2011 Heli Specifications

[eta150]

clay, rubber, or metal balast is not allowed.
You must use either glue or tape for extra weight.

Are you serious? I was using clay!
Geez, I missed that...

[wlsguy]

If you metal is somewhere near the "functional component", it could be described as an attachment and permitted (rule 2b- line 4)

In any case, I do not think this was the intent. Previously in WS ballast could be added made of "any dense material".

I will submit a clarification and follow up.

Thanks,

[Ze_Duke101]

hello, just wondering, could I maybe use gears on the rotor?
gears, as in wooden gears...

[blue cobra]

clay, rubber, or metal balast is not allowed.
You must use either glue or tape for extra weight.

The rules only specify what materials may be used for the functional components, they do not specify what materials may be used for the non-functional components, so any material should be allowed as ballast. Clay has been allowed at both competitions I've been to.

[smartkid222]

Since the "any dense material may be used as ballast" line which they had in WS is not included in the helicopter rules and the topic not mentioned in the construction part, it can be argued that ballast is not allowed. That's weird because both at Div B and C states last year they made teams take off the clay.

[lllazar]

What difference does t make what we use for the ballast? Weight is weight, non?

[blue cobra]

What difference does t make what we use for the ballast? Weight is weight, non?

The difference is that since clay is not mentioned, like it was in WS, some event supervisors have made students remove the clay, which would cause their heli to be less than 4g, unless they have something else with them that can add enough weight.

[smartkid222]

What difference does t make what we use for the ballast? Weight is weight, non?

The difference is that since clay is not mentioned, like it was in WS, some event supervisors have made students remove the clay, which would cause their heli to be less than 4g, unless they have something else with them that can add enough weight.

I sent in a clarification to New York State and they responded back. Any dense material (such as clay) is allowed to be used as ballast(for Div C) in New York.

[blue cobra]

I sent in a clarification to the National site and they also responded that clay may be used.

[lllazar]

Awesomeee.