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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl, I think you have some good points. But I want
to point out two issues relating to your comments.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. The marks on the score sheet that Lance
suggested were to facilitate evaluation *after* the round, not during the
round.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Your point about the coach working with the
pilot at the practice fields has great merits, but it doesn't take into account
that not everyone has experienced pattern fliers to practice with, and even
those that do fly with other pattern fliers can benefit from input from more
experienced pilots at contests.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Since you're an FAI pilot and you work with guys at
your field you're coming from the viewpoint that sportsman pilots can get expert
advice if they look for it at practice. But how are those that don't have top
(or any) pattern pilots at their home field ever supposed to improve if they
don't get feedback at contests?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If your answer is "their caller", then I'd point
out that most lower level fliers aren't fortunate enough to have top level
pilots call for them if they don't fly with them at practice. I've seen many
less experienced pilots calling for each other. Also, the top fliers are often
judging. Think about it this way, how many sportsman or intermediate pilots,
that aren't in your club, do you call for at contests, and how much feedback do
you give them? If these guys don't get feedback from someone how will they ever
improve?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I personally very much appreciate input from judges
on things they noticed me doing wrong. Especially when it's something I'm doing
wrong again and again and don't realize. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keith Black</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
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<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> Wednesday, January 12, 2005 8:15
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Judge Feedback</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here are some considerations regarding judges
providing feedback to competitors the we should address. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The key word is "competitors". Judges score
individuals performances in competitions that are held to ascertain the
relative skills of competitors to perform according to stated rules and
descriptions. Being a competition - one should assume that flyers present
their patterns to the unbiased judge sets and the let scores describe the
ranking. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><FONT size=+0>The presumption is that the
competitors arrive prepared to compete. Those who have worked the hardest on
this preparation will (and should) generally excel. A pattern contest isn't
intended to be a training ground, but a review of achievement and peer
comparison. Judges who provide feedback have good intentions, but there
are questions that deserve attention. Isn't the job of the judge to provide
the correct score for each maneuver? Is it appropriate for the judge
to (mis)direct attention to make notations for post flight feedback?
Will the feedback be consistent to all competitors, or "buddy biased"? Is it
fair to my competition for judges to point out my errors so that I can correct
them in subsequent flights? If judges with largely different scores on a
specific maneuver offer feedback and disagree - then what? In the
latter, will this disagreement influence a ju</FONT>dge to change
standards mid-round? What if some wish to discuss feedback, or
argue with it, at the expense of delaying the next flight? What if
this agitates the judges and you're next up? </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I realize that the gist of the feedback issue is
to benefit the newbie, but the above points apply here also. We seem to accept
that anyone, without practice or proper equipment or preparation (reading the
rules), should be able to fly successfully in some form of "beginner" class.
This doesn't happen - and we've fiddled with the rules of the beginner class
for years to little avail. Unfortunately, the judges feedback at a contest
isn't going to help the unprepared. What will help is mentoring - but not from
the judges chair! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The best place to help the newbie is at the
practice field where everything can be addressed. Coach these folks, provide
feedback and assistance. Judge flights, take notes, and critique. Help trim
their airplane, be supportive with equipment maintenance, etc. Get them
prepared for those first contests, call for them, critique their flights,
evaluate their scores, help them in every way as a coach and friend, and
pattern will gain in numbers. Just don't do this from the judges chair -
judging is the only job then. </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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