In the 2011 AMA 402 (Intermediate) sequence, maneuver #13 (Top Hat, 1/4 Roll Up, 1/4 Roll Down) is a cross-box maneuver. Doesn't this totally screw up your positioning relative to the flightline?

I guess you have to let the plane drift in or out before executing this maneuver and fly your crossbox leg out or in so your distance from the flightline ends up OK, or...?

Please enlighten me, oh pattern masters!

Thank you,

Bill

I doubt you will have to "let" the plane drift in or out, it usually happens all by itself!! When cross box figures are flown they establish a new line relative to the pilot and you will not be downgraded.

Also keep in mind that Figure 9 has "options" on it so you can fly that in or out to prepare for the top hat.

Basically cross box figures are often used to allow the pilot to correct for wind drift that has happened during the flight. It allows you to come back in if you got deep or to go out if you came in.

Make sense??

the only downside to that is if the pilot had flown with correct wind correction, these types of maneuvers screw with your baselines!

tony

Not really, they just change them. If you are flying perfect lines in either wind or no wind then I would fly 9 one way and use 13 to come back. Cross box figures establish a new line either closer or farther out than the line the plane entered on. I have always found them very handy having not mastered the ability to fly a perfectly wind corrected line for an entire flight!!

Am I correct in thinking that the cross box line (for maneuver 13) has to be the same length as the vertical line?

If yes, after #13 I could be 50% closer or farther before #13. But if you say it's no problem, I'll believe you.

I guess the other thing is that you're saying you fly 10-12 close or far and the maneuvers before and after are at the standard distance.

The Top Hat in Intermediate, #13, is a box reversal maneuver. None of the legs need match each other in length; they simply must exist and be recognizable to the Judges. This means that the entry altitude and exit altitude are pilot's options. So it the top leg in terms of length.

Key things that you must do in this maneuver to score maximum:
Make sure that each 1/4 roll is centered in each respective leg. This is particularly important because each of the verticals are allowed to be different lengths.....your 1/4 rolls may be at different altitudes. Also make sure that the top leg is flown inverted.

Regards

Matt Kebabjian
Pattern Judging Committee Chairman

Originally Posted by MattK

...None of the legs need match each other in length; they simply must exist and be recognizable to the Judges...

Thanks a million, Matt!

Bill

I love those cross box end maneuvers with options....!!!