[NSRCA-dist7] A proposal for FAI at the local level

[AtwoodDon at aol.com]

Jon, thanks for posting the proposal.  I can support this approach to  
moving forward.
 
Don
 
 
In a message dated 3/9/2010 9:14:48 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
joncarter60 at comcast.net writes:

 
Local contests  and FAI: A modest Proposal. 
As I have indicated on the D7 list  and in e-mails to most of the D7 FAI 
pilots I think that we need to come to a  decision/recommendation for the FAI 
class at local contests as soon as  possible. At this point I have spoken 
with almost every D7 pilot who flew in  an FAI contest during the 2009 season. 
I would like to begin by stating some  facts, some assumptions and some 
goals. 
Facts: 
    *   The 2010  contest season started in Phoenix on 11/14/2009 and we 
are 3 contests  into the season.  
    *   Since we have  already begun the season, I do not support adding “F”
 as a required element  at the D7 Championships for the 2010 season.  
    *   There are  strong opinions on both sides of this issue.  
    *   Adding the “F”  schedule at local contests is a significant change 
to the way we have  “traditionally” flown FAI.  
    *   It is up to  each individual CD to structure and run his contest in 
a manner that follows  the rules and satisfies the needs of his club and 
his  pilots. 
Assumptions: 
    *   Most D7 FAI  pilots support an option to assist the pilots who go 
to the Nats by  providing them with a way to fly judged “F”  sequences.  
    *   Many D7 FAI  pilots think that flying the “F’ sequence at local 
contests would be fun,  challenging and a way to more fully align ourselves 
with what it means to  fly “FAI”  
    *   There will be a  significant “learning” curve in judging the “F”  
sequence. 
Goals: 
    *   Arrive at a set  of guidelines for the 2010 season that will give 
an event CD a framework for  running the FAI class this year and allow pilots 
who choose to, the  ability to fly “F” and receive scores.  
    *   Provide a path  that will allow us to offer the “F” sequence at 
local contests and the  District Championships in 2011 and going forward if so 
 desired.  
    *   If we make  changes, ensure that a process of review is completed 
to determine the  positive or negative impact of the changes after the  
season 
Proposal for  the remainder of this year 
Any FAI pilot who wants to may fly  two rounds of F at a local contest, 
with the CD’s permission. To simplify  things for the CD I think that this 
should be limited to the last two rounds  on Sunday. If the CD is willing to 
permit this, it must be mentioned as far in  advance as possible. (On the 
website and in the contest flyer at the minimum)  If the CD does not want to fly 
the “F” sequence, or no pilots want to, FAI  will be flown as usual with a 
best 4 out of 6 “P”  sequences. 
The F schedule scores will simply  be entered into the computer as a P 
schedule. This will apply the “P”  K-Factors to the “F” sequence. This is 
obviously a “handicap” for the pilots  who choose to fly the “F” sequence 
(~17%). It does though allow them to fly  the “F” sequence in front of judges 
and receive scores that they can review  for areas that need improvement.  
All other scoring, i.e. count the  best 4 out of 6 rounds, will be kept as 
is. 
District  Championships 
The District Championship will be  flown as a Schedule “P” contest only. 
As I mentioned up above, we are 3  contests into the 2010 season and I do not 
think that it is proper to make a  change of this magnitude for the 
District Championships at this  time. 
The  Future 
I believe that we should observe  these changes and their impact on our 
local FAI contests for the remainder of  this season. If they appear to be 
positive and the majority of the FAI flyers  like them we could make another 
step next year. If the idea has strong local  FAI pilot support, I would 
support making our local FAI contests a best 3 out  of 4 “P” and a best 1 out of 
2 “F” for 2011. Please keep in mind that by  trying something different 
this year we are not committing ourselves to any  changes for next year. If we 
adopt this proposal we have most of a year for  pilots to see “F” flown 
locally and for the rest of us to learn how to judge  it! Remember our goal is 
to compete, improve our piloting skills and have  fun! 
Thanks 
Jon  Carter 
NSRCA D7  VP 



_______________________________________________
NSRCA-dist7  mailing  list
NSRCA-dist7 at lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-dist7
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-dist7/attachments/20100310/25bf77e2/attachment.html>