Sequence Changes

[Bill Glaze]

Michael:
You've got a very ambitious course laid out.  It certainly can be 
achieved.  But, it seems to me that you are assuming a one-size-fits-all 
situation wherein you can afford to spend the time required to progress 
at this rapid rate.  Many can't, for some reason or other.  Believe me, 
there are lots of absolutely legitimate reasons such a progression is 
not an option for a lot of flyers.  As an example, Masters' pilots 
don't, in a surprisingly high number, ever want to get involved in FAI..
A similar situation exists for the other, lower classes.  Flying the 
same schedules for an interminable period is certainly an option.  It is 
certainly possible to adopt an attitude of "if they don't like it, let 
them move up."  This tends to put people, if they do move up, in a 
situation for which they may never be qualified.  Where, then, is the 
gain? If someone decides that the same sequences will be with him 
forever, and decides to put his recreational time and money elsewhere, 
as so many have done, where is the gain?  What is the sense in 
disregarding the opinions of a majority of pilots who are now supporting 
pattern, and keep the same-old-same-old?  It's been tried, and our 
numbers, with a few blessed exceptions, continue to dwindle.  We need to 
keep the present enthusiast, while attracting more new folks.  A 
stick-in-the-mud approach just isn't going to work, IMHO. 
This is coming from a guy who flew his first contest ~1955, and I can 
remember an ordinary contest boasting an attendance of around 144 
contestants.  Our club contests usually had ~50 contestants.  Where are 
numbers like this now?  There are lots of reasons, and keeping the same 
patterns obviously isn't the sole reason.  But, we've got to keep this 
new and fresh in some manner.  More frequent sequence changes would be a 
good start, I feel
Thanks for reading this long posting.

Bill Glaze.

Michael Laggis wrote:

>This is coming from a newbie.  I'm not to start anything but why would we
>need to make changes to the 401 through 403 sequences?  They are not
>destination classes.  This year I should have all the disciplines in 402
>down.  I will then move on to 403 and learn those disciplines and so on
>until I am flying FAI.  I for one don't believe that changing the sequences
>every year or two is going to do anything for increasing the number of
>pattern flyers or advance anyone's flying.  How does someone that is in 402
>get board with the sequence?  Do they have all aspects mastered? If not,
>changing the sequence is not going to help you.   If so move up to the next
>class and challenge yourself .
>
>Once again changing sequences isn't going to increase the popularity of
>Pattern.  Pattern flying does not have the wow factor for the majority of
>people flying RC to attract the number of new pilots that IMAC and 3D does.
>People that are attracted to pattern flying are a unique breed.  Most flyers
>will find perfecting each and every aspect of a maneuver boring. The only
>thing we as a group and keep pattern flying going is to be ambassadors at
>our local fields.  Take someone under your wing.  If they are a part of the
>unique breed that loves pattern they will be hooked.  If not then they are
>going to pursue other aspects of the hobby.  If we were to actually do this
>pattern would be self sustaining     
>
>Michael Laggis
>NSRCA 3816
>
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