[NSRCA-discussion] Wind correction scoring

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

To Ed's point, If the model flies a technically correct maneuver in heavy 
wind, few judges are desciplined enough to really judge only the technical merit, 
as per the book. Most will also see the strange attitudes the model must 
endure even if track was correct, particularly when properly compensating for said 
wind, and take off points for smoothness and grace. 

Throw in slower flight which is the present norm especially with e-flight, 
and the issue can get exacerbated. Faster flight regime in heavy wind will tend 
to mask wind compensation.

There have been many superb flights that were wind corrected extremely well 
to deserved high scores. The Nats is often the place since it is usually so 
windy and demands some superb performances. 

However, two stick out in my mind, performed in relatively obscure local 
contests.... Ivan Kristensen in Jacksonville a bunch of years ago, and Pete 
Collinson in Ocala just a couple years ago. Both contests were held early in the 
season and anyone who has spent any time in Florida will know how windy the early 
season can be there. 

Both explained that they essentially "flew the wind". Ivan added that he flew 
"b..ls to the wall...". Pete did also except his model was set-up for only 
moderately fast speed, which caused the perennial F3A winner in FLA at the time 
to exclaim "...well, if you're gonna get beat, might as well be by the best.."

Judging Pattern fairly and consistently is tough needless to say, 
particularly in difficult conditions. To Earl's point, Technical Merit and Artistic Merit 
are combined in our present mode of judging. Perhaps we may want to separate 
them, as done in other similar sports.

Matt



In a message dated 9/30/2006 7:04:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
ehaury at houston.rr.com writes:
Ed

I'll always score the technically correct higher!! 

As a judge I just am amazed at the folks that will wind correct properly on 
uplines and simply disregard it on downlines - totally destroying a good score. 
Unfortunately - some judges still can't get past the ugly, the only sure way 
around this is to score with some sort of machine. 

It takes a lot of practice to develop a "feel" for the wind so as to 
recognize just what / how much to compensate. Often the pilot requires several 
maneuvers to get this feel in a competition flight - the judges instantly see the 
results. The latter may be why some feel wind corrected maneuvers don't score 
well - it's easy for the judge to see and hard to fly correctly.

How about some technical discussion of wind correcting - we're drawing 
maneuvers in a moving medium (air) that affects the trajectory of our machine 
(airplane). Does speed really help - other than shortening the time exposure? Is 
slower better - gives more time to correctly apply thrust vector "against" the 
wind? Uplines take some (x) power in calm, additional power is needed for the 
wind vector (y), how much y to maintain x in calm? Steve's point - downlines are 
affected by the same wind as uplines, gravity usually is used for x - won't y 
thrust (adding power) improve downline attitude in wind? Can power be added 
for y without helping gravity too much (downline speed)?

Earl


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ed Deaver 
To: NSRCA Mailing List 
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Wind correction


Thanx Ken, but which would you score higher??  I know what we are supposed to 
do, but that is the jist of my post.  

Ed

Ken Thompson <mrandmrst at comcast.net> wrote:
Hard to ignore "ugly", but you need to judge the "track"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ed Deaver 
To: NSRCA Mailing List 
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 9:13 PM
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Wind correction


Hey everyone.  While the season is winding down, Don Ramsey and I had an 
interesting discussion this past weekend.  Am wondering what the general consensus 
is.

First, let me state, judges are human and I understand that.  Also, many 
judges don't know the exact wording of many rules, I understant that also.

Soooo

Will a pilot score higher if they follow the letter of the law and wind 
correct perfectly, but fly an ugly manuever, or wind correct a little and let the 
plane look "prettier" in a manuever?????

Lets use the first maneuver in the Master's sequence after entering the box.  
Stall turn 1 1/4 rolls up, 3/4 rolls down exit inverted.  On a strong wind 
day, not pulling to vertical to maintain the line doesn't look to bad (we expect 
that) the 1 1/4 rolls in centered, looking good, appropriate rudder is given 
to maintain a straight vertical line (again expected and usually doesn't 
require much as we are at full throttle), the stall goes off without a hitch, but 
do to lack of airspeed we cant the fuse and hold rudder into the wind letting 
the fuse lean at a 45degree angle to maintain a straight line (this is the part 
I'm curious about) until the 3/4 roll and using a little down elevator to 
hold the line after the roll (again expected but not ugly)
Everything about this manuever is done and doesn't detract from the overall 
appearance of the manuever except the down line after the stall, which is 
simply "UGLY"

Just curious what everyone says.  Again, I know what the rules say, and am 
not interested in a rule book interpretation, but what do you think about 
scoring better vs worse???

Thanx

ed
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