[SPAM] Re: Does Pattern competition cost too much?

[Earl Haury]

There's certainly an element of "welcome" that's an important part of successful contests (pattern or otherwise). We're fortunate to have gracious and enthusiastic hosts in D6. I've been to less friendly meets - once - in other parts of the country, they don't last. 

Just to ensure that there's no misunderstanding, the work ethic I mentioned in a previous post applies to aerobatics, not just pattern. The IMAC folks have even more to work on than pattern enthusiasts and we've a local stunt guy that seems to fly 24/7.

We do work too hard at contests - we've brought it upon ourselves with contestant judging. But contestant judging is generally far better than that received from inexperienced and/or disinterested local judges. We need to apply technology to judging to lighten the work load and increase accuracy! Forget the notion that the judge can't / shouldn't have an advantage over the pilot, the game is (should be) about precision flying - not snowing the judges. I'm sure that current technology exists that can be developed into a system for computer scoring of precision / geometry, position, and size. "People" judges might still be used for smoothness and gracefulness, a much easier job than the gory details of the rest of judging. Just think, at most events one could relax, maybe even fly at the Nats without judging! 

Earl
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Troy A. Newman 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 11:29 PM
  Subject: [SPAM] Re: Does Pattern competition cost too much?


  Another good example of contest management stuff....The IMAC group out there doesn't have the catalyst and the pattern group does!

  I have been to the Omaha contest a couple times in the past and they put on a  great event and treat you like a really welcome guest. If the other events out there are the same type of thing then that's a good sign for pattern flying in the area.

  Troy
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: vicenterc at comcast.net 
    To: discussion at nsrca.org ; discussion at nsrca.org 
    Cc: Grow Pattern 
    Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 2:51 PM
    Subject: Re: Does Pattern competition cost too much?


    300 miles around Kansas City we have 8 pattern contests.  IMAC used to have one in Kansas City but has been canceled this year.

    Vicente

      -------------- Original message -------------- 

      Does anyone know how many IMAC contests there are relative to the same geo-area where pattern contests are run?

      Eric.
        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: J.Oddino 
        To: discussion at nsrca.org 
        Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 5:40 PM
        Subject: Does Pattern competition cost too much?


        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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