[NSRCA-discussion] FAI Judging clarification.

[Ronald Van Putte]

+1

Ron Van Putte

On May 28, 2014, at 1:10 PM, Jim Woodward <jimwoodward89 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the clarifications.
> 
> Thank You,
> Jim
> 
> Sent from my iPhone (please forgive any spelling errors)
> 
> On May 28, 2014, at 1:22 PM, Jon Carter <jon.x.carter at oracle.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hey guys – Given that contest season is heating up all across the country and the Nats are rapidly approaching the Judging Committee thought that we should share this coming months “From the Judges Chair” article ahead of time and get it as widespread as possible. Thus, this mailing, the website and the upcoming K-Factor!
>>  
>> From The Judges Chair
>> Submitted by the Judging Committee
>>  
>> For this month’s column we have a few important clarifications to make for certain FAI maneuvers. We learned of these issues from the F3A Sub-committee chairman at the AOC F3A Competition in Thailand. We then did some research with our compatriots in Europe and the rest of the world. We decided it was very important to align ourselves with the rest of the FAI community in the world and to get this information out as quickly as possible so that all of our pilots and judges could digest this before our Nationals and Team Selection event in July.
>>  
>> First, for the FAI Golf Ball maneuver (P15 and F15) we have stated that the rolls on the 45° up/down lines must be centered on the line segments AND centered on the center pole. After carefully looking at the geometry and drawing a lot of pictures we realize we were mistaken! The rolls MUST be centered on the line segments that they are contained in, this might or might not mean that the rolls will be centered on the center pole. In several “normal” loop size drawings that we have made, they are not centered on the center pole, they are offset slightly. Depending on the radius of the loop segments the rolls can properly occur before, at or after the intersection of the two line segments. As judges we must simply verify that the roll element is in the center of the line segment that contains it. Of course the apex of the ¾ loop segment must be over the center pole for proper centering of the maneuver.
>>  
>> The second clarification concerns the Double Immelman maneuver that is in both the P15 and the F15 sequences. Under AMA rules a Double Immelman maneuver is defined as a square with half loop segments on each end and that is the way we have been writing about and recommending judging these maneuvers in FAI. The FAI maneuver however is defined differently; it has no express relationship between the horizontal line segments and the half loop diameter. Thus, this maneuver can be wider than it is tall or taller than it is wide with no geometry downgrade. Bear in mind though that other downgrades we have mentioned are still applicable, rolls must begin immediately after loop segments, loops must be round with no flat spots, etc…
>>  
>> The third clarification is closely related to the second. This concerns the center Top Hat maneuver in P15. In AMA rules a center Top Hat is defined as 3 legs of a square. That is the vertical legs must be equal to the horizontal leg. Again, the FAI rules do not state this. Therefore, in FAI, a center Top Hat shall have both vertical legs the same length but there is no required relationship to the horizontal leg. I.e. it can be wide and short or tall and skinny with no geometry downgrade as long as the vertical legs are the same length.
>>  
>> We hope that this clarifies the proper judging of these maneuvers for you. Please remember, these clarifications are for FAI only! The AMA rules require that a center Top Hat be 3 sides of a square and a Double Immelman be a square with half loop segments on each end when flown in an AMA pattern class.
>>  
>> Thanks,
>>  
>>  
>> Jonathan L. Carter
>> NSRCA Judging Committee Chairman
>>  
>> Derek Koopowitz & Andre Bouchard
>> NSRCA Judging Committee members
>>  
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