Freestyle SOS!!!
 

Hey Ladys and Gentlemen. Something I have noticed in the past few contests is that peeps are not wanting to fly Freestyle that much or at all anymore. Now I know money is geting tight and putting planes in isnt no fun but is this fading out or what? I mean come on. We can all get up there and just do something. Besides. Thats what a lot of guests come out to see on Sundays at the end of a contest is us "getting down". Im just a Sportsman pilot but Im working on a routine. So you can count on me doing at least something out of the ordinary for a freestyle. So come on yall!!! Especcially you Unlimited, and intermediate guys. Im calling for a challenge here. If you think you can beat a sportsman pilot at freestyle then bring it on!!! Ill be there waiting for you at the next contest (Ft. Worth?) (Oh boy, what have I done?) Yep. Ill be working on those harrier rolls and some hovering. I may even put some smoke on..So come on. Dont be scared. Lets see what you got.......

Scott Shaffer
Sherman, TX.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I know here in the Southwest.......

Your looking at avg of 50 pilots a contest. There isn't time for us to fit in the freestyle, unless we knock out one round of sequences. Doesn't seem fair to do that for the 45 paying pilots to fit in a freestly round and take one of theirs away.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I agree with Sweetpea, it's a time thing. A well attended contest can be difficult enough to manage without throwing a "fun fly" in the middle of it. Don't get me wrong, freestyle can be fun to watch, but IMAC should be about precision sequence flying. Leave the hovering and torque rolling to the showboaters. I know this will get me flamed, but I just feel that it takes too much time and effort to organize a precision aerobatics contest to waste valuable time on a "hot dogging" exhibition.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

Here's my opinion on the lack of freestyle, especially in our region (SC).

Most of the upper class guys are now putting more effort into the pattern, especially setup. Looking for tighter control surfaces, better CG's, and less wear on the airframes have limited the planes 3D capabilities.

Also, the level of 3D flying among the top guys has reached an incredible level. When someone sees a video of the XFC or Shootout, they come to a small event and expect to see that level of flying in the free. Most of the upper class guys want to be able to fly a routine that rivals those.

For me, its better to skip the free than to do a poor routine.

Daniel

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I think the two need two work hand in hand. Your right the spectators come out to see the freestyle and get bored easy watching the sequence flying. At our contest every year we make a great effort to get the local comunity to come out and support the contest. we have spectator raffles, an anouncer to give everyone a heads up on whats going on and most important a freestyle demonstration. Time is always an issue when you run a big contest and for this reason i have chossen to do noncompetitive freestyle. I find myself, that i won't fly freestyle till I am totaly prepared to do so mentaly and physicaly. I have to overcome the thought that pops in my head (you spent 400 hrs biulding this plane and how much money?)

good luck

Tony Fandino

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

OK...So it is a fading thing at the contests? I agree if you have 50 pilots that it would almost be impossible to throw a freestyle in. But some of our SC contests I have been to are averaging 30 pilots or less. We get 3 rounds flown on Saturday. We are done on Sundays at about 2:00pm. Then its time for awards and stuff.
Now that I will agree!!!! But. Yes I have a but in this one. Have any of you been to a full scale competition? Im sure most of us have once or twice. Those guys do a freestyle a little bit different than ours. For me I see them doing a few tumble maneavers mixed with a lot of precision and made up stuff using 100% of the box. And they are pushing that. Kirby Chambliss does a little 3D with the Cobra thing. So what Im saying is who says we have to do all high alpha stuff? A good freestyle for me is set to the rythym of music, choreograph, and just some pretty flying. Its only for 4 minutes.
At our IMAC (Texoma IMAC Challenge) (Had to throw that plug in) We take it one step more. We have the Quad F. Then the Freestyle. I think we are the only ones to do this. QUad F stands for "Fun Flying Freestyle Foamy" Yep. For 4 minutes we have some of the pilots get out their foamys and fly a crazy freestyle. The prize to the 1st place winner? A new foamy..We always have time to do it plus the freestyle.
Ok..Now I have another issue. Im afraid the clubs putting on the IMAC are not going to even make the awards(Plaqes, Trophies etc..) to give out anymore if this thing continues to fade out. (for the freestyle that is). The last contest I was in didnt flt the freestyle and they were stuck with them. And the one before that only one guy did the freestyle so he got 1st place and they were stuck with the second and third award.
But anyways this is turning into a novel. Im glad to hear form you guys on this and hope to hear some more.

Thanks,
Scott S.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I am a true newbie to IMAC, and here is my personal perspective. Sheer intimidation. Some of the guys are SO good that it is almost embarassing to try to follow them. Its not their fault, its just the way it is. I made my 1st IMAC contest this year and I was amazed at how good Daniel, Jason Danhakl and Brett(well I knew Bret was good) really were. I fly pretty solid 3D and would be competitive against most guys, but there was no way I could hang with those 3 or guys at their level. Part of what would scare me out of it at this level would be that Sunday afternoon crowd expecting to see something unblieveable from me and then me disappointing.

Just a thought, but what if they had a "pro" level freestyle and then had an "amateur" freestyle? No big deal just pick your class, they could all fly together just judge them separately. Or the amateurs could fly 1st, so that the pro's could end the show. It would give the newer guys a chance to compete against one another without feeling shamed by the big boys. [8D]

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

The problem with freestyle is that whoever comes the closest to crashing their plane by pushing the limits wins, not the person that is the best, or the person that flies iaw the criteria in the F$J manual. The freestyle judging criteria is very well written, but It needs to be tought at F&J seminars along with precision Judjing. It is in the rulebook and officially a part of IMAC and should be judged with the same scrutiny as the sequence flying. Then the pilot that devlopes the best pre-rehersed chorographed routine will win, not necessalary the pilot with the best thumbs.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I thought I would chime in here. I don't do very well in IMAC and sure not in 3D, but I have help put on a couple of IMAC contest.
I assumed (you know what that means) that freestyle was different than 3D. Freestyle was doing IMAC maneuvers flowing with music with maybe some 3D mixed in.

Pure 3D was like XFC with music with bunches of high alpha.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

Julius Freestyle incorperates 3D it is defined in the F&J guide. The pilot is Free to do as he/she wishes as long as it is safe

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I suggested last year at several contests to hold the Freestyle Saturday evening. That way, people can still leave at a decent time on Sunday. I dont know a single contest that I have ever been to where we flew IMAC rounds till dark on Saturday.
Do it then, everyone is still there.

My personal thoughts on flying freestyle are pretty much what Daniel said.
But I will add this, its VERY hard to come up with a truly good freestyle routine. I just dont have the time to go to the field and work on that and not focus on precision.

I had a decent routine in 04 that I flew at the XFC and did pretty well with.
I used that same routine at a few IMAC's and found I was getting beat by guys flipping and floppin over the runway for 4 minutes with music playing in the background. It got old and I havent flown Freestyle since. Sour grapes? Probably.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I got into IMAC because of Freestyle. But I've stayed in IMAC because of precision. When I get to the field to practice, I have to decide which I am going to work on - freestyle or precision. Precision wins every single time. When I go to a contest like the NATS (and get to stay for more than one day!), I have the chance to fly 4 days of precision flight - usually 2 or more flights per day. Freestyle is one 4 minute flight at the end. Guess which one I would rather be good at? Don't get me wrong - I enjoy watching a great freestyle routine. But I'd rather work on beating Wayne and Daniel at the "hard" stuff!

Ken

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

Hopefully we will all be in Tucson trying to stomp on eachother.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I was just thinking the same thing.

Ken

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

This is my first year at IMAC and I have not flown in freestyle at some contest for different reasons. First I am not the greatest at 3d but can do ok at it, its much harder to try to do it and keep up with the song and weather conditions make it a little harder so I decline if the weather isn't about perfect. Second some fields are a little less ideal for my routine than others as far as getting low compfortably. Third, some times I am just tired of flying by then and would rather just pack up and go home. When I have flown freestyle I am the last guy to leave so If the distance traveled to the contest is getting kind of far that just means Im that much later getting home. And last, my 3d abilities aren't up to what they normally would be as precision takes all my effort and time so Im not even totally familiar with how my plane handles in some 3d manuevers, this makes things a little more interesting[X(] I do like the idea of Saturday freestyle, I have thought that would be a little more fun for everyone and get some more contestants to join in on the activities.

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

See below. It is the official IMAC freestyle. definition and judging Criteria. If freestyle is offered at a contest and on the sanction. Then the CD must follow the rules and judging below. Freestyle is an official event and any contest offering freestyle and not following the established judging criteria may have the entire contest thrown out and it would not count tword regional and national points. When I CD a contest I draw judges from the pilot pool that arn't flying freestyle. Then individually give them a printout of the judging criteria.



General Rules, Scale Aerobatics 1/05 GR-10
18.1. The Four (4) Minute Freestyle Program is a “Show Time”
separate event. It is an unrestricted, individually created sequence in
which “Anything Safe Goes!” To be eligible to participate and compete
in this event, the competitor must also compete in one of the five
IMAC categories of precision sequence flying at the same event. It
should have separate awards when offered. It is graded on the following
criteria:
18. Four (4) Minute Freestyle Program
A. Technical Merit {90K}
a.1. Complete Use of the Flight Envelope Utilizing the Exploitation
of Aerodynamic and Gyroscopic Forces (20K)
The pilot is expected to make full use of the flight envelope of the
aircraft. This means flying the full range of airspeeds and accelerations
permitted. Program time should be divided between high and
low speeds, high and low G maneuvers, and both positively and negatively
G loaded flight segments. The flight should include the demonstration
of controlled flight beyond the stall boundary by use of autorotation
or other high angle of attack maneuvers. The judge will deduct
points if any of these areas are noticeably under utilized.
General Rules, Scale Aerobatics 1/05 GR-11
Scale Aerobatics Official
Flying And Judging Guide
The pilot is expected to show movement of the aircraft about all axes
using both conventional aerodynamic controls and propellergenerated
gyroscopic forces. Higher grades will be given to pilots
able to make use of all these effects through a wide range of aircraft
attitudes and flight paths. Repeated use of any such forces in the
same or similar attitudes should result in lower scores.
a.2. Execution of Individual Maneuvers (40K)
It should be clear that the maneuvers flown were, in fact, intended and
fully under the pilot’s control. Higher marks will be given for this
objective when individual maneuver elements are started and finished
on obviously precise headings and in well-defined attitudes. When,
for example, gyroscopic maneuvers are allowed to decay into imprecise,
poorly defined autorotation, marks should be deducted for poor
execution. Marks should also be deducted if it appears that the pilot
has relinquished control of the aircraft at any time.
a.3. Wide Variety of Figures Flown on Different Axes and Flight
Paths (30K)
Many different figures should be completed in the time available.
These should include maneuver elements of many different kinds and
should use many different flight paths and axes. Lower marks should
be given to a pilot who used only one or two principal axes of flight.
However, the use of additional axes within the performance zone
must be clear and precise, not giving the appearance of being used by
chance. Marks should also be deducted if any particular maneuver
element is over-used or continues for an excessive period of time. For
example, higher marks would be given in the event of a two-turn flat
spin followed by something else, than to a multi-turn spin that simply
took up more time.
B. Artistic Impression {90K}
b.1. Pleasing and Continuous Flow of Figures with Contrasting
Periods of Dynamic and Graceful Maneuvers (50K)
In a precisely flown sequence, the completion of a figure will be well
described when movement about an axis ceases and a particular attitude
is briefly held. The start of the next figure or maneuver should
then begin without any prolonged period of inactivity caused by the
need to reposition the aircraft or reorient the pilot. Marks will be deducted
for any obvious period of level flight, or inactivity, required
between figures.
General Rules, Scale Aerobatics 1/05 GR-12
Scale Aerobatics Official
Flying And Judging Guide
In a musical symphony, the listener’s mood may be changed by contrasting
fast and slow movements. Similarly, in a 4-Minute Free Program,
the judge should be treated to a flight that causes different reactions.
While some maneuvers involve very high speeds, sudden attitude
changes and rapid rotations, others involve slower speeds or
more gentle transitions. Higher marks will be given to a pilot who
finds time in his program for showing such differences of mood and
pace. Marks should be deducted in this category for a flight that
shows no such distinctions. Higher marks should be given for choreography
with the music to enhance the flight, and the flight choreographed
to enhance and present visual impressions where both the
music and aircraft are flowing together with each other and acting as a
unified entity to display a harmonious presentation.
b.2. Presentation of Individual and Combinations of Figures in
Their Best Orientation and Optimal Position (40K)
Figures can give different impressions when seen from different viewpoints.
For example, a climbing inverted flat spin looks most impressive
when the top surface of the aircraft can be seen. A loop flown in
a plane inclined at 45 degrees to the vertical is best appreciated when
it is flown on the Y-axis. Marks should therefore be deducted if the
judge is not shown a figure in its best orientation.
Each figure has an optimum from which it is best viewed. For example,
a loop flown overhead does not give the same pleasing geometry
as one flown further distant. Similarly, a figure flown near the upper
height limit will cause discomfort when flown at the near edge of the
performance zone; a low-level horizontal figure is better seen from
close by than far away. Higher marks will therefore be given when
individual figures are optimally placed, while judges should deduct
marks when it appears that a figure is not well placed or positioned.
C. Positioning {20K}
c.1. Symmetry of the Presentation Utilizing the Performance Zone
to Maximize the Audience and Judges Perception, Reception, and
Viewing of the Program (20 K)
Highest marks will be given when the sequence as a whole is balanced
evenly to the left and right of the judges’ direct line of vision
towards the center of the performance zone. Marks should be deducted
if, by design or by the influence of the wind, a pilot’s program
is noticeably biased to left or right. The greater the degree of asymmetry,
the greater should be the deduction.
General Rules, Scale Aerobatics 1/05 GR-13
Scale Aerobatics Official
Flying And Judging Guide
Even though a flight might be symmetrical, it may also be spread too
far to either side, so that some maneuver elements are flown outside
the performance zone, thus making them difficult to see and interpret.
Figures may also be flown on the direct line of vision but very distant.
Any part of the flight that is flown at such distances should be penalized
for each excursion. The entire program should be positioned so
as to maximize both the audience and judges perception and reception
of the flight as a whole.
a. Any number of judges can be utilized. As more judges that are
used, the overall score average will be less influenced by a single
judge. It is recommended that seven (7) be used. For final score
tabulation it is recommended that the high and low score per judging
criteria category be discarded, and the remaining scores be multiplied
by their K factors and added together to obtain the final score.
b. Each criteria will be judged from ten (10) to zero (0) in 0.1 increments,
i.e., 8.7, 7.9, 9.8, etc.
c. If the pilot lands any time prior to 3 minutes 30 seconds (three
and one-half minutes) the judges score is "prorated". Example: the
pilot lands at the three (3) minute time. The judges will score the contestant
as though he flew four minutes. The score room will tabulate
the scores normally and the pilot will receive three-fourths (75%) of
the judges score for his final score. If the pilot lands any time after
three and one-half minutes there is no penalty. The judges will stop
scoring when the timer announces "Time" at the four minute mark.
Another Example: If the pilot lands at the two minute mark, he will
receive 50% of the judges score.
d. Specific circumstances that will Disqualify (DQ) the competitor’s
flight.
18.2. Judging the Four (4) Minute Freestyle Program
d.1. If the plane crashes, it is a Disqualification (DQ).
d.2. If the plane goes behind the deadline, it is a DQ.
d.3. If the pilot performs dangerous or unsafe maneuvers or high
energy maneuvers directed at the judges or spectators, it is a DQ. (As
determined by a majority of the judges and/or the CD.)
General Rules, Scale Aerobatics 1/05 GR-14
Scale Aerobatics Official
Flying And Judging Guide
Intentionally Left Blank

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I definately agree with the sat free's. They should try it at the chicago cup, hint, hint. I would love to try it even though it will be 4 minutes of big saves possibly followed by some hefty cinch-sacking. Do you think the crowd would stand for 4 minutes of the sportsmen sequence with 1 inverted flyby. If you do burn in its not like your buddy wont let you fly his plane for pattern, right rattbelly!!!!! Please.....

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

Scott, I have to agree with you on this one. It seems like saturdays are for the pilots to compete, and sundays "were" for the spectators to enjoy. If a person isn't competing and flying in the competion. It's not to exciting to watch the same pattern flown over and over. I'm reminded of this every time my wife comes to the field to watch. LOL......
But when you throw in a freestyle, it loosens things up. People really seem to have a good time watching the freestyle.I would hate to see the freestyle portion go to the wayside.I think it's a important part of the contest!
Shaun

RE: Freestyle SOS!!!
 

I will say that "freestyle" flying can be more crowd pleasing than precision competition. It's similar to going to a full scale airshow and watching Kirby Chambliss or Mike Goulian perform vs. going to a full scale aerobatics competition and watch everybody compete flying the same sequences (the flying is further away and less exciting). But once you understand what is going on and get past the initial thrill, precision flying has more staying power for both the spectator and pilot as well.
I attended the Joe Nall fly-in this year for the first time (awesome event!) and watched a lot of flying over the course of a few days. The 30-40% aerobats seem to dominate the event, and to me, it took very little time to get tired of watching these awesome aircraft hanging from their engines. Every once in a while, someone would take one of these beautiful airplanes and actually fly a precision sequence. I would stop and watch every time.
It seems as though every picture in the magazines and every video clip on the internet is of one of these fantastic aircraft standing on it's tail in fron of the pilot. It was cool the first 1000 times. Now, it seems, if you come out with a new airplane, the first question that gets asked is, Will it hover?
Sorry for the rant, and I understand that freestyle is more than just 3D flip flopping, I just think it should be a different event than IMAC.