Mike,

Definitely fly in whatever class is going to be fun for you. That's what is supposed to be about. I have to be reminded of that a couple times a year when I get way too serious and way too competitive.

I'm glad to see you've read the judging guide. That IS the place to start. But with that said, it sounds like your pattern experience has already made you aware that some judges like certain things and will reward it. That is WRONG. Every manuever starts at a 10, and the deductions that you observe are subracted from that. Because someone likes to see slow rolls, they shouldn't be adding points back on. There is no criteria anywhere that allows a judge to add points back on after the deductions are taken.

You mentioned "centering" in general terms. Because of the zoneless box, there aren't any manuevers that have "centering" of the manuever as part of the criteria. The "centering" of roll elements on the internal lines in a maneuver are definitely a criteria. It's easy to know. It just has to centered. The only exception I remember is the spin/roll combination in a manuever. Obviously those won't be centered on the downline and it isn't a criteria for that manuever.

Roll rate is purely pilot preference and ability. You do what you can, and what will score best for you. If rolling slow on a down line causes your roll element to be off center, you lost points. If rolling slow on a horizontal line creates a lot of flight path deviations, you're losing points. You can roll as fast as you want. The challenge with rolling fast is controlling the stopping point consistently. If you keep missing your exit point and losing points, you're probably rolling too fast.

Even with all that, you sometimes have to fly what will get the best score with the majority of judges. By the book, the perfect spin has "simultaneous movement in roll, pitch, and yaw". There are many judges that would zero the perfect spin because they didn't see the nose drop first to prove you stalled. To play the percentages, I always let the nose drop some before initiating the spin. A slightly lower score from a judge that knows the criteria, but I stay away from the zeroes from the misinformed judges. There is also no criteria that says the airplane must stop to initiate a "simultaneous movement in roll, pitch, and yaw". There are judges that will give you a zero if the plane is still moving forward when it stalls. This is also misinformed. There is no criteria that says the plane must stop before it stalls. Planes can and do stall while still moving.

As with spins, in snaps it's OK to have the nose displacing from the FLIGHT PATH at the same time as the autorotation. But some judges would zero that. They expect to see the nose displace first, then the autorotation ensue. They are wrong, but I fly it that way to stay away from the zeroes.

You seem to be well aware of the criteria. I'm sure you'll do great!! Have fun at your first contest!!!

Take care,

Dean Bird
Sun Valley Fliers
Phoenix, AZ