[NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]

[Jay Marshall]

If  all CDs used PACSS, or a similar program, then the editing and upload to
a database is a trivial thing.

 

Jay Marshall 

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ron Van Putte
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 11:25 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]

 

I'd like to comment on John's three proposals:  I think they all have merit.
In a perfect world I'd support them all. 

 

As a CD, I always look to what a proposal is going to do to my workload, so
let me look at them as a CD.

 

#1  The CD would have to recruit several experienced competitors to conduct
the advising of Sportsman/Intermediate pilots because he would be too busy
to do it.

 

#2  The CD would either have to enter all the scores on every flight of
every competitor into a national database, or recruit someone to do it.
Some editing of scores would be required.  e.g: The flight score of a
competitor whose airplane flames out midway through a flight does not
accurately reflect the quality of his flying.

 

#3  The CD would either have to check all competitors' advancement scores to
make sure they were in the correct class or recruit someone to do it.  After
the contest, the CD would have to enter all the earned advancement points
for all competitors into the national database or recruit someone to do it.

 

My experience with many CDs is that #1 would probably get done by most of
them.  #2 might get done by about half the CDs, UNLESS it was made an AMA
requirement and there was a "hammer" attached to "punish" CDs who didn't
comply.  Would such a requirement cause some to decide that being a CD was
too much trouble?  Maybe.  #3 would probably have about the same success
rate as #2.

 

Even worthy proposals have downsides and these are what I see as a CD and a
realist regarding organizations whose members are volunteers.

 

Ron Van Putte

 

On Aug 22, 2007, at 7:12 PM, John Gayer wrote:






I'd like to present three proposals that might appeal to a few if not the
many....
Modified from the original proposal . Apparently not many saw it. The first
one has been added 
Comments?
John
NSRCA 632

Revive the practice of assigning mentors to Sportsman and Intermediate
flyers

At contests, assign an experienced competitor to mentor, call and advise the
Sportsman/ Intermediate flyers. This is nothing new, but should be a part of
every contest. We should try to provide a connection that will last past the
contest.
As I see it, there are four issues that drasticaly affect the ability of
these flyers to compete effectively: aircraft trimming, execessive throws,
wings level and centering(also known as flying the airplane, not letting the
airplane fly you).
These flyers have shown the initiative to come out and compete. We owe them
(and ourselves) all the help we can throw at them. 


Create a National Database for Pattern

The database must contain the raw scores of all flights for all competitors
by class. The only thing normalized scores are good for is finding the right
finish order for each class at a contest. Raw scores are much better for
comparing results even at a contest. For example I finish round one with a
930 and round two with a 985, both to competitor A. Now did I fly a lot
better in round two(I thought I did)  or did competitor A flop a stall turn
in the figure M in round 2.
Anyway once you have the raw scores by competitor and class, you can do the
following:

1.      Create a National Ranking for each class based on average points per
maneuver. Once this is in place and on line, we will have a reason for
pattern competitors to join NSRCA. you can't tell me that there wouldn't be
a lot of interest in seeing who is hot around the country and how you stack
up against the competition. I know, the judging isn't always equal but
that's always been true and we have to live with it. 

2.      The data available on each competitor would include contests
entered, placing, advance points earned. The districts could extract
whatever data is required to ascertain the district champions. We could
archive previous years as well.

3.      Other ways to specify advancement in class become available,
percentage of average FAI score, even eventually moving the 10 top-rated
pilots up a class. Possibilities are endless when you have the data.

Since the database would only be open to NSRCA members, if you want to track
your National standing, joining NSRCA would be a must. If you want to see
what the guy nobody heard of that just rolled in from out of district has
accomplished, look him up. We've been looking for reasons  to join NSRCA, I
feel this is one that could be big and would be worth some investment in
time and money. I would be willing to help with such a project although I
don't feel like I could take it on by myself.

Redirect the focus to our international team competition through
modification of the advancement system

1.      Modify the advancement process to be consistent through all classes
from Sportsman through to F3A. See section two for possible advancement
criteria

2.      Advancement can be forced by the advancement criteria(see section 2)
or voluntary.

3.      The first year in a new and higher class is an option year. At the
end of the option year you can downselect one class for any reason.

This has the advantage of being able to try out the higher class for a year
without committing your entire pattern career. If you discover that the next
class is beyond your means( time, money or talent) then you option down the
following year. If you absolutely refuse to fly your new class, then perhaps
you could use the time and money to reintroduce your self to your wife,
girlfriend, etc. If you need a goal for the year, focus on making your
rudder commands instinctive, learn to fly a helicopter, learn to fly rolling
circles. You would probably come back a better pattern flyer than when you
left.




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