Proper Distance

[Earl Haury]

At least the cage would protect him/her from the pilots!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jivey61 at bellsouth.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Proper Distance


>
> > Del
>
>  You could put him in a steel cage like pylon judges.
>
> Jim Ivey
> > From: "Del Rykert" <drykert at localnet.com>
> > Date: 2004/07/29 Thu AM 10:10:19 EDT
> > To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> > Subject: Re: Proper Distance
> >
> > Earl..
> >     Good observations but how would you suggest incorporating a distant
judge? You can't put a live body out there.
> >
> >                          del
> >                NSRCA - 473
> >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> >   From: Earl Haury
> >   To: Discussion List, NSRCA
> >   Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:56 AM
> >   Subject: Proper Distance
> >
> >
> >   Distance in pattern has been (and still is) one of the great unknowns.
(Spins & snaps are the others.) There are varied individual definitions of
what is proper, regardless of how much clarity or definition is inserted
into the rules.
> >
> >   I've been around long enough to see the trend move in and out several
times, often the out times are well outside of the rules. Then there are
times when others decide that there are more points in really tight!
Unfortunately, distance out is hard for the both the pilot and the judge to
discern with accuracy.
> >
> >   A pilot can practice with spotters to establish a good feel for
distance. That "feel" comes both with visible size recognition and time from
box line to box line at the "comfort" speed. In too close and one is rushed
or must slow below the "sweet spot" speed, too far out and the opposite
occurs. So the pilot has the opportunity to tune for his / her chosen
distance
> >
> >   It seems that, on the judges side, there are distance police. Anything
that might be approaching the limit is downgraded by them. Then there are
others that don't downgrade if they can see (or hear) something out there!
More evidence that distance evaluation is difficult, especially when viewing
airplanes of different size, visibility, and speed. Maybe the only was to
achieve judging accuracy regarding distance is to use a "distance judge" at
175 & 200m and let them assign distance downgrades? Seems that the variable
application (with good intentions) of distance downgrades presently
experienced dictate consideration of an alternative method.
> >
> >   From the judges chair I find very few close in flights accurate or
smooth. There are usually inaccuracies brought on by lack of time, box
violations, and errors forced by wind. The good thing about these is that
they are over quickly. Out flights often have better maneuvers as the pilot
has more time, box violations are few, and wind effect is better handled
(and/or less noticeable). But they do take forever and the distance
downgrades offset the advantages. So what to do? Take a clue from the rules
"for a large, highly visible model aircraft a line of flight approximately
175m in front of the competitor may be appropriate". Judges take note of the
"in front of the competitor" statement, as the judges are 7 to 10m behind
the competitor. This moves the acceptable flight line 7 to 10m further away,
so 185m (from the judges) is not to be downgraded for the large models
(anybody seen small models lately). Even the rolling circle distance issues
can then be handled by rolling!
>   in then. A 100 to 125m roller in would still leave a 50+m buffer between
the pilot and airplane.
> >
> >   So - consider that the rules are OK. Big airplanes are best flown at
the outer range of the rules. Some judges may need help in accurately
assessing distance. Maybe a distance judge would help. There are no benefits
and more risks to flying too close if to only appease "inaccurate" distance
police. Hmmm - imagine that, flying within the rules gets the best score..
> >
> >   Earl
> >
> >
> >
>
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