Thursday banquet at NATS

[Lance Van Nostrand]

Dave's suggestion sounds like a balanced compromise, if there's still time.  The NSRCA needs a LOT of attendance at the banquet.  There are only a few fund raising activities that we do that amount to much.  We made $1187 in the auction last year!  The banquet itself was almost perfectly predicted/planned with the income from eaters the same as the expense for the hall and food (<$100).  If we have the event at the site, the hall expense will not bite us, but the food cost may be harder to predict.
   Also, ending the contest for all on the same day may provide more potential judges.  The whole Advanced group and half the Masters will be free in the afternoon and half the Masters in the morning.
  The current plan is great for those with the time and plan to stay. It gives anyone with a desire to see great flying do so.  However, based on last year's numbers, 70% did not stay for the finals.  Most of those that stayed, were the actual pilots.  Seems like Dave's suggestion could work better for the most people.
   Personally, I'd love to stay and watch or judge, but it's no given that I can squeeze another day from work.  I may, but I need to know soon if I need to make that request....
--Lance

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Lockhart 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 12:09 PM
  Subject: Re: Thursday banquet at NATS


  If the goal is to synchronize the last day of competition for all classes, then one option is the one Tony noted below - the other option is to start Master and FAI 1 day earlier.

  Holding the awards banquet Wed/Thurs night is not a new topic, and as most make plans for the NATs based on the prior years schedule (before the official schedule is released), changing the banquet/flying schedule affects pretty much all of the contestants.  At this point in time, if either the banquet or flying schedule is going to be different than last years, I only hope it affects as few people as possible.  And it would seem to me that any adjustments should be made to accommodate the majority of the contestants.

  Just the opinion of one contestant - I am sure that there are other factors involved with the scheduling/organizing that I and many other contestants are not aware of.  (and, what the heck, I'll put a "thanks" out right now for those that are planning/organizing the event for the rest of us).

  Regards,

  Dave Lockhart
  DaveL322 at comcast.net   
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Tony Stillman 
    To: discussion at nsrca.org 
    Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 11:05 AM
    Subject: Re: Thursday banquet at NATS


    Gray:
    The other idea that has been batted around was to start Intermediate and Advanced on TUESDAY to finish on Thursday, when the finals are being flown.  Then, the banquet would be for everyone.  Monday would be used as "OFFICIAL PRACTICE".

    Tony Stillman
    Radio South
    3702 N. Pace Blvd.
    Pensacola, FL 32505
    1-800-962-7802
    www.radiosouthrc.com
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Gray E Fowler 
      To: discussion at nsrca.org 
      Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 9:46 AM
      Subject: Thursday banquet at NATS



      Not so sure this is a good idea considering that Thursday is a non-flying day for 80% of the people who attend the NATS. Not that the Master/FAI losers and us lower classes  live for and LOVE watching other people fly, but consider the sacrificed family time and money used up to attend the NATS, and now to attend the banquet we will be required to stay one more day. 
      I could be wrong, but I would think that banquet attendance will be dramatically reduced. Even the 10 Masters and 10 FAI final guys usually split Thursday afternoon. 

      Other peoples thoughts?



      Gray Fowler
      Principal Chemical Engineer
      Composites Engineering
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