| A partial or complete loop takes
place when the aeroplane pitches through at least 45° without
roll or yaw, either in positive (pull) or negative (push) flight.
Most loops join sections
of straight-line flying together. Looping segments are in every
family except 2 (turns) and 9 (rolls), both positive and
negative elements being combined with straight lines to
create not only Eights but also Humpty Bumps, P-Loops, N's,
Stall Turns, Tail Slides, Goldfish etc.. Looping segments are
always judged on flight
path or CGT - never ZLA. |
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Loops, eights and
vertical 'S's are always wind corrected, with their elements
accurate and 'round'. In a simple loop (see right) the end point
should be exactly where the loop started, both horizontally and
vertically. Hold up your finger, a pencil or pen to keep track of this
important position. |
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Square loops, eights
and all the family-8 combinations of lines, angles and loops combine
segments of CGT & ZLA flight. The looping elements should be true
arcs, the interconnecting horizontal lines CGT whilst vertical
and 45° lines are judged on attitude and are NOT wind corrected.
Square loop corners and the halves of 'S's and '8's require
particular attention to check their similarity in size.
Geometric accuracy is not a function of aeroplane speed or the pilots inverted flying ability. |
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Be careful not to allow variations in the
rate of pitch angle change or the speed of the aeroplane to
confuse you about the actual shape of the figure in the sky. In
all looping segments the direction the aeroplane is pointing
should be ignored, only the true flight path matters.
Arc radii
should be of 'reasonable' size with regard to the figure being
flown, and harsh or jerky looping changes of direction should be
downgraded by the usual 1 point/5° movement of the ZLA from
"true" at the start or end of interconnecting straight lines.
If loops are flown too close to you they will
be difficult to judge – penalise the pilot in the positioning
score. |
Next page: Judging "roundness" and
interconnected loops, lines and rolls, and the downgrades to
apply. |
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