AeroJudge Electronic Scoring System
AeroJudge is an electronic scoring system developed by a dedicated team of IMAC members to modernize competition judging. The system integrates seamlessly with the existing IMAC scoring program while eliminating paper scoring sheets and manual data entry. This detailed guide covers all practical aspects of using the device as a judge at IMAC contests.
The system has been successfully deployed at major events including the IMAC U.S. Nationals and the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout. In competitions with 60+ pilots, judges using AeroJudge have recorded over 12,000 individual scores without requiring manual data entry or cross-checking. This represents a significant reduction in scoring workload while maintaining accuracy and reliability.
The device operates on a local Wi-Fi network that does not require internet connectivity, making it suitable for remote field locations. Scores are locked in the device after saving and transfer to the scoring computer, ensuring data security throughout the process.
The AeroJudge device features a 3D-printed case designed to resemble an RC transmitter case for familiarity. The touch screen display serves as the primary graphical interface, with physical button controls located on the front and top edge.
Top Panel Controls:
Audio Features: Headphones are practially essential, as the judging device provides audio outputs and prompts on every action from score adjustments to detailed figure calling.
Power Connection: Located inside the battery compartment, an XT60 connector accepts standard RC battery types. EC3 connectors are also compatible without modification.
The device is typically operated with 2S through 4S LiPo batteries. Battery selection should be based on your expected usage duration:
3S 3300mAh Battery:
4S 3300mAh Battery:
You do not need to bring specific batteries if you already own compatible LiPo batteries for your RC aircraft. Pay attention to battery voltage level throughout the day to avoid mid-round power loss. The device will provide voltage status if checked in the menu system.
To power off, the system must be fully powered on and initialized. Press and hold the power button for 5-6 seconds until the screen goes dark. The system is actually doing a shutdown cycle, teh screen goes dim, and then dark - At that point releasing the power button shuts off everything ready to start again.
This is an intentionally long step so that accidentally bumping the power button while in use cannot shut down the device.
With LiPo batteries, its adviseable to disconnect or remove them when not in use.
The magnetic sun shade attaches to embedded magnets in the case and aligns with grooves on the display bezel. This attachment helps reduce glare in bright outdoor conditions. The sun shade can be easily removed when not needed and folds to store compactly.
To attach: Align the sun shade with the grooves on the front of the case and let the magnets pull it into position. To remove: Gently pull the sun shade away from the case.
AeroJudge operates on a local wireless network created by a small travel type router. In the kits these have been completely pre-configured. This router can be directly or wirelessly connected to the scorekeeper's computer and establishes a private network for all judging devices and the scoring computer.
Important Network Details:
As a judge, you do not need to configure network settings. The devices will already be connected to the scoring network when you receive them. If you experience connectivity issues, notify the scorekeeper.
When you receive your AeroJudge device at the beginning of the day:
If the device shows all pilots from all classes, don't worry—this is normal for some contest configurations. The scorekeeper can filter the display to show only your assigned class, typically reducing a 60+ pilot list to just the 10-15 pilots you'll be judging.
The main screen displays pilots in your assigned class or classes. Each pilot entry shows:
Info Button: The small round info button in the top right corner home screen can be pressed to display additional device and system information. This includes:
Use the Next and Back buttons at the top to scroll through the pilot list. At a typical regional contest with 20-25 pilots total, you might see all pilots. At larger events, filtering keeps the list manageable.
To begin judging a specific pilot:
The sequence selection screen appears with several options:
Sequence Direction:
Sequence Type:
Select the appropriate options for the flight you're judging and proceed.
After selecting the sequence, the first figure appears. The screen displays:
Top of Screen:
Center of Screen:
Bottom of Screen:
Special function buttons (Zero, Break, Not Observed)
One of AeroJudge's most powerful features is the integrated audio callout system. This functions like having a personal caller working at your own pace.
Automatic Announcement: When each figure appears, the device automatically announces the figure number and name through your headphones. For example: "Figure one, down loop."
Caller Button - Element-by-Element Guidance: Press the "Caller" button to hear detailed breakdown of the maneuver elements. The system will announce each component of the figure in sequence:
For example, on a down loop figure:
You control the pace! Press to start, press to pause, press to continue. This allows you to keep your eyes on the aircraft while understanding exactly what should be happening at each moment.
The audio callouts include all maneuver instructions such as "pull 45 degrees," "push to vertical down line," and other orientation cues. This eliminates the need to reference an Aresti sheet during judging.
All figures begin at 10 points. As you observe errors or imperfections, you deduct points using the buttons provided.
Deduction Buttons (Right Side):
After each button press, the device announces your current score audibly. For example, after pressing "-1" once, you'll hear "nine." After pressing "-0.5" again, you'll hear "eight point five."
Add-Back Buttons (Left Side):
Why Add-Back Buttons? Mistakes happen during judging. You might accidentally press a deduction button, or you might change your assessment of the maneuver after completing it. The add-back buttons allow you to correct your score without restarting the figure. Simply use the +1 or +0.5 buttons to restore points as needed.
Example Scoring Scenario:
The current score is always visible on screen and can be shown to a scribe if one is present, though scribes are no longer necessary with AeroJudge.
Not Observed (NO Button): Situations arise where you cannot properly observe a figure. The aircraft might silhouette against bright sky, pass behind a cloud, or simply move beyond your field of view. Rather than guessing at a score, press the "Not Observed" button.
The device marks this figure as "NO" and displays "Not Observed" in your headset. In the final scoring:
This feature is particularly valuable at contests with multiple judges, where one judge missing a figure doesn't compromise the overall scoring accuracy.
Zero Button: Press this button when a figure deserves an automatic zero. The zero button immediately sets the score to zero for that figure.
Break Button: Use this when the pilot breaks from his sequence. The break button records this situation appropriately in the scoring system.
There is a distinction between a "break" penalty and a "break in sequence". For a simple break, the figure where that occured should be marked with this button. When a break in sequence applies, the figure should be marked with the break button AND then the follwong figure should be zeroed.
Deadline Button: The Deadline button is coming in 2026 and can be used to mark flight boundary infractions. It will automatically zero that figure and is clearly identified in Score for the contest director to make safety evaluations.
Use the Next and Back buttons at the top of the screen to move through the sequence:
Next Button: Advances you to the next figure in the sequence. Use this after you've completed scoring the current figure.
Back Button: Returns you to the previous figure if you need to review or modify a score. You can navigate backward through multiple figures if needed before the final save.
Continue this process through all figures in the sequence. A typical IMAC sequence includes 10 maneuver figures.
After completing all 10 figures, you'll score two additional components:
Sound: This scores the Use whole numbers only (no half points). Typical scores range from 1 to 10, with most flights scoring between 6 and 8.
Airspace: This scores how well the pilot maintained proper positioning in front of the judges and within the flight area. Use whole numbers only. Good airspace management typically scores 7-10, while poor positioning might score 4-6.
These scores function identically to traditional paper scoring and integrate into the final results using the standard IMAC scoring formulas.
After scoring all figures, sound, and airspace, press Next one final time. The summary screen appears showing all 12 scores (10 figures plus sound and airspace).
The summary displays:
Review Features:
If you notice an error on the summary screen, you can return to any figure to correct it:
Take your time reviewing. Once you press Save, the scores lock in the device and cannot be modified.
When satisfied with all scores on the summary screen:
What Happens After Saving: Your scores are now stored securely in the device. Depending on contest configuration, one of two things will happen:
Automatic Upload: The device may be configured to automatically transmit your scores to the scoring computer via Wi-Fi immediately after saving. You don't need to do anything else.
Manual Upload: The device may be set for manual upload, meaning the scorekeeper will trigger the upload when ready (typically after judging several pilots or at natural breaks in competition).
Once you save scores, they're locked in your device. The data must transfer to the scorekeeper's computer to generate results. This transfer happens via the Wi-Fi network.
If your contest uses manual upload and you are asked to do that:
The scorekeeper will tell you when to perform manual uploads. Typical times include:
If automatic upload is enabled, your scores transmit to the scoring computer. You don't need to access the Menu or Upload buttons—the system handles everything.
From the scorekeeper's perspective, once judges upload their scores:
This eliminates thousands of manual keystrokes that would be required with paper scoring sheets.
Start each day with a fully charged battery. Monitor battery level throughout the day, particularly during extended contest days. If your battery level drops below 30%, consider swapping to a fresh battery during a natural break in competition.
Many pilots bring multiple charged batteries to the field for their aircraft. The same batteries work in AeroJudge devices, so you can share resources across your equipment.
Headphones provide several advantages:
Keep the volume at a comfortable level where you can clearly hear callouts.
Attach the sun shade when judging in direct sunlight or when the sun angle creates glare on the screen. Remove it when judging in shade or overcast conditions for maximum screen brightness.
The magnetic attachment makes it easy to add or remove the shade between flights as conditions change throughout the day.
Most judges report feeling comfortable with AeroJudge after judging just one complete round (one pilot through all figures). The interface is intuitive, and the audio assistance significantly reduces the cognitive load compared to traditional paper scoring.
Don't worry about making mistakes in your first round. The add-back buttons, ability to navigate backward, and pre-save review screen all provide opportunities to correct any errors before final submission.
AeroJudge eliminates the need for scribes. Your scores save directly in the device, transfer electronically to the computer, and appear automatically in the results. This frees up volunteers for other contest tasks.
However, some judges prefer having a scribe as a backup or for comfort during the transition period. If you choose to use a scribe, you can show them the score display after each figure. The scribe can write these on traditional paper sheets as a backup record, though this defeats some of the efficiency gains of electronic scoring.
In the Southeast US region, where AeroJudge has been in regular use throughout the past three competition seasons, we simply dont use scribes!
AeroJudge works identically whether you're the only judge or one of five judges on a panel. Each judge operates their device independently. The scoring program automatically handles that calculations.
You don't need to coordinate with other judges during the flight or compare scores. Simply judge independently and let the system handle the mathematics.
"I can't hear the audio callouts"
"The screen won't respond to my touch"
"I don't see my pilot in the list"
"The Wi-Fi isn't working / uploads fail"
"I need to change a score after saving"
Your primary support contact is the scorekeeper or contest director. They have experience with the system and can address most issues quickly. Don't hesitate to ask questions or report problems.
Remember that the AeroJudge team has processed thousands of scores at major events. The system is proven and reliable. Most "problems" are actually minor user interface questions that resolve quickly with brief guidance.
The AeroJudge development team continues to refine and expand the system based on user feedback from judges, scorekeepers, and contest directors.
Freestyle Judging: Future versions will include full support for freestyle sequences, expanding AeroJudge capability beyond known and unknown sequences.
Additional Analysis: Development is underway on features that provide statistical analysis of judging patterns, help identify scoring inconsistencies, and offer training tools for developing judges.
AeroJudge is an open-source community project involving contributors from multiple countries. The development team actively solicits feedback from judges using the system. Your observations, suggestions, and experience reports help shape future improvements.
If you have ideas for enhancements or notice areas where the user interface could be clearer, share that feedback with your regional director or contest director. They can forward suggestions to the development team.
AeroJudge represents a significant advancement in IMAC competition scoring. The system maintains the established judging criteria and scoring formulas you're familiar with while eliminating manual paperwork and data entry. The audio assistance features help you judge more confidently, and the electronic data transfer ensures accuracy while reducing scorer workload.
After one or two rounds of use, most judges find AeroJudge more efficient and easier than traditional paper scoring. The system has proven itself at major national events and is ready for widespread deployment.
Your role as a judge remains unchanged: observe each figure carefully, assess it against the standards, and provide fair scores. AeroJudge simply makes that process smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.
AeroJudge was developed through the collaborative efforts of IMAC members worldwide, including:
Additional contributions came from numerous judges, scorekeepers, and contest directors who provided feedback during system testing and deployment.
Version 1.0 | David Garceau | November 2025 | www.aero-judge.com