How do you prepare for a contest?

[xtra330]

Hi Don,

I was curious to know how you practice for an upcoming competiton? Some practice the whole sequence over and over...some practice the first half until its mastered and then go to the second half...what is your style? And how long do you spend on any given manuever before moving on to the next?

Also - is there ever too much practice?

Thanks for your time!

[ifly3d]

Practice ????? What is that ??? LOL

[bodywerks]

Let's see - the last practice I had was the last contest I had, back in like, very early May. Chances are that my next practice will be the friday before my next contest, which is two weeks away. I can't even remember the entire advanced sequence off the top of my head right now!$#^$*#%*
I wish I could get out and practice more, but I prefer to just screw around with some 3D or 150+mph electric jets in my free time. I do the IMAC stuff because it is a challenge, and I can meet up with friends from out of town - that's what it's all about for me.

[pepatrick]

Then there is my way of practice. I fly the sequences...dial my plane in...plan on attending the event and then sell my plane. Buy another and start all over again.

[Judge]

Still no answer from Don??

[capcanuck]

I usually will get right into the sequence and fly it through for a couple of flights (so 4 times through the sequence). Then I will work on what sucks which is just about everything this year since I moved to Advanced Then after a few flights through the crappy stuff (that 1 1/4 to opposite 3/4 and the three rolls inside rolling circle !!) I will fly the entire sequence once more and call it a day. Then its loosen up time.
This year I am also going to start practicing unknows from previous years. I also am starting to practice unusual snap lines and cross box combos since at previous contests these are what have been burning me in the unknowns.

This year has really sucked for weather so i have been using the sim a lot on days off too. Bottom line is burn lots of fuel.

CapCanuck

[Wayne]

Hmmm..

Lots of guys named Don in here....

[don szczur]

Thank you for your question. First you have to determine what your goals are for competition. That will drive your practice quantity, quality, and motivation to improve. If you want to just participate, have a good time as the primary objective, not concerned about finish, then this is really not applicable for you. But, is it? I saw competitive flying at the 3D line of the Joe Nall, on par with any competition I've been to. How low can you get, how spectacular the maneuver, can you dip the tail in the pond. All very competitivie. Whether you are a 3D "show competitor" like this, or an IMAC competitor, use a simulator. Look at Mark's flying giants video on this website related to rolling harriers. Joseph (I had to cover his ears when he said "roll like a .... ...." but any way he spend over 5000 simulator hours on this maneuver. I calculated that at full time employment equates to about 2080 hour a year (that includes 2 weeks of vacation) so he is saying that he flew on the simulator "full time" for over two years straight. Now, assuming he flew this over a 5 year period (yes you can trace Mark to the last decade TOC's helping QQ) that is averaging about 5 to 10 hours of simulator time per week. Now, for IMAC, or pattern rolling maneuvers (learning which way to push the rudder, for example) this is critical. I learned the 3D upright and inverted harrier, and rolling circles completely on the simulator.

Where does a simulator end? Leaning a sequence involves wind, which is not easily practiced on the simulator (for example wind changes with altitude, thermals, and gusts). Pattern flying has removed that learning curve completely from IMAC flying, which is why its very easy for me to transition between the two, with somewhat ease (80 to 90 percent). Of course it takes 100 percent to be competitive, particularly at a national level, so you first have to choose your plane and stick to it if you are preparing for a specific competition. Learn your plane in wind, learn your plane in snaps, learn your plane during inverted, learn your plane in calm.

Building blocks. If you saw that video, I prepare and practice a sequence the same way I learn the unknown. First maneuver; first, second maneuver; first, second, third, and so on. Here are the criteria in order of learning curve: Positioning first (if doing a square loop put it in the middle- in front of you- without getting blown in, out left or right) (note- this is not as critical in IMAC as in pattern since there is not center line or edge box lines); Geometry second ( put the square loop in the middle and make it somewhat square); precision third (put the square loop in the middle, make it square and keep the wings level the whole time); and finally (after you get the first three in the ball park) smoothness and gracefullness (make the plane enjoyable to watch for the judges through timing between rolls, equal radius segments, constant speed, and rudder and aileron inputs that don't make the plane shake around when you put them in, for example).

Anyway, its a start. By the way, I enjoyed Vancouver, BC this week. Boy if you're there and can dodge the fires, flying is good through about 9:30 PM each night.

Don.

[xtra330]

Thanks Don!

I do use the sim, sometimes I think too much, even though I try to set it up like my model, they are slightly different. Lately I have not used it and will opt to go out to the field...the field is about an hour away, so it is not convenient! I am lucky to go out once - maybe twice a week and that is after work for maybe 2-3 hours....not much practice compared to what you described above.

When I go out - I try to stay focused as much as possible....and try not to get frustrated with one given manuever. I know I will miss snaps occasionigly in the sequence....so I have been paying attention to geometry like you mentioned...matching radius and length of lines....the rest will fall into place....I hope.

Thanks again for your time and description on how to tackle the practicing - much appreciated!!

[don szczur]

Might there be interesting to do a post blog of the buildup to a major competition, with regard to preparation. The learning curve is not an ideal smooth curve, there are many factors involved. Nutrition, sleep, focus, rest (vs sleep), and hunger(motivation) all play a part. Write something on your wall months in advance, and you will work to achieve it, even when you don't realize you are. Habits. Coaching-what is it, who does it, what is involved. Understanding preparation for a flight in your minds-eye. Can you see the wind. Can you feel the wind. Do you know what snap directions you are going to make. Self confidence. Confidence building exercises. Building blocks. Understanding how the brain works, how it learns. Reaction time. A lot of topics to cover. Anyone interested?

[1bwana1]

It has been my experience that unemployment is the best way to prepare for a contest. Now that I am back to working 50 hours a week, my flying is not progressing very quickly....

[yakpilot]

That would be awesome. I hope it happens.

[gmorales83]

I like to practice my sequence as early as possible to get comfortable with it, have it memorized cold, and then do nothing for the remaining two months before the IMAC contest ......then scramble to relearn everything the night before. Sounds like college all over again....

GM

[zzw26n]

My secret, No Sex before a Contest. Need my energy.

[jongurley]

Personally,, I fly a time or two a week the 3 weeks before a contest,, then the wednsday and thursday before I practice for 5-6 hours a day ,, , then on Friday I will most of the time head to the host field and fly through the sequence once or twice,, if it feels good I am done for the day, I will break out the 3d bird or the heli and bang it around for a minute,, but that is just me,, I find that I will practice more if I am flying good and I will practice less if I am practicing/flying bad,, you know,,, if you are flying bad and your mind isn't connected you are not doing a bit of good ,,,alot of times I will go to the gym and lift weights or go to BJJ class and snap somebody's arm,, OK maybe not,, but I will go to relieve some stress,, , , this is for me anyhow,,