Imac Inntermediate question
 

Hi Guys,
my question is which way are most people in the US doing the hammerhead.
As it is a cross box manouver, are you heading away or coming towards the flight line.
Or is it totally dependent on wind direction.
I personally find it easier going away so that the plane is viewed from the top.
I find it harder doing a hammerhead looking at the underside of the plane.
We are just starting out in imac here in Australia and don't have anything to go by.

thanks heaps
GlennO
Australia.

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

GlennO, are you talking about the 2003 sequence? If you look at the call sheet, you will see there is a 2 of 4 on the way up, meaning that if you want to view the top of the plane while doing the hammerhead, then you need to come toward the flight line before pulling up. That was my preferred method of doing it last summer, though practicing it both ways will make you a better pilot and you'll be more prepared in case you spin the wrong way (like I did once last summer during a lapse in concentration [&:] ).

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

Thanks Ryan for the reply,
I do fly towards flight line as you stated for the same reason, easier to view
plane from top when doing the hammerhead.
I have also practiced the other way but find it harder to make it look good.
I always seem to cramp myself for room however. Do you guys head out a little after
completing the Immelman to give yourself ample room when flying in towards flight line?
And also has anyone seen next years schedule or is it kept secret till they release it.
Sorry to ask silly questions, but we are new to Imac.
regards GlennO

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

Glenn, ideally I'd start the sequence a little further out than I normally would, but sometimes had to work the plane out a little before the spin. The trick is to be really subtle so the judges don't notice it. Also, I make the horizontal line after the spin very short - just a few plane lengths is all that is needed to draw a straight line before pulling up for the hammerhead.

Some of the proposed sequences for next year are up on the IMAC site, but I don't think we'll see the final versions until they are voted on in late December or early January.

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

Hey Glenn -

I guess the season is just getting started down under. Do you guys use the American IMAC sequences for contests down there? If so, you may want to check the IMAC site and get the proposed ones for 2004. We flew them at Columbus, OH and had Mark Jorgeson, Tom Wheeler, Kurt kroelling, and others present to help get a handle on the new zoneless box presentations. It takes a little getting used to, but the sequences are MUCH better this way.

There are two proposed for Intermediate for 2004. There will probably be some tweaking on them before they become official, but you will get the idea.

Good Luck!!!

(BTW - practice both ways....if you are more comfortable doing it one way - practice it twice the uncomfortable way for ever time you practice it the comfortable way)

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

I fly the sequence with the spin close to me (easier to coordinate timing if you can see the plane well), then fly out crossbox for the hammerhead. When the hammerhead is deep in the box, you can't really tell if your vertical line pulls to the belly or canopy. But then, the judges can't see it either.

RE: Imac Inntermediate question
 

Thanks heaps for the reply's guys. Here in Aus we are still learning
imac and your advice is in-valuable.
We are holding our next imac in Woolongong, NSW at the end of November
and have another planned for Feb in Albury,Victoria.
We usally get between 15-20 competitors and most of us fly intermediate or
sportsman with a couple doing unlimited.
We have Frazer Briggs coming over for our Feb event and he will certainly
help us with all his experience.
once again thank you
GlennO
Australia.