F3A Finals, Judges View

[Jerry Budd]

I can attest to that (in Masters anyway).

All week long many of us, if not most, were "flying" the plane 
through the Stall Turns and getting downgraded for it somewhat (we 
flew in a lot of crosswind situations so making it "pretty" would be 
difficult anyway).

After the first round of the Masters finals it was clear that I 
needed to win round 2 or the contest was effectively over wrt me 
winning (Dave Snow had won the first round and was carrying a 
slightly higher prelim score than I into the finals).  I decided that 
I would try and do the Stall Turn correctly by holding a bit of power 
and waiting until the plane had come to a stop before inputting the 
rudder.  The wind was ~10 mph, quartering in from the left.  After 
the roll and the straight line, I pulled the power, added some back, 
waited a brief moment, added the left rudder, watched the plane yaw 
precisely around its center for ~45 degrees, then pitch forward in 
that classic twist flop maneuver that we all try to avoid (it wasn't 
pretty).  My heart sank, and I was pretty sure I was now flying for 
second place (I flew right after Dave and he had just flown his best 
flight).  IIRC, my Stall Turn scored two zero's, a one, a five, and a 
seven (no question in my mind, I would have zeroed it).

The third round I did the Stall Turn correctly (out of stubbornness) 
and it was nearly perfect (go figure).

Jerry


>Gray:
>Inasmuch as you and I were, at one point, sitting on the same 
>judging panel for Masters, I can confirm what you are saying about 
>the stall turns.  I had the privilege of seeing the same phenomenon 
>at the 1999 Worlds at Pensacola, FL.
>I asked about it, and was told that many of the competitors would 
>rather take a hit of a few points, (which they certainly did on my 
>score sheet this year at the Nats) rather than run the risk of 
>flopping the turn, and losing ALL the points.
>I don't know if that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but 
>the truth, but it's what I was told, and seems to hold water.
>Comments from those involved?
>
>Bill Glaze
>
>Gray E Fowler wrote:
>
>>
>>Earl
>>
>>Great comments, and now that you pointed those things out, I 
>>remember seeing them....still though, really good flying, from what 
>>I am used to seeing. I was surprised at how close in everyone flew. 
>>I left before the last round.
>>
>>One thing I noticed, It "appeared" that I witnessed many a poor 
>>stall turn. It looked like "wing over" city. I was wondering if the 
>>wind (especially blowing the smoke trail) was creating an bad 
>>illusion.  Are my eyes nuts? What do you recall. Also saw several 
>>"dumped" spin entries.
>>
>>I was seriously impressed with Jason's electric power. I had no 
>>real thoughts about this prior to seeing it (other than thinking 
>>the pattern masses will not be adopting anytime soon, due to cost 
>>etc) but I guess I was impressed because I expected to see a less 
>>powerful set up .  It appeared to run great, but not any better 
>>than anyone else's standard rigs. These guys are so good that it is 
>>difficult to see what the plane is doing vs. the pilot.
>>
>>Watching form the gallery was interesting because when someone 
>>would make a mistake (and it was always pretty minor-from my 
>>veiwpoint), the mistake would stand out and you would hear a 
>>collective "awww" from the crowd.....tough crowd, everyones a judge.
>>
>>
>>
>>Gray Fowler
>>Principal Chemical Engineer
>>Composites Engineering


=====================================
# To be removed from this list, go to http://www.nsrca.org/discussionA.htm
and follow the instructions.