FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined

[Henderson,Eric]

I have competed in Scale Aerobatics Nationals and Precision Aerobatics Nationals at Muncie. I would still be doing it if they had not split the events by a week or so. (Muncie is OK but going there and back twice in one month is not for me or my bank balance.) 

I have covered both events as a columnist and as just a competitor. The thing that struck me was that at first, you could be competitive with a $300-400 scale ARF and not so in pattern. Two years later it has reversed. It soon became clear that if you did not have the DA 150 size ship you could not compete for a place. I saw Sportsman class pilots buying 140" planes at the end of the week. Now, in contrast, we have a plethora of pattern ARF's that are competitive and the pendulum has swung the other way.

IMAC's biggest problem is noise. (Not flying skill - It's just junk to say that). I, at their request, sound tested some local guys who were off to an IMAC contest the following week. They were way over on my meter at their distances, and yet passed easily at the contest, That raised my eyebrows. The noise standard for IMAC planes is still very unacceptable at many of my local clubs. (Not even close to our sound standards!~) If they fixed their noise standard I would attend more IMAC contests, but my wife gets serious headaches from the "barking big ones..."

The worst part about IMAC, for me, is freestyle. It encourages some pretty serious hot-dogging right in the middle of main flying area. The best part about it for IMAC is that they are highly visible. IMAC pilots can also declare "Avoidance" if they feel they are too close to another plane. Even so most who are competing, practice their schedules away from the busy fields.

The rogue IMAC fliers, with loud planes and scary flying habits attract a lot of attention and even cost clubs their flying fields. Rogue pattern pilots don't know how to be rebellious :-)

As regards the pilots and attitudes. Those at the Nat's, in both styles of flying, are some of the best folks around in both flying and helpfulness. Where we get into trouble is that IMAC guys are cited and perceived as loud and brash and pattern guys as snobby and elitist.

Anyone flying a $4000 rig is going to be something that someone out there does not like. It's not what people have expressed in this list that keeps folks out of pattern. (It might make you leave?). It is much more that there a few obvious doors that they can come though. It is sort of like trying to find a wife by looking pathetic as you shop in the supermarket hoping that some ideal woman will drop an item that you can retrieve in full "Sir Galahad" style - not going to happen. 

We need programs not protestations,

We need action not advocation,

We need creativity not just conservatism,

Most of all we need expansion of, as Troy said, all aerobatics. Add IMAC and the NSRCA and you get about 1500 these days...

E.


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org
[mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of mdarr00 at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 5:55 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined


    Jon, I was the judge that zeroed your two inside loops at the Dayton
contest and Charlie Williams was the other judge, and as I recall he gave
you a 2 on your two inside loops.  The reason I zeroed your loops (Sprotsman
Class) is becase you crossed the flight line on the downward side of your
second loop and I had to get out of my judging chair in fear that I was
going to get hit by a 3M 140 powered Focus.

Mike Darr
District 4


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Uhler" <juhler at bellsouth.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 1:45 PM
Subject: re: FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined


> >Most IMAC pilots have trouble flying a straight line much less judgeing a
> > masters and FAI group in pattern.
>
> > over, but we are talking about local contest, not Nats.
>
> Marty,
>
> I'd be the first to say that I am a rookie in both IMAC and Pattern.  But
so far it as been my experience that IMAC judging is much more consistent
than pattern.  I was scored a "0" and "8.5" on the same looping maneuver at
a contest. Now I know that as long as humans are judging, there will be
differences, but 0 to 8.5 is a lot.
>
> Also, I went to the NATS this year and watched Intermediate, Advance,
Masters, and FAI.  With the exception of the FAI, I'd say several pattern
fliers can't fly a straight line either (and this was not a local contest,
but the NATS).  I really don't see what the big deal is about the NATS
anyway.  Do you have to qualify to make the NATS or just pay your $90 bucks?
There are several of us, IAMC and Pattern boys alike, that need to work on
flying straight lines.
>
> IMAC is at least making an effort with the judging issue by having judge
seminars around the country.  They are very informative and worth while.
The only effort that I have seen in the pattern world is the judging tape
that I borrowed from a friend.  The tape, in my opinion, was not very clear
cut on scoring and I think it shows in the results that I have seen at a
contest.
>
> Once again, I will say that I have only been to one contest and wish to
gain more info as time goes on.
>
> So far I love the beauty, learning curve, and friendship offered by both
groups, but I have to say, the mentality, living in the past attitude, us
VRS them, and bashing is making it hard enjoy both.
>
> Jon
>
>
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