Section I - Introduction-- The L.E.S. Flight Achievement Program is a
multi-level program for electric-powered duration models. L.E.S. is totally apolitical.
One does not join L.E.S. but rather qualifies for membership by achieving Level I in the
Flight Achievement Program. Section II - Launching -- Motors and power
systems are normalized by the use of an altitude limiter for motor power. Any limiter is
permitted as long as it can reliably turn off the motor at a required altitude. Should
motor be turned on again during that flight, there will be no flight achievement
recognized; including spot landing.
Section III -- Motor Altitude Limited to a maximum of 400 feet above ground level
or 30 seconds of motor run time which ever occurs first. In lieu of an altitude
limiter, motor runtime is limited to 20 seconds.
Section IV -- Witnesses -- One witness is required for Levels I and II; two
witnesses are required above Level II. Official witness for competition is the Contest
Director or Official Scorer.
Section V -- Procedure -- Attempts for any Level can commence only after the
relevant voucher is received. A single performance may be used for more than one task on a
given voucher but not on more than one voucher.
Section VI - Thermal Flights -- Timing of a thermal flight begins when the motor
is switched off and concludes when the model touches the ground. Slope lift is not to be
used during thermal flights. No two thermal flights can occur on any given day. No parts
may be jettisoned after launch.
Section VII -- Precision Spot Landings -- For spot landing credit, the distance is
measured from circle center to any part of the model, providing the model does not rest
inverted or has lost parts. There are to be no ground arresting functions on the model
such as skegs to stop the normal landing of the model. For landing attempts, motors
are to run a minimum of 10 seconds. The powered portion of the flight is to attain
altitude, not to align the model with the landing spot; i.e., on no part of the powered
portion of the flight is the model directed toward the landing spot.
Section VIII -- Goal and Return Flight -- Model must be flown over the release
point after the motor has been switched off, flown past a predesignated goal at the
required straight-line distance (0.5 miles for Level III), and return to land within 100
yards of the release point. The attempt is terminated if the power is switched back on.
Section IX -- Competition -- For competition credit, the tasks must have an
altitude limited motor run, and have three or more opportunities to score. At least five
contests are required for each appropriate Level but more contests may be necessary.
Points are attained by the following formula:
(Participant's score/Winning score) x 100 x (Number of entrants - Participant's
position + 1)
Example: Participant score was 523 points
Winning score was 625 points
There were 6 entrants
Participant's position was 2nd
(523/625)x100x(6-2+1)=418
Section X -- Flight Achievement Level Requirements
I Two 10-minute thermal flights
Ten spot landings within 10 feet of a mark
II Two 15-minute thermal flights
Ten spot landings within 5 feet of a mark
Competition performance - at least 5 entrants resulting in 1
place or 2,000 pts. ("Place" will be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd only.)
III Two 30-minute thermal flights
0.5-mile Goal and Return Flight
Competition performance - at least 5 entrants resulting in 2
places or 3,500 pts.
IV Two 45-minute thermal flights
0.75-mile Goal and Return Flight
Competition performance - at least 7 entrants resulting in 1
win and 2 places or 5,000 pts.
V One 1-hour thermal flight
1.0-mile Goal and Return Flight
Competition performance - at least 10 entrants resulting in
3 wins or 8,000 pts.
VI - Two 1-hour thermal flights
2.0 mile Goal and Return Flight
Competition performance - at least 10 entrants resulting in
3 wins and 8,000 pts. |