Decline of pattern / Translation

[Jeff Hughes]

I've trained and counseled a couple of fliers at our field who were 
good enought to fly pattern. I took two of them to contests (separate 
times). Both never went to another contest. To many, this is a hobby 
and spending three days to get in 6 flights is not a good use of their 
time. I personally only attend contests that I can drive to and fro in 
a day and never go back on Sunday. I think the time of two day 
contests is over and we should focus on one day contests. This would 
be better for the contestants and better use of the fields we use.


> Every club newletter I write up begins with what a good time it is 
to see everyone and the friendships that have been made.  Including 
that this is the reeason for competing.
> 
> I disagree most don't get it.  Look at the number of sport pilots 
that go to fly ins to see old friends.  It is there.  Look at the 
coffee crew(old farts, geezers or what ever each club has a name for 
then, albeit affectionately)  They put one flight in but talk for 
hours, they get it.
> 
> We have to realize most either don't want to compete for what ever 
reason, and/or in our society of instant gratification don't want to 
strive towards a goal.  I believe this is the biggest problem..  
> 
> Lets take a difficult but very rewarding manuever, the rolling 
circle.  Took me a solid summer of failed attempts to achieve a very 
ugly 4 roll roller.  Then another 2 years to get to make the thing 
look decent for IMAC.  No one in our 100 member club has any desire to 
work at something that dedicatedly just to be able to do it.  Herein 
lies the problem.
> 
> I don't believe Pattern needs to change.  I don't believe we are 
doing anything wrong either.  The simple fact is Pattern requires a 
commitment, with effort, to accomplish the goal of flying better and 
most are simply not willing to make that commitment.  This is fine as 
we live in America and should be able to choose.  What we do have to 
do is accept how things are and work from there.  As stated in an 
earlier discussion, when someone shows interest then we can try to get 
them to give Pattern a whirl.
> 
> Just my thoughts.
> 
> ed
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Keith Black 
>   To: discussion at nsrca.org 
>   Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 1:11 PM
>   Subject: Re: Decline of pattern / Translation
> 
> 
>   > How do we help translate the pattern experience to non pattern 
flyers to get them to at least give it a shot?
> 
>   I think you just did. 
> 
>   Gray Fowler told me pretty much the same thing you've said 
regarding the fellowship and I found that very appealing. In addition 
he let me know that most beginning sportsman fliers are all over the 
sky at their first contests and I shouldn't worry about not being good 
enough. That and a little bit of urging got me to my first contest.
> 
>   I personally was quite worried about flying in front of judges, 
but looked at it as a personal challenge to overcome. When I flew my 
first round without crashing I was delighted.
> 
>   Of course you have to realize that people get the same type of 
fellowship and camaraderie from other activities and groups as well. 
Also, it takes a certain type of personality to be afraid of something 
and consider that a *reason* to do it. Therefore my reasons for 
jumping in won't apply to everyone. 
> 
>   So next time someone asks you about pattern flying don't forget to 
tell them about the fellowship, I'm proof that's a persuasive part of 
the equation.
> 
>   Keith Black
> 
>     ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: WHIP23 at aol.com 
>     To: discussion at nsrca.org 
>     Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 12:11 PM
>     Subject: Re: Decline of pattern / Translation
> 
> 
>     In a message dated 10/17/03 6:09:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
aabdu at sbcglobal.net writes:
> 
> 
>       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
> 
> 
> 
> 
>     Just smile a lot :-)  Some will understand (a few), most will 
not.
> 
>     Bob 

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