new concepts

[Tony Stillman]

Jim:

You said it!  Those are the exact reasons that I hear from modeler's when
they are actually quizzed about their interest... They use price, time,
practice as an excuse, but the real reason is that it takes practice (read
that as DESIRE) to fly well.  Most don't have it.  That's why pattern is not
for everyone.

However, after saying all that, there are those out there who never get
exposed to it, and would love it once they see it.  These are really the
people we want to reach.  Providing a low-key entry PROGRAM, like a fun
pattern/aerobatics day at the local field might be just what the doctor
ordered....

Tony Stillman
Radio South
3702 N. Pace Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32505
1-800-962-7802
www.radiosouthrc.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Woodward James R Civ 412 TW/DRP/ACQ" <James.Woodward2 at edwards.af.mil>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 3:23 PM
Subject: RE: new concepts


> Hi George,
>
> Good comments, however, I can't resist.  FAI class was won by a Focus,
> compliments of Don Szczur.  A Futaba 9cap or JR 8 channel is all you need
in
> a radio.  There have never been more engine choices.  Digital servos are
> generally accepted and not "exotic" any more.  It has never been cheaper
to
> get a world class equipped pattern plane.
>
> That said, the problem is not equipment.  The problem is that (drum roll
> please) PATTERN IS HARD.  There is no way to side-step that flying
straight
> and level is a tough thing for the average club pilot.  Pattern emphasizes
> the fundamental stuff that looks easy, but is very hard.  Winners in each
> class are generally separated by how well each has mastered the
> fundamentals:  straight and level flight, entering maneuvers with wings
> level, maintaining heading, matching radii, exiting maneuvers wings level
on
> heading.
>
> Just a for instance:  A friend from the club came by my house a couple of
> nights ago.  We where talking about the nats, and then about simulators.
I
> got him to try to fly "pattern" on the Great Planes generation 1 sim.
Here,
> in the most non-threatening environment, he had difficulty trying to
perform
> a 1/2 reverse Cuban eight.  Difficulty with entering wings level, pulling
to
> a 45 degree line, "waiting.........",  1/2 roll, "waiting......." , then a
> gentle radius.  As soon as someone trys (if others are watching) their
> skills are immediately exposed and will either like it or not.  We take a
> lot for granted in the jump it takes from being a "good lander" or "safe
> flyer" to being an entry level pattern flyer.
>
> Equipment becomes a great excuse, then time, and these may be true.  But I
> believe the real reason is that pattern is HARD!  Only certain personality
> types are going to be driven to "practice".
> Jim W.
>
>
>
> The majority of your hobbyist aren't going to be "indentured servants",
> they'll simply fly 40 or 60 sized sport planes or call it quits.
>
> In the early 1990's the hot pattern plane setup (including full radio
> setup) would cost about $2500.00 and the average family income of the
> typical high end hobbyist was about $40,000/year.   The top fliers only
had
> to invest an average of 6.25% of their annual income in order to have the
> top plane.
>
> Today the hot pattern plane setup (including full radio setup) will cost
> about $4000.00 and the average family income for the typical high-end
> hobbyist is about $55,000/year.  Today in order to have the top setup it
> will mean that you would have to invest 8.00% of your annual income.
With
> other hobbies and expenses we have today that didn't exist in the 1990's
> (i.e.: cellphone bills, Internet bills, computers) the average hobbyist
> doesn't have 8.00% of his income to invest in the model aircraft hobby.
>
> Now you're going to see some responses to the above statements say "You
> don't need the best airplane in order to compete, you can compete with a
> lessor airplane".   This statement might be true however that is NOT how
> our hobby is perceived to be.   In general people don't compete strictly
> for fun, people compete in order to have pride in themselves and to win,
> its human nature and in order to do that its perceived that you need to
> have equipment which is as good as the top fliers.
>
> Lets face it, the people within the demographics who can afford and/or
> interested in pattern are shrinking. Here's my suggest.  However before
> giving my suggest I already know that 90% of you will think I'm full of
> crap but so be it.   Set a cap on the price of a plane which you can use
in
> competition.   Lets say a top value of $3500.00, or pick a number.   That
> would allow nearly every sport fliers plane to qualify even larger planes
> with larger engines, that takes care of the new guy not having a
> plane.   It would also put the top guys on a more even footing with the
> newer guy.
>
> After all most of you people on here say it doesn't take a high dollar
> plane and top equipment in order to win.  Let put your money where you
> mouth is and prove it......
>
> George
>
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