Perception Errors versus Factual Errors.
The rules on zero marks have been in a state of flux over
the last few years. Whilst there may be further changes the
current system is based overall on two types of errors: |
| The first type is the Factual Error. Here the
figure flown is the wrong one (not as drawn on the Form B/C). A
figure, of some kind, might have been flown perfectly but if it
is not the required figure then the score is Hard Zero (HZ).
Note that this includes flying in the wrong direction. For those
competitions where video replay is available it should be
possible to prove whether the particular error was made or not. |
| The second type is the Perceptual Error. Here
the judge accepts or believes that the pilot is trying to fly
the correct manoeuvre but, in deducting marks, arrives at a
downgrade total of 10 or more marks lost. In this case a Soft
Zero (0.0) is given. The judge has perceived so many errors that
he runs out of marks. |
| Important Note: Whether an aircraft flicks or
spins as part of a figure, the 'correctness' of the manoeuvre is
a matter of perception. Thus if you believe that the aircraft
failed to flick or spin (when it should have…) then a Soft Zero
is awarded. |
| Note that video replay cannot be used to
check perceptual errors (even if available). |
When does a Soft Zero become a Hard Zero?
Considering soft zeros, it is clear that, when using the 1
mark per 5° deduction, if any single angular error exceeds 45°
then the mark is a Soft Zero. Beyond this, when a single angular
error exceeds 90° then the mark reverts to a Hard Zero. In many
if not most cases when this occurs the figure flown will be
another valid Aresti figure and should be marked as Hard Zero
for that primary reason. |
| There will still be cases where there is
disagreement between judges as to whether a full 90° error
occurred or whether it was the correct figure badly flown or an
incorrect figure. In this situation the Chief Judge will decide
which type of zero will apply - although it will make no
difference to the Pilots score. |
| There are some figures where a single error
of 45° results is a different valid Aresti figure being flown.
For example, a pull/push to the vertical and cap off when a
pull/push to 45° up is required. It is recommended that, if no
attempt at correction is made, then this is a Hard Zero (wrong
figure). If the pilot makes a correction back towards the
correct attitude then it becomes a soft zero. |
| Aircraft ‘body language’ can help – a clear
firm push to the vertical, a hold in the vertical with no
attempt at correction and a clear concise cap off is simply the
wrong figure. A poor initial push followed by a sharp push, as
the pilot realises he hasn’t put enough into it, which goes all
the way to the vertical followed by the nose wandering back by
20 odd degrees is a case of a very poor attempt at the correct
figure. |
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