U.K. 'MISS & OUT' CHAMPIONSHIPS

INTERNATIONAL HELICE RULES  
 

THESE ARE THE MOST RECENT RULES AS ISSUED 
BY FITASC IN FEBRUARY 2000.  
EDITED BY PATRICK LYNCH, FITASC HELICE MEMBER FOR GREAT BRITAIN 
AND INTERNATIONAL REFEREE.

In the case of any controversial interpretation of these rule, the text as written in French will take precedence.  

ARTICLE 1

These Rules are mandatory for International Competition where a Championship sanctioned by FITASC takes place.
National Federation are urged to apply these regulations for their National Competitions.
All Shooters must know the Rules and abide by the results.   
Any person who is proved to have shot at an Helice in a Competition without intending to break it may be banned from future competitions.  Back to top

ARTICLE 2

12 bore shot-guns are the largest gauge permitted to be used.
No advantage is given to smaller bores.
36 grams/1¼ oz is the largest shot charge permitted.
The maximum size of the lead-shot must not exceed 2.70 mm (Continental 6 shot, British          shot).
The Referee may check Cartridges and contents and disqualifying any Shooter breaking these rules.                                                                                                                  Back to top

ARTICLE 3

The Shooter must stand within the marked space on the Shooting Stand at the designated distance.  The gun can be held in any position judged to be safe by the Referee, from Gun down to fully mounted.                                                                                          Back to to

ARTICLE 4

The Shooter may only load the Gun on the Shooting Stand, pointing towards the Helice Machines and only when the Ring is clear and staff have returned to their places.  

The Gun must be unloaded before the Shooter turns to walk off the stand.  Back to top

ARTICLE 5

If the Shooter is disturbed by a spectator or other competitor a “baulk” can be claimed, and if upheld by the Referee another Helice will be allowed.  Back to top

ARTICLE 6

Shooters must follow each other promptly onto the stand.   They must be properly dressed and carry with them a minimum of 4 tokens and 8 cartridges.  IF a Shooter fails to arrive after being called by name three times, they will be given a zero which will be noted down only when the next Shooter walks onto the Shooting Stand  Back to top

ARTICLE 7

If the Shooter shoots out of turn and breaks the Helice it will be scored “No Bird” if the Helice is missed it is scored “Zero”  Back to top

ARTICLE 8

As soon as the Shooter is at the designated mark and loads the Gun, the operator will start the Machines.   The Shooter must say “Ready” and the Operator must reply “Ready”.   The Shooter may then call for the Helice using the call of “Pull” on which command the Helice must be released instantly.   If the Shooter fires unintentially before giving the command of “Pull” and “No Bird” will be called and a further Helice allowed which the Shooter must pay for.
If the Helice is released before the call of “Pull” the Shooter may either refuse it or shoot it and the result will stand.   If it is refused another Helice is given.  Back to top

ARTICLE 9

To be scored “Good” upon shooting the White Centre Cap of the Helice must be separated from the Wings and fall inside the Shooting Ring.  If the White Centre bounces inside the Ring and then over the Fence it is declared “Good”.  Back to top

ARTICLE 10

Both shots must be fired during the acceleration phase of the flights of the Helice  Back to top

ARTICLE 11

The Shooter has the right to another Helice if the gun miss-fires due to faulty percussion of the Cartridge.  After three such misfires subsequent Helice will be recorded as “Zero”.   If the fire-fire was caused by the barrel being un-loaded or the safety catch being in the On position, a “Zero” will be recorded.  Back to top

ARTICLE 12

The Shooter will not have to pay for another Helice if it is called a “No Bird” due to a Machine malfunction or fault in the Helice.  Back to top

ARTICLE 13

If both barrels discharge at the same time and the Helice is missed, a “Zero” is scored.  Back to top

ARTICLE 14

If the first shot is a misfire and the Shooter fires the 2^nd barrel and the Helice is missed, a “Zero” is scored.  Back to top

ARTICLE 15

If after having shot at and missed the Helice with the first shot the Shooter has a misfire on the 2^nd shot, the Shooter will be allowed another Helice.   After the release of this repeat Helice the Shooter must fire the first shot at the ground and attempt to shoot the Helice only with the second shot.  Back to top

ARTICLE 16

To be declared “Good” the White Centre Cap of the Helice must detach at the first or second shot and fall inside the Ring (See also Article 9).  Back to top

ARTICLE 17

If the Helice falls inside the Ring after the first shot with the White Centre Cap still attached the Referee must decide if the Shooter had enough time to shoot the 2^nd shot.   If the Referee decides there was enough time the Helice is declared “Zero”.   If the decision is that there was not enough time then another Helice will be allowed which after being released the Shooter must fire the first shot at the ground and attempt to shoot the Helice only with the second shot.  If the Helice is shot with the first shot it is declared “Zero”.   The Shooter must pay for the Helice.   The Referee/Scorer must note on the score sheet the number of Helice shot and partly broken having the White Centre Cap still attached. Back to top

ARTICLE 18

Each time a Helice is shot and broken within the Ring the White Centre must be retrieved only by authorised staff.  Back to top

ARTICLE 19

If more than one Helice is released the Shooter can decline to shoot by raising the fun.  However, if one of the Helice is shot at and breaks it will be declared “Good” and if missed “Zero”.  Back to top

ARTICLE 20

Any Helice shot outside the boundary flag markers is declared “Zero” and the Shooter will be fined.  Back to top

ARTICLE 21

Any Shooter who shoots a Helice from a lesser distance than the fixed or handicapped distance must shoot another Helice.  Back to top

ARTICLE 22

The Shooting Director must adjust the speed of the Machines before the beginning of the event, ideally, and certainly not altered until the end of each series when all competitors must be informed.  Back to top

ARTICLE 23

The Helice Shooting Ring has to be located on a flat flied.

The general direction of the shooting will be north or North East with the axis going through the Shooting Stand and Machine No: 3.
5 Machines will be positioned 4.50 metres minimum and 5 metres maximum apart.
7 Machines will be positioned 2.25 metres minimum and 2.5 metres maximum apart, between Machines 2 & 3 and 3 & 4.
9 Machines will be positioned 2.25 metres minimum and 2.5 metres maximum apart, between Machines  1 & 2 and 2 & 3 and 3 & 4 and 4 & 5.   
The Ring has to be enclosed by a rigid Barrier measuring 0.60 metres to 80 metres maximum.
The mesh size of the fence must not allow the White Centre Cap of the Helice to pass through.
The distance from the Helice Machines to the Barrier must be a maximum of 21 metres.
When a Pigeon Shooting Ring is being used the distance between the Machines and the Barrier Fence can be slightly less than 21 metres.
For all new Helice installations the distance between the Machines and the Barrier Fence must not be less than 21 metres.
The Shooting walk way must be marked from 24 to 30 metres minimum.  Back to top

ARTICLE 24

The dimensions of the Helice must be the following:
 

Size:

The overall size of the Helice is 28 cms.
The diameter of the White Centre Cap is 10.4 cms.

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Weight:

Total weight of the Helice  is 70 grams maximum

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Material:

The wings are to be made of a material fragile to impact (Polystyrene).  
The White Centre Cap to be a material not fragile to impact (minimum of 50% Polyethylene).

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Fastening System:

The White Centre Cap must attach to the wings. 

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Colour:

The wings are to be Orange or Red, the White Centre Cap must be White, or as decided by the Helice Commission.

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Machines:

There should be a break on the end of a Rotor Shaft.   The speed of the main motor should be adjustable from 0 to 10.000 RPM.

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ARTICLE 25

Any Shooter who has ever shot at an event with handicap will have to shoot from 25 metres.  This distance could be increased by the shoot management if it known that the Class of the Shooter justifies an increase.   The Helice Commission will decide during each meeting the new handicap of the Shooter according to gains and losses calculated at the end of each competition.

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ARTICLE 26

During competitions or championships organised with five Machines the Shooter will have t shoot 2 Helice on the Stand.
During competitions or championships organised with seven Machines the Shooter will have to shoot 3 Helice on the Stand.
During competitions or championships organised with nine Machines the Shooter will have to shoot 5 Helice on the Stand.   
There must be an electronic system to allow for random selection of Machines.

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ARTICLE 27 

Only official FITASC Referees will be entitled to judge at International Championships.   
The Shooting Director appointed by the Helice Technical Commission will be responsible for the correct application of International Rules.   
Complaints from Shooters must be presented in writing to the International Commission with a fee of 400ff (or National equivalent) as security which will be returned if the complaint is upheld. 
FITASC reserves the right to change or modify the present Rules as it deems necessary.

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ARTICLE 5

The Baulk Rule.

The Shooter should not be charged for the repeat Helice if the baulk is upheld.

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ARTICLE 7

Shooting out of Turn

The Shooter must pay for one or both Targets shout out of turn unless of course it was a management fault.

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ARTICLE 8

Shooting before the call of Pull

This results in a “No Bird” decision, the Shooter must pay for a new Helice.   
The Helice thrown before the call of “Pull” and the Shooter declines to shoot, would not be charged for the repeat Helice.

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ARTICLE 9

If the Helice hits the top of the perimeter fence and drops outside, it is a “Zero”.

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ARTICLE 11

The Shooter must pay for repeat Helice released because of Gun or Cartridge malfunction.   If the Gun malfunctions the shooter must remain on the Stand facing down range and hold up the gun, being careful not to touch the safety catch and not to touch the opening mechanism until a Referee comes to confirm the malfunction.  
The Shooter may change gun or ammunition because of misfires at anytime with the Referees permission.   If a test fire is required the Referee must give permission.  Test Firing is not permitted at the start of our during competition.

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ARTICLE 15

First Shot in the Ground Rule 

The Shooter must call “Pull” and wait for the Helice to be released before firing in a safe and controlled manner towards the ground inside the safety Ring, but not at the machines.   Whether “Good” or “Zero” the Shooter must pay for this extra Helice.   If it is shot with the first shot it is called “Zero”.

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ARTICLE 16

To be scored “Good” the White Centre Cap must completely detach from the wings when shot.   It is possible dependant on the type of Helice used that a very small piece of Wing Plastic can remain on the White Centre Cap, the Referee must decide whether this constitutes the Centre Cap coming off, common sense and benefit of the doubt for the Shooter should be employed.  

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ARTICLE 17

This Article can be and is often abused!  

The amount of time that a Shooter has to fire two shots at a low Helice before it strikes the ground is solely the Referees decision which can be made more difficult by a Shooter who having missed with the first shot commits a “Professional Foul” by hesitating with the 2^nd shot hoping the Helice will hit the ground or fence and be allowed a repeat.   

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Another situation that can occur, the Helice when released flies low and brushes the ground and flies on.   
In a 1999 clarification of the rules it was decided that if the Helice touches the ground on release but has enough energy to fly at a reasonable speed and distance for the Shooter to have taken two shots at it, the Referee has the sole discretion to declare the Helice “Fair”.   He may also if not satisfied call “No Bird”.   
The decision however, is not for the Shooter to make - the ruling was that the Shooter must attempt to shoot the Helice and wait for the Referees decision.   
If the Shooter holds firing on a Helice in these circumstances which the Referee considers “Fair”, the Shooter will be scored a “Zero”

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ARTICLE 20

Shooting a Helice outside of the Limits of the side marker flags.   
A difficult rule to interpret as a very strong wind blowing at the machines can put a Helice from One or Five machines over the boundary as the Shooter fires.   
Benefit of the doubt should apply but only once.   
The Shooter must pay for the repeat.

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