ORIGINAL: MTK
Opening up a different can of worms, is 94dB at 3 meters a good noise rule?
Consider what IMAC types are generating over a wider footprint than Pattern does. The AMA rule for IMAC, I think, is 96dB at 6 meters? Haven't checked tho</p>
IMAC no longer uses a hard defined sound value. Instead they have each judge assign a completely subjective value for each pilot they judge. It, along with the subjective "Airspace Control Score" gets factored into your final score for each sequence.
5.1. In-Flight Judging Criteria, Known and Unknown Sequences. Judges will evaluate each
individual sequence flown in its entirety for overall sound presentation. Each judged Known and Unknown
sequence, shall have one “figure” added to the end of the score sheet after individually judged maneuvers.
This figure shall be known as the Sound Score. The Sound Score will have a K value dependent on the
class flown. Individual class K values are:
Unlimited 15 K
Advanced 12K
Intermediate 9K
Sportsman 6K
Basic 3K.
The sound presentation will be scored on a scale of 10 to 0 with 10 denoting “Very Quiet,” and 0
denoting “Very noisy.” Whole points will be used for scoring. This sound score will then be multiplied by
the K value for the individual class and included in the total flight score for the sequence. Note that each
judge’s score is independent of the other(s) and no conferencing on the sound score is required.
If a pilot receives a sound score of three (3) or less for the same sequence from two or more
judges, the pilot will be notified of the problem and will be requested by the Contest Director to adjust or
modify the aircraft in order to reduce the sound level prior to the next round. If that pilot, after notification,
again receives a sound score of three (3) or less for the same sequence from two or more judges, that pilot
will be disqualified from further competition at that contest.
I've not been able to get a good answer to the difference between say a 6 and a 7 score.