Pattern Box Rules (discussion)

Ed Alt ed_alt at hotmail.com
Wed Mar 2 17:38:22 AKST 2005


Buddy:
Scale Aerobatics doesn't even have box boundaries anymore.  It's now a 180 zoneless box and for all practical purposes, a box doesn't exist anymore.  I wouldn't look to what IMAC is doing to the AMA Scale Aerobatics rules for any kind of reasonable guidance on setting up our rules for the aerobatic box. Those rules have been changed by people who somehow think that center zone figures were being unfairly scored because centering downgrades applied to figures there and not in the end zones. Now get this, 'cause you just can't make this stuff up:  The combination of eliminating the 75 degree boundaries, eliminating the zones and centering downgrades and adding an overall "presentation score" figure would somehow, simultaneously solve the unfair "center zone bias" and magically reduce the large footprint flown.  I'm not kidding.

This drove me out of Scale Aerobatics competition and into Pattern last year.  I wasn't about to dedicate time and money resources into an event that could be decided by judges who have varying abstract notions of what a proper presentation score for the entire flight should be, with a K factor of 20 in Unlimited class (higher than some actual figures).  I know you're not advocating all these other things that they did beyond the eliminating the box boundaries, but I just don't see changing from 60 to 75 degree boundaries as solving anything. I really don't think there is much to apply from IMAC other than how to do a neat website layout and maybe market ourselves better.

In retrospect, I'm very glad to have gotten into Pattern, but it wasn't my idea to get shoved out of IMAC through those changes.  My 49 yr old eyes and reflexes had to learn to adjust to a smaller (actual?) aerobatic box, with a faster, cleaner and much smaller airplane.  Can we leave this alone please?  I think it's fine as it is and doesn't solve anything by changing to 75 degrees.  It's supposed to be hard to do well!

Thanks
Ed
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: BUDDYonRC at aol.com 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 12:03 PM
  Subject: Pattern Box Rules (discussion)


  As a member of the rules change committee I am trying to determine if there is interest in pursuing this matter and welcome a discussion and suggestions regarding this issue
  I have outlined some of the issues and suggestions pertaining to this below and welcome your opinions.

  The pattern box was added to the AMA rules when the turnaround method of 

  Presentation and scoring was initiated. It defines the limited scoring area where all maneuvers must be performed.

  The purpose of the box is to provide a uniform but somewhat flexible area of presentation that allows the pilot the opportunity to tailor his presentation to the requirements of the pattern being flown, and allow judges to score his presentation on an equitable basis when compared to the presentations of other pilots flying the sequence.

  The rules provide for specific score penalties for performing any maneuver either out of the box or partially out of the box, making it all important that all box violations are downgraded the same by all judges to provide the correct score earned.

  Over the years the failure of judges to provide a uniform application of box violations has resulted in an unfair advantage to some pilots and a disadvantage to others.

  In many cases box line poles are not or cannot be provided to give the pilot or judge the visual reference necessary which becomes the primary reason among others that this condition continues to exist.  

  In addition to the above the present box configuration increases the possibility of a midair collision when two flight lines are used because many pilots strive to utilize the same optimum distance out in their presentation.

  By reconfiguring the box more area will be available for those who wish to fly in closer with out fear of box violation downgrades, this will also allow those who experience vision difficulties at greater distances the possibly to be more competitive      

   In order to provide a method that will more nearly insure equity to all participants and simplify the task of judges, while possibly reducing the occurrences of midair collision, and also encourage those with limited eyesight at the greater distances to participate, It has been suggested that a rules change be requested to modify the pattern box layout and redefine the box boundary infringement penalty.

   

  One suggestion was to revise the box size by changing the box line from Sixty (60) degrees to Seventy-five (75) degrees. And adopt a uniform system of accessing penalties similar to the FAI rule or to the method used in IMAC  

   

  Another suggestion which may offer solutions to more of the inherent problems experienced with the present box layout and scoring methods would be to adopt 

  A box layout and penalty system as described in the AMA Scale Aerobatics Rules Item 4.1 with modifications to suit pattern.



  Buddy Brammer

   
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