Rules Proposals Final Vote

[RCSkyraidr at aol.com]

While I read the discussion list a lot, I usually do not post here too much. 
But I have noticed a lot of discussion about who knew what and when. Most 
non-D-1 fliers probably are not aware that we in NSRCA D-1 took our own rule 
change survey of ALL D-1 active Pattern pilots. At every contest, Ann and I 
searched out pilots who had not already taken the D-1 survey and got their input. In 
the end, EVERY pilot who flew at a 2003 contest was polled.

I tabulated the results and sent them to Ron Lockhart and Scott Melville. My 
fault, but I forgot that PA was in Mark Atwood's area and did not send the 
results to him. I will not make this mistake again. Except for RCA-05-8, about 
removing forced advancement, the survey was definitive. Results were 
overwhelming for each proposal. 

However, the effect on the CB members was just mixed:

For RCA-05-5, T/o & landing, 72% of D-1 fliers were against this change yet 
Scott voted for it anyway. 
For RCA-05-7, any plane in Sportsman, 82% of D-1 fliers wanted any plane to 
fly, but Ron voted against this change.
For RCA-05-17, bring back the snap roll, 82% of D-1 fliers wanted the two 
maneuvers back in the schedule. Both Ron and Scott represented their constituents 
on this one, but I wish I had sent the survey to Mark as he voted against the 
restoration. His was the deciding vote and might have been different had he 
known about the survey.

I am especially bothered by the fact that our own national survey closely 
parallels D-1's results yet some national NSRCA board members decided to propose 
changes that the members apparently did not want anyway. And the answer that 
"we will get used to it" is probably not the best way to address the members' 
concerns on this issue. However, NSRCA members do have a voice here as there 
are elections. 

We have no voice regarding AMA decisions, however. So what should we do? 
Complete anarchy? It is possible since each CD sets all the rules for his own 
contest and, with prior notification, can make just about any change he feels 
would benefit his contest. In practice, this would be a problem if CD's change 
schedules and judging criteria. 

However, one area I urge CD's to consider is to ignore RCA-05-7 and open 
their Sportsman class to any AMA legal aircraft. Many CD's in D-1 have done this 
for years and it has helped build attendance and gain us pilots. Off hand, I 
know of several active D-1 fliers who started this way. Rick Wallace flew his 
Hangar 9 Cap in Sportsman his first year and flew at several major contests. He 
is now Advanced D-1 champion. Current JR team member Dan Landis flew his first 
few contests with a somewhat loud, .60-size "Half-Troublemaker." 

Judging by the Pattern Primers we have in D-1, most of the pilots fly their 
sport aerobatic planes, Venus 40's , etc., using sport mufflers that cannot 
meet the noise requirements. When they come to their first contest, we are going 
to tell them they can't fly because their plane is too loud?  Get serious.

Any D-1 CD who wants to open the Sportsman class at his contest, let me know. 
I will send that notification to the D-1 mailing list and publish it in my 
D-1 column and that helps to meet their notification requirements. I'll even 
fill out the AMA notification forms for them and send them in if they wish. 

As for survey results, CB members are free to vote as they wish. One problem 
is that current board members can submit AMA rule change proposals that run 
counter to the NSRCA membership wishes, but have the appearance of coming from 
the NSRCA since the proposer is an official of the SIG. This gives the proposed 
rule change undeserved "weight" as it looks "official" when, in reality, it 
is decidedly unpopular with the SIG members.

I wonder if the NSRCA could not devise a better system. We need to establish 
a system that polls the membership for suggested rule changes, presents the 
proposed rule changes for a NSRCA membership vote, and then presents the 
suggested changes to the AMA CB.

Once the NSRCA membership approves a set of rule changes, no NSRCA board 
member can submit contradicting proposals to AMA without first resigning from the 
board. That way, the NSRCA speaks with one official voice. Individual NSRCA 
members retain the right to submit cross-proposals, however. 

These are some thoughts. What does the list think?

Frank Granelli
D-1 VP
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