This "idea" is raised every 6 months it seems. Never any takers.
As evidenced by several of the above posts, there have been "free style" events held with variations of the many "different maneuvers" being proposed. As De Hill just explained, several events have been held and then faded away for lack of interest. Same as several other attempts around the country over the years. There are several problems with these ideas, as intriguing as they may sound. Any time a "new" maneuver is proposed, there will need to be some standard or definition on how it will be flown AND judged. Unless it is some sort of "free style" maneuver with no definition, then the subjective part of applying a score by a judge becomes even more subjective. In reality, all of the maneuvers that have described here are little more than a series of loops, or turns with various degrees of "sharpness", placed in different parts of the circle which are not that much different than what we have in the current pattern.
Now, if the "stunt envelope" is to be expanded beyond our typical loops and "sharp turns", then come up with maneuvers that really tax the ability of "current designs". For instance, do a square vertical eight with the top at or below 60
o. Do any of the horizontal eights within 60
o. This would be interesting because few even come close to doing even horizontal round eights within the 90
o specified by the rule book. Do an inverted triangle with the top at or below 30
o, the lower the top turn, the more points awarded. Do a "key hole" or mushroom which is started with a vertical climb, then at 45
o elevation, do a sharp inside turn immediately followed by a complete outside loop, where the top of the maneuver is at 90
o or less, then at the midpoint where the outside loop began, do a 90
o turn straight to the ground, pulling out with another sharp turn at 5 ft. Few designs currently being flown cannot do this without serious compromise of the shape. A really good and light 1/2A stunt ship on at least 50' lines can come close. So can a combat ship. In fact, if the maneuvers are to be flown with 30
o and 60
o requirements rather than the current 45
o and 90
o degree parameters, an entirely new design approach would evolve. I do not think that the stunt world is ready for that. Indeed, there are many maneuver that can be imagined, but unless they are little more than the current series of loops and sharp turns placed on our hemisphere, what is the challenge?
Now, we can turn to ask how much interest is there for this anyway? As has been already suggested in this and other threads, there have been events over the years to try out some variation to this idea that have not been continued for lack of interest/support. I am not trying to discourage anyone or any group from trying to hold such an event. In fact, such an initiative should be encouraged. Come up with with a set of maneuvers with understandable parameters, organize a contest, then tell us how it works out. It does not take a formal rule change to hold a special event with local rules.
Keith
Topic: New stunt routine? (Read 4705 times)