|
Where do we judge? (we mean, other than on cold,
windy and frequently wet airfields.....!)
All aerobatic figures are judged in and relative to the aerobatic
performance zone - we call it the "box". This is nominally a 1,000m cube of
air (effectively less 'tall' for any class below unlimited....) with its
lower face at 100m above the ground and defined by two land-based axes:
| •
|
The "A" or main box
axis is aligned with the competition wind (flight along this
axis will by definition therefore be either into wind or down
wind). |
 |
| • |
The "B" or cross box
axis is aligned at 90° to the main / "A" axis. |
| • |
Ideally, box markers
on the ground define the centre and edges of the box. |
| • |
The height above the
ground of the minimum allowable flying altitude (the "bottom" or
"base" of the box) varies depending on the class of competition
being flown – highest for Beginners, lowest for Unlimited. |
| • |
Judges sit in line
with the "B" axis, but set back about 150m from the nearest edge
of the box. This gives them the best vantage point to judge the
flights. |
| • |
The "competition
wind" can be from the left or right (always on the main axis)
and is declared by the Contest Director or Chief Judge before
competition flights start. |
| • |
The orientation of
the box and the wind direction is important – figures must be
flown in the correct direction and on axis, so it is important
that judges understand the location and orientation of the box. |
If a figure is intended to be flown on the main axis
(as indicated by the sequence diagram), any deviations from this
orientation of more than 5 degrees are penalised by a downgrade of 1
point per 5 degrees of error seen. This applies both to the main "A" axis and
the cross "B" box axis. A figure may start on the main axis and finish on
the cross box axis or vice-versa – in each stage of the figure, the
correct axis orientation must be maintained.
 Figures that start on the
main or "A" axis must be
flown in the correct direction (into wind or down wind) otherwise the
figure is zeroed. This absolute requirement does not apply to figures
started on the "B" axis.
Figures that start on the "B" or cross box axis do not have to be
flown in a particular direction – although the direction chosen must
make sense compared to the sequence diagram.
If a sequence is interrupted (ie. a "break" is taken)
before the start of a particular cross box figure then on restarting
that figure must be flown in the direction established by the pilot
before the break was taken.
Figures that are flown too high, outside the "box" or
that start behind the judges are penalised either 'by the book' or under
the direction of the Chief Judge. Excursions beyond the four vertical
corners of the box are either noted by line judges (sitting on the
ground 50m outside the four corners of the box) and penalised
accordingly, or are reflected in the Framing mark awarded to a pilot by
each judge. |
