Wood Disk?

[wlsguy]

The rules state a balsa disk must be "placed" on the upper most part of the helicopter. Is this disk allowed to be glued to the surface or must it stay on only by gravity?

I know this question has been discussed here (and answered) but at the recent Cincinatti Regional it was determined the balsa disk must stay on by gravity and CANNOT be glued (or attached). Almost every team was 2nd tiered because they glued the disk on. Please clarify before the Piqua Regional on March 17th.

I submitted a clarification to try and get this resolved "offically" before I run the event at our Regional on Saturday. This really needs to (please) make the FAQ so everyone has the same understanding.
Thanks

[Gracious]

I have received a response to the wood disk from the Science Olympiad office.

The disc may be attached using glue.

The original question is included for your records; there is no need to
respond unless you feel there is an error.
=========================================================
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

What exactly does the word "placed" mean when it says that a flat balsa wood
disk must be "placed" on the top of the helicopter mean?
To clarify my purpose in asking this question: Does "placed" strictly mean
that only gravity can be used to hold the disk in place? Does that mean that
glue is not allowed to be used on the disk? If not, then is it legal to use a
rod to connect the disk to the rotor?

I can provide screenshots of the email response if needed.

What greatly aggravates me is the lateness of the response. At Sacramento Regionals, a few hours prior to this email, we decided to not glue the disk to be safe in accordance with the post above. As a result, it happened to fall off for the first time, even though we have flown helicopters numerous times. The resulting time was barely below the amount needed to medal.

So yeah. The wood disk should be glued to the top of the helicopter.

[jander14indoor]

Argghh, but it hasn't been posted to the NSO page yet!!

OK, usual cautions about this not being site for clarifications, etc.

Warning, as an event supervisor I do not consider a quoted e-mail on this site as relevant to my interpretation of the rules! Yes I agree with that interpretation, but someone else might not. My point is that nothing on this page is official!!!

Frankly, I'd be leary about an e-mail purportably from NSO handed me by a team. Anyone can fake an e-mail and print it.

So, keep sending those clarification requests to NSO until you see something posted on their site!!

I just did.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[jander14indoor]

OK, NOW the FAQ on gluing the disk is posted on the national website.

That's official.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI