Wing rocks - the sequence beginning and end, and 'breaks'
Power pilots are required to rock their wings three times to indicate to the Judges the beginning and end of their sequence, and again for any 'breaks' to regain altitude or re-position the aircraft after mistakes during the sequence. For glider pilots there are no wing rocking requirements for 'breaks', a simple resumption of the correct flight path being acceptable so that the flight can continue with the minumum energy loss. Failure to wing rock where required carries its own specific penalty - ask the Chief Judge if in doubt. The sequence starts as soon as the aircraft reaches straight and level flight (erect or inverted) after the third wing rock. Be prepared – judging begins at that point .... !
There are few strict rules regarding the way that the wing-rocks are to be flown except that they must be clear to the judges and the roll angles should exceed 45°. They need not be flown inside the performance zone or box, but if they are missed altogether then not only will the judges be confused but a fixed penalty will be applied. If the pilot flies the allowed training figures they must be flown in the approved style inside the box before the wing rocks, or you should record a training violation on the marks sheet. There can be no downgrades for wing rocks however as they are not a 'scored' figure.
Note however that if the sequence starts with a high-level slow entry figure such as a spin the pilot may place the wing rocks on a climbing line, even up to vertical, to position the aeroplane at the desired altitude and location at slow speed instead of with high energy. If the wing rocks are executed partly or wholly on a vertical line the exit may be either a 'push' to erect or a 'pull' to inverted.
Mid-sequence breaks taken by pilots at Intermediate and above incur fixed penalties, but these are not awarded to Club and Sports pilots.
Where a sequence is re-started after a mid-sequence break with the next figure on the "B" or cross box axis, the direction of flight must be the same as it was before the break or the following figures will receive hard zeros (HZ) until the 'A' axis is resumed.