[NSRCA-discussion] Apology

Wed Aug 21 06:49:00 AKDT 2019

Just to clarify,

The scoring program used was provided by the organizers, i.e. Italians, (not the US).  There is a process for certification prior to use, and this was completed.  I believe the issue at hand was NOT a software glitch, but a simple user error.  As someone here pointed out earlier, there are many configuration options in these programs and in this case, it provided results that were not intuitively incorrect.   Short version is that the normalization “base” should have been 15 pilots, and instead it used 5.  Which, by the way, is the difference between a semi final setup, and a finals set up.

Regardless, the FAI subcommittee is already in discussion about procedures to prevent this from occurring in the future.   One issue that complicated matters was the use of a single flight line for the Semi-Finals.  This resulted in a flying day that lasted from 8am - 8:40pm with NO lunch break.  Too long.  As a result, it was a scramble to finalize scores, certify, have a TM meeting to verify and go through unknowns, and then finally distribute unknowns at 11PM.  WHICH also breaks the rules of not providing unknowns 12hrs in advance of flying.  Thankfully there were no protests for that.

These are complicated events, with a lot of moving parts.  Something that we’re about to learn first hand as we host the 2021 worlds.  It’s a hobby.  Everyone is a volunteer.  Everyone is passionate about model aviation.  Everyone is doing their utmost best to provide the best possible event and outcomes, just like we will do for 2021 (GO MONTE!!!!).

There were many pilots whose standings were negatively (and a few positively) affected by the error in normalization.  There is little to be done to effectively “fix” that for everyone that was impacted.

I’ve formally asked for, and have received 3 things from the FAI Jury.    Admission and acknowledgement that the error occurred.  A formal apology to those affected, including Joseph. And immediate discussions to establish new procedures that will help eliminate this from happening in the future.

I do not expect an invitation to be offered.  It’s simply more complicated.  Other countries have pilots that were impacted, though maybe not as critically as Joe.  Regardless, adding additional entrants will likely invite other protests.  As it is, the US will likely have as many as 5 on our team given that we still have the reigning Jr. World Champion.   Adding to the confusion will be the addition of female pilots on any team that has or wishes to bring one (Similar to the addition of Jr. Pilots a few years ago).

I’m not trying to defend the mistake that was made, but simply trying to explain it, and emphasize that it was indeed, a mistake.  They happen in all facets of life.  I’m an advocate that acknowledging them, apologizing for them, and making every effort to prevent them from happening again is what separates good organizations from bad.   I believe that is happening here.

-Mark

On Aug 21, 2019, at 10:13 AM, Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

CAUTION: Message originated from outside of Paragon. Use caution regarding any links, attachments, credential and financial requests.

John, and anyone else who might have thought I was looking to affix blame by asking what software was used, I most certainly was not.  I was just curious about what was used.  I gather from the (lack of direct) responses that we (USA) provided the software to the FAI.  If that was the case, I would think the FAI would provide financial support for the thorough de-bugging process that is needed to avoid the kind of SNAFU that happened at this year's worlds.  Like John, my only credentials for speaking out are three: a "regular" CD, a Leader Member, and a guy who, like all the rest of you reading this list, really cares about our competitors, especially Joseph, because I know Don and have followed Joseph's remarkable career.  I have given Kudos to Derek in years past for the scoring program he developed, and also to Gene for his work.

That said, it seems we have a ground-swell of sentiment in NSRCA for trying to get FAI to issue a standing invitation to Joseph for 2021.  That would not take anything away from the Frenchman who made it into this year's finals, and would go a little way toward admitting publicly that a mistake was made and an attempt to rectify it is offered.  I, again, urge our NSRCA leadership to "bug" the FAI for Joseph's invitation.  I seriously doubt he will need it, but the gesture...

SPA L-18, Board Member, NSRCA 2032, KCRC Emeritus
Knoxville, TN  37931   (865) 604-0541c

On August 20, 2019 at 11:32 PM John Ferrell via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

It looks so easy to find a single soul to hold responsible for whatever went wrong. I don't want to up set anyone because we need all the talents we can muster to support our cause.

There are precious little paid to help our volunteers with expenses. The budget to support the entire Nats has been under fire since the beginning of time. I hope that it is still as much fun for you folks as it was for me. My credentials for even speaking are limited to a Leader Member and an ordinary CD.

It was an especially wicked "FUBAR".   I knew Joseph since he was a bump on his mothers belly and he will not let this incident dampen his resolve!

We all share the burden  of the glitch .  Thanks for letting an old fart vent.

On 8/20/2019 9:15 PM, Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion wrote:

+ a whole bunch!!  Someone from the USA management should not just suggest that, but argue very strongly for it.

whose software was it? The FAIs?  I was a software developer at several points in my career, and one just does not run an event or demo or anything with a package that has not been thoroughly verified and tested.  In my opinion, time crunch is not an excise, it is a demonstration of faulty planning.

Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, NSRCA 2032, KCRC Emeritus
Knoxville, TN  37931   (865) 604-0541c

On August 20, 2019 at 8:29 PM Matthew Finley via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org><mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

Yes ! An automatic invite I think is the least they could do for their mistake......

Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>

________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org><mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org> on behalf of Monte Richard via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org><mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 8:21:50 PM
To: Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com><mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>; General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org><mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Apology

That really sucks. They should at least give him an invitation to compete in 2021 whether he makes the team or not.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 20, 2019, at 7:12 PM, Atwood, Mark via NSRCA-discussion < nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

Yes, I apologize if that was not clear. The incorrect normalization put him in 11th and Brett and 12th, where they should have finished 10th and 11th respectively.

Koji Suzuki would have moved to 12th

On Aug 20, 2019, at 7:38 PM, Stuart Chale < schale1 at outlook.com<mailto:schale1 at outlook.com>> wrote:

CAUTION: Message originated from outside of Paragon. Use caution regarding any links, attachments, credential and financial requests.

I guess that means he should have been in the finals?

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 20, 2019, at 7:26 PM, Atwood, Mark via NSRCA-discussion < nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

I think it’s important that everyone sees this.  I will also post it on our team page.

I’m still working on getting a revised final ranking from the organizers.

-Mark

Begin forwarded message:

From: Peter Uhlig < peteruhligf3a at aol.com<mailto:peteruhligf3a at aol.com>>
Date: August 20, 2019 at 6:19:03 PM EDT
To: jszczur2000 at gmail.com<mailto:jszczur2000 at gmail.com>, dszczur at verizon.net<mailto:dszczur at verizon.net>, "Skinner, Bob" < samaa-gm at mweb.co.za<mailto:samaa-gm at mweb.co.za>>

Subject: Apology

Formal apology to Mr Joseph Szczur

Dear Joseph Szczur,

On behalf of the FAI Jury, and the organizer of the 2019 F3A World Championship, I must profusely apologize for the mistake in the semi-final ranking list.

The score keeper and the Jury worked under trying conditions during the long days. All results were spot-checked on all the days by the Jury and the contest director as best we could, also making spot checks of the semi-final results, on Friday evening. We allowed at least an hour before proceeding with the team manager’s meeting. At this time we had no reason to suspect anything untoward in the results of the semi-finals, especially since all the calculations were performed electronically, and we applied some measure of trust in the system. The results were published according to the rules, and neither the contest management, nor the Jury received any enquiries.

At the beginning of the last final round (Unknown 2), the developer of the scoring software application, mentioned to the jury that there may be a possible problem with the semi-final results. By that time the developer was not quite sure about the extent of the problem, and if this potential error could have had an effect on the ranking. The jury unanimously decided not to stop the event, as long as the problem was not absolutely correctly identified and verified. At that point, time was of course very limited, and the priority of the organiser was to finish the event.

At the conclusion of the flights, and after verifying the results of the finals to be able to officially publish them, the jury and the developer took a closer look at the potential problem. By the time the problem was correctly and fully identified, the flight line was no longer in operation, there were no judges left on the field, and all the required infrastructure, wi-fi, electricity, etc had been dismantled.

I have known you for the last six years as a fair, keen, and great sportsman, and can fully understand your frustration, disappointment, and possible anger that this error had to occur to you. The scorekeeper, contest director, and jury members did not realise the extent of the error until much later. We did not spot the mistake during checking of the semi-final results.

This unfortunate turn of events has left you the victim in the process, and we can only apologise for this injustice, and we all hope that you will accept our sincere apology.

Sincerely
Peter Uhlig
FAI Jury President at 2019 FAI F3A World Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft

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