As many of you may know, there was a rule proposal voted on by the CLACB to change the entry point of the Four Leaf Clover; and that proposal passed. It will be in effect as of January 1 2022. I'm posting here what I wrote on the Rules Discussion board here on Stunt Hangar about this rule change because I believe it is significant enough to be read by all who fly the CL Stunt event competitively, and some of those people may not read the Rules Discussion board regularly. So, here's what I posted there...
This is great news!
Not only does the new Four Leaf rule make the maneuver symmetrical (four partial loops or arcs versus one complete loop and four partials that we currently do), but it also clearly defines the intersection. The way we are currently flying that maneuver, the intersection point is set by the far left edge (for counterclockwise fliers) of the entry loop. Not really a clear definition... With the new entry the pilot (and the judges) will have a very defined entry path that also defines the intersection point. And, by the way, the maneuver just looks way better with the four same-sized and shaped loops or arcs. There never was a reason for the one odd loop; George just designed it that way in 1957. Had he designed it as we will be doing it next year - and from now on... - we wouldn't even question it. There are those who are adamantly against this change, but they can't give you a logical reason why they are against it. Try it, you'll like it!
Bob Hunt