Weight is not the issue!

[Adam Glatt]

I have another theory that I definitely am not proclaiming to be 100% correct, but it might be worth consideration.

The 80% who didn't vote are in pattern (and by being members of NSRCA they are even more dedicated pattern pilots than average) for a chance to challenge themselves.  They can set a very difficult goal that is attainable, and they realize this.  It is this that makes pattern worth their time and money.  In specific reference to the weight change poll, they either fly a plane that is under 11lbs, or have never gone to a contest where they can't fly because their plane is over the limit.  The other questions on the survey, like which pattern should be voted in, were seen by the members as a non-issue; whether they do a stall turn with 3/4 up and 3/4 down or a half Cuban with 2/2 does not matter, because both are difficult to perfect but possible to improve.  For these 80% the results of the survey do not matter.

The 20% who did vote feel they can help pattern or help themselves by changing/affecting the change in the rules.  They think dropping the weight limit will increase pattern popularity, bring in new pilots to socialize and compete with, and make pattern stronger.  Or, they think they are better at the half Cuban with 2/2 schedule so they vote for it (usually making up some BS about 'it looks better' or 'flows nicer.'  All patterns look nice and flow nice, and if they don't you aren't doing a good job flying it).

Again looking specifically at the results of the weight change poll, I suspect the minority voted that way because of one of two things: bring in more pilots to pattern, or save themselves some money/time on making their plane lighter.  I suspect the majority thought that raising the weight limit would do nothing but slow down and obscure (possibly with a new generation of airplanes that were a tad better than what we fly now, possibly with a flock of uncommitted yahoos playing by a new set of rules while he is stuck with equipment that used to be good) their very reason for flying pattern.

It has also been mentioned that many people did not care either way, and those who did voted - if they voted for the losing side then they had their chance, and if they voted for the winning side then they got what they wanted.  Game, set, match.  I am voicing my opinion (and kicking a dead but stinky carcass), instead of voting, because I am not an AMA member, and thus not allowed to vote (on rules that actually do affect me, because MAAC tends to just copy-pastes the AMA rules).

Adam Glatt

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: RUDDERCABL at aol.com 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: November 17, 2002 10:25 PM
  Subject: Re: Weight is not the issue!


  In a message dated 11/17/2002 8:49:24 PM Eastern Standard Time, buddybrammer35 at hotmail.com writes:



    If the intrest is such that we only have 20% of those flying pattern who vote then how in the world are we going to get those outside of pattern to try it? As I said before it is up to those in pattern to use every means possible to maintain the intrest of those already flying pattern
  .


  I don't have any numbers to prove what I am about to say , but I will throw this out anyway just as food for thought.  

  My theory here is that probably only 20% ( if that many ) of pattern flyers ever attend the Nats. Could it be that the ones ( give or take a few percent either way ) who go to the trouble of being active enough to attend the Nats are also the ones who care enough to vote in the survey ? 

  The 20% who submitted the survey are the 20% who are dedicated to pattern. They are the flyers who are at the majority of contest on a regular basis. The other 80% are the ones who only attend a few contest a year and don't care becouse it doesn't really matter to them.  

  All of us , from time to time and for various reasons become more or less active in this hobby. Twenty percent is probably just about right for any hobby or activity to have a dedicated core. The other eighty percent float in and out in various degrees of activity when it suits them.

  As I have said before , todays society offers far to many distractions to expect participation by a large percentage of individuals . " You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink "  as the saying goes .

  Weight is the issue here . You have said many times on this forum that we needed a weight increase to help stimulate interest in pattern . Now you say that we need to get pattern flyers more interested in making the rules. Sorry ,I read that as meaning changing the rules . 

  I tend to believe that those outside of any activity that they may have some interest in becoming a part of ,view stability of the rules of the game ,as a factor in what they 
  decide to do. Our continued arguing over the rules will only hurt pattern down the road .

  Troy Newman has reminded us all what the procedure is to change the rules . In one respect , we are fortunate that we even have the right to do so. Many sports and activities have sanctioning bodies that make the rules for them without input from the contestants .  Save your arguments for the next rules cycle , then use the rules we have in place to make the changes you wish . Till then , go burn some fuel !

  Robert Gainey   

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