new concepts-Pattern is HARD!!! Darn It!

[Del Rykert]

Hi Gray.
 
    Unfortunately you are accurate about your perception of many clubs although not all clubs have the disparity you describe, thankfully. Lets not forget AMA is not having droves of young new fliers joining their ranks either. Unfortunately for me going to turnaround has eliminated 2 of my fields I used to fly my pattern ships at. That eliminates 100 plus fliers that don't get the exposure at local club level. I think we also should be addressing why some X members of NSRCA have stopped competing when others choose to have fun and stay with it. As stated their goal is to stay out of last place which is commendable IMHO. If those that quit were willing to answer honestly why they haven't come back and we pooled those answers we may have further insight to what drives many away. As mentioned it is hard and requires a lot of hours to be skilled and accomplished. Those that live in apartments/condos have some advantages that many of us that own and down our own home repairs so we can have some mad money to play give up our precious time which makes us losers when it comes to lack of practice. Some see pattern as the ultimate fliers and don't see themselves as being cut from that cloth let alone willing to make the practice commitment to get better. More recognition to the rookies of pattern in print and special rookie awards to newest rookie furthest traveled, One who overcame most difficulty to still fly and compete etc. may give them something to talk about to their fellow sport fliers. I am only talking token prize or plaque to show and appreciate their struggles to try and join the ranks. For those that are thick skinned it isn't an issue but some need the encouragement till they truly realize pattern is a great fraternity with great people that will help them become more proficient pilots.
 
     Del K. Rykert
     AMA - 8928 
     NSRCA - 473
     Kb2joi - General 

 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gray E Fowler 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 3:21 PM
  Subject: RE: new concepts-Pattern is HARD!!! Darn It!



  Pattern is hard and that does scare the average club schmoe. In an effort to entice newbies into pattern you gotta look for the right guy at the right time. Here are my well collected thoughts for those who (m?) care......... 

  1. Forget the guys who make peanut gallery cracks while you are flying....the wise cracks are insecurity they do not want exposed. 

  2. Forget about anyone with GOD syndrome. (Good Old Days). If they think that escapments made for "REAL" pilots you dont wanna talk to them about your digital servos-or pattern. 

  3. Forget about anyone who gets excited about............THAT NEWEST P-51 ARF!!!!!!! They are not ready. 

  4. Forget about anyone who says they have enough "Competition" at work....chances are they are losers there too. 

  5. Forget about someone who thinks nuthin' is better than that big O' Ugly Stick......with two aileron servos for "flaperons". 

  6. Forget about anyone who has a fun fly plane and likes to take off, snap three times and loop for a touch and go...in three seconds or less. Chances are he is A.D.D. and the straight lines of pattern will make his brain hurt from lack of stimulation. 

  7. Forget about someone who has constant "radio problems"...yeah right..... 

  8. Forget about anyone flying a .46 plane and has band-aids on his fingers 

  Now that I have eliminated 98.625% of the average club member...who should you entice into pattern?????? 

  1. The guy who approaches you at the end of a flight and asks about a certain manuever 

  2.  Anyone who on their own accord has realized how poorly their P-51, Ugly Stick, or other plane really flies. When he says "everytime I pull straight up like you do my plane veers to the left-why?" He is then a prime candidate. (this is the Horse-lead to water deal-he's gotta be thirsty) 

  3. Look for the person who is a decent pilot but is getting bored with the hobby. You can spot him by the following....He has mastered touch and gos, he rarely crashes, he can "SNAP" with the best of them and does it 100 times a flight, he tries to "hover" anything including that P-51 ARF (for realistic flight mode). 

  4. Anyone who cleans his plane (even if it is a P-51 ARF) between every flight, is a prime candidate. 

  With this being said, I have not found any worthy candidates at the Richardson Club in about 1.5 years.  But then again I have not been flying alot for various reasons...   
  Remember that I am a qualified amatuer phs...psyh...psycologist,,,,,so this has gotta be right 





  Gray Fowler
  Principal Chemical Engineer
  Composites Engineering
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20030730/25511e14/attachment.html