Weight

[Thomas C. Weedon]

I'm of the opinion that the main reason most of the NSRCA membership did not
vote in the Survey that was part of the July K-Factor issue is that they
just didn't feel qualified to vote, or know enough about the issue, or
really didn't care that much about some of the issues. Like I said, if the
fellows want to raise the weight limit, it's OK with me. I really don't
remember how I voted on that issue because it's just not that important to
me. I remember some years ago, I was flying an overweight plane. No one
seemed to mind. I even flew it at the '97 Nats (I think). The 11 lb rule is
not inforced anywhere, except if your a top contender at the Nats. Since
I'll never be in that position, it really doesn't bother me either way. I
try to keep my planes light because they fly better, especially with a
120FZ. Makes sense to me. 'Course I've been called "simple minded" before,
so I'll just keep flying my 10 lb, 76" pattern plane and let the rest of the
world go where ever they want.
Tom W.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On
Behalf Of John Ferrell
  Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 2:20 PM
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Subject: Re: Weight


  Writing rules is a tough job. No matter what you do, you are assured of
angering some one. I served as Committee chair for most of the previous
cycle. It was an enlightening experience. I have long been a student of
organizational behavior. It caused me to break out the stored textbooks for
a little guidance. When you chair a function like that you come to
appreciate any little success you can manage. It all comes hard.

  It took us a matter of weeks just to settle how the recommendations would
be scored. There were some that felt that if there were 51% in favor of
change, we should recommend a change. There were others that felt this would
create an unstable environment and that a 3/4 (75%) vote should be required
for any change. I believe the compromise came out to be 60%. 2/3 majority
was rejected because we just did not want to deal with fractions.  That
little bit took weeks!

  The best way to address a controversial rules change is to use it in an
area where it can be fairly assessed, then talk up the favorable results
while addressing the negative concerns. That will build a group of
supporters that can help you to win your objective. It is a sales job and it
has to be sold.

  Eric has been harshly criticized for "betraying what we voted for" in
agreeing to an eleventh hour compromise on the Intermediate schedule rather
than risk the whole NSRCA sequence package being voted down. Whether we like
it or not, that is the way politics work now, in the past and in the future.
It is a fact of life in politics that you must kiss your share of frogs.

  There are a fair number of the FAI advocates that are returning to Masters
class because they percieve that the FAI sector is moving too fast and too
far in the wrong direction. Perhaps we can observe their efforts and benefit
from both their successes and failures.

  If you are a good pilot and can acquire good equipment, find practice time
and manage to compete in pattern you can win contests.

  If you want to change rules you will have to be credible, be a salesman
and a politician.

  Both require a lot of advance work!

  John Ferrell
  6241 Phillippi Rd
  Julian NC 27283
  Phone: (336)685-9606
  Dixie Competition Products
  NSRCA 479 AMA 4190  W8CCW
  "My Competition is Not My Enemy"



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