growing pattern
ronlock at comcast.net
ronlock at comcast.net
Thu Mar 3 13:31:23 AKST 2005
Agree, we need this sort of thing to promote pattern.
While we promote pattern, lets also keep an eye on not building obstacles to getting involved in pattern.
This discussion list is a real treasure - But I think it needs a periodic caveat for readers not yet bitten by the pattern bug. Lets remind them that while us career pattern people may enjoy debates how level a building table needs to be, the relative accuracy of laser alignment tools, the need for digital servos, etc, that a plane without those benefits REALLY IS OK and we want them to participate.
What else can we do to NOT overwhelm would be entry level pattern pilots?
Later, Ron Lockhart
-------------- Original message --------------
> Hi Bob,
> Too long since I saw you last. You make a good point. The thing is that it's
> easy to say that
> the present lack of growth in Pattern is because of the things we do with rules
> today, compared to the past.
> I would insist that we are doing a bunch of things right, and hopefully that
> sets the stage for growth:
> how would you like to try to grow an event that covers lots of ground with loud
> airplanes?
> It would strangle itself.
>
> But the things you pointed out aren't being done at all, and they are critical.
> That's worse than doing them poorly.
>
> Do we try to do this through magazine exposure (another uphill battle) or do we
> take it to the streets
> by offering to go to any club meeting within 2 hours drive and show people an
> entry-level Pattern ship,
> and maybe talk about aerobatic trimming, or quiet technology, or even the joy of
> focused practice.
>
> The web can be used as you describe, and we'd be smart to do so. I wonder if RCU and similar sites offer a break to non-commercial outfits like NSRCA?
>
> We have to get ready to rumble!
>
>
> 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 Robert Mairs
> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 1:20 PM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: Making Pattern Harder - was Pattern Box Rules (discussion)
>
>
> I've been monitoring the list for a couple years now, haven't said a whole
> lot, but a common theme I seem to see a lot, is talking about the past. If
> you want pattern to grow, there's only one way your gonna do it and that's
> to start promoting it. You don't see anything about it anywhere. Hardly
> any plane reviews in major magazines, no ads in magazines, about the only
> thing going is an occasional column in ama. If your not specifically
> looking for it, pattern is pretty much invisible in my opinion. A banner ad
> on rcu, rcgroups drawing people to the website could be a possibility. If
> you don't start attempting to draw in new people, diminished size is
> inevitable. Just look at the turnover in your local clubs. Sequences, wt
> limits, turnaround, box sizes, etc, etc, isn't gonna get pattern anywhere.
>
> Make it easy for somebody new, expand the beginners section on the website.
> Guys are building lower priced arfs, have them write up some reviews, show
> them they don't have to have a $3500 2m, custom painted, tricked out bird.
> Update and expand district sites makeing it easy to find a contest to come
> out to and watch with directions, starting times, saying visitors welcome.
> The only thing I think will turn around pattern is promotion outside of its
> primary membership, which doesn't really seem to take place.
> rm
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Atwood, Mark"
> To:
> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 10:32 AM
> Subject: Making Pattern Harder - was Pattern Box Rules (discussion)
>
>
> I'd like to comment on this point specifically...contest attendance.
>
> Pattern has always been "hard". Hard to do well anyway. I don't think
> "hard" per say drives people away. In fact, as Arch stated, I think
> it's the challenge...and the idea of challenging someone else to show
> off our skills is what attracts most long term pattern flyers.
>
> However...
>
> Turnaround changed the level of commitment necessary to be "Competent"
> In the late 80's even early 90's, we held a pattern contest in
> Cleveland. At that time the average attendance at a contest in D4 was
> around 40 people. And consistently, 10-15 of those were NOT pattern
> faithful. But rather a combination of good club pilots, FORMER pattern
> faithful (past their prime, changed to racing, scale...whatever), and
> beginners looking to try in on.
>
> These "locals" for lack of a better term, would come out to the field
> with a dusted off Curare, or King Cobra and put up a few practice
> flights. Work the kinks out of their slow roll...try and find their
> timing on stall turns and point rolls... and then show up the day of
> the contest, sign up for Sportsman (now intermediate) or maybe
> advanced...and ask someone during the flight..."What's Next??".
>
> For some that were previously accomplished pilots...they could come out,
> and have a "respectable" showing with just a little practice. Would
> they beat the "touring" pattern guys...No. Could they win a round if
> the other guy slipped up?? Yup! It was fun...and didn't require a ton
> of commitment.
>
> Then came turnaround.
>
> You could no longer fly the routine without having it memorized...at
> least in advanced or above. The sequence...not the maneuvers...but the
> sequence was challenging. The same guys that had come out the year
> before and had fun...thrilled to score here and there...and happy to ace
> a few maneuvers...were now putting up a cadre of zero's for getting out
> of sequence of missing a maneuver. It wasn't fun for them. They
> stopped coming. There families stopped coming too. And
> suddenly....Pattern event changed from a club sponsored, club attended
> FUN event...to a pattern elite, shut down the field for 2 days so 20
> guys can fly.
>
> We lost our judges (club guys), our scribes (their families), our
> concession workers (said families again) and all the other workers.
>
> The added burden to the contestant (judging, scribing, making their own
> burger..lol) cost us another few pilots who also decided it wasn't fun
> anymore.
>
> I LOVE turnaround... But I think it cost us a lot...
>
> -Mark
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
> On Behalf Of Del K. Rykert
> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 10:13 AM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: Pattern Box Rules (discussion)
>
> I know that making it more difficult does and has hurt contest
> attendance.
> Was that the intent? of course not but many changes aren't being
> considered
> for the negative they will create as well as the positive the are
> shooting
> for.
>
> Del
> nsrca - 473
>
> ================To access the email archives for this list, go to
> http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/
> To be removed from this list, go to http://www.nsrca.org/discussionA.htm
> and follow the instructions.
>
>
>
>
> =================================================
> To access the email archives for this list, go to
> http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/
> To be removed from this list, go to http://www.nsrca.org/discussionA.htm
> and follow the instructions.
>
> To access the email archives for this list, go to
> http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/
> To be removed from this list, go to http://www.nsrca.org/discussionA.htm
> and follow the instructions.
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.f3a.us/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20050303/7912ceb6/attachment-0001.html
More information about the NSRCA-discussion
mailing list