| Amazingly - there are 88 variations of the
Rolling Circle ... |
| Luckily
for us they are all basically similar, and they all follow
the same set of rules and judging criteria. The fundamental
building blocks are: |
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There are four
different amounts of turn - 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°. |
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The rolls can be
"inwards" where the inner wing goes downwards at the start, or
"outwards" where the inner wing goes upwards at the start.
Some
rolling turns combine both inwards and outwards rolls. |
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The figure is
commenced from erect or inverted flight, on either the "A" or
"B" axis. The exit can be either erect or inverted depending on
the specific figure, and must be aligned with a major axis. |
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In "still" air each roll
segment will cover 90°, 120°, 180 or 360° of the circle. However,
these compass points are NEVER used whilst judging the figure,
only the CGT and continuous attitude of the aeroplane. |
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| Start: |
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Level entry, on
heading. |
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Brisk start to first roll. |
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Throughout: |
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CGT should be horizontal, with
constant altitude. |
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The rate of change of direction
throughout the turn should be constant. |
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The rate of roll must be constant - if you
see a flick-roll then give a Perception Zero. |
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There should be no pause between
any required changes of roll direction. |
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The required rolls should be
completed exactly at the exit point. |
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Finish: |
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Stop on heading and
without any remaining bank angle or yaw. |
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Marking: |
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For every clear
variation in the rate of roll or the rate of turn give a
downgrade of half to one point. |
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Each stoppage in the
rate of roll or the turn must receive a downgrade of one to two points. |
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For climbing or
diving errors the deduction is 1 point for each 5° or 100ft of
altitude departure from level. |
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At the start and end
points the usual 1 point per 5° downgrade applies to CGT errors
in the axis or direction of flight and to mistakes in
presentation of the correct wings-level attitude. |
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Even integration of
the rolls may be expected at the end of each roll
segment, but this is only a guide as to how well the pilot is
co-ordinating the rolls and turn. Do not cumulate errors at the compass
points, just concentrate on the start and end points and the
regularity and correctness of events throughout. |
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If the number of
rolls is wrong - too many or too few - then give a Hard Zero
(HZ). |
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If a flick-roll is
seen at any stage (they should all be slow rolls!) then give a
Perception Zero (PZ). |
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| What is not
judged: |
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The shape of the turn, this is
not a wind corrected figure. |
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The size of the turn. |
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| Practical Tips: |
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Check that the heading is correct
at the start of the turn. |
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Be careful of optical effects –
the aeroplane will look as if it is climbing when it's coming towards
you and descending when it is going away from you (CHECK!). |
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Think about the direction turned
– it matters if the figure is onto the "A" axis. |
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Always take a moment
to check that the required "inwards" (inner wing going down) or
"outwards" inner wing going up) roll direction is in the right
direction - if the roll goes the wrong way, it's a HZ. |
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Look for 'crabbing' at the end of
the turn, ie. sliding
sideways with off-angle CGT although the ZLA remains correct. The
aeroplane should be 'square' to the box and flying directly along the correct axis. |
