NEW concept? for pattern entry.

[W. Eddie Batchelor]

Hello to the NSRCA list. I have been reading the list for about 3 weeks now and I'd like to share my thoughts here.

Being from the same hometown as Nat Penton, I have naturally watched pattern since my introduction to RC in 1979. If I hadn't abandoned the hobby for marriage and etc :-) I would have been flying pattern for a long time now.

Since picking RC back up 2 years ago, I've moved up to the skill level that I am now attempting to "learn" the 401 schedule and am amazed at how "Hard" it is to do such simple maneuvers properly. 

Now for my point :-) I ,for one, would not want a simpler (non-turnaround)class. It's like remedial math, there's something psychological about not being good enough to do it like the big-guys. Also it is my understanding that part of the reason for the move to turn-around was to speed things up. Would a non-turnaround class slow things back down. It would be even more embarrassing for everyone to have to wait on the "beginners" due to a slow schedule.

Since my club(LARKS) is hosting a contest this next month, I have tried to encourage our sport members to enter. Many have never seen a pattern contest (it's been several years since we had a contest). I get answers like "I don't want to do that -you have to practice too much. I just want to fly"  I would appredciate some answers from you experienced guys on how to entice them further. I'm hoping getting to see it (the contest)will do some of that.

I'm sure there are many parts to this problem (proposed change) that I've not thought about or am not aware of. I just wanted to share the view point of someone trying to "start" in pattern. I do realise that my view may be biased from having know a little about pattern in the past. But knowing about something and doing it are entirely two different things ( I'm finding that out)  :-))

Eddie 

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W. Eddie Batchelor P.D.
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Henderson,Eric 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 9:22 AM
  Subject: NEW concept? for pattern entry.


  One idea that I have thought about proposing is to change the 401 class back to non turnaround. Too many pilots get dangerously out of kilter trying to handle the flight direction challenges after a center maneuver when they are under the stress load of being judged. Their next step up would be 402 turnaround but by then they would be more pattern proficient.

  We would change the schedule to do more than straight line in the center but not by much else.

  Any strong feelings or views on this train of thought?

  Regards,

  Eric.
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