So you want to compete. . .

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 5 of 5 known posts recovered

Jim T. · Jan 28, 2001 11:53 AM

So you've decided you want to compete. How does one go about it? The first thing to do is get a copy of the rules and digest them. This is a basic obligation to yourself, your fellow competitors, and the judges and contest organizers. Neglect it and you will probably come to recognize that you have been foolish.

The goal of competition is winning, but the purpose of competition is the exhibition of competence. If you exhibit competence, you will feel comfortable as a competitor. If you exhibit enough competence you will win. This takes study, organization, dedication, practice, profiting from mistakes, etc, etc.

One characteristic of competition is that you are focused on a defined set of goals and associate with, and learn from, fellow competitors who share your interest in attaining these goals.
Because you are focused, you develop skills and competences fairly rapidly, and can apply these improved abilities to other areas of modelling.

Jim

Scott Riese · Jan 28, 2001 11:58 AM

#1 source

So true JIM. You hit it on the head. However you missed to most important point....IT'S FUN! scott

The Kiwi · Jan 28, 2001 12:50 PM

#2 source

In addition to the official rules, I would add that the BEST help you will get is to have another enthusiast available to compare notes with, whatever his/her skill level. Practicing without a critical eye on what you are doing may reinforce mistakes rather than eliminating them. For the event I enjoy most, you need TWO others, since you and your friend can't launch both planes to practice cutting streamers without someone else's help.

Somewhere, maybe here, there was discussion of the value of tapes to develop pattern flying skills. In the absence of another pilot, a modeller can use tapes to help his wife, girl friend, daughter, etc. to learn what to look for in the maneuvers so she can offer good critiques. (Then you must learn how to accept the criticism in good humor!)

Kiwi

Brett Buck · Jan 28, 2001 04:12 PM

#3 source

The single most important thing that I came up with myself is that the competition is mostly with *yourself*. You are trying to overcome your own limitations, not trying to beat the others. If you overcome enough of your own problems, you will have success.

The single most important thing that I have heard came from Ted Fancher (as have so much of the things I do). Your job is to fly the airplane. The judge's job is to write down scores. Don't mix the two.

Brett

Randy · Jan 28, 2001 05:04 PM

#4 source

Brett,

This is so true. I heard Ted say once that he hated to even look at the score sheets. I don't know how many flights I've had where I thought the judges would love it and was disappointed when I looked at the score sheets. The opposite is also true. Very good point, the pilot's job is to fly. Whatever happens, happens.

It's sure a lot more fun that way too.

Randy