There will be 2 or 3 lines (a place where you will stand to fly), There are typically some close-pins with your name on it on a pole (the CD will do this), this will be the flight order for the line you are on. Figure out who fly’s before you so you are ready when it's your turn. Most contests are run pretty loose so there is not a huge issue if you are not ready, but try to be so things keep moving along. You will get your score sheets where you checked in and walk them and your plane out to the flight line. Give your score sheets to the judges and a 'helper' (anyone you want, even ask someone to help.. they will be happy to) will carry your plane out to the runway after you start it. (Alternate - after the person lands that you fly after, you can start your engine, let your helper start carrying it to the runway, as you walk over to the judges and hand them your score sheets.) Your helper / caller will wait for you to nod your head before he let's go of the plane, giving you a chance to run-up the engine if you want. Your helper / caller will set the plane down and come back to call your maneuvers for you (or for the judges.. sometimes the judges can't look down to see what's next so it's helpful if your 'caller / helper' says the sequence loud enough (normal voice is fine) so the judges can hear the sequence). You will call 'take off... beginning now' and off you go. More then likely you will not be the first flyer, so you can watch a few experienced people do this.. it’s very easy, but watch a few to see what you like and don’t like.

(Thanks to "electricflying" (John and Kansas City Pattern folks for insite to this..)

NEW FOR 2005 - After your plane has left the ground, you have a few choices, but basically your will do a 180 degree turn or a 90 heading away from the runway, and a 270 turn back to parallel the runway - (called a procedure turn), do some turn around manuever at the end (1/2 Rev Cuban 8 is a good choice unless you need to change distance), and call 'entering the box' - at that time the takeoff will be scored a 0 (zero) or a 10. Take your time on this sequence, get your distance, your heading, your height, how you like it. I'd suggest doing a slow procedure turn (see video if you are not sure what this is).. this gives you time to relax, trim the plane a bit, and get set the proper distance and height. Make sure your 'caller' knows how you want the sequence called.. some pilots like the maneuver right before it starts, others like it way before.. I prefer to have my caller call two maneuvers like this... 'straight flight out into a 1/2 reverse Cuban 8".. then I know what's coming.. but you should have practiced this and know yourself what's coming up... then he'd say, "1/2 reverse Cuban 8 into straight flight back".. this would be done as I enter the 1/2 reverse Cuban 8.. and so on, but you decide how you want it called. After your last maneuver, you will say 'out of the box, landing will be next'.. or something like this.. you then turn 180 degrees, parallel the runway, turn 180 degrees, and land. If you land on the runway and w/o parts falling off the plane, you get a 10. Your caller / helper will get your plane and carry it back to this pits.. be sure the engine is off! At this time, it's always nice to turn and thank the judges .. before you see your scores!! They are not getting paid and doing the best they can. If you have any problems with the scores, go see the CD, not the judges.

After maybe 30 minutes, you can pick up your scores at the scoring table and after each round the scores will be posted showing how you did in your class. This continues for usually 3 rounds on Saturday and 3 on Sunday, but it could be 4 and 2, as this lets the pilots that have driven some distance get on the road earlier on Sunday. Your best 4 of 6 rounds will be used to finalize your scoring. If you win 4 rounds, you need not fly anymore if you don't want to.