Alternate Sequence Announcement from the IMAC BOD > International Miniature Aerobatic Club

Alternate Sequence Announcement from the IMAC BOD

posted on April 30, 2009 10:52

Special Announcement from the BOD

(emailed to all members on 4/30/09)

To All IMAC members…

     One of the critical challenges we face within our sport is that of being good neighbors and responsible pilots. Our large planes can cover a lot of ground pretty fast and, if unchecked, can be louder than our full scale counterparts.

     We have met the sound challenge with remarkable success with the wide spread implementation of canisters and proper selection of props. Our pilots have learned that proper throttle management is an acquirable skill and our technology continues to improve every year.

     In one of the last rules cycles, IMAC introduced the concept of an Airspace Control Score (ACS). After exhaustive evaluation of many possible approaches to footprint control, including electronically using GPS transponders, the final result was the ACS. The ACS’s primary goal is to reduce/control the footprint of our sequences by encouraging pilots to fly closer and in a more controlled manner. There have been many who continue to insist that until we have some purely objective method to control over-flight, that no system should be implemented or that the old discredited “box” approach be brought back. The fact is that an objective system is not possible without boundary judges. The vast majority of our flying sites do not lend themselves to the placement of boundary judges even if the manpower was readily available to man them (takes two per flight line).

     It is now time to bring all our collective guns to bear on the enforcement of the ACS and move forward in addressing the issue of over-flight and footprint control. To this end, we are releasing a brief paper on ACS discussing its purpose and practical application. We encourage all pilots to read this carefully and all CDs to review this paper at their pilot’s meetings. Throughout the remainder of the 2009 season and for all of 2010, the ACS K factor is established by rule. Starting in 2011, the K factor on the ACS will likely be increased significantly making airspace control even more vital to scoring well.

     The BOD recognizes that ability to fly in a smaller area begins with good sequence design. The IMAC Sequence Committee is also very aware of the need for sequence designs that emphasize smaller footprints. Throughout the remainder of this season, you should start seeing this renewed focus reflected in the unknowns that you will be given at each event. The 2010 Knowns will continue this emphasis with footprint as one of the primary design considerations.

     Regardless of rules like ACS or sequence designs, there are flying fields where flying IMAC events or even practicing put the field at risk. Common sense dictates that these fields should be left to the electrics and trainers and other venues located for scale aerobatics. The IMAC Regional Directors will be monitoring event approvals carefully with this in mind as we move forward.

     There are, however, those venues where everything may be fine except for large rolling circles elements in Advanced and Unlimited. After much and careful consideration, the BOD has decided to direct the ISC to produce an Alternate Known sequence for both Unlimited and Advanced using substitute figures for the rolling circles. The changes are very straightforward with the sole changes being a shark tooth in Unlimited and half Cuban in Advance. These sequences may be flown at events in lieu of the standard knowns at the discretion of the Contest Director. If the CD chooses to use the Alternate sequence at their event, it must be published on the event listing on the website.

     Dave Smith's scoring management system, Score!, has been updated to accommodate this change as well as adding several other features. You will receive a separate memo on the Scoring program shortly but the new version is available for download now.

     It is our goal to make scale aerobatics competition as environmentally friendly as possible. As an organization, we can only make rules and change the sequences to encourage airspace control but it is the responsibility of the individual pilot to make it happen. We ask for your help both as pilots and judges take us in this much needed direction.

The IMAC Board of Directors

Posted in: Rules, Judging, Policies & Process

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