[NSRCA-discussion] APPARENT GEOMETRY (PARALLAXED VIEW)

[Ed Deaver]

Have been thinking about this discussion (currently going on elsewhere also) and suddenly had the light bulb go on.
   
  At some clubs as we enter the driveway that leads to the field, 1/2 mile away or maybe a bit more, or the NATs site for example from site 3 (grass field I think) to site 2, it is very easy to watch the geometry of the plane being flown.  At this distance, there is almost zero vertical parallax due to the distance from the pilot.
   
  Sooooo, what do we see at this distance.  Loops sure do look round to me when flown by good pilots, 45's look like 45's or maybe 50's (my contention is a slight bit steeper always scores better than a slight bit flatter) and even though the pilot is standing "under" the manuever, the good pilots still keep the geometry when looked at from a distance, Correct.
   
  At the end of the box, standing this distance away it is easier to see the geometry again, with only a very little parallax and the good pilots, IMO still keep the geometry very close to what it should be.  The 45's may be a slight bit steeper, but from a distance the 1/2 cuban 8 flown well, will still have a round radius, with very close to a 45 degree downline (again depending on what the local teacher states), with the rolling element centered.
   
  My point is, too much is being made of this parallax issue and think judges will reward the pilot that flies the correct geometry, which again IMO, can be verified by watching a flight from a distance.
   
  Just my $.02
   
  Ed

rcmaster199 at aol.com wrote:
    A question has been posted from an IMAC gentleman (who is trying to write better IMAC rules) as to how Pattern people fly and judge skewed appearance of maneuvers at box ends or in center when tall maneuvers (Hourglass, Vert Sq 8, Rolling Ess, etc) are involved. 
   
  Some of us have searched the book and found no wording written that describes what the pilots' responsibilities and the judges' responsibilities are in the performance of the skewed apparent geometry. There is a statement in the Judges Training tape in regard to end maneuvers.... that these will appear different even when accurately flown. The oness is essentially on the judges to know how the True Geometry should appear when flown at an angle to the eye, and must not downgrade for Apparent or Parallaxed appearance difference.
   
  Spoke with Don about this earlier today and we decided to present the question to the group and get some conversation going. We should be explicit in the book regarding how such Apparent Geometry should be treated....ie- what is the pilot's responsibility and what is the judge's. Description improvements could be written over the next couple rule cycles.
   
  The pilot's responsibility may appear easy.... they simply need to fly precise geometry per the book. True enough, BUT.....consider what is actually flown, especially by the top guys, and what scores well. These are not necessarily as precise as one might think. The better pilots tend to fly purposely flawed maneuvers that give the impression of precision. 
   
  MattK
    
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