BMFA University & Schools Challenge
2010 Heavy Lift& Electric Lift Challenge
We are pleased to announce the launch of the British Model Flying Association 2010 University and Schools Challenges
The British Model Flying Association is the United Kingdom’s National Governing Body for the sport of model aircraft flying and one of its major aims is to increase interest in aviation and engineering through education.
The Heavy Lift and Electric Lift Challenges are competitions which require students to design, build and fly load-carrying model aircraft, piloted by radio control. These competitions have evolved to stretch the abilities of participating students and there is no doubt the development of a good model requires each team to display design flair, technical knowledge and teamwork. Judging is by a panel of professional engineers and the competition has attracted very favourable comment from university external examiners.
We are now planning our 15th competition and we invite you to enter teams in the 2010 Challenge which will be held over the weekend of 12th and 13th of June 2010, once again at the Yorkshire Air Museum (Saturday) and Elvington Airfield (Sunday).
Both competitions have undergone further development for 2010 in order to make them more relevant in terms of application and the equipment used, the enclosed brochures set out the rules for both competitions. Those teams who have entered previously will note the change of payload in the Electric Lift competition and also the move to exclusive use of 2.4GHz radio equipment for model control.
Entry is free and there are substantial cash prizes awarded to the winning team members and their university/school department. Simply complete the entry form on the final page of the appropriate brochure and post or Email to me at the address above to register your entry(s) by the 30th of January 2010.
In addition to the two challenges this year sees the introduction of a “Video Diary” competition for teams to participate in. Cash prizes will be awarded to the members of the team who submit the best diary of their participation in the Heavy Lift competitions, a separate rules sheet is enclosed for this element of the competition.
I look forward to meeting your teams at the 2010 Challenge; in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information or assistance.
Rules and Entry Forms
Electric Challenge Rules | Electric challenge Entry Form
Heavy Lift Challenge rules | HL Challenge Entry Form
Introduction
The scheme was created with a view to getting students involved in aeromodelling, whilst also providing an ideal component for part of their course – the synergy between the two means that those entering complete various aspects of their academic requirements, whilst enjoying the process of model aircraft construction, right from “problem definition” to (hopefully) seeing their creation fly and perform its tasks.
There follows some words by Sir Michael Alcock, which set the scene.
"My career in aviation spans some 48 years, beginning with a 5 year apprenticeship at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough and leading on to 37 years in the Royal Air Force until the present. In all that time I have found numerous instances amongst my contemporaries that leads me to conclude that a good grounding in aviation begins with a sound understanding of the principles of flight. And the best way to achieve that understanding is through the fascination of designing, building and flying model aircraft.
I can think of many famous names amongst the pioneers of aviation who began with a love of model aircraft but none more so than the man who was arguably the greatest innovator of modern aviation, Frank Whittle. It was Frank Whittle who invented the turbo jet engine without which aviation and air travel today would be a very different business. As a young man Whittle was forever experimenting with models, an interest that surely had something to do with his own quest to find ways of fundamentally overcoming the limitations of propeller driven power plants. His life and work as an aeronautical engineer of great distinction is reason enough to inspire anyone to at least take a leaf out of his book and learn from model aviation.
Everyone needs a challenge. The Heavy Lift Challenge poses both intellectual and practical challenges. By any stretch of the imagination, designing a unique aircraft to meet the stringent specifications is a challenge to the intellect, to understand the aerodynamic principles and to optimise the various performance characteristics to give the best result. And it is certainly a practical challenge to construct the aircraft with sufficient strength and reliability to perform the contest flights in any weather.
As a life long aeromodeller I can think of no better practical challenge than the BMFA/BAE SYSTEMS Heavy Lift Challenge to inspire understanding and innovation in the science of aeronautics. "
President,
British Model Flyers Association
A report on the 2008 challenge..
A report on the 2006 challenge...
A report on the 2004 Challenge