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Update September 2nd: VOTING THREADS ARE UP!!!

Like always, the polls are open for 3 days... ending on September 5th at about 12:20pm. So better get voting!!

People's Choice: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1724283

Best VTPR: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1724280

Best Precision: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1724279

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OK it's "that time" again... for another video contest! This will be the fourth year of the contest and I think the time has come to mix things up a bit. See archive of previous contests here: http://www.slopeaerobatics.com/category/video-contests/

I still want to keep the "People's Choice" award for best overall slope aerobatics video, but maybe now that there are so many more people taking up the banner of aerobatic and VTPR flying, it's time to offer some additional categories?

I was thinking that the following three categories would be cool. Like with the Academy Awards, a video could be submitted for one or more categories, and a really awesome video could win all three (unlikely but possible).

The Categories

• People's Choice: The traditional format. A 3min or less video of the best aerobatic footage you can amass. It doesn't have to be you flying, but the video must be your own creation. Must be new footage, either shot for the event or at the minimum not published before. Videos are submitted and voted on by the readership of the RCG Slope Forum and the most popular entry wins.
  
  
• Best VTPR Video: For the findraggers out there. A 3min or less video of the best VTPR footage you can amass. For our purposes, this needs to feature flying performed at mostly less than 10' altitude (preferably head high above the terrain or less), not including turnaround figures, pumps, loops, etc. The lower, the better. Like the People's Choice, it doesn't have to be you flying, but the video must be your own creation and it must be new or previously unpublished footage. Videos are submitted and voted on by the readership of the RCG Slope Forum and the most popular entry wins.
  
  
• Best Precision Aerobatics Video: Not everyone has a great VTPR slope, but some have amazing lift on tap and the ability to exploit that in the form of big air precision aerobatics. We could go two ways here, I could cook up an Aresti routine and then judge entrant's on their performance, or we could do it freestyle. I don't care, so long as the focus is on big clean precision aerobatics. I know there are plenty of you out there flying this way, so this is for you! Again, 3min, original/unpublished footage, edited by you. Videos are submitted and voted on by the readership of the RCG Slope Forum and the most popular entry wins - - unless we do a judged format, at the participating pilots' request, and subject to the avalability of qualified judges.
  

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The Prizes
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People's Choice
1) Minivec kit (courtesy SoaringUSA and SlopeAerobatics.com)

2) $100 SoaringUSA Gift Certificate (courtesy SoaringUSA)

3) Weasel-Evo kit (courtesy Dream-Flight)

4) "Caution: Low Flying Fish" t-shirt (courtesy SlopeAerobatics.com)


VTPR
1) Flow kit (courtesy Future Slope Designs)

2) Futaba flight pack (courtesy Futaba)

3) GreatPlanes builder's supply pack (courtesy GreatPlanes)

4) "Caution: Low Flying Fish" t-shirt (courtesy SlopeAerobatics.com)


Precision
1) Le Fish kit (courtesy Leading Edge Gliders)

2) Lift Ticket Director's Cut / Lift Ticket to Norway DVD package (courtesy Reese Productions)

3) 2 x KST DS115 high speed servos (courtesy Aloft Hobbies)

4) "Caution: Low Flying Fish" t-shirt (courtesy SlopeAerobatics.com)



HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT!!
Please show your appreciation by making them your first choice for your hobby supplies.

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What do "interested parties" think of the above? Last year's entries showed that we've now got a huge array of awesome aerobatics flying to choose from: traditional academic aeros, VTPR, DS acro, and "all of the above" mashups of some or all of the above. I think we should try to open this up a little and let the standouts of each discipline really shine.

I'll announce prizes once I have those details firmed up. Announced above!

Thanks! Here's to another fun year of slope aerobatics videos!!!

Deadline for submissions: September 1st, 2012

HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!!! The vendors listed above have demonstrated that they support slope aerobatics, a "niche-within-niche" that is growing daily within our sport. Please put them at the top of your list when considering where to make your next purchase.

Thank you,

Steve

The 3 categories seems a good idea.

Great idea Steve.
Some of us may want to do aeros and try some vtpr.
The categories may require a different plane/slope?
Does the entry have to be one or the other?

Originally Posted by jimbo320

Some of us may want to do aeros and try some vtpr.
The categories may require a different plane/slope?
Does the entry have to be one or the other?

Originally Posted by surfimp

Like with the Academy Awards, a video could be submitted for one or more categories, and a really awesome video could win all three (unlikely but possible)

You could enter one video and submit it for consideration in all categories (assuming it had relevant content), or you could create three videos and submit one for each category. Or some varation thereof.

It's up to you; I'm trying to encourage creativity, not stifle it

It is absolutely possible to fly VTPR and disciplined aerobatics in the same flight, at the same slope, on the same day... if the pilot and plane are up to it. Are you?

Steve

Oh No ! - that time of year again ! - awesome slope aeros comp, and stuck in central London again !

3x categories seems interesting, but you dont say how VTPR & classic are to be judged. How on earth are you supposed to judge 10ft altitude on a video - and do I get extra points for dodging the wire fence on my slope that takes up the first 3ft?

My 2c:
"peoples choice" as usual - then:
special awards to:
- best VTPR
- best classical

FWIW - despite the VTPR hype - the "people" chose best the best "classical" entry last year (or maybe the most classic slope location)

Phil.

Originally Posted by Phil.Taylor

3x categories seems interesting, but you dont say how VTPR & classic are to be judged.

Error of omission - my apologies. Both will be judged by popular vote as well.

I will make an exception if anyone is interested in doing a disciplined precision programme. In that case, I would offer myself as a judge, and request Ian Cole participate in the judging as well. Surely we could find one other qualified judge for the panel too.

How on earth are you supposed to judge 10ft altitude on a video - and do I get extra points for dodging the wire fence on my slope that takes up the first 3ft?

Obviously impressions are going to count for a lot. If it doesn't look like 10' in the video, then you won't do as well. For that matter, 10' is too high, anyways, but let's not put too many artificial restrictions in place.

I propose flying as low as possible and touching the airplane to the ground a lot, per Le.Frog's fantastic "Drawings in the Sand" video. Then it's quite unambiguous.

VTPR is definitely one of those things where you know it when you see it.

FWIW - despite the VTPR hype - the "people" chose best the best "classical" entry last year (or maybe the most classic slope location)

Or maybe in spite of the VTPR hype, no?

Hence the reasoning behind the separate categories. This should be a both/and, not an either/or.

I produce a lot of VTPR content, but it's only one kind of flying and certainly not the only or best kind of aerobatics. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.

Steve

Originally Posted by surfimp

I will make an exception if anyone is interested in doing a disciplined precision programme. In that case, I would offer myself as a judge, and request Ian Cole participate in the judging as well. Surely we could find one other qualified judge for the panel too.
Steve

I'd give that a go - if I can get some suitable slope time in. Doing Ian Cole's comps was really instructive for me - I learnt some cool new moves. Shame I was the only entrant last time. Never mind 3x judges, have to get 3x entries first!
I suggest you make it an interesting/challenging "sequence" though - rather than individual separate moves.

Phil.

Your aresti challenge sounds great. Sounds like a good idea to get everyone to fly the same routine and be judged on the precision/quality of the moves.
Creative categories could be the other 2 categories you mention.
With 3 vids per entrant it could be a bumper year of entries.

Originally Posted by Phil.Taylor

I'd give that a go - if I can get some suitable slope time in. Doing Ian Cole's comps was really instructive for me - I learnt some cool new moves. Shame I was the only entrant last time. Never mind 3x judges, have to get 3x entries first!
I suggest you make it an interesting/challenging "sequence" though - rather than individual separate moves.

I've sent Ian a note, I hope he responds in the affirmative.

I also agree about the importance of a continuous sequence versus one-off moves. It makes a great demand of pilot, plane, slope and cameraperson, but it results in far more compelling video. IMHO.

Steve

I'm excited to give this another go with a 4-axis plane.

Looks like fun. Big air precision aerobatics is a great idea. I'd vote for pure freestyle. Having competed in full scale aerobatics, I'll guarantee that watching the same program flown by a bunch of people is gets boring really fast. Freestyle is a lot more interesting to watch. :-)

"Looks like fun. Big air precision aerobatics is a great idea. I'd vote for pure freestyle. Having competed in full scale aerobatics, I'll guarantee that watching the same program flown by a bunch of people is gets boring really fast. Freestyle is a lot more interesting to watch. :-)"

A big +1!

Please! No Aresti routine.

I refer you back to "Ian Down Under", he put a lot of effort into an international precision aerobatic competition a couple of years ago. Result - two entries.

Freestyle all the way!

OK, so it sounds like no compulsory routine.

What about judging for the precision part? Is there any desire for that, or just straightforward people's choice?

I have zero desire to judge performances... but, will try to get it arranged if there is a demand for that.

To me, good flying speaks for itself, and cuts across skill level: a great performance will tend to inspire both neophyte and zealot and doesn't require external validation beyond that. See: Dawson Henderson, Swiss Peter, Michael Richter, etc

Steve

Originally Posted by Jitter

Would anyone be interested in filming at Weasel Fest? I'd like to enter this again, but finding a camera man this time around might be difficult.

Don't worry about that! I have a feeling we'll have plenty of cameras on hand. Just show up and fly. If you stand out, you'll definitely get on film and may wind up in a magazine. And you'll certainly have plenty of footage for the contest

Steve

Agree with your last sentiment (once I looked it up in the dictionary!)

Folks watching the vid can see for themselves if a loop is oval not round, or a four point roll is not at 90degrees each etc.
IMO let the people view and vote!