This year it will be the 11th edition of the Vest Pokal. After 2013 it will be the second time run as the German Open F3K. It is also part of the Contest Eurotour, the FAI World Cup and is the first qualifying event for the german national team 2019. The online registration will start next week. I'll inform you in this thread when the registration is open. The biggest change in terms of rules and regulations is the mandatory labelling for model aircrafts in Germany. The owner of a model airplane or of an unmanned aerial system, each with a take-off mass of more than 0.25 kilograms, must place his name and address visible in a permanent and fire-resistant lettering on the aircraft before first-time operation. I think the competitors from previous years will agree, that chances are quite high, that we will have weather conditions requiring models with a flying weight of more than 250g. So you better prepare, as will have to check this. Here is the interpretation of visible, permanent and fire resistant we use at our field: visible - visible from the outside without the need to take of a cover (i.e. canopy). Behind a clear transparent servo cover would be ok. permanent - glued, screwed or riveted to the model. Hook an loop tape is not permanent. fire resistent - aluminium or other metal. Paper or Foil is not ok. Here are some sources for metal shields: http://shop.vth.de/modellbauzubehor/...ein-5-stk.html https://www.shop.deutscher-modellfli...05&t=3&c=6&p=6 If you need help sourcing the labels send a message to vestpokal (at) web.de See you in Herten! Cheers Ulrich
We've had some questions about the mandatory labelling and there were also some discussion on this subject on the social media. Thanks to all who put this matter into perspective. This subject has nothing to do with the competition. It is german law and it is the pilot's responsibility that his model is marked in the descibed way if it is more than 250g. But also we as a club, in person me as the CD, are responsible to check, that the models used on our field meet the requirements by law, in order not to risk our approval as a model airfield. Trust me, I hate this rule more than you do, as it means more work for me. There were some doubts, that glueing the nameplate to the outside of the model could be seen as ballast on the outside of the model. This would mean, that most of the DLGs would have been equipped with two illegal pieces of ballast attached to the underside of the wings for years. The nameplate ist defintely no ballast and it is is perfectly ok to glue it to the outside of the model. And to put some tape on top of it to minimise the aerodynamic effect is also ok. I just used the example with the nameplate under a transparant servocover because I find it very elegant. I hope that this rule doesn't keep anyone from participation. Cheers Ulrich
Time is running fast and the end of the registration period is fast approaching. So make up your mind and register this week for this years german open. If it's the mandatory labelling in germany that keeps you from entering, I have an offer for you. Every pilot of the Vest Pokal can order the needed name plate from me. It's made from 0,3mm black pained aluminium, name and adress will be engraved. Cost will be 2,50€/plate, I'll need your order by 22.04.2018. You'll get your plate with your scorecards at the field. See you in Herten Ulrich
The registration has ended with 57 pilots on the list. We will have 5 groups with 12 pilots, which leaves 3 reserve places for the late deciders. As always we will handle this first come, first serve. Cheers Ulrich
Is there still an opening available? I would like to register, will do so on the website. Grtz, Pieter