[NSRCA-discussion] Fwd: Another discussion topic relating to new FAIrules

Tue Jan 31 09:25:14 AKST 2012

I've always called Precision Aerobatics "The figure skating of RC" but for
me, that's a GOOD thing, not a bad thing -- Figure Skating is one of the
most popular spectator sports in the world, although arguably that happened
when the compulsory figures were removed from the upper echelons.  There is
nothing better or more beautiful to watch (for this geek at least) than a
well executed sequence, and for me, a huge part of that beauty (which I
have yet to attain in my own flying) is the "grace" of an aircraft pulling
or pushing through a radius, even better when after seeing the first pull I
can mentally predict the path of future pulls or pushes that I know are
coming.  The best compliment a spectator at my field can give me when I'm
pulling the batteries out of my plane is "That's a real nice plane, very
smooth and graceful" because it means, in his unpracticed eyes, I was
flying with precision.   Yes, it means there's some subjectivity in the
judging, but no matter how mathematical you want it to be, that
subjectivity won't go away unless you make everyone carry a GPS + Attitude
flight logger and evaluate the flight track and airplane position (roll at
least) with a computer -- I suppose that's conceivable, Tennis did it for
line judging to great success, but I think Captain Picard would say
something about computers not being able to measure the "heart" of an
artistic endeavor, and I've always thought of Pattern as a form of Artistic
endeavor, perhaps I'm in the minority.

Peter+

On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 8:54 AM, Michael S. Harrison <
drmikedds at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>  i agree,  it only reinforces the bias that already exists and it will
> simply be a popularity contest, which i saw a good bit of at the world
> championships****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:
> nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] *On Behalf Of *Jon Lowe
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:18 AM
> *To:* nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Fwd: Another discussion topic relating
> to new FAIrules****
>
>  ** **
>
> It would appear that the FAI is going down the same road as IMAC, with
> IMAC's subjective "airspace control" factor.  The smoothness and
> gracefulness 25% gives a judge a non-objective way to give a downgrade of 2
> to 3 points.  Since there is no scoring criteria for it that I could find,
> other than Michael Ramel's instructions to the judges at the WC, I'm not
> sure what we do with it.  I would think that his instructions would have
> been protestable, if anyone had wanted to go down that path, since I'm
> unaware of any official FAI rule interpretation saying, for example, that
> constant speed is a part of smoothness and gracefulness.  I'm sure he was
> just trying to give meaning to a poorly writen criteria.****
>
>  ****
>
> Very sorry to see the FAI going this way.****
>
> Jon****
>
> ** **
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Atwood <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
> To: General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Sent: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 9:49 am
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Fwd: Another discussion topic relating to
> new FAIrules****
>
> Dave, the answer, by your own math, is that a geometrically perfect
> maneuver can't be beaten purely by other criteria.   With geometry making
> up 50% of the score, no amount of smoothness can be valued MORE than
> precision.   ****
>
> ** **
>
> I could also argue that a geometrically "perfect" maneuver would always
> have at least some level of gracefulness based on that perfect geometry.
>  They're not completely independent.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Unfortunately S&G is completely subjective, and as analytical people,
> we're not too keen on subjectivity.  But that's the nature of the sport.
>  It's perceived precision, not measured.    Vertical lines at the end of
> the box don't need to BE vertical, they need to LOOK vertical, etc.   ****
>
> ** **
>
> If we want purely objective scoring... look to racing.  Go fast, bank
> left, pull.   ****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *Mark Atwood*****
>
> *Paragon Consulting, Inc.*  *|*  President****
>
> 5885 Landerbrook Drive Suite 130, Cleveland Ohio, 44124 ****
>
> Phone: 440.684.3101 x102  *|*  Fax: 440.684.3102****
>
> mark.atwood at paragon-inc.com  *|*  www.paragon-inc.com****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> On Jan 31, 2012, at 10:37 AM, DaveL322 at comcast.net wrote:****
>
> ** **
>
>
> There has never been guidance for s+g downgrades in AMA or FAI.....which
> is why I have always advocated s+g should be eliminated from the judging
> criteria.  Of course if I am mistaken about the goal of pattern being
> precision aerobatics, then maybe s+g should be the only criteria.
>
> I've never gotten an answer to this question.  How can a geometrically
> perfect maneuver be outscored by a geometrically flawed maneuver?  Of
> course with the new FAI scoring.....it would seem that geometrically
> perfect maneuver might only be scored a 5.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint!****
>
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "Ronald Van Putte" <vanputte at cox.net>
> Date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 09:49
> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Fwd: Another discussion topic relating to new
> FAIrules
> To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>****
>
> After thinking about this further, I wonder how the change in  ranking
> affects anything.  Positioning has specific downgrades (2 point downgrade
> for each 1/4 of the maneuver off center).  However, I am unaware of any
> specific downgrades for smoothness and gracefulness. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Ron Van Putte****
>
> ** **
>
> Begin forwarded message:****
>
>
>
> ****
>
> *From: *Ronald Van Putte <vanputte at cox.net>****
>
> *Date: *January 31, 2012 8:24:56 AM CST****
>
> *To: *General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>****
>
> *Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Another discussion topic relating to new
> FAIrules*****
>
> *Reply-To: *General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>*
> ***
>
> ** **
>
> That's interesting.  I know #2. and #3. were in reverse order before.  I
> don't remember a rules change vote on this. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Ron Van Putte****
>
> ** **
>
> On Jan 31, 2012, at 8:19 AM, Bob Kane wrote:****
>
>
>
> ****
>
> FWIW, this is identical to to the ranking in the AMA Competition
> regulations:****
>
>  ****
>
> From the current AMA document (RCA-12):****
>
>  ****
>
> *1.* Precision of the maneuver.****
>
> *2.* Smoothness and gracefulness of the maneuver. ****
>
> *3.* Positioning or display of the maneuver.****
>
> *4. *Size or dimensions of the maneuver relative to the maneuvering area,
> distance from the judges, and other maneuvers in the flight. ****
>
>  ****
>
> The above criteria are listed in order of importance; however, all of them
> must be met for a maneuver to be rated perfect. ****
>
>  ****
>
> Bob Kane getterflash at yahoo.com****
>
> *From:* J N Hiller <jnhiller at earthlink.net>
> *To:* General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 31, 2012 3:51 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Another discussion topic relating to
> new FAIrules****
>
> ** **
>
> I would have thought positioning rated a higher precision aerobatics.
> Smoothness and gracefulness is polish.****
>
> Jim****
>
>  ****
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [
> mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org<nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org?>
> ]*On Behalf Of *tocdon at netscape.net
> *Sent:* Monday, January 30, 2012 6:06 PM
> *To:* nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> *Subject:* [NSRCA-discussion] Another discussion topic relating to new
> FAIrules****
>
>  ****
>
> This will keep the list going (and the discussions too).  I recall Michael
> Ramel clearly discussing the future of the rules during the judges training
> at the World Championships at Muncie.  This was relating to smoothness and
> gracefulness being directly related to constant speed.  The following
> reflects what he discussed, as cited on page 35, and effect the way a score
> is awarded:****
>
>  ****
>
> Geometry:  50%****
>
> Smoothness and Gracefulness: 25%****
>
> Position of maneuver: 12.5%****
>
> Size of maneuver: 12.5%****
>
> Proportion of the maneuver outside the (box) in addition to above.****
>
>  ****
>
> The specific, objective criteria used to judge smoothness and gracefulness
> includes, "maintaining constant speed throughout various maneuver
> components, like climbing and decending sections..."****
>
>  ****
>
> Also the sentence about radii being very loose or very tight, even
> if equal size within a maneuver, are grounds for downgrade of smoothness
> and gracefulness.****
>
>  ****
>
> Cheers,****
>
> Don****
>
>  ****
>
>
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-- 
Director, Fixed Wing Flight Training
Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark
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