Patter coverage and promotion. - Take the challenge

[Terry Terrenoire]

Thru 2 different magazines, I have been writing a pattern column for 10
years. the main thrust of my columns has always been to keep it simple
and aim at the newcomer, or potential competitor. Getting material for
the column has been like pulling teeth, from a hen!

I have asked on this forum, and in my column on a regular basis, and have
gotten  only a hand full of responses. Yes, I do use some of the material
posted to the site for material, but it feels like plagerism. Maybe I
should apply for a job with the Times!!

Terry T.


On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 11:12:13 -0400 "Henderson,Eric"
<Eric.Henderson at gartner.com> writes:
 I think we are way beyond the "If you build it and will come" stage. The
NSRCA tends to dwell and focus upon specifications, rules and
regulations.

What's in a name?? NSRCA - NATIONAL SOCIETY for RADIO CONTROL AEROBATICS.
It does not say ruling body, it does not say marketing agent, it does not
really say what the purpose of the society really is.

This is what the bylaws say : 
ARTICLE III – OBJECT AND PURPOSE OF SOCIETY.Section 1 – Object
The objective of this society shall be to promote the construction and
competitive flying of radio controlled aerobatic model airplanes. To aid,
insofar as possible, the Academy of Model Aeronautics and other AMA
activities, to further the advancement of model aircraft aerobatics in
all of its phases.
Section 2 – Purpose of the Society
a. Act as a focal point for rules development and progression. Gather
intelligence from the AMA precision aerobatics community to provide the
basis for AMA rules change proposals 
b. Promote precision aerobatics in the general R/C community by providing
leadership in all of the objectives of the society. .
c. Enhance model precision aerobatics as a recognized sport.
d. Develop and provide high standards in judging for competitions and
provide qualifications and achievement recognition for judges.
 Most of the mission is about promotion and growth. If we are honest with
ourselves we probably think about promotion but act most on regulation.
The discussion on coverage made me think a lot about how the society
works with columnists. We were not very good in the Allison days. We
never send anything to Dean Pappas - Flying Models, Jim Oddino - RCM (the
nearest we have to a pattern pundit in that mag) has to scavenge from
places like this list. We have nothing in MAN. 
My bridge only exists because I had a dual role for a few years. Now the
NSRCA is a "dry well" as far as anything that is sent to me about
pattern. This list is a good source and I use it, but it is not
an"official" channel to any columnist. Do I get upset when the NSRCA
complains about the AMA not publishing and covering events? You betcha!.
It is one of those JFK moments,  "Ask not what the AMA can do for you,
ask what you can do for it!" You are members of a society, (actually both
the AMA and the NSRCA)  that should be leading the charge. You are all
the solution !!!!!!!!!!!! 
I hear the cry, far too often, that the AMA takes no interest. Guys you
have it backwards. We need to bombard the "THEM" with what we are doing,
how we are doing it etc. etc. We also need a much bigger approach to
cable TV and other media, websites etc. A coordinated plan to capture the
younger mind, the older mind that is ready, the mind looking for a
challenge or some direction, needs to be built and put in place.
(FYI - The MA columnist can write about almost anything pattern related
and gets first refusal at covering the Nationals)
You might not be aware but there are new positions in the NSRCA bylaws
that some of you might like to volunteer for!

BYLAWS OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF RADIO CONTROLLED AEROBATICS
(Revised July 2002)
ARTICLE IX - COMMUNICATIONS and PROMOTION. 
  
Section 3 - Precision Aerobatics Promotions.
a. There shall be a Communications and Promotions manager to Manage the
Communications and promotions of the Sport of Precision Aerobatics. This
would include overseeing and coordinating the Newsletter and Web-site
equivalents of the future. This position is appointed by the NSRCA Board
of directors.b. The NSRCA board should appoint a Judging Program manager.
This would include but not be limited to managing and developing the
judging training program. 
c. The NSRCA board should appoint a Competitions manager to manage the
issues and aspects of competitions that involve the sport of Precision
Aerobatics. This would include but not be limited to management
coordination conflict resolution of and facilitation of the
competitions-calendar, The promotion of contests at club level. The
development of tools and materials that can be used to generate interest
in pattern competition around the USA.
I am writing this note to try and promote a course of thinking and then
planned action. A society does this type of work. As a SIG we need to get
very busy in this area. The worst part about attending a contest, lately,
is that most of us have gray hair... We are effective, efficient and
really great at fine tuning our sport, but not good at the growth aspect.
Just getting traditional magazine coverage does not cut it. Cultivation,
external communications, how to do maneuver videos, how to run contests,
how to promote contests hand books and tons of stuff like that is where
we need to spend our money and time.
Just consider this nugget. I have had three inquiries at work - never
happened before - about flying RC. Not from my column, not from what they
saw in my van for lunchtime flying, but from the cable TV program that
had Chris Chanelli walking the audience through park flyers, then powered
trainers.    THEIR SONS SAW IT AND GOT INTERESTED.

Regards,

Eric.

Contact info.

Eric Henderson
AMA District-2 AVP - South Jersey
Columnist - Model Aviation
Precision Aerobatics.
303 Shady Lane 
Marlton
NJ 08053
(856)988-9184 Home.
(856)764-4564 Work.
(609)410-3194 Cell
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