[NSRCA-discussion] A question for the experts

[mjfrederick at cox.net]

I'm not sure where the notion came from that wind drift during a stall turn is not downgraded. In AMA judging criteria the only maneuver that specifically mentions that no downgrade is given for wind drift is the spin, and that is only DURING the stalled portion of the maneuver. In a "stall" turn there is no true stall of the wing as there is in a spin. If flown with the proper wind corrections on the up- and down-lines there should be no noticable deviation in distance. If there is, the maneuver should be downgraded because the pilot failed to make the proper wind correction. Even if there was a slight drift during the 180 turn at the apex of the lines, the pilot should recognize that and incorporate the proper adjustment to the downline to bring the aircraft back to the original starting distance. To me, it's no different than turbulence that might cause the aircraft to temporarily deviate from straight and level flight. Adjustments must be made to return the airplane to the original line. I don't feel like pulling up the FAI rule book, so I just won't go there, but I'm not sure if my answer would be any different.

Matt


---- tocdon at netscape.net wrote: 

A question for the judging experts.

Figure M, both Masters and FAI- Yes I know the bottom line rule the best presentation gets the best score, but a technical question.

Maneuver flow  in a crosswind.  Plane starts maneuver at 140 meters distance out.  During the first stall turn the plane drifts out (recall this is a stalled maneuver); second stall turn the plane drifts out again (same).  Now the plane wind corrects in all other aspects of the maneuver but exits approximately 20 meters further out than the entry and no defects observed, but exit distance is 160 meters.  What is the score given for this maneuver?

Best Regards,

Don