Military Rolls and Victory Rolls

[Flyfast1]

Hello,

Would someone please explain the difference between a military roll and a victory roll?  I searched these forums and also the Internet and couldn't find a definitive answer.  I presume they have some common characteristics, such as a slow roll, performed in an arc, with the plane (ideally) being inverted at the top of the arc in front of the judges?  Is the difference that in a military roll the starting and ending altitudes are the same, while in a victory roll the ending altitude his greater than the starting altitude?  This is one explanation that I've heard, but it would be helpful to receive confirmation before I go to my first qualifier this weekend.  In situations like this is it best to complete a Maneuver Declaration Sheet (from the 2013 USSMA Competition Guide) to be sure there is no misunderstanding about what was intended?

Thanks,

-Ed B.

[Randy Warkentin]

Military roll is an arc slow roll,Victory roll is is not really an arc but finishes more at the top. pull up same as Military but keeping your height and finishing at a higher level.

[rcphotog]

Hi Ed,

In my opinion, for the purpose of competing in a Scale Masters event like a qualifier, it's not very important that you know for certin the "correct" or "proper" way to fly a particular maneuver.

...alow me to explain - two things to keep in mind during your first qualifier;
1) it's an oportunity to learn from everyone present including other flyers as well as the judges.
2) when you brief the flight-judges on your maneuvers, remember that your discription of the way each maneuver will be flown ( and appear to them ) is your documentation for the flying portion of the contest. So, for example, even if you don't clearly know the difference between the two types of rolls, as long as you perform said roll exactly the way you discribe it, then the judges will grade it accordingly. Be as visually discriptive as possible using your hands if necessary. Fly the "roll" as you know it best. As long as the way you fly it matches the way you discribed it. No matter what you labled it as.
  I recommend that you watch other pilots brief the judges. Be a fly on the wall and listen to the way they conduct their brief. Don't be shy or bashful at a qualifier. It's where we all get our feet wet and learn
If you don't have a seasoned veteran as your caller, remember that the other pilots in 'Expert' & "Team' classes are usually willing to spend a few moments guiding you though the process.
...ask lots of questions at qualifiers...because WHEN ( not if ) you qualify for the Championships and attend it, expectations of the contestants are a bit higher. It's also a good thing to attend as many qualifiers as possible even if you make the cut on your first time out so you won't be as overwhelmed at the Championships.

Best of luck and remember to breath & have fun   ...fun is what it's all about!
Regards,
Ken.

[jeaton01]

Part of the problem is that the terms military roll and victory roll have less precision than alternate terms like aileron roll, slow roll, and barrel roll.  I am not sure there is any real difference in the two (military and victory) other than the precision, as Randy addressed; where perhaps the military roll is more precise. In full scale flying the two terms are little used, compared to the other three.  Mostly a victory roll is done over the home drome at the end of a successful mission, it's just an aileron roll the rest of the time.

[Flyfast1]

Thanks for the helpful explanations.

-Ed B.