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<DIV><STRONG><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>Earl..
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2> Good
observations but how would you suggest incorporating a distant judge? You can't
put a live body out there.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2> </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face="MS Sans Serif"
size=2>
del
<BR>
NSRCA - 473</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ehaury@houston.rr.com href="mailto:ehaury@houston.rr.com">Earl
Haury</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">Discussion List, NSRCA</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:56
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Proper Distance</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Distance in pattern has been (and still is) one
of the great unknowns. (Spins & snaps are the others.) There are varied
individual definitions of what is proper, regardless of how much clarity or
definition is inserted into the rules. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've been around long enough to see the trend
move in and out several times, often the out times are well outside of the
rules. Then there are times when others decide that there are more points in
really tight! </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Unfortunately, distance out is
hard for the both the pilot and the judge to discern with accuracy.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A pilot can practice with spotters to establish a
good feel for distance. That "feel" comes both with visible size recognition
and time from box line to box line at the "comfort" speed. In too close and
one is rushed or must slow below the "sweet spot" speed, too far out and the
opposite occurs. So the pilot has the opportunity to tune for his / her chosen
distance</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It seems that, on the judges side, there are
distance police. Anything that might be approaching the limit is downgraded by
them. Then there are others that don't downgrade if they can see (or
hear) something out there! More evidence that distance evaluation is
difficult, especially when viewing airplanes of different size, visibility,
and speed. Maybe the only was to achieve judging accuracy regarding distance
is to use a "distance judge" at 175 & 200m and let them assign distance
downgrades? Seems that the variable application (with good intentions) of
distance downgrades presently experienced dictate consideration of an
alternative method.
<DIV></FONT> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From the judges chair I find very few close in
flights accurate or smooth. There are usually inaccuracies brought on by lack
of time, box violations, and errors forced by wind. The good thing about these
is that they are over quickly. Out flights often have better maneuvers as the
pilot has more time, box violations are few, and wind effect is better
handled (and/or less noticeable). But they do take forever and the
distance downgrades offset the advantages. So what to do? Take a clue from the
rules "for a large, highly visible model aircraft a line of flight
approximately 175m in front of the competitor may be appropriate". Judges take
note of the "in front of the competitor" statement, as the judges are 7 to 10m
behind the competitor. This moves the acceptable flight line 7 to 10m further
away, so 185m (from the judges) is not to be downgraded for the large models
(anybody seen small models lately). </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Even the
rolling circle distance issues can then be handled by rolling in then. A 100
to 125m roller in would still leave a 50+m buffer between the pilot and
airplane.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So - consider that the rules are OK. Big
airplanes are best flown at the outer range of the rules. Some judges may
need help in accurately assessing distance. Maybe a distance judge would help.
There are no benefits and more risks to flying too close if to only appease
"inaccurate" distance police. Hmmm - imagine that, flying within the rules
gets the best score..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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