Pattern Growth & the K-Factor

Mon Dec 20 14:54:44 AKST 2004

Larry,

Thanks for your comments... 

Every district VP is sent extra copies of the K-Factor each month and they
are asked to hand them out at special events, contests, fly-in's, etc. in
order to promote pattern and attract new members.  We also have allocated
money for each district to host pattern primer's - again, in order to show
prospective new pattern pilots what pattern is all about and at the same
time tell them about the NSRCA.  The one area where we don't do enough is at
trade shows - I know that there are at least 5 or 6 trade shows throughout
the US that we can, and should, have a booth.  We've done it at several in
the past but we aren't consistent enough.  Having manned an NSRCA booth at
the AMA show a couple of years ago - I know it is hard, hard work... And it
definitely takes a handful of volunteers to staff a booth and to keep it
going.  We also can sell merchandise at these booths (along with
memberships) - this all stimulates the NSRCA and prospective members.

I'm sure we'll get better at this... Sooner rather than later. 

-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Larry Caldwell
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 10:03 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Pattern Growth & the K-Factor

As a relative newcomer to NSRCA, and pattern as well, I have over the last
few months read everything I have been able to find on the subject,
including this discussion list.  One of the main things that have come to
light is the fact that there really isn't that much information floating
around that the average sport flier will run across that might get his
attention and peak his interest.  So, I thought I might add a few thoughts
and ideas out whatever they are worth.

First, it doesn't matter what we do, only a very small percentage of sport
fliers would want to pursue pattern flying. It's work.  It takes practice.
Example:  One day at the local club field while I'm flying one of the locals
walks up and asks why I'm doing so many loops.  After telling him my answer
that I want them round, he responds: why worry about it?

You guys, the current pattern fliers, are the best asset we have for growing
pattern.  I understand that when you only have an hour or so to practice
that you don't want to spend all of it talking about how great pattern is.
But two minutes might go a long way with a guy that is interested.  I
personally have so far had only good experiences there, and am very
fortunate to have a couple of very good pattern folks only 100 miles away
that have extended the invitation to fly with them when I can.  Those are
the closest people to here that have any interest in pattern.

On to the K-Factor.
There are maybe two people in our local club that are prospects to get
interested in pattern.  One of them flew back in the Dirty-Birdy days and
burned out.  The other has never flown pattern at all.  Recently, I was
looking through a few K-Factors that have been accumulating looking for a
couple of issues to give to these guys.  I was looking for issues containing
articles that might spark their interest.  The magazines aren't bad, but
they didn't have a lot of meat in them.

I have the December K-Factor.  It's what we need if it can be kept up.
At least three articles that had some substance are worth mentioning.

Lance Van Nostrand - battery backup
Robert Kane - table & Temptation
Don Atwood - mixture carb.

The K-Factor is the best place for all of the scores and contest reports,
but IMO some content each month that new guys can sink their teeth into will
get more attention. It's easy to suggest things when you aren't the person
that has to do the work, but I know that a number of the people on this list
are knowledgable and have the writing skills to keep some articles coming.

The problem here is that the K-Factor is preaching to the choir.  It isn't
seen by the potential newcomers unless we give them a back issue.
This, to me, seems to be where we need to look for some new ideas.
I understand that printing is expensive, but if we could perhaps have some
limited free distribution at a few selected events (non-pattern), it might
make a difference.  I'm sure others have more ideas.

Sorry to ramble so long.

Larry Caldwell

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