Focus on Competition
Technical Director Steve Kaluf
This was written mid-July 1996 with the National Aeromodeling Championships in full swing. It was very gratifying to see the International Aeromodeling Center supporting the events so well. Events already completed on site included Control Line, Scale, Helicopter, and Pattern.
I'd like to dwell just a bit on Pattern — what I observed this week. The Pattern site utilized all three runway complexes, including a new grass site still under development. I was very impressed with the organization of the NSRCA Pattern Special Interest Group. During the entire week they required very little RC category management or AMA administration.
Ron Van Putte, Pattern Event Director, arrived at Nats HQ with a briefcase containing two large envelopes labeled "Plan A" and "Plan B." I'm happy to say Ron never had to move to Plan B. Maureen Dunphy handled the scoring tasks.
Pattern has the judging and scoring process well refined. The workflow was:
- Judges use preprinted sheets and mark scores with a pencil.
- Sheets are fed into a specialized scanner interfaced with a computer.
- Scores are automatically computed by the software; tear sheets are produced for each competitor and round-by-round results are available.
- Scores are normalized as needed.
Many other events also use computerized scoring — Pylon, Soaring, and Carrier, for example. These systems run very well and competitors appreciate that placings can be posted as soon as practical. This is how all events should handle scoring, especially at a National Championship level. In many cases a simple database or spreadsheet will accomplish the necessary tasks with little or no problem.
The NSRCA also organized activities almost every evening for competitors and interested parties, ranging from engine seminars to business meetings and judging clinics. This is the way to do it: a well-run contest plus lots to do in the evenings makes for excellent value for competitors. I challenge all other Special Interest Groups to plan their events along the same lines.
All other events have also been well run to date, with no major problems. As of July 22, 1,122 contestants and mechanics had registered for the Nats — the biggest Nats in probably eight years.
I feel strongly we can attribute much of this success to the fact that it is being flown from the International Aeromodeling Center. This site is dedicated to model aviation and offers:
- A superb area to fly from
- Smooth paved, well-designed areas for those who need them
- Grass areas for others (constantly improving)
- More than 1,000 acres to spread out
- A museum on site
- Nats HQ (a converted farmhouse, centrally located on the property) that serves as a central check-in and information point and includes a small hobby shop
If you've ever wondered, "Why Muncie?" stop by — you'll find out in short order. More than 1,100 people did this summer. Remember, this is your site — use it, but use it safely and wisely.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
