RULES:
Materials - You are allowed to purchase items and materials you need (such as wheels, balsa wood, mousetraps, propellers, etc.) up to a total expenditure of $20.00. You are not allowed to purchase and use in whole or in part, pre-built planes or gliders. Wings and fuselage must be built from scratch. An exception is allowed for the use of a computer mouse as the fuselage. Common household packaging recycling/discard items such as cardboard, paper, foil, boxes, cans, bottles, and simple fasteners such as staples, glue, string, tape, paint, and clothes-hanger wire shall be considered "free" and not count in the $20 limit. Any size/shape/configuration is allowed as long as it fits on the tabletop. No lighter-than-air parts allowed.

Power - As many standard-size mousetraps as you like may be used, but they all must travel with the plane. The trap(s) may be lightened by removing material, but enough of the original wooden trap should remain to see that it was indeed a mousetrap. The original staples on the spring must remain in place, but the trigger mechanism may be removed. No other form of energy may be used to power the plane: no human push, no rubber bands, no chemical or compressed gas rockets, etc. Any form of propulsion may be used: Wheels, flapping wings, propeller, walking/running/hopping, self-catapult, or . . .? Bonus points given if the plane taxis and takes off using only propeller or flapping-wing propulsion. The overall height of the vehicle must not change appreciably from start to finish (everyone gets the same use of gravity).

Lift - Must be by aerodynamics (wings, props, fans, flaps, ground effect, etc.) only. No lift by hot-air/helium, skyhooks, etc.

Starting Block - A starting block or "launch pad" may be used as long as no part of the block is more than 1 inch tall. The entire starting block must be placed behind the start line.

General - The vehicle must start on top of the horizontal runway (actually a 2ft.-by-6ft. tabletop approximately 30 inches above the floor). The starting point on the runway will be 3 feet from the end of the table. The entire vehicle must start behind the 3-foot line. For legal flight, your vehicle must leave the table top without human assistance. The word "vehicle" in the sentences above refers to your plane and any attachments. Distance of flight will be measured perpendicular from the end of the runway to closest point on the vehicle when any part of the vehicle first contacts the floor, so it is to your advantage to fly perfectly straight and land flat. All parts of the vehicle must travel with the plane and are subject to the measurements discussed previously. With the exception of the starting block described above, no parts may be left behind by the vehicle. Each plane will be allowed many attempts, with the best flight counting. Any controversy will be settled by the official judge - (Steve Klein, 741-6911).