It's been 6 years or so since I last competed in IMAC, and I'm planning on competing again this year (if the old body allows) - have been working on the Advanced maneuvers, and I'm pretty happy with my progress to date. (I am not interested in dropping back to any other class - these maneuvers seem to fit me / my skills pretty well)

But - as I really don't have anyone with whom I can practise (I expect, after getting to a comp or two I'll meet some folks, but), or from whom I can get critiques and help, I am creating my own answers to the problems that pop up - I'm fine with this..

I guess I should mention that I fly at the low(est) end of the speed spectrum - always did this in the past, and plan to do so in the future - the plane(s) I have are all capable of any flight speed I could want, but I happen to like doing things at the low end of the speed - basically I try to fly up lines, down lines, and everything in between at the same 'medium' speed - which mean 1/4 power (as an example) or less on horizontal lines (even points rolls, snaps, etc..). I do know, specially here in the Pacific Northwest, that folks fly A LOT faster than me, and with that standard as the competition, I know my scores will suffer (slow flight shows corrections more clearly, and in fact needs them more too of course - but I am fine with that, in fact it is a BIG part of the fun for me)..

Well, not trying to complain, just sharing some background.

Used to practise with a few unlimited pilots (back in California), and am now drawing on old memories for 'advice'..

The first question I have - regarding snaps - again, remember that because of my lower than usual flight speed, I need a bit more of everything - I mean control input, etc.. So - snaps - to come out on the right line, I find a 'cheat' with rudder (only) in the opposite direction prior to the snap, makes a big difference - for 3/4s of the snaps, I can do this without it (yaw) being too obvious, and therefore I would not expect any downgrade - if they can't see it, they can't ...

But - up-line snap, looking at the top or bottom of the plane - a rudder 'cheat' before the snap is REALLY obvious - so, related to this - is there a downgrade in judging if the rudder cheat is observed? If so, what is the fix / solution / way around this? (I mean, other than increased flight speed)


Cheers,
Bob