What class should I fly in?

[Chuck Hochhalter]

Daniel:
 
I have been flying for 23 years now and decided to fly pattern this
year.  I started in the sportsman class and stayed there most of the
year (4 contests).  Although I have won all of the contests I flew in, I
believe that I needed to stay in sportsman to "learn" the basics of
pattern flying.  People like Bob Pastorello and Keith Black, Lance our
District VP and Don Ramsey, Earl Haury and the list goes on.. wow what a
great group I get to fly with (Wayne) that you see posting on this list
have helped me considerably and until recently supported me being in
sportsman to learn the geometry, presentation and planning of pattern
flying.  Pattern is much more than just flying one maneuver at a time,
it involves putting together a complete effort to score well.  If you
"won" the met because you were the most experienced flyer in the group
as I was then I suggest you stick down a couple of events and learn from
your fellow flyers in the higher classes but if you have mastered the
pattern where you know how to setup 2-3 maneuvers in advance and how to
present a maneuver for the judges then by all means, challenge yourself
more and move along.
 
I hope this helps you, please feel free to contact me further if you
have any more questions.
 
BTW after the last contest and many "MOVE UP" comments, Keith Black
encouraged me to step into intermediate where I was humbled a little but
also benefited from the strong base that sportsman provided to succeed.
 
Sincerely,
Chuck Hochhalter
 
-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Daniel J. Hamlett
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 7:31 PM
To: N.S.R.C.A.
Subject: What class should I fly in?
 
Hello everyone.
 
I am trying to figure out what class I should be flying in ( sportsman
or intermidiate ).  I reciently flew at my first pattern meet (
Waterbourough ME ).  I placed first in sportsman class.  That is the
only meet that I will be able to attend for the rest of this season.  I
have only flown the 401 class 1/2 a dozen times, including the meet.  I
have been told that if you place at an event and beat 3 or 4 people that
you have to move up in to the next class ( intermidiate ).  My question
is this.  I did place first but I think that it may be a little bit
premature for me to move up into the intermidiate class. Given the
amount of time that I have been flying this pattern, should I compete
next year in sportsman.  I don't want to brake any rules, so I am
looking for feedback to help me determine if I need to move up.  I have
heard mixed feeling concerning this at my local club.  There are a few
other members that fly pattern there.  I want to know if what their
opinion is shared by other flyers.  Any feedback on this would be
apreciated.  Thank you in advance for your responce.
 
Dan
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