Weight limit discussion

[George Kennie]

Boy Dave,
I wish you had chosen Fred and Henry!

Bob Richards wrote:

> 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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