Decline of pattern / Translation

[Anthony Abdullah]

I don't want to get anything started, but I had a thought inspired from an off list conversation with a pattern buddy.
 
We go to pattern competitions and most of the time we love it. I have had great pattern weekends in Lancaster, Oh. in a nearly constant downpour and realized that the flying and competition are only half the story. What we experience at a contest does not translate well to sport pilots. I know, at least for me, that when I tell sport flyers about contests we talk about the planes and the manuevers. Unfortunately the friendships made, the sportsmanship, the camaraderie, the fellowships, and the sense of accomplishment, just do not translate well to people who have not experienced it. I always struggle when I'm asked, often, what you get for winning. They never quite understand that the trophy is only half the story.
 
So the $50,000 question is: How do we help translate the pattern experience to non pattern flyers to get them to at least give it a shot?
 
Just a few thoughts.
Anthony


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