[NSRCA-discussion] Don Lowe Masters

[Earl Haury]

Working as a judge at  the DLM last week provided an insight into the technology, judging, and competitors. The event is an interesting combination of F3A and IMAC formats. Large airplanes are flown, but the judging criteria are F3A with a few changes. (Essentially 1 pt / 5 deg error, no side box limits, 75 deg top of box, and relaxed centering requirements).  Sound levels were mandated at 94 dBa @ 25 ft which kept the noise at a much more pleasant level than is often the case with the large powerplants.

Power is generally provided by 150+ cc gas engines, but E was used by two of the finalists (300+ A at full throttle). While turn-arounds were farther than F3A (with proportionally larger maneuvers), the pace was similar to F3A flown with E power. Some airplanes looked as though more power would have been good at the top of the big maneuvers - the E airplanes weren't lacking at all.

Pilots were the best of both disciplines, and the judge mix was also about even.The biggest take away is just how close the flying skills of the top pilots of each discipline are. There may be a slight overall advantage in precision for the F3A guys and a like advantage for the IMAC guys in free-style, but it's very small. Both groups flew very complex unknowns very well. The top IMAC guys would clearly be in the top of the finals at any F3A event and vice versa. 

Discussions in judging orientation were similar to those in any Team Selection judges discussions, with no difference between the views of the two disciplines. I'm confident either group could competently judge to other group's events with little adaptation (differences are mostly box / centering items).

Overall - the only real difference between the current F3A pattern and IMAC is the size of the airplanes. It can't be anything but good for both events, and precision aerobatics in general, that things are this close - we is them and they is us (sort of).  Collaboration among the respective SIG's at any opportunity would appear to be something worth pursuit.

Anyway, If you want to see some of the best flying ever - insane freestyle - and the most outstanding model flying facility - mark your calendar to visit the DLM in 2008 at Triple Tree Aerodrome! 

(More event specific discussions are on RCU - IMAC Forum.)

Earl










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