2010 IS UPON US!!!!
This is a good thing and 40 regional pilots, many of them IMAC members, came to the opening offering at the AMA convention in Ontario, California. Joe, Steve and I had a great time for 2 and ½ hours sharing the new IMAC slide presentation for preparing judges to judge better and flyers to fly better. January 9th was a very good day for me and it afforded an opportunity to see and hear and review the criteria that is so important for judging properly.
In terms of conducting a contest and providing for a good experience for all contestants I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each Contest Director to consider the following:
1. Get a copy of the Flying and Judging Guide for 2009 and be familiar with it.
2. Get a copy of the Contest Standards Guide so your contest will be in compliance.
3. Start early getting your team lined up for your contest.
4. Think about the needs of the Club that is hosting the event, especially if any special conditions exist pertaining to sound.
5. Be prepared to talk at the pilot’s meeting about the sound score and the Airspace Control Score, as these are going to continue throughout 2010. We know that 2011 a rule change cycle will bring some new things in this area but for now we have the rules in place that we need to follow.
6. Of course, avail yourself of the variety of resources that exist on the web site for CD’s.
7. Order your unknowns earlier rather than later and pick a person to manage those unknowns.
8. Review the procedures for scoring and reporting the results of your contest.
9. Take the Boy Scout oath…….”Be Prepared”
10. Enjoy the pleasure of a well run contest.
Be happy that we, in the South West, are blessed with good year round weather. With some exceptions, of course, summer in Arizona is a trial, winter in Colorado and Utah are not the best for IMAC, but if you live in CA or Nevada or New Mexico year round contests are possible. We have 18 contests ready to provide relatively short driving and good attendance in all classes throughout the region. Southern California has for example: February is Miramar San Diego, May Riverside and Bakersfield, in June we have another San Diego, Oakdale and in July there is the Camarillo contest. Add to that the possible Pomona Valley and the New Santa Maria contest and you have 8 contests to choose from this year. Other areas are not quite so lucky but three or four are there for anyone that is serious.
Seriously, best five contests decide the regional winners and we have a clarification of the rules for tie breaking if that occurs in 2010. Also, we have a helpful article on Airspace Control Score coming soon that should shed some light on that subject.
Finally, the first contest of the season is in Mesa Arizona this weekend the 16th and 17th and the location is at the EVA field near Superstition Mountain. Forty pilots are signed up and it should be a good one, as the EVA team has just recently had practice in November hosting the Regional Final. Bernie Boland is the Contest Director and don’t hesitate to call him if you have questions or concerns. I hope that you have a good year and you bring out a couple of new IMAC pilots with you from your home field to enjoy the friendly, competitive experience that is IMAC. Take care, Tim