I've read in many posts that flying speed on up and down lines need to be the same. Ok just where is that written? I've read both the FAI and AMA rule books and can't find that rule anywhere. So why are we concerned with this? I understand flying too fast can make your flying looked "Rushed" but come on if my up lines are a bit faster or slower than the down lines who cares? Who cares what the level flight speed is? The judges? They better not be unless they can show me the rule. I understand speed can affect roll rates and such. Just because some world class fliers try to fly this way do the rest of us mere mortals really need to do it?

Opinions?

My understanding of the advantage of slower downline speed is that it helps give time to make the radius more the size you want it to be.(same as other corners) The constant speed I dont think is being judged(as well it shouldnt) but the advantage is in the reaction time the slower constant speed allows....

Nope, speed at which a plane is flown up, down or horizontally is not a criteria to be judged by...this also applies to roll rates unless stipulated i.e. slow roll for instance....

The following was clipped from the current AMA rules:

The principles of judging an RC model shall be based on the perfection with which the model executes the maneuvers. The main criteria used to judge the degree of perfection are:

1.Precision of the maneuver.
2.Smoothness and gracefulness of the maneuver.
3.Positioning or display of the maneuver.
4.Size or dimensions of the maneuver relative to the maneuvering area, distance from the judges, and other maneuvers in the flight.

The above criteria are listed in order of importance; however, all of them must be met for a maneuver to be rated perfect.

Hope this helps...

I believe that a model flying at one speed is smooth and graceful.

Billy

Twtaylor,

Glen made the point very clear. It is all about proportions and presentation.

A couple of supporting examples for you to understand.

1. Consider you do a Stall Turn, half roll up, two opposite half rolls down. According to the book, roll rates must be equal, so as the radii. You will go upline with a slower speed (actually as fast as your plane climbs, make a nice half roll, and choose to go down fast after the stall turn and pray if you can perform two opposite half roll in the down line and fibnish with a quarter loop having a radius same as the first. I guess, you will end up at minus 10 ft. elevation below the ground level!

2. Consider you perform a Eight point roll as a center maneuver. Say you are flying far, at 175 to 200 meters away. Go full throttle and try to fit your perfect eight point roll from one side of the box to the other, showing up your hesitations. I guess you will miss the box big time and get the lowest score for the next maneuver which you will perform out of the box.

I am flying FAI for 30 years so far. After the introduction of turn around pattern in 1983, it always went slower and bigger, more available power but more throttle management. Of course without exceeding the 10 minute window.

It was Hanno Prettner who invented the "contant speed" flying. Quique, CPLR, even the Matt family (Wolfgang and Roland are famous for flying faster than the other top pilots) followed the same rout...

Nedim

According to FAI rules it is judged as follow:

1. Precision of the maneuver
2. Smoothness and gracefulness of the maneuver
3. Positioning or display of the maneuver
4. Size of the maneuver

The above requirements are listed in order of importance. All of them must be met to gain a high score.

I believe questions of speed in maneuvers falls under the second judging criteria.

//Kricke

Hmmmm....

According to Webster's dictionary the definition of:

Smoothness
1 : having a continuous even surface (2) of a curve : being the representation of a function with a continuous first derivative (3) : having or being a short even coat of hair <a smooth collie> -- compare ROUGH, WIREHAIRED b : being without hair c : GLABROUS <a smooth leaf> d : causing no resistance to sliding
2 : free from difficulties or impediments <the smooth course of his life>
3 : even and uninterrupted in flow or flight
4 : excessively and often artfully suave : INGRATIATING <a smooth operator>
5 a : SERENE, EQUABLE <a smooth disposition> b : AMIABLE, COURTEOUS
6 a : not sharp or harsh <a smooth sherry> b : free from lumps

Gracefulness
: displaying grace in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement

If a Judge interprets speed from these definitions as a judging criteria then they are adding their own subjective criteria which would be unfair to a competitor who executes maneuvers flawlessly by the above listed definitions although does it at a pace faster/quicker than others.

Thanks Glen

Just like roll rates, have to be constant, doesn't matter the speed as long as they're constant.

That is exactly WRONG! Speed is indeed a judging criteria. If the speed is to slow you wont make the time limit, if the speed is too high it all looks rushed and can make the maneuvers not so well defined, and if the speed varies the flight will loose its even flow.

And yes the second paragraph in the judging criteria ( smoothness and gracefulness) is indeed a subjective paragraph are made with that intention.

Don't forget that the judges are mere humans... and the judging, as I have often witnessed (even at international competitions), does not go always exactly by the book.
One example: if a "no-name" pilot is among the first ones to fly, and manages a nearly perfect flight (not talking about myself here!), the judges tend to be cautious in giving high marks (apparently reserving them for the "big name" pilots). Another one: local "heroes" tend to win competition, even if the consensus among pilots can be that there was someone else much more deserving. If you want one more, "big names" are often only lightly penalized for rather big mistakes - not many judges have the guts to zero CPLR for a doubtful snap roll...
Constant speed flying is something that might just help you show the judges that you belong in the "great pilots" club and maybe subliminally bias them in your favor. In any case, it cannot hurt so why not to try..