Hello....

I'm interested in taking another swing at pattern flying after number of years away. Last time I think was in the Poconos..mid 90's.

At any rate, I'm having an awful time with understanding the AMA Sportsman sequence. ie: Entering and Exiting the box. It would almost seem that there are entire series of maneuvers being performed without leaving the box? This is quite unlike the turnaround sequence (Novice) that I recall...

Is there anyone who can clear this up?

Thanks!

PS: If there's any of you in the Charlotte area flying pattern and would care to coach/call...I'd be happy to hear from you!!!

Thanks again!

'Race

Race,

Welcome back to Pattern!!

Current Sportsman sequence that started last year has less entering and exiting the box.

After 2 inside loops (manuever #6), there is an exit and entering of box.

Previous sequence (Novice) had more than two or three times between take off and landing.

The entire sequence have been lenthened, voted, and adapted last year.

http://www.nsrca.org

NSRCA has contest schedules with contact information for CDs.

Send them E-mails for people in your area, they will help you.

Or, Join the NSRCA- discussion list and ask. I believe there are several in your area.

Hope this helps,

Thank you! I appreciate your help. I'm not bashful...I'll take all the help I can get!

Regards,

Race

OK...starting to get a better picture here....

Still pondering the "straight flight out" into the half-reverse cuban eight. This stays in the box?

Having trouble visualizing how the model can do "straight flight back" along the same line as "straight flight out" when you started from a climbing attitude, and over the runway?

Do you see my confusion here? (my wife does quite often).

The rest of the schedule seems fairly straight-forward. For now.


Thanks again...

'race

RaceCity

1. Takeoff upwind
2. Turnaround, go downwind (a free pass past the judges)
3. Do a turnaround manuever to get into position
4. ENTER THE BOX
5. Straight flight out (upwind, same as takeoff), in front of judges
6. 1/2 rev cub 8
7. Straight flight back (downwind), in front of judges
.......

5,6,7 all in the box

hope this helps

flianbrian

'race
I just started practicing the Sportsman sequence and attended my 1st meet last weekend.
As I understand it:
take off and climb to altitude (straight flight out), turn around and fly back across -all free, then enter box and fly by straight and level (straight flight back)entering into the half-reverse cuban eight for the turn-around manuver-inside the 60degree box.

Hope this helps.
Eddie

Thanks guys. Makes perfect sense. (I was wondering where my free "trim pass" went ya know?)

I sat and thought about it, and what you're saying is the only logical course of action.

Thanks!

Now if I could just discipline myself to spend less time BS'in and more time practicing when I'm at the field.....

Regard,

Race

Race,

Take off is the first judged manuever and is complete when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 2 meters or approx. six feet.

After take off you turn downwind for your non judged trim pass and non judged turnaround back upwind. This turnaround is important, use it to set you altitude and distance out from the flgiht line that you desire.

You then enter the box at the desired altitude and distance and in a straight and level attitude, this begins your straight flight out and is a judged manuever. At a point of your choosing after the plane has passed the center line you will perform a 1/2 reverse cuban eight by climbing at a 45 degree angle and doing a half roll and then continuing upwards along the 45 degree line then pull to your half loop. After completing the half loop your heading will be 180 degrees opposite from your straight flight out and you should be at the same altitude as your straight flight out. This begins your straight return flight. After you have passed the center line in straight return flight you will pull the plane thru a half cuban eight which will reverse your direction again and you will be headed upwind and setting a line for your two loops. After you exit your loops you will exit the box headed upwind and will have a non judged turn around and will enter the box down wind for you two point role ( I believe it is). The remainder of your maneuvers will be in the box and all will be judged. After your final manuever you will exit the box upwind and will have a non judged pass downwind in preparation for landing. The landing scoring commences when the plane reaches an altitude of two meters and is complete after touchdown and a roll out of 50 feet.

Hope this helps if you need anymore clarification let me know.

Dan Curtis
AMA CD
NSRCA District 5 VP

Looks like lots of people will response, so here is another one.

http://www.cox-internet.com/donramsey/

Above site by Don Ramsey has great help for Sportsman sequences. When I started Novice, Don used to have a drawing for sequences, but not any more.

Great stuff folks. VERY helpful. Keep it coming!

Thanks!