WAS - KFactor Now "Members"

Thu Oct 31 22:07:07 AKST 2002

One of the things that is not mentioned much is that any facet of R/C that is growing is attracting more people than one that is not growing, this is obvious. The point being that Pattern is in COMPETITION with other forms of flying. By this I mean when a flyer that is getting past the trainer plane/sport plane stage, he or she looks around to see what interests and IMPRESSES them. One of the more impressive things they will see is the large 30 to 40% planes being flown with many being flown in a 3D fashion of sort, watching this can be a big attention getter as they see these things hang in the air. Some of the owners of these planes fly them around without doing a lot of fancy maneuvers others do the stunts, it is obvious that you can go from simple flying to fancy stuff with the same type of plane. The people that have progressed far enough to decide what part of the hobby they are going to get into next see these planes at the field and all over in magazines, it amounts to one heck of a selling job and that is what pattern is competing against. The flier that is ready to make the change to something other than simple sport flyers is more impressed watching the big stuff fly than he is watching pattern stuff fly if there even is pattern planes being flown at his local field.

I would be willing to bet that the reduction in pattern numbers corresponds very well in time with the growth of the 30 to 40% planes, specially the 3D style, pattern is in competition with these and other non-pattern parts of the hobby. Pattern is fun to fly once you are in it but not very impressive to the non pattern flyer to watch, unless that flier knows someone who is in pattern he probably will not very often consider getting into it, the visual impact is not as great and they are so quiet you hardly notice them, IF someone has one, while the larger 3D planes get most of the attention these days.

Bill

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Pastorello 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 8:11 PM
  Subject: WAS - KFactor Now "Members"

  Troy - you mention over 1100 a "few years ago", and now, approx. 600.  Is there a public number maybe Maureen could share?  Curious - what exactly HAVE the paid member counts been for the past 4 years ????

  And does anyone KNOW if a decreased membership in NSRCA has ALSO resulted in lower contest attendance?  From what I hear/read, the average attendance is relatively unchanged, isn't that right?  So maybe we have just lost members in the NSRCA and NOT "lost" Pattern fliers?

  Any speculation on these points/questions?

  Bob Pastorello
  NSRCA 199, AMA 46373
  rcaerobob at cox.net
  www.rcaerobats.net

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Troy Newman 
    To: discussion 
    Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 1:36 PM
    Subject: Re: KFactor

    I think that it was mid-July the one that was circulated at the NATS....I can't be for sure....there may have been one after that....I don't think it was the July issue I think is was called the June issue.....but that's the last one I have seen.

    I don't always get them...I guess my mailman sucks...Seems to be the typical answer. I think this year of 2002 I have received 3 or 4 KFs. I know there have been more issues at least (6). I usually just borrow a buddies. I would check and see what the last one was but they seem to be in high demand out here in Colorado so I use it as a marketing tool....When I'm done I just pass it along. The hope is eventually the guy that ends up with it who ever he is might join up.

    The guys will get something going. Heck dues are coming up in December and I would hate to see the numbers if there is no KF...Right now I think we are standing at about 600+ and just a few years ago we were well over 1100+.

    Its a serious concern for those of us that have been involved and the people that are still involved. Not to mention the advertising exposure that the main supports are counting on....There are just a few companies that have advertised in Every single KF and continue to do so. no matter what the delivery schedule and no matter what the quality of the publication. These are the guys and companies that have sustained the KF your dues are not enough period..the Advertising dollars these guys like Central, Radio South, and others...I don't want to leave any off but I know these 2 have never missed an addition in the last save 5-6 years+.......these dollars have made the KF possible so send them some business. 

    Troy 
      ----- Original Message -----
      From: GeorgeF.
      Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 10:39 AM
      To: discussion at nsrca.org
      Subject: Re: KFactor

      But what was the last one?
      George

      At 06:39 PM 10/30/2002 -0700, you wrote:
      >That's the current story...hasn't been one in a while!
      >
      >Suppose to be one incoming and another soon to follow...but nothing yet. 
      >Sorry.
      >
      >Good news is I heard that dues are going down.
      >
      >
      >TN
      >
      >
      >
      >
      >----- Original Message -----
      >From: GeorgeF.
      >Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 6:34 PM
      >To: discussion at nsrca.org
      >Subject: KFactor
      >
      >
      >
      >
      >What is the latest edition of KFactor?   I don't remember getting one in
      >awhile, just wanted to make sure the mail-man didn't decide to take my last
      >copy....
      >George
      >
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