Weight limit discussion

[Bob Richards]

Dave,

Perfect analogy!!!  I am also "George".

Bob R.

--- David Lockhart <DaveL322 at comcast.net> wrote:

> Bill,
> 
> I think you make an interesting point regarding
> differentiation.  I would point out that by
> competitive definition the majority in any
> competitive event will not be "top notch".  I think
> I see some other differentiations as well.
> 
> I see a group of flyers (let's collectively call
> them George for purposes of this discussion) that
> have been in the event for a substantial length of
> time.  George is/was a top pilot, or maybe never was
> and never will be - but common to George is the long
> duration spent in pattern.  George has seen a number
> of rules changes and observed the
> motive/basis/desire that drove the rule change
> (almost always with best intentions), and George has
> seen the unintended consequences that resulted. 
> George is maybe trying to keep the mistakes in the
> past from repeating.  Maybe George is tired of
> throwing away perfectly good equipment that has been
> made obsolete by yet another misguided rules change.
>  Maybe George misses those that left the event to
> never return because of the specific rule changes,
> or the resulting added expense to compete in the
> event that was the unintended result of changing the
> rules.
> 
> I see a second group of flyers (let's call them
> Fred) who appear to be unaware of the history of
> rules changes, unaware of unintended consequences
> (in the past), or have not considered what effects
> changes to the current rules might have beyond what
> is intended.  I see a ton of enthusiasm from Fred,
> and believe Fred is truly interested in making
> pattern more accessible to the masses.  I see Fred
> on the average as new to pattern, or having less
> experience in pattern than George, and Fred may be
> the future of pattern (no new additions, the event
> will die).  But I see Fred covering a pretty big
> range of demographics - experienced pilot (or not),
> flying lower or higher classes in pattern, have a
> history in pattern, or being relatively new to
> pattern - and it is not uncommon for Fred to achieve
> better than average results in contests.
> 
> George is correct about history - and George has
> posed several questions that have gone unanswered
> (to the best of my knowlegde) such as -
> - When has a rules change resulted in pattern being
> less costly?
> - Why are the readily available planes that are easy
> to complete under 11 lbs by any builder not being
> used in pattern by "Fred".  Not only are these
> planes easy to build under 11 lbs, in many instances
> they are also less costly.
> 
> George is very passionate about the event and the
> rules that shape the event.  So is Fred.  George has
> watched the last few rules changes and has unhappily
> been in the position to say "I told you so" when
> unintended consequences came to fruition.  Fred is
> primed to say "I told you so" when the weight limit
> is increased (lets assume 2007).  Fast forward to
> 2007 - it is the ONE year when heavier sport engines
> and the slightly overweight (11.25 - 11.5 lbs)
> current designs will be legal and reasonably
> competitive with the stuff the top guys are flying
> (the same current designs, but at 10 lbs).  In 2007,
> Fred is the happiest guy in pattern.  Late in 2007,
> after seeing a couple 2008 protypes that take full
> adavantage of the increased weight limit, George is
> comtemplating changes - leave behind the current
> designs and equipment that will be obsolete in 2008
> (at any weight), or pack up and leave the event. 
> George is unhappy about being able to say "I told
> you so yet again" in 2008 - assuming George stays in
> the event.  In 2008, George may not be around to
> talk to Fred about why Fred's plane is no longer
> competitive.  And maybe Fred, like George, will
> leave the event, recognizing their equipment is
> obsolete and not wanting to remain in the event
> uncompetitively, or at the expense of upgrading all
> new equipment that is at a more costly level.
> 
> "I am George".
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Dave Lockhart
> DaveL322 at comcast.net
> 
> 
> 
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