voted on those proposals. Those that passed the initial voting are as follows:
CL Combat Summary of the Proposed Change: In order to improve safety in high-performance Control Line (CL) Combat events, a rules proposal to require helmets and to increase the line size and pull test is proposed. Such a proposal would bring consistency with other international rules and keep with the increased performance of modern combat equipment. Note that /although these actions are related to safety, they are improvements to keep up with equipment improvements.
CL Scale Summary of the Proposed Change: Simplify the requirements for Static Judging of Event 526 Fun Scale. This revision would award 10 static points to contestants who show documentation of outline and color resembling the subject aircraft or similar aircraft of the era. Published three-views, with or without color, markings, or box-top renditions, are acceptable for documentation. Color and markings do not have to be specific to the model presented. That is all that is required to receive the full 10 static points.
Indoor Free Flight #1 Summary of the Proposed Change: Elimination of wording limiting the maximum number of models that can be entered and flown in a contest for Indoor FF events 212, 218, 219, and 228.
Indoor Free Flight #2 Summary of the Proposed Change: Revise Manhattan Cabin rules to make “the best single of five flights” the only scoring method permitted.
RC Soaring #1 Summary of the Proposed Change: For the purpose of national records, it is best that competitors are clear on the measurement units required for records before making attempts. The proposed change makes it clear that for RC Soaring closed-course distance records, the units are to be in kilometers and not miles.
RC Soaring #2 Summary of the Proposed Change: Adding a category covering mixed launch for Thermal Duration and F3L through F5L competition. This will allow mixed-launched competitions because many clubs have lower participation during single-category contests. In a competition where different classes are flown at the same time, it is important to have as equal a launch as possible. Although it is nearly impossible because of varying wind conditions, this is a suggestion to be added as an addendum to the general Soaring rules.
Outdoor Free Flight #6 Summary of the Proposed Change: For the E-36 Electric event, change the battery required to lithium only.
Outdoor Free Flight #8 Summary of the Proposed Change: For the A-Electric, B-Electric, and E-36 events, it is proposed to change the motor runs and flight maximums to be the same as the current AMA Category III gas power events. The first three flights would reduce the current 10-second motor run to 7 seconds with 2-minute maxes. The next two flights would require 5-second motor runs with 2-minute maxes. Starting with the sixth flight, the motor runs would be 4 seconds with 2-1/2-minute maxes.
The cross proposals period began on May 31 and ran through July 15. The interim voting ballots will be sent on August 1.
If you are interested in viewing these rules proposals in full detail, please visit www.modelaircraft.org/competition-resources/rules-regulations/rules-prop....
