Larks Class Sequence

For Larks members and 1st time Pattern pilots only

General Notes

• Upwind is the direction of take off and landing

• Downwind is the opposite direction of takeoff

• All maneuvers are considered ‘Centered’ maneuvers and should be positioned directly in front of the pilot

• All maneuvers begin with a straight and level entry somewhere between 50 and 150 yards in front of the pilot. Distance from the pilot is based on the size and the speed of the airplane for best visibility.

• Size of the maneuvers is not a judging criteria

• Maneuvers are to be judged on smoothness, gracefulness, centering, heading / track and overall presentation

• All maneuvers will be scored on a scale of 5 (highest) to 0 (lowest). No K Factors are involved. Highest possible score is 45.

Definitions

• Altitude – The height of the airplane above the ground

• Attitude – The state of level in relation to the horizon (up, down, left or right).

• Heading – The compass direction of the aircraft flight path, regardless of the orientation of the aircraft along its long axis. This is the actual direction of travel of the aircraft.

• Track – The orientation of the long axis of the aircraft to compensate of a cross wind condition. This is how the fuselage needs to be oriented into the wind to maintain heading. For example; the airplane may be on a heading of 360 (North) but due to the cross winds, the track of the long axis of the aircraft may be some degrees left or right of 360 degrees.

1. Take off – Upwind

Description – Pilot or caller announces ‘Taking off’ (this announcement indicates an official attempt at flight). Airplane accelerates and tracks straight (wind compensation allowed) and lifts off smoothly at the center line and climbs out to a height of 2 meters (judging terminates)

Downgrades

• Airplane wanders in attitude or heading during take off roll or during climb out

• Climb out is not smooth, rate of climb is excessive or shallow

• Engine flames out (propeller stops turning) after ‘Taking Off’ has been announced

• Airplane flies parallel to or behind the Safety Line

• Part falls off during take off

Trim Pass (Unscored) - Downwind

2. Inside Loop – Upwind

Description – The airplane pulls into a radius completing a 360 degree inside loop. Size of loop is not a judging criteria. Center point of loop should be centered on pilot

Downgrades

• Loop entry or exit are not stabilized

• Entry and exit altitude are noticeably different

• Radius throughout loop is not constant, loop has flat spots

• Attitude / Heading of airplane is not constant

3. 2 Rolls (no pause) – Downwind

Description – The airplane makes two full rolls without a pause during the rolls

Downgrades

• Roll rate is not constant

• Upright portion between the rolls is off center

• Attitude / track changes during the rolls

4. Straight Flight – Upwind

Description – Beginning about 50 yards before center line to 50 yards after the center line (100 yards total) the airplane flies straight and level

Downgrades

• Track is not parallel to the runway

• Attitude does not remain constant

5. Straight Flight – Downwind

Description – Beginning about 50 yards before center line to 50 yards after the center line (100 yards total) the airplane flies straight and level

Downgrades

• Track is not parallel to the runway

• Altitude does not remain constant

• The downwind flight path is different than the upwind flight path

6. Cobra (no elements) – Upwind

Description – Between 30 to 100 yards before center line, the airplane pulls to an 1/8 radius (inside) to a 45 degree upline, slightly before center line pushes to performs a ¼ radius (outside) to a 45 degree downline and then pulls to a 1/8 radius (inside) returning to level flight at the same altitude as entry. Center of the maneuver is the level portion of the ¼ radius.

This maneuvers resembles the top lines of a pyramid of a 45 degree /45 degree / 90 degree triangle.

Downgrades

• Up and down lines are not 45 degrees from horizon

• Radiuses are not equal

• Upline and downline are not of equal length

• Maneuver is off centered

7. Inverted flight – Downwind

Description – Airplane performs ½ roll to inverted flight, flies inverted through the center line and performs ½ roll in the same direction to upright level flight. Center of the maneuver is the center of the inverted flight segment.

Downgrades

• ½ rolls are in opposite directions

• Airplane under or over rotates during ½ rolls

• Inverted flight segment is not centered in front of pilot

• Airplane changes in heading or altitude during the maneuver

• Length of inverted flight is not a judged criteria, however, there must be a distinct pause after the initial ½ roll

8. Square Loop – Upwind

Description – Airplane flies pass center line then pulls into a vertical upline, pauses, pulls into an inverted horizontal line, pauses, pulls into a vertical downline, pauses and pulls into a upright horizontal line. End of this maneuver is at the point of the first pull to vertical. All legs of the Square Loop must be equal in length. All radiuses must be equal.

Downgrades

• Length of lines not equal

• Radiuses are not equal

• Vertical lines are not vertical, horizontal lines are not level

• Airplane does not maintain a constant heading

• Entry and exit altitudes are different

Landing pass - Downwind

9. Landing – Upwind

Description – Airplane lines up with the runway at least 30 yards from the center line. Airplane loses speed and altitude and lands within 15 feet either side of the center line. Airplane rolls to below flying speed before turning.

Downgrades

• Airplane’s approach to the landing zone is significantly unstable (except for wind conditions)

• Aircraft lands hard or bounces due to lack of flare or diving to land in the landing zone

• Aircraft lands outside the landing zone

• Aircraft flies behind the safety line

• Aircraft turns sharply on the ground while in the landing maneuver

• Part(s) fall off during landing or roll out