Sequence Changes

[Fletcher, Richard]

The best way to get new guys into pattern is to let them fly your plane. I
let a few of my IMAC buddies fly my Focus II one Saturday and they were so
impressed that they were all talking about going home and getting their old
King Cobras ready to go to a NJ contest in 2005. There should be about 5 of
us.




Thanks, Rich






-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Dean Pappas
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 4:28 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: RE: Sequence Changes


Hello Michael,
I am pleased to see a newbie come up with this insightful observation. While
it is not terribly popular, I share your point of view, and I've been at
this for a large enough portion of my 47 years that I could be described as
jaded.

There are pilots who end up in a de-facto destination class because that's
what their resources (time, money, etc.)  dictate. We should be mindful of
that, and I would hope that a small amount of change would be acceptable to
those pilots. As it turns out, a small amount of change, every 4 or 6 years,
in these classes, is probably right to keep the progression leading to the
new endpoint. As FAI and Masters evolve, the other classes will change, but
a whole lot less dramatically. If the Sportsman/was Novice/was Pre-Novice
class schedule is carefully written, then it should almost never change.
Here we are teaching basic skills. There have, necessarily, been a few large
changes in this entry class: first, it changed to a turnaround style, and
then it shed the "3-of-something" type maneuvers, as we no longer judge the
big guys on their ability to overlay identical loops and such. It's a shame,
'cause those are wonderful basic skills.

Your observation about how small a part of the population (aeromodelling or
otherwise) that we could possibly recruit is also rather sage. The best we
can hope to do is to be the helpful, friendly guy who is there, when a flyer
with the inclination gets bored with just getting his plane home in one
piece. You'll never convert someone who isn't after his personal best.

Of course that last observation could just be self-congratulation ... I am
preaching to the choir on this one, EH?

Regards,

Dean Pappas
Sr. Design Engineer
Kodeos Communications
111 Corporate Blvd.
South Plainfield, N.J. 07080
(908) 222-7817 phone
(908) 222-2392 fax
d.pappas at kodeos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On
Behalf Of Michael Laggis
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 3:04 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Sequence Changes


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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