ORIGINAL: PaulBK
from what i have seen at recent contests, classes sp through unlimited are populated with 33% and larger aircraft. so the problem seems to be with basic, and the easiest answer is probably to eliminate the class, as has been done at other contests. that eliminates the CD headache of enforcing limits of any kind, while demonstrating sensitivity to the issue. imac has had four classes for most of its existence, this would simply return to that format.
Eliminate the Basic class. Yikes!!
Paul, I appreciate your involvement several years ago to promote scale aerobatics in the Southwest. I benefitted greatly from those efforts. But I currently view you as another person trying to identify problems in a segment of the hobby that you don't participate in. I flew in 8 of the 9 largest contests held in the Southwest this year. I didn't see any problem with the Basic class. The classes were large, the pilots were good, and usually did a better job of being in the air and ready to be judged than the Unlimited guys. The class was won by the pilot with the most skills.
Looking for ways to improve is always a good thing. That's been the motivation for sequence committees, national Unknowns, judges training, etc. Things just continue to improve in this segment of the hobby. We're having more contests, with more pilots, that are run better, that have trained judges, and have great sponsor support. Talk about improvements!!!
If those non-participants would like to help increase particpation, stop trying to highlight what you think are the problems with a segment of the hobby you don't participate in. If I were to listen to Dick, I would never have started flying scale aerobatics. I was told I had to be intimidated if I wasn't flying a 40% airplane, and even if I had one I was going to get beat by a sandbagger that the rules hadn't taken care of. The guys that are participating have continued to let those considering trying scale aerobatics that all of that is BS.
Is scale aerobatics challenging.... you bet. Rewarding... you bet. If the non-participants want to increase participation, I would suggest the aresti2004 approach. Point them to the rescources on the IMAC website that teaches them how to read aresti and how they'll be judged. Encourage them to attend judges training that is offered so they'll understand how they're going to be judged. Encourage them to attend the events that are specifically tailored to help the beginning pilots. There is already a Basic/Sportsman workshop scheduled in December and a possible Basic/Sportsman contest in January.
http://www.mini-iac.com/EditModule.a...iew&ItemId=242
Let them know that not having a caller is OK. There are going to be lots of guys at the contest willling to help. Let them know that they'll have lots of contest pilots and airplanes that they can look at and ask questions about on their set-ups. Let them know that they'll often get feedback from judges after a round if the judge consistently sees the same mistake. Let them know that often a pilot will try to help them with a particular maneuver their struggling with, even though they may end up beating the pilot that just helped them.
I'll say it again. So much positive going on!!!
Take care,
Dean Bird
2005 Tucson Shootout Intermediate Class Champion
2005 IMAC Southwest Region Intermediate Class Champion