woodie

Thanks Anthony

Over the past 4 years, we have worked out a template for the contest that concentrates on eliminating time consuming tasks which allows us to get started right on time at 8AM. We could start earlier except the coffee hasn't kicked in for most people and they might be dozing in the judging chairs.... ;-)

Two of the hardest things to corral and control are the pre contest test flights as well as the pilot's briefing. So, we just eliminated them. No test flights and the pilot's briefing is a printed document the pilot's get at registration, any questions, the CDs can handle directly with the pilot. The first round judges know they are scheduled to judge when they arrive so they are in place at 8AM. That is the key to getting 'started'. After that, it is a matter of keeping the lines moving. It took a couple years of pilots getting used to the pace but it works well now. Not too much prodding and poking to get people where they are supposed to be.

The hardest part is pre determining the judge panels and flight line order. Luckily for us the vast majority of the competitors pre register so we have a very good idea of who will be there and the judging matrix is prepared prior to the contest. Any additional pilots that show up just make it easier for judging. No shows can become a problem if they were critical to making the judging panels work. In which case the CD or co-CD will take an extra turn in the chair for a round. Sometimes we split a class and fly them back to back for 2 rounds by swapping the judge panels between the flight lines. It all depends on how many show up for each class and what judges are qualified for each set of classes. Takes some thought and preparation prior to contest day but it has been working well. The flight line orders are prepared ahead of time also so the pilots know where they need to be before the contest starts. If time permits, we email the first round flight order and judging assignments the night before the contest so those first set of pilots and judges know what is happening before they arrive. New pattern pilots (first contest) usually get a 'veteran' assigned to them to show them the ropes and coach them thru their first contest.

It works, we get 4 rounds and lunch in about 6 hours and if the sun wasn't a problem, we could get 6 rounds in a day with 20 contestants. Like I said, the contestants know what is happening and their cooperation makes it all work.

And I always have the co-CD, Ron 'Chicken Man' Davies to 'convince' non cooperative pilots.... ;-)

Woodie