Pattern Growth & the K-Factor

[Wayne Galligan]

The trade show thing is a good idea.  Just seems like the one we have here
in Arlington TX seems to fall on a pattern contest date.   Is this true of
other events?

Wayne Galligan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derek Koopowitz" <derekkoopowitz at earthlink.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 5:53 PM
Subject: RE: Pattern Growth & the K-Factor


> 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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