[NSRCA-discussion] Stirring up the Masters 2009Sequencediscussionagain...

[J N Hiller]

Jon & Mike, I will probably ride out the current Advanced schedule but for a
different reason. I consider myself a recreational competitor who has
returned to pattern competition to again fly with old friends and make new
ones. I returned in 2005 in Intermediate and would have moved to the more
difficult advanced class last year if the current 2007 sequence had been of
equal difficulty. I am now delaying the move back to Masters for the same
reason with some reservations regarding the yet to be determined difficulty
of the next schedule. During my absence the K-Factor has become a poor
indicator of overall flight difficulty or required skill resulting from
inverted and complex combination maneuvers, all of which needs to be managed
in adverse weather conditions before any degree of competency can be
demonstrated. Mandatory advancement based on other competitors ability is no
indication of a pilots acquired skill and potential compatibility with the
next higher class schedule. Getting three advancement points for contestant
who didn't fly due to a motor problem in no way increases my ability to fly
Masters.
Before we started using normalized scoring we published raw score totals
where were a reasonably accurate indicator of ones capability and when
averaged for a season's contests became quite accurate. Lacking visibility
of raw scores posted by other competitors at other contests I have no way to
judge my relative capability.
On a good day I fly the Advanced schedule around 80% and I posted a two
judge average of 71.6% in the only wind round I had this season. I have no
idea how my performance would or could have compared to the more
accomplished advanced competitors at the NATS. Using raw score or K-factor
totals is a much better indicator of ones ability than getting 1000 points
for a first place finish. Yes I should be flying Masters and the 2009
schedule can be learned without undue risk to the airplane or excessive
pilot stress. After all this is suppose to be fun.
Jim Hiller

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Dr. Mike
Harrison
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 5:26 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Stirring up the Masters
2009Sequencediscussionagain...

Jon,
Fly Masters after this year.  You can do it.

Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Lowe" <jonlowe at aol.com>
To: <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 3:42 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Stirring up the Masters 2009Sequence
discussionagain...


>
> Glen,
> You are spot on.  I have competed in Advanced just this season, and
> have 70 points with several district contests left in 2007.  I finished
> 5th at the Nats, but was never really in contention to finish higher.
> District 3 has a lot of competitors in advanced.  I'm a decent but not
> great pilot in advanced right now, so I've gathered more points than I
> would have in a smaller district. Do I feel at all ready to move to
> Masters?  Absolutely not.  Therefore, I am going to sit out contests
> this year so I don't point out.  Or I might fly the FAI P07 at a couple
> of contests just for giggles.  The jump right now between Advanced and
> Masters is just too big right now for me, and the current advanced
> pattern does not properly prepare you for Masters.
>
> Jon Lowe
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Glen Watson <gwatson11 at houston.rr.com>
> To: 'NSRCA Mailing List' <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Sent: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:43 am
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Stirring up the Masters 2009Sequence
> discussionagain...
>
>
>
> Is the issue that competitors are forced by the current AMA regulations
> to
> move up thru the classes via a point system whether a competitor feels
> ready
> or not?
>
> Just mastering a maneuver is not enough.  Being able to manage
> positioning
> throughout an entire sequence regardless of weather conditions is a
> major
> task which becomes more challenging as maneuver complexity and
> difficultly
> increases.  A good example is the Figure M.  I witnessed many
> competitors
> during the prelims at the NATS not able to sustain proper track and
> positioning in the cross/quartering winds we experienced. They would
> begin
> at 150-175 meters and finish at 80 meters from being blown in.
> Practice can
> address this however as I read here in previous posts not all have the
> time
> they wish to practice.
>
> The current point system for Intermediate and Advanced is based on a 4
> year
> cumulative total although one could point out in a single year from
> attending enough well attended contests. A potential issue here in
> District
> 6 for example. Does this make someone ready for the next class?
>
> If a pattern enthusiast has limited time to enable them to be
> comfortable
> flying a particular class why make it mandatory to move up.  If the
> point
> system criterion was revised in such a manner to reset each year and
> force
> only top consistent place finishers to move up that would provide more
> time
> for those with limit time to hone the skills necessary to be comfortable
> moving on to the next class.  In addition I feel this raises the
> competitive
> bar in Intermediate and Advanced having more experience competitors
> within
> the ranks.
>
> Glen
>
>
>
>
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