K-Factor Pattern an invisible group

[Mike Hester]

My question is this:

What's the best way to make that happen? With a rule change, or by getting
the word out?

For the record, I don't think a rule change of any kind is the best
soilution, barring getting rid of that ridiculous retract rule. I don't
believe that handicapping a class is a better method. Most of the sportsman
I saw last season were there to do battle, with arfs, 2 meter planes, .40
sized planes, whatever. If we had a .60 sized limit rule for instance, half
of the sportsman in D3 would have been forced to quit or move to
intermediate. Some of you may say "That's where they belong with them thar
danged 2 meter planes!" but just because you can afford and/or build a 2
meter plane doesn't mean you can fly it.

I never have understood the mentality that says "let's keep sportsman to
cheap small planes". Why handicap those with the drive just because the next
guy doesn't have the time or money?

I watched a guy in Florida whip butt with a .40 sized Arresti at 2 contests
this year. He beat 2 meter planes in the process, in 25 mph crosswinds.
Problem is most people want to say "oh he's just a fluke" instead of
recognizing the fact that he took stock of his means and burned the fuel and
practiced. Was he intimidated by the 2 meter planes? Nope. He said he wanted
one and knew it would help, but he didn't sit at home making excuses. he
came out and did battle and had the time of his life, and showed a few
people that the answer is in the practice. He'll be back next year. I'd put
money on it.

I also watched Chuck Czarnik and Greg Morris just to name a couple, jump in
with both feet and go from struggling to pretty darned smooth pattern
pilots. Entering that first contest is the biggest step. After that, if you
have fun, you're hooked. But that first step can sometimes be intimidating.

A lot of you are right on the money. C Smith said it best, we are going to
get our "market share" of pilots and that's all we can expect. What we can
do is on a personal level, make sure those few guys don't get missed or
turned off. That means it's up to US, not the rule book. The rules are fine.

And pattern is growing in some parts of the country, like here. We need to
make sure it keeps going, because the best way to grow pattern is through
exposure. maybe 99% of the people at your field won't care, but that one guy
or gal will. Don't miss them. Cuz then there's 2  and it grows from there =)

-Mike Hester

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Carnes" <flyinglady at mypccrashed.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 8:22 AM
Subject: RE: K-Factor Pattern an invisible group


> In the Oct 2000 issue was an article on inexpensive Pattern Planes.
>
> While many of us tend to spend a lot, we need to emphasize to new comers
> that there are many planes out there well below 600 dollars setup, such as
> the World Model Intruder, Tai-Ji 40 and Zen 50.
>
> This is where I started with the Intruder and a Futaba T6, later I moved
to
> the Tai-Ji 60 and the Futaba 8U, Now I will be flying the 2 meter Tai-Ji
and
> a Futaba 9Z.
>
> Money in a plane and equipment will not make me a better pilot, burning
fuel
> will regardless of what I fly.
>
> Get new comers started with reasonable equipment and they usually will
> become hooked.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Linda Carnes
>
> NSRCA 3197
> AMA 599260
>
> Combined PC Support Services Inc.
> Phone: (706) 253-7677
> Toll Free: (866) 286-2379
> Fax: (706) 253-7679
> Cell Phone:(770) 401-7634
> Pager: (770)735-5691
> E-Mail: lac at mypccrashed.com
> Corp. Web Page: <http://www.mypccrashed.com>
>
>
>
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>

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