We will be flying five classes: Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, Unlimited and Invitational.

The contest will be conducted using 2007-2008 AMA RC Scale Aerobatics rules, with exceptions and clarifications as noted below. Rules are available HERE.

Sequences

Sportsman through Unlimited will fly the 2008 IMAC Known Sequences, available HERE. Figures for Unknowns will be drawn from the IMAC Unknown Catalogs, available HERE.

The Invitational class will fly Known and Unknown sequences prepared specifically for the Shootout. Known Sequences will be published on Monday, August 11th and will be available HERE. Figures for Unknown sequences will be drawn from the 2008 Edition of the Aresti System (Condensed) and conform to the Aresti System sequence construction rules. The catalog is available HERE.

Field Logistics

The south edge of the parking lot (west of the restrooms) is reserved for vendor booths. The parking lot itself is for loading and unloading only. All cars and trailers must be parked south of the vendor area.

RV parking is to the east and south of the restrooms. Shade tents are allowed only in the RV area.

No parking of airplanes under the Ramada.

Starting Procedures

Pilots must be "on deck" at least four deep at all times. Your wheels must leave the runway before the pilot ahead of you finishes their sequence. Intentional or repeated violation will result in a score of zero for the round.

Judging

We will have at least three judges on each flight line. Judges will not confer on zeros. If the majority of judges score a figure as zero, the score of any minority judge will be changed to zero. If a majority of judges score the figure as not zero, the score of any minority judge will be changed to the lowest non-zero score.

Do not question the judges or the scorekeeper. If you have a question or concern, contact the CD. Violation will result in a score of zero for the round.

Only pilots preparing to fly (and their callers) are allowed on the judge’s side of the flight line fence. This applies at all times, including during the Four-Minute Freestyle. Please do not stand near the fence behind the judges. Conversations in this location are distracting to the judges.

Pilot Order of Flight

The pilot order for Wednesday through Friday will be drawn by the pilots at the Judges meeting on Tuesday afternoon. If you do not attend the meeting, someone will draw for you. The same list will apply to both Knowns, and Unknowns. The first flight will follow this order. The second flight will follow the same order, but the first pilot will be roughly 1/3 down the list from the previous first pilot. Similarly, the third flight will follow the same order, but the first pilot will be roughly 1/3 more down the list from the previous first pilot. The fourth, fifth, and sixth flights will follow the same lists as the first, second, and third flights, respectively, but reversed in order. For example, the last pilot of the first flight will fly first in the fourth flight. New lists will be drawn for both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, both flights will follow the same list, but the first pilot of the second flight will be roughly half way down the list. On Sunday, the second flight will be reversed order of the first flight.

Field Closed

The field will be closed to all non-contest flying on contest days. Exceptions may include demo flights arranged by contest management. If for some reason you feel a trim flight is necessary, contact the CD for approval.

Aircraft

Any aircraft feature such as, but not limited to, counter rotating props, reverse pitch props, and flying surfaces not on the full size plane being replicated, will not be allowed.

Sound Rules

We will not be assigning sound scores, and will not be doing dB checks. However, we expect good noise management throughout all sequence flights. If any pilot fails to satisfy this expectation, assigned sound scores will be back next year for everyone, per the AMA RC Scale Aerobatics Rule Book.

Pilot and Instrument Panel

A realistic pilot figure and instrument panel are required to compete at the Shootout. Aircraft lacking these items will not be allowed to fly.

Airspace Control Score

We will not be assigning an Airspace Control Score.

Four-Minute Freestyle

We will be using the 2007-2008 AMA RC Scale Aerobatics judging criteria for the Four-Minute Freestyle program, available HERE.

No portion of the aircraft shall touch the ground, except (the wheels) during landing. An aircraft will be deemed to have touched the ground if 7 of the 10 scoring judges believe it to have touched.

The aircraft shall not fly over the pavement except during take off and landing. Additionally, all personnel shall remain on the pavement. A violation of this rule will be deemed to have occurred if two of the three deadline judges believe it has.

Safety

Any willful violation of a safety related rule will result in disqualification from the entire event.

Scoring

Normalized scoring will be used for all rounds, including Knowns, Unknowns and Four-Minute Freestyle. Normalization will be performed before scores are dropped.

Scoring will be cumulative for Sportsman through Unlimited. That is, scores from all rounds (beginning with Wednesday) will be used to determine the elimination, as well as the winner.

Scoring will be restarted on Saturday for the Invitational class. Scoring for Saturday and Sunday will be cumulative. However, the two best Knowns and the two best Unknowns from Wednesday through Friday will be carried forward. The scores carried forward are eligible to be dropped on Saturday and Sunday.

Score Normalization Process

For Sportsman thru Unlimited score normalization will be calculated per the AMA RC Scale Aerobatics Rule Book.

For Invitational score normalization will be calculated per the attached 2008 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout Invitational Class Scoring Policy. CLICK HERE for a pdf of the policy.

Dropped Scores Schedule

   Knowns
      Less than 3 sequences - 0 dropped scores
      From 3 to 5 sequences - 1 dropped scores
      6 or more sequences - 2 dropped scores

   Unknowns
      Less than 2 sequences - 0 dropped scores
      2 or more sequences - 1 dropped scores

   Four-Minute Freestyle
      2 or less rounds - 0 dropped scores
      3 rounds - 1 dropped scores