[NSRCA-discussion] WC '07

Tue Dec 18 14:20:14 AKST 2007

Hey Lance,

Keep in mind that FIRST pass it being designed to address F3A which has
very specific rules for creating an unknown.  There are no maneuvers
with options.  Each option in the FAI catalog is a unique maneuver and
they're already separated by maneuver groupings with rules for how many
maneuvers can be chosen from each group.  It's not a completely random
system...it's actually pretty rigid.

As for the technical approach, I'll be using server side objects to
create the available data sets for each selection based on attributes of
the preceding maneuver and the remaining available maneuver groups and
K-factor limitations.  Version 1 will have almost no UI...maybe a big
red "GO" button that creates a maneuver listing.

-M

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Lance Van
Nostrand
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 4:09 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] WC '07

Mark,

Consider how to handle manuvers with options.  I think the easiest way
is to treat all options as different manuvers in the database.

I would build the app to separate the database and rules engine from the
actual manuver description list. The cross index between the app and the
manuver descriptions is an index key.  This allows the system to expand
to produce a list of manuver descriptions, aresti diagrams, calling
cards each as a different report output from the same app.

Your approach to annotate each manuver entry in the database with
attributes is a good one.  I'd add a "type" attribute that may be
thought of as a base class.  this would identify manuvers according to
their basic types: loops, rolls, humpty, half squares, stall turns.  A
manuver may have more than one base class.  This will improve the
results by letting you define a rule to prevent too many humpty turn
arounds in the same sequence, for example.

Let the target total KF be an input so you can produce sequences for all
levels

This is a fun application of real work skills.

--Lance

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: Mark Atwood <mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>  

	To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>

	Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:35 PM

	Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] WC '07

	Verne,

	I often have staff that need a fake practice project to work on
to learn a new technology or the like, and I was thinking that a random
Unknowns generator would not be all that challenging and would provide
the team some value.  I figure if I plan it now...might have a shot at
having something useful for '09 and maybe even for this summer's Nats
practice for Andy.

	Here's the thought...All the manuevers from the catalog get
loaded into a database.  Each is assigned a number of attribute...
K-Factor, Center/endbox, Entry Altitude, Exit Altitude, Entry
orientation, Exit Orientation, manuever class, etc etc etc.  Then it's
simply a matter of writing a rules engine...given the Entry Altitude,
current K-factor, etc, you query for a subset of maneuvers that meet the
criteria, and select one randomly.  Of course there are additional
checks...no more than X # of K-5s, etc....no more than 1 from a given
class...etc.  But it's VERY VERY doable, and I think would make a great
online Web app that I can host here at work.  People go to the web
site...and BHAM...they print off a new unknown...or 20.  

	Interested???  I would need some help writing the specs....  And
I may contact FAI to see if there's a soft copy of the manuevers so they
can be imported.  Of course the follow up add on is something that auto
generates the Aresti...

	Thoughts?

	On 11/21/07 6:04 PM, "Verne Koester" <verne at twmi.rr.com> wrote:

	Geez, Mark, I'm all a' flutter....

	Truth is, I help Andrew because I enjoy it. I used to coach him
a few years back, but now he coaches me. We did spend a fair amount of
time getting ready but I enjoyed every minute of it. Andrew's a great
kid from great parents (where the credit REALLY belongs). What's not to
like? 

	Thanks,
	Verne

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From:  Mark  Atwood <mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
<mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>   

	To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>   

	Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 2:06  PM

	Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] WC  '07

	While I want to congratulate Quique, Jason and Andrew  over and
over and over again...I feel remiss that there's been little mention  of
their callers.  I don't know who called for Quique or Jason, But I  know
the Verne Koester was Andrew's caller and he put in such an incredible
amount of time helping him prepare that it seems negligent not to
include him  in the hoopla.   

	I knew Verne would be the first to defer  all of the glory for
Andrew, but for those that know how hard these two have  worked for this
opportunity.... Twice daily practice routine, Verne creating  new
Unknowns every day, hours and hours of critique, all in a very selfless
effort to take a gifted set of thumbs to the next level...well, you have
to  step back and give a few claps for Verne as well.

	I'm extremely proud  of Andrew...someone that I've had the
privilege of helping through the pattern  ranks.  But I also have huge
respect and congrats to Verne for the effort  he made (along with a
myriad of other supporters) to help him get there.  

	I KNOW that Jason and Quique have their own "Verne" to thank and
I  hope someone jumps on here and lets us all know who they are, so that
we can  show them equal appreciation for their efforts.

	-Mark

	On  11/19/07 1:19 PM, "Earl Haury" <ejhaury at comcast.net>  wrote:

	Made it home from  Argentina this morning, a bit tired from a
long drive yesterday, a long wait  at the airport, and a long nite on
the airplane. The WC was completely worth  the effort. The posts so far
do not begin to describe the huge amount of  work, the superb flying,
and awesome accomplishment of Team  USA!

	The Team spent huge amounts of time at the practice field flying
in conditions (wind, sun, dark, cold) most wouldn't even try. Each
flight  was generally critiqued by a number of Team members & supporters
as  these guys worked together to eliminate every possible flaw. There
was total  focus and commitment within and for the Team. Team Manager Al
Glenn took  care of administrative details - including leaving the hotel
around 5:00am  to ensure transmitters were impounded on time, handling
"information just in  time" logistics and essentially doing everything
but sleeping. (Don't give  him too much grief when the photos of him
sleeping at the banquet  publish.)

	The conditions during the prelims were extremely difficult.
Cross  winds in or out each day that approached 30mph at times. It was
amazing how  many "unknown" folks flew exceptionally well and that all
of the "know"  folks flew even better. Not only were these guys flying
in strong wind - but  it was usually quite cold in the morning sessions
as well. The semi's and  finals were also windy - but not as bad and it
got warmer, downright hot for  the finals. 

	Bad luck and a  great performance by BPLR prevented Team USA
from winning the Team  Championship - BPLR flew one flight during the
only calm period (maybe half  an hour) of the prelims and did a very
good job of capitalizing upon the  opportunity. Jason was up next - but
a delay to allow for an airliner  departure was long enough for the wind
to return before Jason flew. This was  enough to swing the advantage to
the French and give them a well fought win  - Team USA can be proud of
second, it was a hard fought battle with great  flying on each side,
with the Japanese team always in the  mix.

	All of the flying in the finals was exceptional. Quique was
consistently solid, Jason likewise (and winning his first WC round), and
Andrew flying superbly. In hindsight - it may be that the "in-close"
style  Andrew flew to good advantage in the prelims / semi's that may
not have  scored as well in the finals without the strong crosswind. 

	There were a  lot of electrics (mostly Hacker) as well as glow
(mostly YS) and neither had  an advantage / disadvantage in the strong
winds. Either propulsion is  totally viable, Sebastiano even flew a
Hacker with contra-rotating props in  the finals - good power and
excellent braking.

	The highlight  of the experience occurred while standing next to
Quique when he was  announced as the winner (he didn't know he'd won).
I'll remember his emotion  forever - he really wanted this! 

	So - second WC  Team placing is good, every Team member making
the Finals is outstanding,  everyone in the top 8 is exceptional, and a
USA Team member winning the  World Championship is more than great! The
accomplishments of 2007 Team USA  are HUGE!! Congratulations to Quique,
Jason, and Andrew - we couldn't be  more proud or appreciative of your
accomplishments!!  Thanks to the  callers who worked as hard as the
pilots, the TM's that handled logistics,  and everyone who contribute to
an exceptional performance by Team  USA.

	Earl

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