re NEW concept? for pattern entry.

[Mike Mueller]

 Jon, your thoughts might be one of the real keys to the problems. I too
have read and heard more than once that the pattern guys don't do a good
enough job of making new participants feel welcome. The problem with this
perception is that people hear it and start to beleive it! I would say that
everyone involved should take Jon's words to heart. Think about how you
might want to treat newer guys. Do something extra and out of the way to
make them feel wanted. It's this grass roots genuine treatment that gets one
to want to be a part. Clicks in pattern can be very strong also and these
actions turn people off. 
                                                            Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Uhler [mailto:juhler at bellsouth.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 12:06 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: re NEW concept? for pattern entry.


I agree and disagree with some of what Steve says.  First off, let me say
that I am new to the pattern seen.  Steve is one of the major reasons why I
am in pattern at all.  I fly at the same field as him, and his planes/flying
got me interested.  I was, and still do, flying IMAC when I first flew with
Steve.  I really liked the looks of the 2M wide body pattern planes, and how
smooth they flew.  So I bought one, started practicing, and flew in one
contest.  I had a good time.  It was a totally different experience than
IMAC.  Some better, some worse.  

The better:

I feel that a person can be competitive, in any class, with lower level
planes.  Meaning, you don't need a full blown 2 meter plane to be
competitive.  I do not feel this is the case with IMAC.  

Equal:

People.  I've met some great people from both groups.  IMAC guys, on the
whole, seem to be a bit more open, willing to help, and willing to loan you
a plane if you have problems.  I feel like I could go up to any guy at a
IMAC contest, ask him about his plane, and he would be willing to take it
apart just so you could see it.  I did not get this feeling from the one
pattern contest, or the NATS that I attended.  I guess what I am saying is,
I feel IMAC guys are more approachable. 

worse:

The way the contest was ran, and the judging.  I've been told that the
contest that I attended always is ran that way, and that it is not like
other contest.  I will have to wait and find out if and when I attend
another.  The CD was not organized, yelled at people during the pilots
meeting, made rude comments like "FAI pilots are allowed to fly one at a
time because they are more serious".  Or, "You are not allowed to run your
motor up while FAI flies cause they need to concentrate more".  Of course
one of the more popular Advance pilots was allowed to run up his motor while
FAI flew, but not this rookie.  The CD did not tell us who (class) was
flying first, what the class order was, or when we would be starting.  Half
an hour later my name is getting called, and I am up first.  Of course I am
not ready, and of course this is the first time that my engine doesn't want
to start.  Good fun.  So I guess I am saying the IMAC contest seem to be
more layed back, and a bit easier on the beginner.

Now, Steve mentioned the cost of planes.  The planes used in IMAC are
usually easier to use in everyday flying.  Caps, Extras, and Edges.  They
can be used for sport flying, IMAC flying, and 3D flying.  I think this is
why IMAC is booming and pattern is lacking.  My Focus is an awesome flying
plane.  When I am flying a contest, or practicing, I feel real comfortable
with it.  However, when I want to goof around, I don't use the Focus.  It is
boring for all other types of flying.  So I feel pattern planes are more
expensive considering their limited role.  I know I can buy another set of
wings, and stabs to get more out of it, but I'd be putting more into it as
well.  

The other area that I feel is lacking in pattern is people, obviously, this
is the topic, right?  The only reason I am flying pattern now is cause I met
Steve, and he made me interested.  How many clubs out there have no pattern
pilots in the club?  I know the club that I fly out of in GA, which has 300
plus members, has no, other than me now, pattern pilots.  It is no fun
traveling, practicing, and flying alone.  I think the pattern organizing
bodies needs to make a traveling team of some sort, to go around and visit
clubs to promote pattern.

The other area I see lacking is Web presence.  Todays generation is an
internet generation.  The first place most guys look for information is the
web.  The main pattern page doesn't get updated very often.  The information
is getting a bit old and stale.  So are the district web pages.  A guy goes
there looking for information for his area, sees that the page hasn't been
updated since the last contest from last year, and thinks "There is not much
pattern interest in my area, think I'll fly IMAC instead".  Web sites are a
lot of work, but I think it is a great tool to attract newer, younger
pilots.  Speaking of the main web site....What is the theory of putting
"Share this issue with a friend" on the K-factor, then not allowing people
to download the current copy without being a member?  That truly makes no
sense to me.

Just the random thoughts of a pattern rookie.

Jon






First of all I think we are a bigger influence than we think, sense I have
returned to pattern, I have seen at our field more people trying new
maneuvers instead of just flying in an oval and always the same way, I
always go out and do coaching on maneuvers when I can, and the people that I
do this with are always very impressed by what they can do, but most will
never compete, I'm sure not the best flier by any means but I'm getting
better, but the people at my field think I'm one of the best they have seen,
there's one person at our field that has been flying for 11 years and still
has to take off across the runway because he has to view from the rear, he
even has a runway at his house that he fly's off of.
The point is that we will always be a small SIG, many won't compete even if
you paid them, some won't compete even if every meet was at there home
field, many won't because of cost, planes, travel, building, maintenance,
and practice, the young guys it has always been the same get drivers
license, discover girls and gone to college or career, I and I know that all
of you can't count how many young guys that have been extremely good that
have left by the time their 21, some young guys don't have the support of
there parents, and are lucky to flying anything, let alone a specialized
plane, lots of fuel and lots time. 
Don't get me wrong but I think we have in place a great system as for
classes, we have a better chance than IMAC, because of size and price of
models (not a slam just the truth) our planes are easier to carry and can be
done for a reasonable price, as for age groups, I was talking to Dr. friend
the other day about the age issue, and he says that there is no
physiological documentation that shows that a 70 year old couldn't be on the
World team, 55 so there may be hope.
Gone to practice.

Steve Maxwell 

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