Pattern Help -with links (long)

[John Ferrell]

If it is not a problem I would like a look at the Excel sheets as well...
John Ferrell    
http://DixieNC.US

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: rick wallace 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:39 AM
  Subject: RE: Pattern Help -with links (long)


  Earl - 



  Concur - score analysis helps - and so does a coach, even one who isn't a pilot. 



  I've done a similar thing to Gordon's sheet - screen shot at http://www.angelfire.com/nj3/rixplanes/scoring_analysis__coaching_aids.htm



  And I'll be happy to send the actual Excel sheet to anyone who wants it - it's set up for Advanced, but the Masters one will be available soon. (be forewarned -It has a macro in it that computes cell fill color based on score - that might alert some computer protection systems)  



  It's an Excel sheet intended to show score trends over the course of a season, and to highlight the high-K maneuvers. 

              Once the user enters the scores for each judge and round,  there's a macro that colors the cells to show scores - e.g, 10 = green, 8= light blue, 5 = RED, 0 = really ugly purple (like a bruise) 

              Higher K maneuvers are set to display in bold, italic or both, 

              The sheet computes each raw round score is computed, and there's a place for the pilot to enter normalized score and placement in class for the round.

              There's also a trend analysis part at the bottom tha compares mean score for each maneuver across the contests flown- colored of course to show improvement (or plateau or .. area for improvement. 



  Use is pretty easy - 

              Enter the scores for each round - takes about 30 min after the contest

              Run to macro to set the cell colors based on scores.  

              Make up the practice plan for the coming week to eliminate the purple, red, orange, yellow areas and get scores into the blue / green zone. 



  The sheet really does highlight areas for improvement over a single contest, and does so even more as the season progresses. 



  The other example at the link above is a 'coaching page for non-pilot coaches' - like my wife. 

  Color diagrams (powerpoint of course) , correct geometries, arrows showing entry / exit - even names! And a set for each flight direction. 



  Wife goes to the field w/ me, marks on the drawings what / where the errors are, and we use them as a basis for post-flight discussions. 



  Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced diagrams in pdf format are available on the Dq1 website, http://ocmrc.us/NSRCAD1/home.htm or I can provide powerpoint files to any who want them. 

  (Masters is about done-maybe next week for the ppts.) 



  Sorry, guys, the coach isn't available for anything except coaching . and good natured banter at D1 contests. 



  Hope this helps. 

  -Rick 





  -----Original Message-----
  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Gordon Anderson
  Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 8:43 PM
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Subject: RE: Pattern Help



  Earl,



  Regarding the calculation of statistics from the scoring of a contest; I have attached a final score sheet from my scoring program used in most of the D8 pattern contests last season. This program is a series of excel spreadsheets and macros. I will give this to anyone interested but you will need Microsoft Excel to use this program. 

  I calculate a number of statistics and plot score distribution data that I find very useful in focusing my practice. 



  --Gordon 




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  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Earl Haury
  Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 10:35 AM
  To: Discussion List, NSRCA
  Subject: Pattern Help

  Several have mentioned the lack of help in the form of coaches, competent observers, etc. which could help them improve their flying skills. This is probably more common than not, and makes it difficult for each of us to improve (even the FAI guys). I've found a couple of ways around this that some might find useful. 



  The first is score analysis. Simply input raw scores (each maneuver / each judge) into a spreadsheet. Even a 4 round contest with 2 judges / flight will yield 8 scores / maneuver. Average each maneuver's score set and calculate the standard deviation. This provides a feel for how well any given maneuver was flown and a feel for consistency - the lower the std dev the better. This info lets one see what needs improvement the most and, over several contests, note progress.



  Of course score analysis doesn't indicate just what the problem is. There have been many good suggestions regarding seeking that input from fellow competitors, interested observers, etc. Another method exists that can provide valuable info.

  That method is a datalogger. I've recently been using the latest USB Datalogger to look at in flight parameters. http://www.eagletreesystems.com/Plane/plane.html  This newest version provides a useable graphics display of flight parameters (even more useful if the data are evaluated in a spreadsheet) - your choice as to just what to look at. I typically log altitude, airspeed, and aileron inputs. 



  The altitude inputs allow observation of entry / exit altitudes, altitude changes in level flight, diameter (height) of loops, cross over points, altitude loss / gain during spin entry, altitude loss / gain during rolls, etc. All basic stuff that's important to get right for good scores. Speed data provide clues as to where too much / little power is used and whether a prop works well or not. The aileron inputs can be superimposed on the altitude data to determine roll position on vertical lines. While not all pattern parameters lend them selves to analysis with this technology, a good deal can be learned with it.



  While recently evaluating engine / prop combinations (very top secret), I noted something that looks useful regarding snaps. During both up and downline snaps the speed signal drops to zero for a period of time roughly equivalent to snap duration. It appears that possibly airflow separation from the wing includes the pitot tube. Upline snaps also show a marked decline in ascent rate during the snap. 



  Recent snap discussions have made me curious, so I've decided to do some snap analysis with a G-force sensor connected to the logger. I've ordered the sensor and plan to take a good look at "real" snaps and barrel rolls. What to bet that the G loads spike quickly then drop dramatically during snaps, but increase throughout the barrel rolls? I'll present this work as a K-Factor article when finished, if anyone wants data sooner, a datalogger costs the same as a couple of servos. 



  Earl
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