IMAC practice tips for new pilots.

[IMAC FANATIC]

Year one , my nerves were shot, shaky hands, beating heart, stiff as a board. Even in practice but especially at events.
Started listening to music in one ear so could still hear the engine and caller.
Arlo Guthrie s the motorcycle song aka the pickle song ,Nirvanas Plateau, Beatles all you need is love, mettallicas orion, was on my play list.something slow with a steady beat.

Really helped me stay mellow and on tempo with the routine, may not work for you but sure did for me. I dont use the music anymore, found other ways to keep the nerve monster at bay.

 

[Krzy4RC]

Really enjoying this thread...

 

[Krzy4RC]

"Luckily I didn't go into the mountain
I went over the cliff..."

 

[IMAC FANATIC]

Not a flying tip but a general IMAC tip, when you get your scores.. dont complain unless there was something obviously missed, ask about your scores of course, at the end if the round ask the judges why the score was what it was and possibly ask for some pointers to nail it the next time.
Theres nothing worse than a poor sport,
I was guilty of this problem first year, after each round I was waiting for the scores to be posted all the board. And always upset because " I know I flew better than so and so" , that awful stall/spin was better than a two, why a zero on that off heading and overly corrected humpty, etc..
Ruined my day.
The judges are to be trusted for their skill and perception of your routine. Again.. read the rulesz you are scored from figure to figure, not just the figure itself, every single correction over 5° counts as 1/2 point deduction

 

[IMAC FANATIC]

Now, I almost refuse to look or know about the scores till end of day or the end if the weekend if I can help it or no one tells me what place im in. Makes for a much better time and in the end im really only flying against myself anyways.

 

[Pistolera]

Now, I almost refuse to look or know about the scores till end of day or the end if the weekend if I can help it or no one tells me what place im in. Makes for a much better time and in the end im really only flying against myself anyways.

That's been my approach for awhile. I try hard NOT to look or go near them....sometimes impossible. Knowing "whatever they are" can be a real mental distraction during future rounds. Again, for me I credit pistol shooting for teaching me that!

 

[Pistolera]

Oh...forgot to mention another aid that helps me a lot. If I'm having trouble focusing during a round, I'll talk to myself (out loud) while I'm flying, walking myself through each part of a maneuver....mostly just a whispered voice but not always. In full scale I used to talk really loud, almost yelling....but I was the only one who could hear me

 

[mndless]

For us new guys, this is a bunch of good info...

The last few posts on staying away from scores strikes a chord with me. I have three daughters who grew up doing gymnastics. Any sport that is 'graded' or 'judged' subjectively - as opposed to points, touchdowns, runs earned - can be a real source of head scratching, grinding of teeth... and for me... the shakes during the next round... so, really spot on advice... good stuff guys !!

 

[IMAC FANATIC]

Another one.. when a manouver goes a lil south, like a spin not quite breaking like you do in practice, don't down grade yourself out loud. A groan or heavy sigh or " thats a zero" will clue the judges to your mistake even more, chances are.. they saw it too. But, they may have felt you did better than you thought . Yet that audible clue for them sets it in stone.
And I talk to myself all the time Earle, even when not flying. which I do also myself, im my own caller lol, is that a sign of something bad ?​

 

[Pistolera]

The older you get the more you'll do it!!!!!! BTW - I've been known to say (loud enough for the judges) "If they didn't zero that, they're blind!"