K-Factor Pattern an invisible group

[Glen.Watson at aspentech.com]

I agree pattern is not cheap.  But I do not feel the cost of a single
pattern ship really is the issue as to why folks choose not to fly and or
complete in pattern.  The change for most is investing in one aircraft
versus several.  It is not out of the ordinary within a flying season to
witness a local club member purchase and outfit multiple ARFS ranging in kit
cost from $200-$400 (not including engine and radio) within a single flying
season.  Speaking for my self it was a huge paradigm shift to go from owning
as many as five ready to fly sport aircraft to only having 1-2 pattern
aircraft.  I believe this is a real issue for a lot of folks. 

I believe there are those who are fearful to allocate disposable income into
a smaller inventory of ready to fly aircraft that are perceived to be single
task oriented.  For this reason, IMHO that's why there is a surge in the
market for IMAC type aircraft. Even though they are expensive they are
perceived to be multi task (precision, freestyle, high show-off factor) type
machines that possess a large WOW factor when just sitting in the pit area. 

What's funny is when I perform freestyle type maneuvers at the local club
field with a pattern aircraft, I consistently receive the same comment, "I
did not think your pattern airplane could do that".

Glen




-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Davis [mailto:lee at piedmontmodels.com]
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 9:28 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: K-Factor Pattern an invisible group

I agree with this.  Sure, pattern isn't cheap, but neither is crashing
$200-$400 ARFs on a regular basis.  I see it all the time at my home field.

The best thing we can do is promote - as individuals, through our clubs and
by NSRCA.  Plenty of guys are already spending the money; we just need to
steer them in our direction.

Lee Davis
Piedmont Models
http://www.piedmontmodels.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Larson" <csmulti at volcano.net>
To: "ANDY HERIDER" <andyh at bright.net>; <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: K-Factor Pattern an invisible group


> Hello All-
> I don't deny the results of the poll re: cost prohibitive, but I would
> observe it is probably more of a "perspective" issue.  As one just getting
> into it ( I fly Sportsman in Northern Cal with a cheap ARF ), I think it's
> all relative to your interest level.
> When I go to the field and see these same guys flying IMAA planes, or even
> expensive ARF's, you know these guys have at least $1000 tied up in it.
But
> it doesn't bother them, because they enjoy it.  If they had the same
> enjoyment for Pattern, I suspect money would not be the issue.  Case in
> point - I am building a Typhoon 2+2 with an OS 160FX in it.  Not the most
> expensive setup, but with a family and being self employed, all money
> matters.  Point is, I enjoy it, so I am doing it.  Where there is a will,
> there is a way!  Just like when the latest and greatest IMAA legal ARF or
> kit comes out, these guys won't bat an eye at the cost, they just find a
way
> to do it.
> As a group maybe we need to put less emphasis on equipment to beginners,
and
> more on just piquing their interest in performing precision aerobatics.
> Once the seed is planted, it will probably grow on it's own.  It's worked
> for me!
> Later All,
> Chris Larson
> NSRCA 3484
>
>
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