Is this a scale manuver??

[Lawrence Harville]

I had a contestant use a manuever that I was not sure was legal--What do you think??
He was flying an aerobatic plane and his manuever was

6.  SMOKE

When I ask him about it he said he was using it on manuevers and it was an option
He did use it on a couple of manuevers.

What do you think?
When you give you opinion--tell us if you are a competitor, judge or CD, if you dont participate,at some level in scale contest,  this question is not for you.

He is going to come back and want to use this option--I need some input.
Lawrence

[Roly]

Hello Lawrence,

See page 22 of the Guidelines, looks like if the competitor says he's going to use smoke it can be a mechanical option. If the smoke works, 10 for the mechanical option it's a 0. The same mechanical option or scale operation that supports a maneuver combination option may be used only once for scoring in a flight however he can use it as many times as he likes.

I have seen smoke used at the Championships more than once.

I would say that the manuver is an allowedscale mannuver as a certified judge, CD and competor.

Hope this helps.

Roly

[Lawrence Harville]

Roly  I think you are correct to a point--since USSM requires a mechanical option to be used in combination--if blow off the manuevere that you are combining with smoke--I dont think you would received maxium points
That is covered in the NOTE on page 23   USSM tries to "eliminate the flip of a switch = 10 points"

I understand for USSM  smoke must be combined with a manuever and it does not stand alone
"Smoke with a fly by"   is entirely different than just "Smoke"

So Chuck you were not just using smoke--- if you screwed up the fly by and had great smoke you should receive Less than 10  for a smoke with a fly by
BUT
I am really wanting input for AMA contest  where there is no combination with mechanical manuvers
In AMA is just "SMOKE"  OK?
I am sorry I didn't specify AMA instead of USSM

Thanks for the input that is the help I am looking for
It is always better to have backup rather than contestants thinking I am just winging it

[marauderbomber]

Hi Lawrence,

I'm a certified judge and competitor.

This is my two cents on your question/situation.

I don't think in my opinion that "Smoke" should be considered a maneuver. There is no real skill in flipping a switch. It sounds like a desperate call out for I can't do other maneuvers with my aerobatic model. "Yikes"   

At our contest we have contestants' that compete with aerobatic models and they use smoke in "Air Show Fashion" (add on) not as a maneuver.

Me personally, I would never use smoke in any maneuver...it shows every mistake you make...not good for the contestant from the flight judge(s) view.

Regards,

Kenny