Sequence Poll Results

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

Here are a couple questions to think about: 
 
Quick, in one second, how many TOP masters pilots can you think of?
How many TOP F3A?
Which is THE destination class for the TOP pilots in the  country?
 
MattK
 
 

I have a little different take on this ( so  what's new Ed ?? ) . We 
currently subscribe to the theory that a person begins  in Sportsman and they progress 
to one of two "destination" classes, USA  recognized Masters or world 
recognized FAI. The current format and rules may  not state that but in reality that 
is what is implied. So we make the  assumption that most if not all pattern 
flyers have a goal to fly one of those  two "destination" classes sooner or 
later, or never if you look at how the  numbers are dropping in pattern. I believe 
all four AMA classes can be  "destination" classes, I know I have said this 
before and it was not well  received. Frankly, there are those, myself 
included, that may never reach  a level of proficiency to win in Masters or FAI. I 
moved up to Masters in late  '02 for a change, not because I pointed out or won a 
district championship, I  wanted to challenge myself knowing full well that I 
was giving up winning in  Advanced occasionally to become the bottom of the 
heap in Masters. Given the  amount of time I can devote to practice, I can 
accept that, for me personally  flying pattern was never about wining, however, it 
sure is nice to win on  occasion. Years ago when I raced NHRA SS/L, my goal 
or destination was  not to become a top fuel dragster or funny car pilot. I was 
quiet happy racing  ( and winning ) in that "sportsman" class. My goal in my 
work life was never  to become CEO of company XYZ. I think we need to 
recognize and accept the fact  that as we have raised the bar in schedule complexity 
AND equipment  requirements, many have realized they cannot compete at the 
highest levels of  our sport OR just plain do not wish too. Part of the reason 
folks cannot or do  not strive to compete at the Masters and/or FAI level is the 
amount of  resources required ( both time and $$ but more time ) to even fly, 
let  alone compete at that level.  Not every one that competes wants to be  
Chip Hyde, I'd dare to say most are just looking to challenge themselves.  
Ed M. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From:  _Bob  Pastorello_ (mailto:rcaerobob at cox.net)  
To: _discussion at nsrca.org_ (mailto:discussion at nsrca.org)  
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2005 12:00  PM
Subject: Re: Sequence Poll  Results


Thanks, Mark and Verne.  Two sides of the  core issue.  Since I raised the 
initial question, and Ed/Tony put out  the poll....I thought perhaps I'd 
summarize my rationale.
    Masters is THE top class in  AMA Pattern.  That is what our National 
Competition is about.  In  my thinking, it SHOULD stand as separate, and 
unique/different in it's skill  requirements than FAI.
    Mark, you wrote that FAI is  "the" Top Class.  No, it is the class chosen 
for the World Championship  aerobatic competitions.  Because of that, every 
country that wants to  participate in the WC must have flyers who prepare using 
the same standards,  same sequences, as the other countries.  I think the US 
provides that,  and even CD's include FAI-F3A events in the typical pattern  
contest.
 
Is there ANYONE out here who honestly believes  that the FAI class is not a 
"professional" class of competition??   Please....look at where the money is 
spent, the sponsorships "pay",  etc.  I am perfectly comfortable being thought 
of as "Amateur" if I fly  AMA pattern....doesn't ruffle my feathers at all.
    At the "Professional" level  of sports, there are rules that the Amateurs 
don't have.  Football is a  good example.
 
I happen to believe that our Masters' class, as  the top of the AMA heap, 
must represent the best we have in US  competition.  IF folks want to compete at 
the International WORLD  level, professional competitions, then I'd bet they 
will come FROM our  Masters class.  And to me, that means that they learn the 
"new"  Professional Sequences/rules that are needed when they make that  choice.
 
It's not our job in the AMA Pattern classes to  make a person competent at 
FAI.  It is our responsibility to provide  interesting challenge, growth, and 
INVOLVEMENT opportunities for the  majority of the 2% of all modelers who choose 
pattern in the first  place.  Let's build maneuvers in sequences that provide 
the skill  base...then let those who are "advanced" enough, learn the rest.   
There's plenty of mentors out there for them to feed each  other....
 
Before ya'll go crazy and start typing like  mad.....
    I am *NOT* saying that we  exclude FAI, or discontinue or support of the 
World team, or any of that  stuff.  That's good for the global community.
    I am saying that we should  look a little closer at why we have the game 
in the US, and design  everything we do around THAT purpose.  Whatever it is 
deemed to  be.

Bob Pastorello




 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20050103/8bc5738f/attachment.html