<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Allan</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Sounds good, does that work? The fact that the locals will sit thru two days of judging is amazing. Have you actually had people start flying because they judged? I would never advocate excluding a local with interest, but I think their skill level is best suited for Sportsman and perhaps Intermediate simply because the judge load is so much lower. I fly Advanced and I do not have it totally memorized. Think about someone who does not fly pattern at all....one time you see a stall turn without a half roll, next time with a half roll, then a bunt with a half roll and a double immalmen with a full roll-sure looks the same and can get confusing. Do the locals really take the time needed to become a good judge? We as flyers constantly discuss such judging while sitting around not flying -to the point of overkill, but we learn it if nothing but from maximum exposure. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">If I had a local that showed interest I think I would make him fly Sportsman instead of judging. Ron Barr had 9 Sportsman last weekend.<br>
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Gray Fowler<br>
Principal Chemical Engineer<br>
Composites Engineering</font>
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<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>AWorrest@aol.com</b></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: discussion-request@nsrca.org</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">06/12/2003 12:42 PM</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Please respond to discussion</font>
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<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> To: discussion@nsrca.org</font>
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<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> Subject: Contestant Judging was Calling Maneuvers for Judges</font></table>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Gray and all, <br>
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I am going to play Devil's advocate. If the sole purpose of a pattern contest is for the benefit of the flyers, then contestant judging is the way to go. But as a former CD, let me assure you there are more reasons than this one for holding a pattern contest. As important it is to provide a fair venue for the contestants, a contest can also serve as a way to get new blood into the sport. <br>
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Using contestant judging exclusively closes one door for introducing new people into pattern. If we exclude non-pattern fliers from participation, pattern will wither and die. I was introduced into pattern first as a scribe, then as a judge. After judging a few contests, I decided I could fly as well as some of those who were flying and entered my first contest. <br>
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As a CD I believed it was important to involve non-pattern fliers in a pattern contest. I even strong-armed some reluctant club members into judging. Good judging is the goal so training is essential. People should not be asked to judge classes beyond their ability. A good mix of contestant and non-contestant judges is necessary to keep the sport healthy. <br>
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Allan Worrest <br>
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In a message dated 6/12/2003 11:29:08 AM Central Daylight Time, gfowler@raytheon.com writes: <br>
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<br><font size=2 color=#505050 face="Arial">Tony</font><font size=3 color=#505050 face="Arial"> <br>
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I was the one flying when this happened. When I heard the judge say " isn't he supposed to be inverted" both myself and my caller Lance said "no" in unison. During the flight I think two more judge "questions" arose where upon I almost missed a downwind centered maneuver because my caller was again straightening out judge confusion. Frankly I felt like landing. I really do not know how this could have been fixed after the fact unless I re-flew the entire pattern. Considering that I am a very bad Advanced guy I am no where near winning anything so it did not matter. To alleviate this problem on the next rounds both myself and Lance started calling out the entire maneuver loud enough for the judges to know that there is both a stall turn with and without half rolls and when I was supposed to be inverted. <br>
These judges were club guys who got the intense training session prior to the contest. They were trying their best to do it right, and were just confused-no reason to get mad. What I think this underscores the most is that we as Pattern dudes are by far the most qualified to judge ourselves, yet no one wants to judge- or it appears no one wants to judge at the contests, yet we are willing to let the local sport flyers give us all 8 ,9 and 10's no matter how bad it is, not know when to zero, look down during the maneuver, etc. <br>
Here's a vote for contestant judging! ....</font><font size=3 color=#505050 face="Arial"> <br>
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Gray Fowler <br>
Principal Chemical Engineer <br>
Composites Engineering</font>
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