Decline of pattern / Translation

[Larry Diamond]

I believe there is a balance in the wings...

Most contest I've been to (about 10 now) had around 20 or less. Right at 
about 20 pilots, it get to be more challenging than realistic to get 6 
rounds completed in one day.

The other concern is the weather and field layout. Both effect the actual 
time available at the contest.

Since, you can't plan on the weather, we can be prepared to make it a one 
day affair if that's what the majority wants and the situation allows. 
However, many travel and already pay for the rooms in advance through 
Sunday.

The issue of one day contest is a good debate, but after some thought...

There is a reason we have two day contests. This is to insure that we 
complete the 4 rounds required for a contest to count. 3 contest this year 
could not have been completed in 1 day. One due to weather, one due to the 
field layout in relation to the sun, and the other due to having 40 pilots 
attend the contest. The CD's did good to get 5 or six rounds in under those 
conditions.

Larry


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Harmon" <K6XYZ at comcast.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 3:11 PM
Subject: RE: Decline of pattern / Translation


> Jeff....I disagree where you said...
>
> >> 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.<<<
>
> My view is that if a guy is interested enough in pattern to spend enough
> money, time and effort to acquire the equipment and go to a contest, he
> does not view pattern as a hobby.
> He views it as a way of life, a sport, what he does when he isn't
> working, most of the time he thinks about it when he should be thinking
> about something else, an avocation/obsession.....you get the idea.
> If contests would be only 1 day as you suggest, then the situation in
> your view would be twice as bad as what you say.....2 days and 3
> flights? Many contests are too big to be only 1 day with 6 flights. The
> folks that run the contest usually pay the home club for both days so
> it's not like the club is not earning anything. Many club members that
> don't enter the contest come to the field anyway to just watch and yak
> with their friends and perhaps meet some new ones as well as get
> exposure to Pattern.
> If you go to a 2 day contest for only 1 day, you are really
> shortchanging yourself and your friends out of another day of fun.
> Contests aren't that often anyway so you might as well stay both days
> and have a ball.
>
> Regards
>
> Dave Harmon
> NSRCA 586
> K6XYZ at comcast.net
> Torrance, Ca.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
> On Behalf Of Jeff Hughes
> Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 12:54 PM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org; discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: Decline of pattern / Translation
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
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