NEW concept? for pattern entry.

[Ed Deaver]

When attracting new pilots, I believe we mainly are up against IMAC in the 
attraction phase.  Most sport pilots, early on in their learning curve are 
interested in what appears to be "fun."

If we compare 401 with IMAC Basic there is a huge disparity upon the length 
of the flight, number of manuervers, and perceived difficulty of these 
manuevers.  This is why many contests have opted to double the sequence, 
simply for increased flying time for 401.

I agree totally the straight and level flight is essential to being 
successful at either aerobatic discipline.  However, we need to look at it 
from the potential aerobatic pilot's perspective, not our perspective after 
flying for years.  Many, Many beginning aerobatic pilots think 401 is too 
simple, or boring in their minds.  We know better but convincing them is 
pretty difficult as IMAC has spins in basic, and I believe a level snap 
also.

I am not saying switch to this mind set, but I really don't think removing 
the turn around manuervers will do anything in the minds of these potential 
aerobatic pilots except to convince them it is too easy.

It might be better to add a few more manuevers to increase flight time.  
Thereby increasing the challenge to the potential pilot.

Just my opinion.

ed


>From: "Henderson,Eric" <Eric.Henderson at gartner.com>
>Reply-To: discussion at nsrca.org
>To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
>Subject: RE: NEW concept? for pattern entry.
>Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 10:54:37 -0400
>
>(To be clear, we are only discussing ideas here to look at attracting more 
>participants)
>
>By not scoring the turnarounds you can allow the pilot to regroup - I would 
>have a Basic set for entry (401E) so that they can fly multiple times in 
>one flight. Sort out 401 to have repeated turnarounds to teach turnaround 
>proficiency and then launch them into 402. You could run 401 and 401E on 
>the same line...
>
>405 would be for over 55's
>
>SPA would be another thought.
>
>
>And you all thought that I had retired ....Wrong...
>
>Regards,
>
>Eric..
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On 
>Behalf Of Michael Ramsey
>Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:31 AM
>To: discussion at nsrca.org
>Subject: Re: NEW concept? for pattern entry.
>
>
>You got'a have some turnarounds. How else are they to become "Pattern 
>Proficient"?
>
>I have to agree that the straight line seems to be the most difficult 
>maneuver for the 401 pilots, and therefore deserves more concentration. 
>Probably what you're talking about, right?
>
>Michael...
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Henderson,Eric <mailto:Eric.Henderson at gartner.com>
>To: discussion at nsrca.org
>Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:22 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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