Pattern Growth & the K-Factor

[Ken Thompson III]

Larry,
Very well spoken, all good points, from one pattern newbie to another.

Ken Thompson
D4 Sportsman, again
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Caldwell" <4larryc at bscn.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 1:02 PM
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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