New to Pattern Competition

[seamus0g]

IMAC has posted the 2003 Sequence call sheets and score sheets: http://www.mini-iac.com/main.asp

I think I’m going to give pattern competition a shot this summer. However, I have a few questions about the Basic class sequence:

1) The listing refers to a “Zone” of “C” or”E.” What does this mean? Specifically, what’s a “Zone,” and what does “C” and “E” mean? I'm assuming it has something to do with the "box" but can't find any info that refers to alphabetic zones.

2) Direction of roll or spin? What are the direction (left or right) of the rolls and spins in the Basic sequence diagram? Or is it open?

3) Also, I have been trying to visualize the whole sequence in the sky and it appears that there are about 4-5 levels of altitude changes (see my attempt to arrange the sequence below). Does altitude matter, within the box, in the score?

Thanks in advance!

[Norm]

Go back to the IMAC web site and find the judging guide. Not sure what they actually call it, but it gives all the details on the "box" and how the maneuvers are to be flown.

Basically, the box is 1800 feet wide and divided into three zones, the "C" center and left and right "E" ends. It's obvious from the Aristi charts where the maneuvers are to be flown.

The center maneuvers must be centered in the center box, directly in front of the pilot, but the end maneuvers are just required to be started in the end box, not necessarily in the center of the end box.

The judging guide will explain all of this. Good luck. I flew one meet in Basic last year, and hope to fly several in Sportsman this year. BTW, you are required to fly the sequence twice each time you fly, but you should be able to land between sequences and change your battery pack. I was allowed to do this under the rule allowing a contestent to land and refule between sequences.

Norm

[Norm]

Forgot a couple of your questions. The direction of roll or spin is up to you. Vertical maneuvers are considered altitude adjusting maneuvers and you need not exit at the same heighth you entered. For example, if you think you'll need more altitude for a maneuver following a stall turn, you can exit the stall turn higher than where you entered it.

One of the most important factors of compitition is the ability to fly wings level at a constant altitude and perfectly parallel to the runway. If there is a cross wind, you yaw the nose to maintain the parallel track, do not lower the upwind wing. Each maneuver must start and end with straight and level flight, and which must be maintained between maneuvers.

I feel like I'm making this sound more work than fun, and that's not my intention, it is a lot of fun and you'll find everyone will be very helpful and interested in your success.

Norm

[seamus0g]

Norm,

Thanks for the info! I'll take a look at the judging guide.