[NSRCA-dist7] FAI: F sequence at local contests

Thu Mar 4 22:32:49 AKST 2010

Ah, who cares about a flame suit.. lol

I think it's fine, just shouldn't be mandatory.. If you make it mandatory it takes away from the majority of FAI pilots. These pilots (the majority) don't seem to want to fly F because they aren't going to the nats and don't want to fly it. They are the one's supporting the local contests right? So we should tell them you have to fly F so that the few FAI pilots in our district that are going to the nats can fly it and get judged? Judged by who? Who is qualified to judge it? Heck, I don't know how to judge some of it. Could I guess my way through it? Sure, most likely. The first couple of guys flying it would probably be scored easier than the last guys IMO. What will happen to those pilots if we try to force this on them? Are their batteries (if electric) large enough to fly the F sequence, or does this create an extra burden on them to get bigger packs? I assume a glow guy would have a big enough tank.. It will also create another burden by
 having to setup different flight modes for the second sequence. It requires different things of the model. 

On the other side, if you force people to fly both, they will become better pilots IMO. They may lose a plane or 2 (just kidding), but eventually it will help their skills IMO. I know learning new sequences has helped me tremendously. Another plus is that the guys who are judging will get to be better judges IMO. Other districts are doing this, let's not forget. 

So, I am planning on moving to FAI pretty soon. Do I want to fly both?? No, not unless I can quit my job and go fly everyday so that I can be competitive.. Which I'm pretty sure isn't going to happen..

My advice on the situation is if someone wants to fly it, lets have the scoring in the computer so that it's possible. It can be done, it's not that difficult.. But don't make those who "have a busy life outside of pattern" have to learn another sequence. If that happens, FAI pilots are going to really dislike having to sit in the judges seat for 3 rounds a contest.. Masters will get really huge.. 

Chris 

________________________________
From: Derek Koopowitz <derekkoopowitz at comcast.net>
To: "CA, AZ, HI, NV, UT" <nsrca-dist7 at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Thu, March 4, 2010 10:29:48 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-dist7] FAI: F sequence at local contests

Flame suit on…

Are we really ready to let our judges loose on an F schedule?   I’m serious here… we have only a few very qualified judges that are capable of judging these sequences and we’re now going to ask them to judge an F schedule.  I’ve seen way too many F3A pilots fly out of the box without getting penalized, radii not flown consistently and not being penalized, roles in lines not positioned properly and not being penalized and then we’re going to ask these same judges to judge a sequence with 9 snaps, multiple elements in a maneuver and expect the outcome to be fair?

I know I’ve just flipped this around into a judging issue but that’s where I believe it lies.  Several D7 pilots want to go to the Nats, but as we’ve seen in past years, they have not been treated too kindly by the Nats judges and that’s because they consistently win or place well here without flying the sequence the way it should be flown, and when they get to the Nats they get hammered.

Find good and consistent judges for F3A and then I’d say we have a shot at flying the P and F schedules and having an outcome that is fair.

And to answer your question, Jon… I intend to learn to fly the F sequence as I think it’ll make me a better pilot.  It’ll take a long time before I even consider myself contest ready with it since I’m only now starting to fly the P sequence and I’m just concentrating on the 1st part of it at this time.  Will I be ready to fly F any time soon – no.  If the option is available to fly F during a contest then I will more than likely take it provided that I have practiced it and am comfortable with it.  That definitely won’t be in March, April or May I’m afraid… perhaps June onwards.  I think 4 rounds of P and 2 of F would be good with the best 3 of P and the best F to count.  Now, for those pilots that don’t want to fly F – they can fly all 6 rounds of P and count their best 4.  I do not think we should exclude anyone from flying.

From:nsrca-dist7-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-dist7-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Jon Carter
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 5:56 PM
To: CA, AZ, HI, NV,UT
Subject: [NSRCA-dist7] FAI: F sequence at local contests

To:        D7 FAI pilots and those D7 pilots who are considering flying FAI at a D7 2010 contest.

From:    Jon Carter NSRCA D7 VP

I am soliciting input from all D7 FAI pilots on the question of whether to attempt to fly some F rounds at local contests. This is currently being discussed on RCU (I have attached a link to the discussion)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9548995/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm 

I personally think that there are good points made on each “side” of the discussion. I would like to get some feedback from all of you (D7 FAI pilots) as to your preference. I know that not all of you read this list either but I think that I have e-mail addresses for most of the current FAI pilots and I know who you are! So, if I do not hear from some of you I will be sending out some personal e-mails.

Let me state my initial assumptions:

1) We do this to have fun!           
2) At a local contest it is the CD’s discretion as to how he runs the show. The important thing is that any deviations from the “standard” format be announced well in advance.
3) A set of D7 guidelines to assist a CD with this decision and a mechanism to handle it would be a “good” thing.
4) It should never be mandatory to fly the F sequence at a local contest. (This is strongly implied in the FAI rulebook)

Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing from you.

Jon Carter

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