IMAC leadership has some changes for 2011. We have some rule changes that will affect our contests in 2011. Judging development will become ever more important for the continuing growth of IMAC and I would like to talk about that for a little. Also, in this report, I plan to cover some of the issues that relate to scheduling of South West contests for 2011. I shall begin with the leadership changes for 2011.
IMAC LEADERSHIP
Wayne Matthews now takes over the leadership position that he richly deserves as president of IMAC. I say this after knowing him for quite some time and having had the opportunity to view his passion for our sport and see his deep commitment to excellence. Many of the advancements we have enjoyed: the new web site with its many elements, the national judging seminars, the IMAC sequence committee functionality, the new On-Line Flying and Judging Instructional program that he helped to bring to fruition and to the many small details that have brought us to International prominence have been achieved with his many contributions of time, skill and effort. As a friend and colleague of mine on the Board of Directors for IMAC you can be assured that our organization will be carefully attended and kept on the path that has been set in the last two years. Will Berninger, from the North Central part of the country, I believe he hails from Indiana, will take the job of Vice President. I look forward to working with him in the next two years and fully expect that his stellar reputation as a pilot, builder, judging instructor and leader from his area will help Wayne as they raise the bar to new levels in IMAC. Phil Vance has been a terrific contributor to the health and welfare of IMAC as treasurer for many years and his leadership and commitment cannot be understated. He has been excellent in a leadership role with Don Hamilton for IMAC nationals in Muncie for many years. Secretary will be Bobby Folsom or Craig Baker, both seem qualified and committed to IMAC and I look forward to working with them. Several Regional Directors have changed and the new blood will likely invigorate our monthly meetings and provide new ideas for the advancement of IMAC.
I find it a great honor to be your regional director for the next term and I would invite all IMAC members of the South West to consider my next two years as your regional director; a time to offer your ideas, give of your time when a contest comes to your area, encourage new pilots to join IMAC and come to each contest expecting to have an enjoyable time with the many outstanding people that we are so lucky to have in this sport/hobby.
RULE CHANGES FOR 2011
The new rules that come into play in 2011 will for the most part be subtle and will require some effort to see the differences from 2010 to 2011. The rule that is not subtle is the RCP #5 that changes the way we score sound. This was a controversial change but one that is key to the healthy growth of IMAC.
- Judges no longer have to agree
- Scores are from 0-10, no half points
- 0-3 by both judges the pilot is warned he is too loud
- 0-3 by both judges a second time – disqualification
- No ground sound checks anymore
- K – Factor triples for each class
- Basic 3
- Sportsman 6
- Intermediate 9
- Advanced 12
- Unlimited 15
Clearly, a pilot that is skillfully using his throttle to control sound will appropriately receive the reward of a higher score and will have a chance for a higher finish in the standings.
The new rule book for 2011 and all the changes will be available soon as they have been approved by the Scale Aerobatic Contest Board. I hope that it will be accessible on line soon. These new rules will also require modifications to the on-line Flying and Judging Instructional Program. This leads into my next subject and that is Judge development.
JUDGE DEVELOPMENT
IMAC has always relied on developing judges through judging seminars, schools and on the job training. Now that we have the On- Line Program which is fully functional and possible to use by anyone in the world at any time the next important step is to begin judge certification. Some will say that they have been judging for a long time and do not need to prove anything and that may be true, however, for those coming up in the judging ranks it will be a way of validating their understanding of criteria. Actual judging experience applying the criteria fairly, consistently, with accuracy is what IMAC needs for the future and we hope that pilots will take this seriously.
Please take this suggestion to heart, especially if you are new to IMAC. Start with the aresti instruction, if you need to, and work through the families taking quizzes as you go. The success in these quizzes validates your learning and they will prepare you for the level one and level two certification tests. Watch the video clips and pay special attention to the judge sections that cover very important elements of being a qualified competent judge. The certification tests should be incorporated early into the 2011 year and they will be used only as a beginning step and will not change what has been the norm for our contests, that is, business as usual and CD’s have to make up those judge matrixes with the pilots that they have at the contests. The ultimate goal will be to have at least 3 levels of certification, maybe more. Will this make IMAC better, I believe so; everyone wants a qualified judge sitting in the chair when they go up.
NATIONAL JUDGE SCHOOL 2011
A National IMAC supported two day judging school is happening in the second week of January of 2011. We have money in our region that has been accumulating and we need to spend it to improve IMAC in the South West, therefore I would like to send at least 2 South West IMAC members all expenses paid to Texas for this School. Let me know if you have any interest and we can discuss it further.
SOUTH WEST SCHEDULE 2011
A schedule is being formulated with the input of Assistant VP from the SW as well as contest directors from around the region. Consideration to travel and separation between contests is critical. 15 to 20 contests seem about right so that 5 contests are reasonable for the majority of our 190 members. What with holidays, the Shootout and climatic conditions in the region only a few contests will enjoy 3 week separation. That is the ideal but some contests will need to get by with a two week separation. We do have core contests in California and Arizona that will serve the majority. New Mexico, Utah and Colorado have 45 members and will likely have to travel. Hopefully, our schedule will serve you well and give you adequate choices. Looking at the contests that are listed, be aware that things change and contests details are updated etc. and so it is good to check on the contests you plan on attending to see if new information is out.