decline of pattern?

[Wayne Galligan]

PRICELESS!!!
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Anthony Abdullah
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 8:09 AM
  Subject: Decline of pattern / Translation


  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 maneuvers. 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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