[Claudius]

Since this is a hot topic at the moment, could I ask one of our resident MAAA instructors to provide some clarification on a couple of points:

1) I've heard it repeated on a few occasions that it is necessary to perform the Gold Fixed Wing Powered test with (at least?) two aircraft, but with a quick skim I can't find anything in the MOPs that indicates a requirement for multiple aircraft. Is this true, and if so, where is it stipulated?

2) I overhead recently that aircraft need to be at least 1200mm to be used for either a Bronze or Gold Fixed Wing Power test (as anything smaller was said to constitute a Park Flier, which is now ineligible for any MAAA proficiency test), but MOP027 March 2012 actually defines a Park Flyer as:

MAAA Maximum Park Flyer …... An aircraft is considered to be a Park Flier for the purpose of this MOP if its size weight and power are ALL less than the following maximum criteria:
Electric Power only.
Rotor 700mm overall (Helis/Gyros)
Wing Span 1220mm (48in) (Fixed Wing)
Weight 1kg (1000gm) (36oz)
Wing Loading 41.7 gm/dm (0.83oz in2)
Power Rating 250watts
Battery 2s LiPo 7.4V 1000mah (30C),
1500mah (20C) 2000 mah (15C)
3s LiPo 11.1V 1000mah (20C)

Note the emphasis on ALL. In other words, it would appear that as long as a sub-1220mm aircraft exceeds one of the other quantities (e.g. weight > 1kg, or uses a 3S/1800mAh pack, or ...) then it would be permitted for use in a Bronze or Gold Wings proficiency test.

Yes? No? (or perhaps there's a new MOP?)