<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Hi Rick,</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Thank you for posting some thoughts
regarding my original post. The first part of your post seems concerned
with "... what will be done once the scores are posted," and
"... how can you compare judges' results." </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">My point is that "availability"
of the information is important to the contestant pool and will foster
an open communicative environment. FAI has already figured (after
reading the last FAI rules notes posted by T.N.) out that it is important
for the contestants to see what is happening across the judging panel.
This is a difference between contestant and judge centered paradigms.
In my opinion, focusing on increasing the pilots view of a fair open
system, will encourage higher turnout and satisfaction at the end of the
contest round. Please perceive my ideas as a betterment of the pilots
experience, and not "cornering" of the judges. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Consider this: During each judging
school, many note that it would be "great" if there were demonstrational
flights. However, each and every contest round is in fact a demonstrational
flight because people are watching it. There would be no finer opportunity
than to take the work and effort that is already being done, and utilizing
it within a few hours (while fresh in the memory), for individuals to stop
by the table and review if what they thought they saw was what was being
scored by the judges. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Because there is no current "open"
or "organized" way to review a judging panels work (.... or performance...).
Any questions a pilot has have few paths to resolution: </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">1. Question the CD regarding a
score (pilot feels his score is very low and was singled out): In
this process, a pilot asks to talk to the CD off line, where other pilots
may see this conversation from afar and begin to question the motive of
this pilot. The CD then goes and attempts to discretely ask the judge
why they gave a score. Typically, the judge is correct. Pilot is
not happy and has no insight into the trend this judge placed on the panel.
Now, this judge goes and tells his friends that a particular pilot
did not like the score. Note - this process does not foster good
will for anyone, and promotes a rumor-mill type of atmosphere.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">2. At round posting, one pilot
feels his position is very low: Because there is no panel information,
this pilot must now go and try to question people who might have seen the
round (not the judges because this would indicate poor pilot etiquette).
This turns into a complete frustration for the pilot and yields only
a mystery conclusion.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">The flight takes place in an open forum
for all to witness that are there, everyone looks at the line and recognizes
who is judging (as we do not make judges where hoods, masks, robes, costumes
:) ), many pilots are already sharing information from tear or score sheets,
we all are privy to the "outcome" of the round. The only
missing link is posting of the judges panel sheets at the conclusion of
the round. Again, it is important for the contestant to have insight
into the panels scores as recognized by FAI. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Again, because there is no organized
way to see what a judging panel did for a completed round, a pilot has
only 'backdoor' options to get any information - all of which will yield
mysteries or distrust in the "system." Result, pilot is
not happy with system or individuals, gets upset, and doesn't return. With
a few small procedural changes, we can increase the pilots enjoyment of
the contest - name of the game. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Put your pilot on - does anyone feel
that judges panel information is not important to the pilots, or should
be kept secret given that all other information is known? </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Thanks,</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Jim W.</font>
<br>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
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