Pattern Box Rules (discussion)

[steven maxwell]

 Thanks for your insight  and welcome to pattern hope you enjoy.
 Steve Maxwell


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ed Alt 
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Sent: 3/2/2005 9:37:45 PM 
Subject: Re: Pattern Box Rules (discussion)


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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