Excellence, Masters-F3A

[davel322 at comcast.net]

This email string has touched on a number of points/ideas - so forgive the somewhat random thoughts below -

- In the US, a review of local/regional contest results for the past few years would show that the "top" US F3A pilots often do not attend very many F3A contests.  BUT - they often do participate in demos, tradeshows, and other modeling functions.  I suspect they might fly in more F3A contests IF they had the time and resources to do so (sorry to put you on the spot, but...Jason, since you are the only US F3A Team Member that I know monitors the list, this would be an opportunity for you to comment).  Personally, I flew in 8 F3A contests in 2003 and numerous funflys and demos - which is a pretty typical year for me.  If I have more time/resources/funding - I would fly in more events.

- In the US, I think the AMA class structure does feed the F3A ranks and eventually the World Champs - but only for a limited number of pilots who have the talent, drive, and resources to compete at the World Champs level.  I know for a fact that 2 of the 3 US pilots on the 2003 Team progressed through the AMA pattern classes (maybe not all of them) before competing in F3A in the US.  Whether the AMA class structure was designed to push pilots to F3A or not, it does that in practice - but only for those with the talent and drive to compete in F3A - which is the minority, not the majority.

- I've known Troy for a number of years, and we've practiced and critiqued with each other at the NATs since at least 98 (? maybe sooner, a little help Troy).  I agree absolutely with Troy regarding his philosophy about how/why/when to be a better pilot.  I don't agree that AMA Masters should be equal to F3A.  The FAI recognized that a system of prelims, finals, and unknowns were needed to challenge the best pilots in the world, and make it easier for the judges to select the best pilot in the world - and I concur.  However, it is a very small percentage of pattern pilots in the US (and the world) that could even consider competing at the World Championship level.  Ergo the need to make Masters = F3A would only the serve the interests of a very few number of pilots who will ultimately be competing in F3A anyway.

- If the US AMA Masters pilots have the drive to fly F3A, they can CHOOSE to fly F3A.  If the same pilots do not have the drive to fly F3A, and are happy flying Masters, what is wrong with that?  If those happy pilots are forced to fly F3A (even if by another name), are we going to lose some of them?  If the Masters pilots want to fly the F3A schedule without competing against the "true" F3A pilots, they can always choose to have the Masters schedule mirror the F3A schedule - there is no need to mandate this - doing so would only limit the options available.

As has recently become popular on this list - "I could be wrong".

Regards,

Dave Lockhart
DaveL322 at comcast.net
> No wonder I love ya Troy! You're hittin' me right where I live!!!!! I'm with you
> on this one 500%!!!
> Georgie
> 
> Troy Newman wrote:
> 
> > I think its a great idea the Masters pilots won't stand for it!
> >
> > But I think AMA pattern should feed the F3A ranks and Eventually feed the
> > World Champs.
> >
> > There is always going to be a pilot better than you are!....I'm not in this
> > for the trophy. I'm in it to be the best pilot I can be. I'm in it to do
> > something  and be a part of a very selective group in the world....I'm in to
> > represent my country and myself at the Worlds. I'm in it to make my mark on
> > the pattern world. I love the planes, I love the competition, I love the
> > drive it takes to reach the goals. As I was told as a kid. Its not the
> > results that matter its the journey to reach them. I can tell you this,  so
> > far its been a journey beyond compare and the next few years will be another
> > part of the life journey. The pursuit of Excellence. Whether I ever reach

> > these goals or ambitions are up to my skills and my desire. Can I hone my
> > skills to be at the level needed? Can I raise the bar yet again and reach
> > the new heights ahead?
> >
> > I don't believe in setting my sights lower just to be able to achieve them.
> > I think the way to aspire to Excellence is to raise the bar and set you
> > sights on the ultimate in achievement. Our country has fallen into a trap
> > that its bad to achieve. A rich man is evil because he has more than the
> > poor man. The lazy kid in school has a learning disability. And the pattern
> > flyer that is content with his position and the next win is never going to
> > achieve the things a Chip or Quique have done. One thing I have learned from
> > spending more time with Chip and others at that level...These guys are
> > driven, they are driven by the next challenge, the next high, the next
> > ultimate in achievement. An AMA pattern class that is designed as a
> > destination class is just that....a destination...and once you reach your

> > destination the Journey is no longer endured! Some will play for a while but
> > they reached their destination and fall off the map...We loose these pilots
> > because we expect less from them!
> >
> > Others are happy as stationary pilots. The problem is now we have to change
> > the rules every 2-3 years to keep your interest. I say move up and play in
> > the big sand box!
> >
> > Nascar didn't sit on its hands happy with its place in the Racing world.
> > Indy was king and NASCAR was a bunch of red necks crashing into each other.
> > Well not anymore NASCAR is still the fastest growing spectator sport in the
> > world...And its been that way for years and years....In fact next year they
> > are even going to a new sponsor that can take them even higher....
> >
> > Set your goals low and you output is just enough to get by....Set your goals
> > high and you might surprise yourself!
> >
> > Don't look towards the destination look toward the journey....Can you do a

> > rolling loop? If not, why not go out and learn how! Its just a really bad
> > slow roll and I have seen all of us including myself do some pretty bad slow
> > rolls.
> >
> > The Journey will reward you!
> >
> > Troy
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <vicenterc at comcast.net>
> > To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> > Cc: "Troy Newman" <troy_newman at msn.com>; <discussion at nsrca.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 1:38 PM
> > Subject: Re: Bigger Issues
> >
> > > Troy:
> > >
> > > Isn't the solution to have Masters = F3A?  I am flying Advanced and I am
> > getting ready to move up.  My question is: which class to go and why? I know
> > that there are advantages and disadvantages.  I see more advantages for
> > local contests since there will be one class less to take care.  Also,
> > having a common upper class will promote pilots like you to attend more
> > contests.
> > >
> > > Vicente Bortone
> > =====================================
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> > # discussion-request at nsrca.org

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