ORIGINAL: burtona
ORIGINAL: n233w
I am a new Sportsman pilot with just 2 contests under my belt, so I'll remain silent on burtona's proposals #1 & 2. But #3, I'm with Arch. As a matter of fact, the landing and t/o are the most interesting parts of any flight for me. That's where you get to see a pilot's airmanship up close and concentrated in time! Serious - when I see youtube video of an rc flight, I always fast forward to the end to see the landing. If the landing's edited out, that's lame imo. I don't understand why they don't judge them in FAI. Nothing's more satisfying to me than consistent landings in challenging conditions. Also, I don't think most guys who can't land or take off safely in the first place, cutting the judging on those elements won't keep anybody from getting hit.
Bill
My beef with judging TO and Landing is almost entirely from a judging perspective. I'd like to see the judges have a little more break from having to concentrate on the planes. Not having to watch the plane all during the traffic pattern parts of the flight will give judges a little more of a break. Those of you who have spent half your time at a big contest judging will understand.
Those of you who like to watch yourself and others fly a TO and landing will still get to do that. Your still going to do the maneuver.
THe Judge has gotten more of a break in recent years. Both FAI and Masters Sequences have been shortened by 4 maneuvers.