For the serious aerobatic competitor, performing a flawless routine will not happen by chance. Endless hours will be spent at the flying field and in the workshop tuning a specific model in an effort to obtain consistent performance out of the airplane in all weather conditions.
A seasoned pilot will also spend much time reading the rulebook so that he or she is aware of all judging criteria that will apply to his or her current aerobatic sequence. After all, knowledge and a firm understanding of all judging elements are needed for success, and this is often underestimated.
In this month’s column, I will explore the basics of proper flight presentation. It is important to have a properly trimmed aircraft and have the ability to perform each flight at the same altitude and distance to become a consistent pilot. Proper use of the aerobatic airspace should also be used throughout each flight, because judges grade against only one standard, and that standard is perfection! Without further delay, let’s get down to business!
General Guidelines Defined
From the start of the flight—whether it is during a practice session or the last flight at the US Nationals—it is important for the pilot to take off and get the airplane in position for a given sequence. All pilots must get into the habit of flying a routine at the same distance and altitude on every flight in all weather conditions. Although straight-and-level segments may appear simple, one will soon realize that holding a certain heading and altitude without any visible corrections can become difficult.
A seasoned pilot knows that consistency is critical to success. In order for a pilot to focus on proper distances and altitudes, he or she must make sure that the airplane is properly trimmed. Flying an untrimmed model will be distracting because the pilot will need to apply unnecessary control inputs to keep the aircraft in the desired position.
At the start of any flight, a pilot typically will take off into the wind and will perform a 180° turn downwind. This downwind leg is used to position the aircraft at a distance and height at which the sequence can be flown, and should be used for trimming. One should take time during this pass to guarantee that the airplane is properly trimmed in roll, pitch, and yaw. Leaving an airplane untrimmed will only mean that the pilot will have to fight the aircraft throughout the rest
of the aerobatic routine.
Throughout the course of any given flight, judges want to see smoothness as well as a distinctly recognizable start and finish of each figure with a horizontal line. Remember that a no-fly zone exists for all maneuvers. This area is located approximately 100 feet in front of the pilot and a judge will zero a maneuver if it completely or partially crosses the deadline. If a pilot consistently flies behind this deadline, he or she may face disqualification.
Many pilots prefer to execute a Half-Reverse Cuban 8 after the trim pass to get the aircraft into position for the sequence because this requires that the pilot pulls to a 45° upline, performs a half roll, and pulls to an upright level exit. This maneuver will not allow the airplane to change heading before and after the figure when properly performed, so it is an ideal entry maneuver. No matter which turnaround maneuver is flown (a list of these maneuvers is found in the official Scale Aerobatics section of the AMA rulebook), it is important to focus on proper control of the area in which the sequence is being flown.
Airspace Control
An experienced aerobatic competitor must always be aware of the airspace in which he or she is flying the given sequence because judges score each pilot on proper airspace control. Throughout a flight, no matter how much wind is present, pilots must keep the sequence balanced within the proper airspace to allow for the best presentation of each maneuver.
Pilot flying styles vary, and although some prefer smaller figures with brief lines to separate the beginning and ending of maneuvers, others like to execute larger aerobatic figures that are separated by long lines. No matter which style is flown, as long as the sequence is well balanced and the airplane is in the best position for the cleanest presentation, the pilot should be scored accordingly.
In competition, the pilot who shows a great ability to keep a balanced routine with equally balanced lines between figures, as well as the size and positioning of each aerobatic figure, will be rewarded with a high airspace control score.
If the aircraft positioning is different before and after each figure, the pilot will receive a low score. Maneuver placement is critical. The score for airspace control has a K multiplier that differs for each class. The K factors for the airspace control score are:
• Basic = 3K
• Sportsman = 6K
• Intermediate = 9K
• Advanced = 12K
• Unlimited = 15K
The pilot must keep in mind that the lowest K maneuver in the 2014 Basic class is 10K. The score for airspace control is 3K. In the end, every point counts when it comes to maintaining an edge over the competition.
Maneuvers are to be flown on the X, Y, and Z axes. As a result, the distance in which maneuvers are to be performed must be considered. Although the 2014 Basic sequence doesn’t have any cross-box maneuvers, other classes do.
Maneuver seven of the 2014 Sportsman class has a Humpty Bump that is a cross-box maneuver. Entry and exit radii must be the same, but the half-loop pull on top may be a different radius. If a pilot is flying in a severe crosswind and is not properly correcting for wind, he or she will likely need to perform a giant radius over the top of the Humpty Bump to get the model in position for the next maneuver. This can result in downgrades.
Final Thoughts
It is important for the pilot to know how to maximize presentation points for the best overall score, and it all starts with the basics. Knowing how to properly trim an aircraft will ease the workload of the pilot so he or she can focus on aircraft positioning and maximizing the best use of airspace control. Every point matters, especially when it comes to competition!
Until next time, fly hard!
