[SPAM] Re: AMA MASTER'S unknown?

[Archie Stafford]

I love the idea of an unknown.  I think it would add to the challenge and
also make it more fun.  In years past where when the same schedule is flown
after 3 years certain guys have a decided advantage over guys who have just
moved up from Advanced due to the extra years of flying the sequence.  This
year it doesn't make any difference with a new pattern.  I think the
"unknown" for the finals would level the playing field in years when the
sequence has been flown the previous year.  Even if Masters is not a warm up
class for FAI, it should still be by far the toughest of the AMA patterns.  
 
I don't think you need to change the other classes accordingly, because
Masters is a destination class.  If you never move up to FAI, it should be a
goal and an honor to be able to fly on Thursday at the NATS.  It should be
something that you can strive for in the lower classes even if you have no
intentions of ever flying FAI.
 
Arch
 
  _____  

From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Rcmaster199 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 5:10 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [SPAM] Re: AMA MASTER'S unknown?
 
Similar to what Eric H wrote in his last column, would Masters pilots
entertain the idea of Semi-Final round on the last day of Prelims at the
Nats? Every one would fly the Semi-Final schedule during the last day of
prelims. Then the same schedule could be flown in a Finals format, or even
alternate between the picked sequence and the current Prelim schedule in
Finals. 
 
The schedule sequence could be picked by the CD or his representative from a
list of 25-30 maneuvers as Troy N. suggests, and be given out at the Pilots
meeting Sunday evening. It's sure to liven things up a bit Wed. 
 
What do Masters pilots think?
 
MattK
 
In a message dated 1/6/2005 1:55:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,
troy_newman at msn.com writes:
Why not give the pilots a list of 25 maneuvers. Of these 25 possible only 15
will be used in the unknown. This is what the TOC used to do. These would be
stuff that you have already seen and done..Just different looks. Like 4pts,
8pts, no rolling loops, circles or other circus tricks. Just stuff from
older Masters sequences and Difficulty levels that are on a par with the
current 404 skill level. This list would be out in the open above board and
all pilots would know it. Then when the sequence was handed out it could be
managed. Besides F3A...We all know what the possible maneuvers will be.
There are just about 500-600 of them and the pilots pick the sequence. To
manage this on a  Masters skill level, make the list only 25 possible and
then the pilots can practice all 25 and be prepared.
 
Then its a semi unknown. 
 
Another solution if you want to walk this line is that the Finals schedule
is really that its known say June 1st or maybe July 1st...Then if the pilot
wants to practice he can and if he doesn't it need not.
 
Just some other ideas.
 
Personally I think its a neat idea...But I don't fly the Masters so its up
to the people that fly it to make the call.
 
I think this type of thing would be welcomed by the pilots that are flying
the event. Its a challenge and is fun. One thing we always hear from the
IMAC contests is that the pilots like the fact there are unknowns. I
personally enjoy the Unknowns in the F3A event. I think this would elevate
the Masters pilots to a new level and build their skills. 
 
Tony Stillman, RVP and I discussed this in detail last year 2003. We thought
it could work and that many of the Masters guys would like it and welcome
it. Who knows? 
 
TN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bob Richards <mailto:bob at toprudder.com>  
To: discussion at nsrca.org 
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: AMA MASTER'S unknown?
 
I can see both sides. If only one pattern is ever flown, the person that has
practiced the most, whether a "natural" or not, has a better chance of being
rewarded for all the effort. An unknown sequence would most likely go to the
person that is the overall best flyer, with a little less dependence on the
amount of actual practice time.
 
An unknown sequence must be known to at least one person. Keeping a sequence
secret may be tough. There could always be the possibility of the secret
getting out, or even some competitors being able to guess what might be in
the sequence just by knowing the preferences of the person(s) in charge of
developing the unknown.
 
I think I would rather see a prelim/finals, with EVERYONE flying the finals.
Let the finals be a different schedule, but known in advance of the contest.
Would be a good time to showcase the next-year's schedule, if it exists.
 
Knowing the sequence in advance would also be a good thing for the people
that will have to judge as well, IMHO.
 
Bob Richards.


Rcmaster199 at aol.com wrote:
The concept has alot of merit in respect to keeping Finals day more lively
in Masters. Either a different schedule or an unknown thrown in, or both. 
 
MattK
 
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