Scoring formula/ and observations

[Tom Simes]

On Mon, 1 Aug 2005 11:34:23 -0500
Ron Van Putte <vanputte at cox.net> wrote:

> The only rational solution I can see is to upgrade our judge training 
> sessions to more meaningful discussions on how to judge.  Most of the 
> judge training sessions I've attended were more geared to getting 
> experienced pilot/judges recertified than in training newbies how to 
> judge.

Last fall during a typically spirited list discussion of how a
particular maneuver should be flown and judged, video captures of the
maneuver being flown on a simulator were very helpful in reaching
consensus and illustrating the finer points of the discussion.

Creating these little video clips could really go a long way
towards standardizing our training regimen as well as easing the
shortage of qualified trainers and classes.  If you're rolling your
eyes, I'm not suggesting a full blown, broadcast ready video series. 
Taking things one step and class at a time, how about a clip of each
maneuver flown properly along with clips of two common mistakes.  For
example, a clip of a proper loop along with clips of an egg shaped loop
and of a figure nine with mismatched entry and exit altitudes.  Each
clip could be accompanied by a brief note explaining what to look for,
and in the case of incorrect maneuvers what the appropriate downgrade
would be and how it was arrived at.  When the sequences are broken down
into their elemental maneuvers, there really aren't that many of them.

Initially we could just render the clips to low bandwidth .avi files and
post them on-line.  As the clips are created for all the maneuvers in a
given sequence, they could easily be integrated into a presentation for
club training or personal use (like the IMAC power point).  Once the
initial library of clips is built, additional commonly seen or
particularly controversial mistakes could easily be added.  If we stick
with the electronic format, it would be trivial keep the material
current by slipping fresh clips in to illustrate new interpretations or
better quality captures.  As the material evolves, we could also include
tips on the techniques of judging - things like counting point
downgrades with your fingers to make life easier on your memory (and
your scribe) or making sure you spend a minute briefing a new scribe so
they understand how you want to work with them. 

Our calling cards are a far cry from training material for
beginners, and the training material I've been able to find on my own
hasn't kept up with the current sequences.  If we want pattern to grow,
folks who are interested need to be able to get started on the learning
process themselves.  Having a flying buddy who is into pattern is SUPER,
but for many/most beginners it is not a reality.

Making our training material consistent and widely available will help
pattern on all kinds of levels - from getting new blood into the
addiction, to increasing the pool of good judges, to even allowing us
more time to practice since we won't spend hours squabbling over
minutia.  Ok, maybe that last one was a stretch, but you get the idea.

I've got a busy young family and a slow computer at home, but I can
spare a few hours a week and I'm committed to this even if it ends up
being only for my own education and improvement.  If you are interested
in contributing or even just watching the progress, I've set up a
mailing list called NSRCA-education at:

http://lists.f3a.us/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-education/

Naturally I'm hoping that folks more talented and experienced than I
will chime in with video clips and scoring opinions, but even if it's
just me at least I'll be better off for it (and I'll have something
productive to do while waiting for the glue to dry this building
season).

Quoting a bumper sticker I spotted recently, "Stop bitching and start a
revolution!"

-- 
Tom

_____________________________________________________________________

       |  ,  |               Tom Simes
---------(@)---------        AMA 230068
        --|--                NSRCA 3830
          '                  nsrca at shinymetalass.com
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