Air Trajectory B/C

[bernard]

I have a question regarding the running of Air Traj at my state competition this past weekend.

For the bucket shot, the proctors measured the distance that the ball landed away from the center of the bucket. From reading the rules, I thought that for a bucket shot, you could only get points by hitting or going in. I do not think the proctors added the distance away from the bucket to the final score, but it kinda threw me off that the proctors did this. Any thoughts?

You are correct, the bucket is a yes/no thing for the extra 100 or 200 points. They shouldn't have been measuring anything since the tiebreakers state that teams attempting a bucket shot will lose ties to teams not attempting them since teams attempting bucket shots might not have 3rd or 4th distance measurements.

[vcubed1234]

On my device, after I re-inflate the pump, it immediately starts to deflate from around the ball. I cannot make the tube more airtight or else the ball will fail to launch at all. Could I possibly use a spring to keep the pump up or something?

[bernard]

On my device, after I re-inflate the pump, it immediately starts to deflate from around the ball. I cannot make the tube more airtight or else the ball will fail to launch at all. Could I possibly use a spring to keep the pump up or something?

Is the pump you are talking about a bike pump? I'm not understanding your setup...

[vcubed1234]

I am using a foot pump that is attached to the tube with a hose. This is the pump I used: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Giant-Bello ... =foot+pump

[bernard]

I am using a foot pump that is attached to the tube with a hose. This is the pump I used: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Giant-Bello ... =foot+pump

So the weight of the top of your pump is causing it to compress, and air leaks from around your ball? I suppose a spring could work if you have a way of getting it in there.

[vcubed1234]

Would putting a spring inside the pump to hold it up be against the rules? Or is there a better way of setting up the pump?

[bernard]

Would putting a spring inside the pump to hold it up be against the rules? Or is there a better way of setting up the pump?

From what you described, it seems like it would still start at ambient air pressure and the spring would not contribute energy to the launch force, so it seems legal.

[vcubed1234]

Alright. Thanks!

[bernard]

Alright. Thanks!

No problem! Forgot to mention the usual so I'll say it now just in case - anything said on this site is unofficial and just the opinion of the users on the site. Official opinions can only be found at soinc.org.

[RBears6]

Any ideas of what distances Nationals will have in store. A lot of people that I have talked to think both are going to be in the upper half like 6.3 and 7.6. Any thoughts or ideas of what might come?