IMAC freestyle questions

[saranrick]

I am interested in possibly learning some 3D and possibly trying a few competitions sometime.
But I have a few questions I hope people can help me with.

1. Is it a 3 or 4 min. freestyle?
2. Does anyone know what the judging criteria are?
In other words what are the judges looking for?
3. I noticed in some videos that people posted they do about 2 min. of aileron roll tricks. It actually gets kinda old watching an airplane do aileron rolls with every maneuver. And don't get me wrong it is awesome that someone can keep the aircraft under control the way they do, but my question is

Isn't it suppose to be the artistic impression and transition in relation to the music that is judged and not the fact you can control an aileron roll through every maneuver?
Even though it may be a high speed aileron roll.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for you time

Rick

[harv]

ive been doing freestyle in imac for about 1.5 years now. THe freestyle is 4 minutes(most of the smaller contest arent tooo strict on it).

the bigger contest will deduct you points after 5 seconds above or below the time limit.
-It is good to have a mixture of different flying, have some fast and slow, and some low 3d stuff. USe music that you like, but that will also be crowd appealing.
-THe judges would like to see artistic impression, use of airspace and time, and mixture of manuver that flow with the music(im sure theres a more detailed thing for this)
-Im sure the crowds interest in the freestyle will make an impact.
-Tocuhing is a zero.
-and try and stay within your limits of flying. Dont get carried away with the music.
-ACDC makes some good freestyle music.(oh and music that will get the crowd into helps)

harv

[DA2000]

Link to rules: http://www.modelaircraft.org/UserFil...Aerobatics.pdf

Keep in mind, to enter the freestyle portion of an IMAC contest, you must also enter one of the other classes.

Dan

[saranrick]

Thanks guys.

I will be flying Intermediate this year.

I have a few more questions.

1. Is is true you don't get anymore points for flying real low to the ground?

Since I am learning 3D I don't want to tear up my airplane because I pancaked or something stupid. At least not until I am employed again. Although I am flying 3D on the simulator with no problems, it doesn't cost a lot of money when I crash in it.

2. Is audience participation part of your score or does it just have influence over the judging?

Thanks again

[NCFRgal]

	Quote: Originally Posted by saranrick
	Thanks guys. I will be flying Intermediate this year. I have a few more questions. 1. Is is true you don't get anymore points for flying real low to the ground? Since I am learning 3D I don't want to tear up my airplane because I pancaked or something stupid. At least not until I am employed again. Although I am flying 3D on the simulator with no problems, it doesn't cost a lot of money when I crash in it. 2. Is audience participation part of your score or does it just have influence over the judging? Thanks again

It is true that you don't get anymore points for flying real low to the ground.

Audience participation is not part of your score and it should not have an influence over the judging. The judges should be familiar with the criteria (as you should be). A very daring, low flying, exciting performance may not meet the criteria of the 4 minute free program. Execution, choreography, utilizing a wide variety of maneuvers and all of the other criteria should all be touched upon during the flight--if it is not then it will reflect in your score.

[exeter_acres]

Direct from the rule book... as posted by DA2000

Hope this helps...

	Quote:
	17. Four (4) Minute Freestyle Program: 17.1: The four (4) Minute Freestyle Program is a ―Show Time‖ separate event. It is an unrestricted, individually crated 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: A: Technical Merit {90 K} a.1: Complete Use of the Flight Envelope Utilizing the Exploitation of Aerodynamic and Gyroscopic Forces (20 K). 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 noticeable under utilized. The pilot is expected to show movement of the aircraft about all axes using both conventional aerodynamic controls and propeller-generated 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 (40 K). 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 the aircraft at any time. a.3: Wide Variety of Figures Flown on Different Axes and Flight Paths (30 K). 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 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 overused 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 {90 K} b.1: Pleasing and Continuous Flow of Figures with Contrasting periods of Dynamic and Graceful Maneuvers (50 K). 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. 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 to 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 SCA-7 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 (40 K). 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 {20 K} 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 noticeable biased to left or right. The greater the degree of 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. 17.2: Judging the Four (4) Minute Free Program. 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 by 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, 9.8m 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 through 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. 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).

[exeter_acres]

Holy double Posts Batman!