FW: Proper Distance

[Jason]

I think that holds true at the Worlds too. The Matts started the contest WAY
OUT of the 150-175M mark and by the finals they had it back in. Chip, Sean
and I have also been flying 150-170M for the last 2 Worlds and aren't going
to change now, and certainly not closer.

Rollers...this is one of interest. I'll take the responsibility of
"claiming" the largest circles around. But I know that isn't the best for
pattern. I do try and make them smaller but need to practice them smaller
more (will be doing). But even at the Worlds, none of us intentionally made
smaller rollers because they aren't as smooth looking as "normal" rollers. I
doubt any of the rollers were past 300M, but also doubt any were with-in
250M. With the larger planes, circles aren't too hard to see out between
those distances. This will be discussed further I'm sure, and will be
listening. I'll only be making my circles as small as they look smooth, and
no smaller.

Jason
  -----Original Message-----
  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On
Behalf Of tony at radiosouthrc.com
  Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 7:06 AM
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Subject: Re: Proper Distance


  Earl:

  What a concept!  Flying within the rules gets the best score.......

  If the contestants were watching the distance out flights before we
started the finals, they could see that we were calibrating the group to the
distance that the group should start downgrading for being too far out...
Flying along a line about 160-170 meters would seem IDEAL....  Still, as you
say, most try to fly about 150.... Not sure why...


  Tony Stillman
  Radio South
  3702 N. Pace Blvd.
  Pensacola, FL 32505
  1-800-962-7802
  www.radiosouthrc.com
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Earl Haury
    To: Discussion List, NSRCA
    Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 8:56 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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