I've made that suggestion for 10 years now, just put the center line back in and judge the invisible aerobatic box left and right of the center line. That would dictate that all center maneuvers be done on center. So, if the left side of the invisible box is flown visually longer than the right, it's a point deduction that gets scored with airspace usage category (thats what I call it)..

The box years ago was way to small for unlimited and every unlimited pilot that flew with the box will say so, including myself. I wouldn't want to see the box come back for IMAC, unless it's 180 degrees or more.

The box for FAI/F3A is to small in my opinion for the F-Programs, unless you fly at 180 meters. That's just my opinion anyway......

RCfly- The average FAI round is about 7 minutes long, with 17 or so maneuvers with electric or GP power. You simply can not compress an IMAC sequence, especially Unlimited. The judges have to have whats called line segments to allow for enough time to score a maneuver. Yes, some people fly way to big. You can't fly free style wide open and score well and meet all the criteria.

Getting back to realistic items...................

Bill H.
Former Sponsored pilot
Former FAI/F3A Dist. Champion, etc.

Originally Posted by eheliflyer

If IMAC would actually implement an aerobatic box, we would see a significant drop in the sequence footprint and a drop in the time it takes to fly the sequence as well.

I like flying IMAC to better my flying skills and to compete with others! (And hopefully win occasionally). I just mention this because I don't see it in the voting options.

Thanks,
Craig

What would bring me back to IMAC is 2 things. Closer contests and making it more electric friendly. Due to my housing situation I have to fly electric.I cannot make it through 2 sequences a flight without carrying a brick for a battery. Make it one sequence a round like the pattern guys fly so you can compete with 12s 5000 packs and I'll fly a couple contests. Until then I'll stick with pattern

I could not answer your question based on available choices, but the biggest deterrent to me is distance and money. If i had the means, I would go to as many contests as possible and even as far as possible. But this is not feasible to me, as it would require someone who is retired and has little obligations to others, in order to do this, but it is my dream! To further explain, so as to not create confusion, I have a 6 and 10 year old daughter, and I am married, and I have a job that requires me to be near by most of the time. SO difficult to take time off. But, one day, maybe I can do that.

Originally Posted by orthobird

I could not answer your question based on available choices, but the biggest deterrent to me is distance and money. If i had the means, I would go to as many contests as possible and even as far as possible. But this is not feasible to me, as it would require someone who is retired and has little obligations to others, in order to do this, but it is my dream! To further explain, so as to not create confusion, I have a 6 and 10 year old daughter, and I am married, and I have a job that requires me to be near by most of the time. SO difficult to take time off. But, one day, maybe I can do that.

There is a lot of spot on reason in what you said here. My daughter while grown and married now works for my wife and I and so does my son in law. Even with my wife and I owning the business, we've had to cancel and reschedule time off many times. That forces me to go to imac contests that are close enough to get to on a Friday and be back Sunday evening. Like you said, one day when retired I too may travel to more contests.

Originally Posted by Keith Cannon

Ill start throwing out the idea of a Durango Contest and see how many Denver guys would be willing to attend. If I can get pilots I would start on the logistics of it.

That would be awesome! Would Love to have a contest to go to within a reasonable distance during the hellish heat of summer here in the desert! My guess is it would draw quite a crowd! Would be a great replacement for the old San Diego or Camarillo contests that don't exist any longer as well as increase camaraderie between Colorado and the rest of the region.

Just curious how we would implement a 180 degree box? Wouldn't that be from horizon to horizon?

Brad if you guys need any help please let me know.

DURANGO!!! I'm in if it happens and I'd be happy to help if I can.
Great thread and I love the comments. I stopped flying to have and
raise my children. Now they are out of the nest and I have more time.
IMAC doesn't fit everyone but sometimes it does later on.
BTW the "Box" will likely never happen for various reasons...
Let.....it.....go.....

The most important thing to me is the lunch concessions, hotel accommodations ($$), and distance from where I live. Although I did travel 14 hours for one contest this year...

Originally Posted by richafflerback

What would bring me back to IMAC is 2 things. Closer contests and making it more electric friendly. Due to my housing situation I have to fly electric.I cannot make it through 2 sequences a flight without carrying a brick for a battery. Make it one sequence a round like the pattern guys fly so you can compete with 12s 5000 packs and I'll fly a couple contests. Until then I'll stick with pattern

i see you are in NJ... i would encourage you to show up to a northeast contest... i can't speak directly as i am not the RD but from what has happened in the past we can make exceptions and "bend" the norm a bit and allow you to fly a sequence land and change battery... it has happened and no one had any issues!

Wow, judging fairness/bias is showing 2nd biggest consideration on the poll. Any other thoughts on this one? Let's try not to gripe, let's focus on a solution on this one. I hear poeople say they "can't" win in a particular region due to bias in the location they're flying in no matter how good they fly. Let's face it, we're all a "little " competitive or we would just attend fun flys. How about a powerball type judge selection process for all pilots to witness? Thoughts?

Originally Posted by GROOVEN J

Making sure you have everything for the Saturday evening BBQ and juice!!

This is the one thing I feel like we have some control over, and can guarantee good scoring almost every time!

Interesting that the sequence/box size comes up so much in 4 pages, but the ACS score is barely even mentioned. Presumably it's there for a reason, but ask around at a contest and you'll realize that nobody knows or agrees what it should be. Make it mean something, or take it out and use that as an opportunity to look at the arbitrary scoring culture in general.

Originally Posted by bbeedy

Keith, great comments! I'd love to see a CO contest a little closer to AZ - within 7-8 hrs of phoenix. Any possibility of a contest near Durango or Cortez?? I think you might attract a BUNCH of AZ pilots during the summer! The 12 hr drive makes it a little far for many AZ pilots that have to work on Monday. I always thought an IMAC contest in Monument Valley would be amazing too!

Grand Junction has many IMAC and Pattern Pilots, we have talked about having a event there but it never happens. Why? Because the Denver pilots never travel outside of Denver! So the western slope guys have lost interest traveling to the eastern slope.

Originally Posted by eheliflyer

Just curious how we would implement a 180 degree box? Wouldn't that be from horizon to horizon?

Mr. C. This is for informational purposes only..... IMAC back in 2005 (12 years ago) HAD a 180° box..... Here is a scan of Rule 4.1 which indicated the size of the box at that time.
Wayne