Bostonian Stunt Appearance

[Pat Johnston]

I've had a thought for some years about an interesting way to alter the appearance judging rules.  Convert the appearance points to adhere closer to the way the FF "Bostonian" event is done.  In otherwards, "Charisma" points are awarded to the plane.  The judging scale is from 1.00 for a real dog and/or a non builder ARF up to a 1.20 for something like PW's B17G stunter.  This allows people to go nuts designing and building totally cool stunters and possibly think outside the box.  Heaven forbid!  At least it would not be boring.  The details could be worked out for how this is accomplished.
The bottom line is that the flying points are multiplied by the Charisma points.  For "Safe" planes like the Impact, which would likely get a 1.05 or there abouts, the flying qualities may outstrip the Charisma point gain.  For more advanced planes like PW's B17G, the Charisma points gives a bonus for the complexity and difficulty of flying such a beautiful beast.
So on a "just tossing ideas around" sort of basis, what do you think?  This could be fun.
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works

[Tim Wescott]

Maybe start at 0.95 for non-BOM plane, then jump up to 1.0 for anything (no matter how ugly) that's owner-built.

Building an absolutely glam plane that gives you a 20% boost would be a big help for you folks that can actually complete patterns at contests.  My only reservation is that it puts a greater weight on the area of stunt judging that's probably the most subjective.

[RC Storick]

bring back the 80 points

[Randy Powell]

I think we are talking concept here. The exact number would probably have to be kicked around a bit. Pat and I have talked about this before and I certainly like the idea. Not all that much different than FAI scoring where more difficult maneuvers have a multiplier.

I'm sure Howard's Steam Drill could handle it.  

[Pat Johnston]

When it comes to judging, I think that grabbing someone from the audience, or combat flyers, speed flyers, etc would be as good as anything.  No dog in the fight there, usually.  Honestly, getting wives, girlfriends, mistresses, etc, too, would be great.  You'll find out what they think is fugly or beautiful.  Get three together and you would have a good concensus.
Pat

[Will Hinton]

i like the concept, but I also like Robert's suggestion.  It would be great to do something to reward originality, and both of these suggestions address that.

[wwwarbird]

The only  thing three women will ever agree on is how much of an a$$jole some guy is. 

[Mark Scarborough]

at and I ,, along with Randy have had this conversation, I LOVE the concept, I know we tend to see a lot of pathfinders, impacts, and a few other designs. It would be refreshing to see a bonus to some outside the box design work,, since this is after all, a Building AND flying competition

[wwwarbird]

at and I ,, along with Randy have had this conversation, I LOVE the concept, I know we tend to see a lot of pathfinders, impacts, and a few other designs. It would be refreshing to see a bonus to some outside the box design work,, since this is after all, a Building AND flying competition

 Ditto.

[Pat Johnston]

Now I'm holding out for Ty's joke.
Probably a bad idea getting wives, girlfriends and mistresses all together at one time.
I can tell you that whatever you do, never paint a plane with base color blue.  I had a Blue Angels Bearcat which was pretty nice, I thought.  Figured it might be an 18 pointer.  Original design and all that, with much more effort than a plain vanilla stunt design.  It ended up with 14 points.  14 Points!!!  I am not sure who's corn flakes I pee'd in, but no more blue planes.  Since then I've gone to my red, white and blue patriotic schemes and that has been wonderful.  This is where some fresh blood judging appearance could be good.  Go to the local VFW and enlist a couple of guys to help out.  Feed them lunch and make a donation to their causes.  Everyone will be happy that way.
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works