Timing Data
- 30.1 Timers
- In all events for which a time-of-flight value must be scored, one or more timers with stopwatches shall be stationed in a timing area(s) adjacent to the range head and shall not leave the designated timing area(s) in order to keep the entry in sight.
NARAM will provide one timer for each contest flight. Additional timers may be provided by the meet or the contestant. Timer(s) may not use optical aids other than sunglasses and/or eyeglasses to correct to normal vision.
- 30.3.1
- Stopwatches used for timing must have a minimum resolution of 1/10th second; must have (at a minimum) start, stop, and reset capabilities. If a stopwatch is stopped, it must be capable of being restarted without being reset.
- 30.3.2
- A stopwatch with split-time or lap accumulate capabilities (i.e., one which continues to record time internally after being stopped; and which can display at any time, the total elapsed time) may be used for competition, provided that if it is used to time one entry, it must be available for use to time any other entry.
- 30.4 Timed Interval
- All entries must be timed from the instant of first motion on the launcher until the entry or portion to be scored for time of flight touches the ground or is stopped by a ground-based object. If the entry drifts out of sight in the sky, each timer(s) must stop their watches individually when they lose sight of the entry. As specified in Rule 1.2 – Model Rocket, motors, recovery system protectors, and wadding are not to be timed.
- 30.5 Separation
- Unless specifically allowed by the rules of that event, no timed entry may separate into two or more unattached parts, or eject its motor.
- 30.6 Visual Interference
- If an entry drifts behind an object and is not clearly visible, the timer(s) must stop their watch(es). Sufficient time shall be given to enable the entry to reappear and the timer(s) to restart their watch(es). Stopping and restarting of a stopwatch may occur as needed during the course of an entry’s flight.
- 30.7 Recording Data
- Data must be recorded to the accuracy of the stopwatch for all timed flights, including those flights that may be disqualified. This permits the timing data to be available in case the disqualification ruling is later reversed.
- 30.8 Averaging
- To arrive at an entry’s official score:
- Compute the average of all recorded stopwatch timing data per Rule 30.7 – Recording Data. Do not round the timing data before averaging.
- Round the resulting average data (time) to the nearest whole number of seconds.
- Fractions of a second less than 0.5 must be rounded down to the next lower second.
- Fractions of a second equal to or greater than 0.5 must be rounded up to the next higher second.
- 30.9 Return
- Unless otherwise specified by the rules of the event or for reason of safety per Rule 9.10 – Impound, the competitor need not return an entry to a contest official.
- 30.10 Malfunction
- When a malfunction of a stopwatch or a timer occurs such that any elapsed time measurement is not available, the elapsed time(s) recorded by the remaining timer(s) must be used as the official time. When all stopwatches or timers malfunction, the flight will not be considered an official flight unless the flight is disqualified on other grounds. Alternately, at the option of the competitor, he/she may choose to consider the flight as an official flight with a time of zero; in which case the flight cannot place but is eligible for flight points at NARAM; except in an event where the score is the sum of several factors, in which case the flight must be scored as having a time of zero.
- 30.11 NARAM Multi-Round Events
- Any of these events may be flown as a multi-round event at NARAM:
- Parachute Duration
- Streamer Duration
- Helicopter Duration
- Boost Glider Duration
- Rocket Glider Duration
- Flex Wing Boost Glider Duration
- 30.11.1 Number of Flights/Rounds
- A multi-round event is comprised of three flights or rounds. Each competitor is allowed three official flights in a multi-round event- one flight in each round. Should there be a tie for first place after three rounds are completed, there shall be a one fly-off round to break the tie.
- 30.11.2 Number of Models
- For the purpose of making a flight in the first three rounds, a competitor may enter no more than two (2) entries except as stated in Rule 11.5 – Catastrophic Failure. In the event of a tie after three (3) rounds are completed and a fly-off is held, one (1) additional entry may be entered.
- 30.11.3 Maximum Time
- The official duration of each flight must be calculated as follows: if the duration achieved exceeds the maximum time limit defined for that flight, the entry must be awarded the maximum time limit; otherwise the entry must be awarded its achieved duration in seconds. Timers may stop timing the flight after it has achieved the maximum time per Rule 30.6 – Visual Interference.
- 30.11.4 Scoring
- Multi-round events must be scored as follows: the official durations achieved by the competitor on their initial three official flights in the event must be summed. If there is no tie for first place, then the competitor achieving the highest score is the winner. If there is a tie, competitors for first place must be given the opportunity to make an additional official flight (fly-off) to determine the winner. The fly-off round will have no maximum time limit. Second through tenth places must be distributed first among the other competitors in the fly-off, and then among any other competitors having made qualified flights, on the basis of total computed score.
- 30.11.5 Return
- The entries in multi-round duration events need not be returned to the officials except as required by Rules 9.10 – Impound and/or 30.11.2 – Number of Models.