NEW concept? for pattern entry.

[Mike Mueller]

 Great points Earl

-----Original Message-----
From: EHaury at aol.com [mailto:EHaury at aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 9:12 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: NEW concept? for pattern entry.


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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