Does Pattern competition cost too much?

[Atwood, Mark]

I can't say I disagree BUT... can we really say we're not grumpy rule
book carrying cutthroats when I can print off a 300 email thread arguing
about how to do a stupid take-off???   And of course we all know the
rules...if you don't...you're pretty much guaranteed a zero NOT for your
flying...but for some meaningless procedural infraction.    Let's face
it...we're all (myself included) just a tad more anal than the IMAC
crew.

 

I've flown both and I have to say, the Imac events are a blast.  Low
key, very unintimidating for the first timer, and while I agree..the
"help" was maybe lacking, the need for help seemed less too as the
planes are imminently more durable.  

 

________________________________

From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Ed Deaver
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 6:11 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: Does Pattern competition cost too much?

 

PERCEPTION is the key word to me.

 

Having flown both IMAC and Pattern competitively this is still what I
see.

 

Pattern is PERCEIVED as a bunch of grumpy, rule book carrying, cutthroat
pilots flying expensive, speciallized and hard to get planes that are
only good for one thing, Pattern.  I know this not to be true, but this
is the perception.  You can build from start, a competitive Pattern
plane through FAI for $2-2.5K.

 

IMAC is PERCEIVED as a bunch of fun loving, 3D'ing, laid back group of
pilots being able to fly any plane.

 

Truth of course is any plane only works for the prodigy, and in Basic,
but can be flown in Pattern also.  A 40% is going to run you $7K
minimum, with some vehicle and possibly trailer to fly.  I have had 10
or more Pattern guys offer help when something breaks at a pattern
contest, and at an IMAC contest, out of 40 pilots, only 1 will offer
help.  Most IMAC guys don't even know the rules, whereas almost all
Pattern pilots know the rules.  But are willing to help anyone.

 

In my experience the PERCEPTIONS are completely backwards, but
perception is reality!!!!!!!

 

If we work to change the perception we will succeed in getting more
people to fly pattern.  But, look at the discussions on this list about
miniscule details, and it is easy to see why some say what they say.

 

Lastly, the way pilots are treated at contests was brought up to me.
Going to a contest, and not having to sit in the "chair" is a big
factor.  It was stated, feeling as though the club was grateful you
came, as opposed to making a pilot work for coming to the contest.  Not
sure I totally agree, but that is what I was told.

 

Food for thought.

 

ed

"J.Oddino" <joddino at socal.rr.com> wrote:

	From time to time I hear folks suggesting the reason the number
of contestants is down is due to the high cost of pattern planes and
support equipment.  Well I don't believe that is the reason.  This
weekend I went to a relatively local IMAC contest in Camarillo
California and there were somthing like 61 preregistered and 56 actually
flying.  I'd guess 80% of the planes were 40% scale, meaning they had
$1500 engines and $3000 airframes and $1500 worth of servos.  Then
you've got the motor homes and trucks and trailers to transport them.  I
still say the highest cost of flying is the driving to and from the
field and that is probably why the park flyers are so popular.  

	So what is the reason for the drop in attendance and the drop in
the number of pattern contests?  Or is that only in Southern California?

	 

	Jim O

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