What class should I fly in?

[Wayne Galligan]

Well said and well done Chuck!  Finishing 4th out of 10 is pretty darn good for your first go at intimidate.

Smooth FLying...

Wayne G.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chuck Hochhalter 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 8:40 PM
  Subject: RE: What class should I fly in?


  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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