Since the publication of the statement regarding Mikes Lab Bullet 3L / 3LC foil in Formula Kite competitions (until the end of 2021) a number of teams have raised questions regarding the fuselage length measurement.
It appears that the published 2017 dimensions provided by Mikes Lab (556.9mm) are either an accidental mistake in the submission, or based on the measurement system used in previous cycles.
All dimensions reported by teams are in the 565mm range (with an allowed tolerance of +/-2mm) which is in line with the dimensions submitted with the Mikes Lab re-application).
Event Technical Committees will therefore base a decision on the eligibility of a Mikes Lab Bullet 3LC glider not solely on the fuselage length measurement, if all other dimensions are within the accepted tolerances (see original statement below).
Competitors are reminded that event equipment inspection is NOT measurement, and that it is ultimately the responsibility of each competitor to ensure that their equipment complies with the class rules (see RRS 78).
Original statement:
In the process of evaluating equipment (re-) registration applications for the 2024 Olympic Cycle, the IKA Technical Committee has become aware of discrepancies in the dimensions of the Mikeslab Bullet 3L / 3LC foil.
The dimensions provided by the manufacturer for the re-registration of the equipment differ from the dimensions of the same equipment registered in May 2017, with several of the dimensions provided with the re-application being outside of the accepted tolerances.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not provide the IKA with information on when these dimensions may have changed, and which parts and serial numbers may be affected.
In order to protect competitors and teams from travelling to events with equipment that may not comply with the registered dimensions and therefore the Formula Kite class rules, competitors in possession of a Mikeslab Bullet 3L/3LC foil should verify that their equipment complies with the class rules and the registered dimensions.
The registered public dimensions, including allowed tolerances, are:
Mikeslab Bullet 3L – Mast (all dimensions in mm)
| Measurement Item | Registered Value | Accepted Tolerances | |||
| M (maximum length) |
1038.3 |
+/- 2.0 |
|||
| N (minimum chord) | 113.1 | - 1.0 | |||
| A (leading edge length) | 700.1 | +/- 2.0 | |||
| B (trailing edge length) | 700.4 | +/- 2.0 | |||
| C (chord at 100mm) | 140.2 | - 1.0 | |||
| D (max profile thickness at 100mm) | 14.1 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| E (max profile depth at 100mm) | 56.8 | +/- 1.0 | |||
| F (chord at 800mm) | 115.6 | - 1.0 | |||
| G (max profile thickness at 800mm) | 12.1 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| H (max profile depth at 100mm) | 47.8 | +/- 1.0 | |||
Mikeslab Bullet 3/3L/3LC – Fuselage (all dimensions in mm)
| Measurement Item | Registered Value | Accepted Tolerances | |||
| M (maximum length) |
556.9 |
+/- 2.0 |
|||
| N (maximum horizontal diameter) | 29.8 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| O (maximum vertical diameter) | 32.9 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| P (vertical diameter at 300mm from end) | 27.1 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| Q (horizontal diameter at 300mm from end) | 21.4 | +/- 0.5 | |||
Mikeslab Bullet 3LC – Frontwing (all dimensions in mm)
| Measurement Item | Registered Value | Accepted Tolerances | |||
| A (maximum span) |
640.0 |
+/- 1.0 |
|||
| C (chord at 100mm) | 105.5 | - 1.0 | |||
| D (max profile thickness at 100mm) | 12.0 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| E (max profile depth at 100mm) | 42.3 | +/- 1.0 | |||
| F (chord at 200mm) | 84.2 | - 1.0 | |||
| G (max profile thickness at 200mm) | 9.4 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| H (max profile depth at 200mm) | 31.0 | +/- 1.0 | |||
Mikeslab Bullet 3LC – Rearwing (all dimensions in mm)
| Measurement Item | Registered Value | Accepted Tolerances | |||
| A (maximum span) |
370.0 |
+/- 1.0 |
|||
| C (chord at 50mm) | 63.3 | - 1.0 | |||
| D (max profile thickness at 50mm) | 7.7 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| E (max profile depth at 50mm) | 22.8 | +/- 1.0 | |||
| F (chord at 100mm) | 53.4 | - 1.0 | |||
| G (max profile thickness at 100mm) | 6.5 | +/- 0.5 | |||
| H (max profile depth at 100mm) | 18.6 | +/- 1.0 | |||
Mikeslab Bullet 3L / 3LC foils with different dimensions (including tolerances) are not eligible to compete in Formula Kite events. The same principle applies to all Formula Kite registered series production equipment.
Competitors are reminded that according to the Racing Rules of Sailing, it is ultimately the responsibility of each competitor to ensure that their equipment complies with the class rules (see RRS 78).
