NEW concept? for pattern entry.

[EHaury at aol.com]

Mike makes interesting points. Yes, I've flown in the Mint Julep, Effingham, 
and Austin contests with 70 to 100 contestants. Too many flight lines, too few 
rounds, some even shortened the patterns. All went away due to overcrowding 
by contestants and too much work for the hosts. I also belonged to a club of 20 
fliers that had 17 enter the Nats, talk about practice time crunch!

On the other hand, we need to maintain a healthy level of interest. During my 
30 years of pattern flying I've observed the concentration of pattern 
competitors move about the country. Economic issues, field issues, contest host 
interest all seem to drive this. We need to retain numbers in high interest areas 
while developing interest in others. Doing this would lessen travel to meets, 
make for good competition, and probably result in really large numbers at the 
Nats.

Generally this discussion has focused on generating new blood. That's good if 
it's done without changing the game. Let's not make pattern into sport flying 
to attract sport fliers. Dumbing down pattern won't work. How many putt-putt 
golfers try the real thing? Pattern flying should be encouraged and learned at 
the practice field. Contests are for competitors of different skill levels, 
not uninformed beginners.

We also need to consider means of keeping the crop of competitors that have 
reached an age where pattern skills become less competitive. In many cases the 
younger enthusiast will compete well, then run into family and career 
priorities for his/her time, and take leave of pattern. The more mature folks come 
back but are often discouraged by degrading physical abilities. We need to keep 
them! 

I really like the notion of some form of award for the old folks. It could be 
by class, or high point over all classes, or a percentage score bonus based 
on age. I will tell you that us old guys that burn 50+ gallons of fuel getting 
ready for the Nats are dedicated, and we enjoy every minute of it, but 
recognize that we're sometimes wasting the judges time competing in major meets. That 
wouldn't be the case if we were chasing the challenge among our peers.

Earl Haury
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