I should speak up here also. I was one of the people who was retrieving
models during the contest. I, along with John, not only retrieved our own
models, but successfully retrieved the models of many other competitors. On
only one occasion, I accidentally snagged Kang's LPP. I apologized and made
sure the model was okay. While I was retrieving, I had two spotters to help
me watch out for other peoples planes. Most of the day Sunday was spent
retrieving my Pro AM partner's LPP. There were many "Sportsman" LPPs hung up
that day, as to be expected.
As far as the retrieval period is concerned, I think it is next to useless.
The top competitors will launch their flights right up to the very end of
the flying session, and with that, there are still models in the air during
retrieval periods.
As I have come to know, the art of retrieving a plane from the girders at
USIC takes a slow and steady hand, and is not something that can be rushed.
I waited patiently for other planes to clear the airspace under my line
before even deciding to have a go at it with the balloon. Such is the nature
of USIC that there are many planes in the air at any given time. I did my
best to respect others flights. Unless there is some sort of "no retrieving"
rule imposed then there will not be a solution to this situation. I think
the best outcome will be from good communication between competitors.
On the issue of balloons, I think the more pressing problem I witnessed, on
many occasions at USIC, was improper steering. I saw someone add altitude to
the flight of a plane with a balloon, and also steer the plane only to
center it in the space. The "centering" steer I find to be particularly
problematic when the flight is still at a low altitude and is no where near
any of the building structure. It is okay to steer away from the scoreboard
cables, or the speakers, or even another plane, but I think it is not
acceptable to position your plane in the center of the building when it is
not in danger of hitting anything. Also, the "centering" steer is more
likely to interfere with other planes because it places the balloon in the
prime airspace.
On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 4:50 PM, Don Slusarczyk <don_at_slusarczyk.com> wrote:
>
>
> On 6/4/2010 2:44 PM, olbill61 wrote:
> > There has been a standing rule at USIC that you are not allowed to
> interfere with the flight of another competitor. If your steering or
> retrieval line or balloon touches another person's model it is supposed to
> mean automatic disqualification from that event.
> >
> When did this "rule" go into effect? The steering rules clearly state
> what is to happen:
>
> "If other models are fouled by the steerer, the fouled competitor has
> the choice of a substitute flight, which, if taken, is his score for
> that round. He must exercise this choice to his timekeepers not later
> than two (2) minutes after termination of his flight. If he chooses to
> restart, he must do so before his next official flight"
>
> Don
>
>
--
BEN SAKS
www.bensaks.carbonmade.com
Received on Fri Jun 04 2010 - 14:07:19 CEST