Quite a bit of aerodramatics in this thread.
true, but I find this a very intruiging subject. it is nice to see everyones collective thoughts in one place. might dispell some myths and misinformation.
On constant speed, there is a notion here that I have not yet found in the rule book. Although it adds to precision if you are a counter (1,2, roll, 1,2, push), a geometrist uses the artificial horizons visualized mentally as another way to center the figures. Although I understand the judges have particular tastes, I do not find constant speed in the rules, thereby, according to me, only the geometry and not the speed of the figures should be judged.
Mark,while there is no judging criteria, I see two benefits to this from my experience - perhaps the reason for the trend (?)
1, constant pace gives the pilot more time to think between manuvers and can help us geometrically un-inclined to space our figures inside the manuvers. also keeping from having to drive some vertical manuvers to the stratosphere to cope with a string of downline manuvers such as point rolls (the ground can come up pretty quick when you are trying to get the rolls in and keep your line spacing equal) which leads to #2..
2, again, while there is no criterea, a nicely constand pace to a sequence or manuever presents to the judges better than one that is potentially rushed and could in fact lead to bad geometry of a figure. all part of presentation and could lead to a 1/2 or point or more - you never know.
interesting reading gang
Hubb