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Awesome Buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<P>BUDDYonRC@aol.com wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE> <FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1> </FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1> I
believe that the present quality of judging has / is improving except in
some areas that inject a measure of personal opinion driven by errors in
interpretation and definition that tend to magnify the error factor in
contest scores.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>It
seems to me that the controversy about score differences was escalated
when, a few years ago people complained about weather snaps and spins being
performed by FAI pilots were to fast and the question arose as to weather
they were not actually doing a snap or just a fast roll. Much emphasis
was placed on a judging criteria to determine the correct methods to assure
that those particular maneuvers were judged correctly.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Due
to the human factor, inconsistencies filtered down to all classes and since
most of the snap maneuvers are high K-factor this fact has resulted in
skewing scores to the point where the ability due to
personal opinion for some judges to accurately distinguish the correctly
performed maneuver is resulting in an error factor which decreases the
probability of selecting the proper results in a contest.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>This
leads me to believe that the descriptions of actual performance requirements
is much better than the ability to judge them correctly in many cases and
makes me wonder if descriptions which fall in this area are actually an
obstacle that leads to a worse situation when our goal is to determine
the best pilot.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1> Two
choices exist to minimize our situation, 1. Eliminate the problem maneuvers.
The AMA rule description is somewhat confusing at best and in fact incorrect
or misleading if taken literally I believe the FAI rules provide a much
better description ("At the start of a snap-roll, the fuselage attitude
must show a definite break and separation from the flight path, before
the rotation is started." ) instead of the AMA rule which says (" Since
the maneuver is defined as a stall maneuver (induced by a rapid stall of
the wing induced by a change in pitch attitude"), <U>The nose of the fuselage
should show a definite break from the flight path in the direction of the
snap while the track closely maintains the flight path. </U></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>In
reality the nose and the tail should show a definite break in attitude
(the angle of the model in relation to the flight path) from the flight
path.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>I
think wording of the AMA rule overlooking this reality is a primary cause
which results in many of the errors in scoring and in fact in relation
to less experienced judges actually foster it.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>2.
Make an all out effort to correct the description and judge training in
this area.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Many
newly trained judges actually award a higher score for a rapid barrel roll
than they do for a well done snap that is done at a higher speed and actually
zero many if them incorrectly.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Likewise
another area which results in large point spread errors with less experienced
judges is their lack of firmiluarity with the geometric requirements of
the maneuvers.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Spin
entry is another problem area that must be addressed that is also a culprit
that in many cases is judged incorrectly.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>We
have a ways to go guys but the effort will be rewarded, look where we were
a few years ago and I believe you will agree we have come a long way toward
improving the system.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Just
a few of my thoughts and a lot of rambling on in an effort to get you to
thinking of solutions and the means to an end.</FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><FONT COLOR="#8000FF"><FONT SIZE=-1>Buddy</FONT></FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
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