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Purpose:
The Matrix system is intended for use in situations where the number of
pilots exceeds that which can be run on 1 site, in front of 1 set of
judges, and within the time limitations of the event. The Masters and F3A
groups at the NATS fall into this category.
It is our goal to achieve equal exposure, pilot to pilot, while using 2
sites and 4 flight lines.
The Matrix
The key to creating a successful rotating Matrix is the number of
frequency groups.
Frequency groups
The pilots are grouped by frequency. The number of frequency groups must
be equal to or multiples of the number of flight lines. The number of
flight lines at the NATS is 4. The number of frequency groups can be 4, 8,
or 16 depending on how many frequencies we have to work with.
Matrix Construction
Flight groups
In the sample shown the contestants are divided into 8 frequency groups
(A- H). There may be more than 1 frequency in each group, but a frequency
cannot appear in more than 1 group.
Try to keep the number of pilots in each group as even as possible. This
sample makes it clear that the more frequencies we are able to use in
making the groups the better the mix will be.
Divide the frequency groups into 4 flight groups for each day. Day #1 (A,
B) (C, D) (E, F) (G, H) Day #2 (A, C) (E, G) (B, D) (F, H) Day #3 (A, B)
(F, H) (C, D) (E, G)
On day #1 Groups A, B, C, D fly on Site #1 and Groups E, F, G, H fly on
Site #3 On day #2 Groups A, C, E, G fly on Site #1 and Groups B, D, F, H
fly on Site #3 On day #3 Groups A, B, F, H fly on Site #1 and Groups C, D,
E, G fly on Site #3
Flight Orders
Flight orders are created from the flight groups. Frequencies are arranged
to avoid flight line delays and pilots are rotated to avoid having the
same pilot fly first more than once.
Sample flight operations for Day 1 on Site #1:
Each site has 2 flight lines (A and B)
Group (A, B) starts flying Round #1 on
Line (A) Site #1
Group (C, D) starts flying Round #2 on Line (B) Site #1
When they complete their round and the
judges have a break, Group (A, B) moves to Line (B) and Group (C, D) moves
to Line (A).The flight orders are rotated so that the same pilot is not
first more than once. When flying resumes Group (C, D) will complete Round
#1 and Group (A, B) will complete Round #2. The result is group A, B, C, D
have all flown round #1 and round #2 in front of the same set of judges.
Scoring:
AMA's current policy of scheduling no rain day forces us to be in a
position to declare a winner at any stage of the event should competition
be terminated for any reason.
Procedure:
Site #1 and #3 are flying simultaneously. When round #1 and #2 are
complete, the scores for each round at each site are normalized.
After the scores are normalized, the scores from round #1 on Site #1 are
merged with the scores from round #1 at Site #3 to give a final standing
for round #1. The same procedure is used for all preliminary rounds.
If the competition is terminated before all rounds are completed, this
procedure produces the appropriate comparison of all scores, after each
round, so that contestant placing can be determined.
The Matrix for 2006
Using what we learned from the 2005 Nats, talking with contestants and in
reviewing the Pilot's Survey we have improved the Matrix for 2006. I
explained the impact of frequency choices at the Masters Pilot's meeting
and I was very encouraged by the contestants' understanding and
willingness to cooperate with alternate frequencies in the future. I look
forward to having much more to work with in 2006.
We will use 8 or 16 frequency groups in 2006 depending on available
frequencies. If possible, there will be no more than 3 contestants on the
same frequency. Remember that the method of scoring is an important part
of making the system work correctly.
It is my conclusion that this new system is fair to all contestants, and
it also provides us with the ability to declare a winner if, for any
reason, the event cannot be completed. |