Weight is not the issue!

[Terry Terrenoire]

On Mon, 18 Nov 2002 14:02:38 -0500 "GeorgeF." <av8tor at flash.net> writes:

> you  can go and fly cheaper outdated equipment such as Bridi XLTs and 
> Atlantas.  I know the equipment you were flying in those days and 
> I'm sure you had fun. But the question was this "were you winning with
the 
> outdated  lessor expensive equipment?"

YES, I was. In 1989, flying the XLT, I won out District NSRCA Sportsman
championship.
I continued to hold my own with the Atlanta in Advance, until it changed
to all turnaround, then I built the Conquest. 
At 7# 7oz with a YS 60AR, it was very competitive, and I think it could
be today, in the right hands.

Even though I have, for the most part, flown 2 or 3 generations old
airframes, my liniting factor has been lack of practice, not airframe
shortcomings. Maybe the equipment makes a difference for the top fliers
in Masters and FAI, but I'd bet next week's pay that for the first 3
classes you could have a random drawing prior to the flying and just
assign each pilot planes ranging from a Kaos to a new state of the art
plane, and you would get the same order of finish. The top fliers, with
the most time to practice, would still win!

> Personally cost isn't an issue for me, if I wanted to I could spend 
> as much  money needed to have 2-4 top of the line pattern planes. 
However 
> that isn't the issue, the real issue is that because of the much higher

> cost to compete verses "boring" holes in the sky is what is killing the

> sport of Pattern competition.

I'm glad cost is not an issue for you, It always has been, and continues
to be a factor for me, but I have rarely missed a contest within 200
miles over the past 18 years. I've been flying Advance since 1990, and am
uaually in the middle of the pack. I have managed to win a round on
occasion, but my consistance is not there. not because of the plane, but
because of the lack of time I have to practice. It is not unusual for me
to attend a contest having not flown the competition plane since the last
contest! Very difficult to win that way.

I have enough stresses in my daily life, that I don't need them in my
hobby. I fly for fun, and I compete for fun, and to improve my flying
skills. I love flying pattern planes, but I enjoy the comaraderie and
friendships I have made at contest over the years far more! People are
what is important, just ask anyone who has lost someone close to them,
not the planes. 

Don't get me wrong, I like to win as much as the next guy. I am very
competitive, wether in a foot race, or a game of croquet, but in the
end.............it just does not matter in the grand scheme of things. I
feel sorry for those who think that participating in a hobby has to give
them the added ego boost tht only winning can provide. It IS just a
hobby!
> 
> George
> 
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