Weight limit discussion

[Del K. Rykert]

here is another George..
     del

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Richards" <bob at toprudder.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: Weight limit discussion


> 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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