From the
1961 AMA "Official Model Aircraft Regulations"

15.     CONTROL LINE TEAM RACING REGULATIONS

15.1 OBJECTIVE. It is the purpose of team racing to fly semi-scale, realistic airplanes in direct competition through a series of heat races leading to a feature race for the most consistent racers of the day. The following rules are an attempt to equalize airplanes and engines while, at the same time, giving the builder opportunity for experimentation with new ideas.

15.2 GENERAL. All pertinent AMA Regulations and the regulations for Gas Model--Control Line Speed covering the flyer, the model and flight shall be applicable, except as specified below.

15.3 Engine shall have a displacement of from .140 to .300 cubic inch. It shall be completely cowled with only glow plug, needle valve stem, cut-off lever, fill-vent tubes, or exhaust permitted to protrude through the cowling. A small access hole for choking is permissible. Engine replacement during a contest is permissible provided the exact same make and displacement engine is used.

15.4 Model shall have a minimum effective wine area of 125 square inches.

15.5 Model shall have a cockpit or cabin containing a dummy pilot's head with both being in proportion to the model. The minimum distance from the top of the pilot's head to the bottom of the fuselage shall be 3 3/4" and the minimum fuselage width from shoulders to hips, where the pilot is located, shall be 2".

15.6 Model landing gear may be either fixed or retractable. Wheels must lower for all landings if of the retractable type.

15.7 Model shall have a tail skid (no wheel) ending in a loop of at least 1/4" " diameter suitable for use with a take-off release device.

15.8 Fuel tank, including filler line and fuel line from tank to needle valve, shall hold no more than 1 fluid ounce (1.80 cubic inches-29.50 cubic centimeters). Fuel systems shall be subject to measurement at any time.

15.9 Model shall have a means of engine shut-off or speed control, while in flight and on the ground, to permit landing and stopping forward progress.

15.10 Model shall be rigged for counterclockwise flying

15.11 Model shall be colorfully painted and have a large number on each side of the fuselage for identification. For additional realism, the required AMA license numbers should be prefixed by the letter "N."

15.12 Team racers shall not be acceptable if they are pod-and-boom, flush or prone cockpit, asymetrical, or flying wing designs.

15.13 All models must pass a general safety inspection.

15.14 Line length, measured from center line of model to center of control handle , must not be

less than 60 feet. U-Reely type handles are permissible providing the safety lock feature is checked and approved by the Contest Director. No control handle shall be allowed that requires simultaneous use of both hands.

15.15 Minimum line diameters for two-wire control systems is .012 inch. Minimum line diameter for single wire control systems is .022 inch.

15.16 Model control mechanism from the handle to and including the model shall withstand a 20G pull test.

15.17 Pilots must stay within the 3-foot radius circle and walk around in the circle while flying.

15.18 Pilots must move to the area, between the 5 and 10-ft. circles to land for refueling or at the finish of a race.

15.19. During a race, any pilot not flying must take a sitting or kneeling position outside the

10-ft circle and keep out of the way of other pilots. He may not leave the Racing Zone without permission from the Starting judge.

15.20 Pilots should be standing just outside the 5-ft. circle for take-off after refueling during a race and move back into the pilot's circle as quickly as possible when racer becomes airborne.

15.21 Crew members must keep themselves and their equipment outside the 80-ft circle during the race.

15.22 Crew embers shall not enter the Racing Zone at any time during a race for any reason (even to retrieve a model) without permission of the Starting judge. Crew members may only enter the Landing and Take-off Zone to retrieve or launch a model. This entry and exit must be made at right angles to the path of the model flight. Infraction while a race is in progress but no models flying shall result in a five-lap penalty for the offending team(s). Infraction while a model is in flight shall be mandatory disqualification from that race. All movements by crew members parallel to the path of flight, must be made outside the 80-ft circle.

15.23 Crew members shall move their model just outside the 80-ft. circle for refueling or servicing and -shall move just inside this circle for take-off afterwards.

15.24 The individual team shall consist -of one pilot and not more than two crew members.

15.25 While the builder of the model need not necessarily be the pilot, he must be a member of the team.

15.26 Only one model may be entered per team.

15.27 All teams must pass the following requirements before starting time of the first race:

a. Model must pass all team racing rules and safety requirements.

b. Pilot must fly a qualifying flight by making a smooth take-off and fly a 7-lap course with complete control and in a smooth manner.

c. Pilot must successfully demonstrate engine control device to end qualifying flight.

d. At very large contests, it may be necessary to limit the number of teams in the race. In this case, the qualifying flight shall be extended to 21 laps, with the model being timed from moment of release to completion of the 21 laps. Two such qualifying flights shall be allowed. The 20 teams posting the fastest qualifying speeds will be permitted to fly in the races.

15.28 Qualified teams will be given one chance to fly in each of the following heat races, with pit stops in any race if necessary: a. I 1/2 Mile Heat Race (21 laps). b. 2 1/2 Mile Heat Race (35 laps). c. 5 Mile Heat Race (70 laps).

15.29 A Consolation Race (100 laps) will be flown by the teams standing from Nth to Nth place in Heat Race total points.

15.30 The 10 Mile Feature Race (140 laps) will be flown by the teams standing from 1 at to Nth place in Heat Race total points, plus the winner of the Consolation Race.

15.31 Points shall be awarded to the teams winning each heat race as follows:

Race Est And Ord Nth

1 1/2 Mile Heat 19 14 9 4

2 1/2 Mile Heat 28 22 16 10

5 Mile Heat 39 32 25 18

15.32 BEAUTY JUDGING. It is recommended that all models be judged for their beauty and workmanship, and that points given each racer be added to the heat race points to determine final Heat Race Point Totals from which Consolation and Feature Race participants are selected. Between 10 and 2 points are to be given each entrant. Each plane should receive what it is worth.

Design and Realism 1 to 5 points

Workmanship and Finish 1 to 5 points

Sum 2 to 10 points

15.33 FLAGS:

a. Green-Start Race

b. Red-Stop engines and land immediately

c. Yellow-Maintain fifteen-foot altitude

d. Checkered-Finish of race for pilot flagged

15.34 Each team flying in a given race shall be called to the ready pits not less than five minutes before the race is to start. All necessary preparations must be made in the ready pits before entering the flying area.

15.35 There shall be a two-minute time limit to start all engines.

15.36 When all engines are running, or when the two minutes have elapsed, the Starting judge will clear the flight area and prepare for a safe take-off.

15.37 Pilots must indicate they are ready for takeoff by raising their hand. Only then will racers be released.

15.38 After engine is started, fuel may be added to the tank up to the time the take-off area is cleared. Crew members must clear this area immediately upon the Starting judge's signal.

15.39 Engine starting devices may be used at the start of a race only if they are available to all teams. Starting devices may not be used to restart after refueling or involuntary landing.

15.40 Passing may be accomplished either over or under the overtaken model depending on which is more convenient. The overtaking pilot should tell the others of his intentions.

15.41 The first model to complete the required number of laps in the race shall be declared the first place winner with the others following in order of race completion.

15.42 After all models have completed the race, pilots should land and clear the area for the next race.

15.43 The Starting judge may call for the restart of a race at his discretion but a restart shall be mandatory when only one model completes the first lap of a Heat Race.

15.44 Maximum racing altitude shall be 25 feet. A model may exceed this limit for passing but must resume normal altitude at once. Slow flying models must be kept low and in level flight to allow faster models to, pass.

15.45 A minimum altitude of 15 feet must be maintained when another racer has landed for refueling or adjustment. A yellow flag is used to notify the pilots.

15.46 Any conduct or flight maneuver by a pilot that endangers, or results in damage to any other participating pilot or his model will constitute a foul and cause immediate disqualification from the race in which it occurs.

15.47 Whipping shall be cause for disqualification from the race in which it occurs.

15.48 If models are to be released simultaneously from take-off stooges, the first 1/2 lap of the qualifying flight should be clocked as a measure of acceleration. Stooge positions should be with the fastest model first, etc.