Misconceptions of New Score Sheet for 2016

[scottenochs]

With the competition year getting under way I wanted to use this post to review the new flight score sheets.  That's right...there's a new score sheet in town!  You can find it in the 2016 Competition Guide.
 
Unfortunately, there has been some confusion in the NW on how to use the new sheet, and it's been perceived that the new sheets mean new flight judging rules and new scoring procedures have been put in place.  NO!!!!!!  Nothing has changed!!!!  The new score sheets are simply a new format and they give judges more opportunity for feedback to pilots than existed on the prior score sheets.
 
The major source of confusion comes from the formatting that has added Precision, Placement, and Realism columns to the score sheet, along with the max points assigned to those judging components (5.0, 2.5, 2.5) listed in the column headers.  Some think that means a judge is supposed to put a numerical score in each of those columns, adding up to the total score for each maneuver.  Going further, some think that also means a scorekeeper has to enter all those scores into a master score sheet/scoring program.  Again...NO!!!!!!!
 
The only place a judge enters a score is in the "Score" column.  The Precision, Placement, and Realism columns are used for entering feedback symbols (which are displayed in a table on the top of the sheet). PLEASE reference the Training Example that is included in the 2016 Competition Guide and an attachment to this post.  The Training Example shows how the sheet is intended be used. It's preferred that a judge enter symbols (NOT a numeric score) for feedback to pilots in the appropriate column (Precision, Placement, Realism) but if someone really doesn't like this approach then simply enter a score in the score column as you always have and leave the feedback columns blank. I hope you'll try the symbols first before abandoning the intent.
 
I like the new score sheet because I think it essentially summarizes the flight judging criteria from the USSMA Competition Guide right on the score sheet.  Splitting the feedback out into 3 columns simply reminds everyone, judges and pilots, that a flight score is comprised of these 3 components, and that the score is weighted: 5.0 pts max for Precision, 2.5 pts for Placement, and 2.5 pts for Realism.  The feedback symbols indicate the basics of what a judge is supposed to be looking for in a maneuver for each of the Precision, Placement, and Realism components and what a pilot should be trying to accomplish.  This includes feedback on Maneuver 10, Overall Flight Realism.  Judges should be looking for options, power management and continuity of flight....and there are specific downgrades if certain options, like a pilot figure, are not present, or if there are no retracts on a model but were present on the full scale.  That info is sitting right there on the score sheet in the table of feedback symbols.  Because that summary information is there I also think the score sheet in itself is a great training aid for new judges. 
 

Another hope is that the new sheet will help judges be more consistent, and by providing more feedback to pilots, help pilots become more proficient.  The 2016 Comp Guide has more detailed info and examples on use of the feedback symbols. Please take a look at all the info pertaining to the new Flight Score Sheets in the Guide.  

Thanks!
Scott E