F1D Beginner is  the European class roughly equivalent to Pennyplane.  The
rules specify a maximum span of 46 cm = 18.2", a minimum weight of  3.0
grams, a maximum rubber weight of 1.5 grams and any covering other than
microfilm.  High tech materials such as boron or carbon fiber and VP props
are permitted and Mylar covering is normally used.  Biplanes are allowed
now but steps are in hand to prohibit them.

Perhaps some may note that a Limited Pennyplane flying with a 1.5 gram
motor would meet the rules for this class.  This would still be a good
starting point for beginners even though there are F1D Beginner plans and
even kits available.

It has been suggested that North American modellers might find this class
appealing, so I asked Larry Coslick if IN&V could publish a plan and run a
demonstration event at USIC 1998 in Johnson City.   Peter Keller of
Switzerland has kindly provided a plan of his successful "Sunday Silence"
design. This is a typical long (32") Swiss design with an abundance of
boron and a VP prop.  It has a best time of just under 15 min in a 40'
ceiling.   American builders might prefer to use a tungsten-braced stick
and a typical Open Pennyplane (no boron) structure with a fixed pitch prop
or a  beefed-up Steve Brown  type VP prop mechanism for easier adjustment.
For high sites like Johnson City, it is doubtful that a VP prop will be
much if any  advantage because of the restricted rubber weight.  The
dimensions on the plan are in millimeters.  Typical component weights are:
stick 0.9g, wing 0.9g, tailplane + tailboom  0.55g, prop 0.55g.  Motors are
usually 14-15" long  x 0.070" strip.

There are moves afoot to have F1D Beginner recognised as a full FAI class
(probably F1M), which opens up the possibility of officially recognised
international events.
                                                                        -Bernard Hunt