What class should I fly in?

[Eddie Batchelor]

  I would like to share my thoughts which show the other side.
  I started considering attempting to fly pattern last year and went to the
nederland event as a spectator in June 03. I practiced july03 with my little
H-9Aresti and flew in my 1st contest at my field (LARKS) in Aug03 and placed
3rd. I didn't get to fly again until this year
  At that point I too contemplated moving to Intermediate. But I stayed in
Sportsman for the experience. As fate would have it I've NOT had the flying
time I thought I'd have and have only gotten to attend 2 contests this year.
I am flying the 90 size plane also. For whatever reason I've struggled much
more this year than I expected. I "THINK" I was capable of throwing the
40size plane around and with the larger plane I've actually had to learn to
place it in position more. I DO know I did not use the rudder on the smaller
plane and got away with it. I have been struggling to conquer rudder control
all year and thanks to much help from Nat Penton, Don Ramsey, Keith Black
and others it's slowly starting to make sense.
  I think ,in my case, moving up would have been a disaster  and I'm slo
glad I didn't.

  My point to all this is : think it over and do what you truly feel your
ready to handle.

  Eddie
      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Daniel J. Hamlett
      To: N.S.R.C.A.
      Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 9:30 PM
      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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