[SPAM] Growing Pattern

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

Dave, I like your thinking. I know that at least some dyed in the wool  
Pattern folks have said similar things before so you aren't alone in your  
observations and suggested solution aproaches. Although I don't believe  that "We MUST 
change the event or die....", I do think a  little variety can be a good 
thing.
 
MattK
 
In a message dated 11/11/2005 3:42:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
davidmichael1 at comcast.net writes:

1.  Equipment:  Perception is reality and the perception  is that you need to 
go and get a specialty airplane to fly pattern.  I'd  rather fly what I 
already have in my basement and I don't have a "pattern  plane" in my basement.  
Case in point- the only reason I went to the  Arcola contest was because of the 
"use any plane up to 26lbs in Sportsman  & Intermediate format that was 
offered- then I found a great deal on a  turn-key plane and just bought it.  
Otherwise, I wouldn't have been  there.
 
Potential Solutions:  a) Institute a "use any plane in Sportsman  with no 
size restriction rule".  IMAC does the same in Basic.  You  can fly a pattern 
plane in an IMAC contest but not visa versa.  b)  Introduction of more Pattern 
like planes into the general flying market-  difficult to make happen but, for 
example, the Hanger Nine Showtime  is a  great example of a crossover plane 
that can do this.
 
2. Contest Atmosphere:  Please- no offense intended here- just  constructive 
feedback.  Personally, I felt less charge in the air at the  Pattern contest.  
In fact, I had some friends stop by to see it and they  said the same thing 
to me- really laid back, quiet, easy going.  Maybe  that's ok and what is 
desired but maybe not.
 
Potential Solutions: Introduction of a) Unknowns  b)Freestyles ( I  know 
about Artistic Aerobatics- is anyone doing this?).  

It  really isn't much more work to do unknowns.  What about doing unknowns in 
 all classes or all but Sportsman constitutes a prohibitive increase in  
workload?  People enjoy doing them.  Isn't the goal to increase  participation and 
not to keep things easy for the CD?  IMAC advertises  events to the general 
public and people come just to see the freestyle- and  end up staying and 
watching the rest.
 
3. Perception with your target audience.  In this case, young flyers  who 
will grow through the classes as they gain experience.  Again, no  offense 
intended, just my perception of how people feel:  My perception  is that people 
think that pattern is resistant to change and slow  moving.  Afraid to change.  
Sacred in its current state.   Boring.
 
Potential Solutions:  You said it yourself.  It's boring, just  not to us.  I 
have read comments that pattern is not boring to us  since we "get it" and 
that's just how it is.  Wow- can you imagine if you  tried to run a business 
that way?  Dismissing potential customers as  "just not getting it?"  Pattern 
would benefit from finding ways to help  people "get it" and by adapting the 
product so that it is more appealing to  the target audience.  This is where any 
resistance to change will hurt  pattern's growth.
 
I would suggest that knowledge about what interests the target audience  and 
an open mind about where pattern goes from here would be an  invaluable tool 
in shaping pattern so that it grows- the number one goal  should be to grow 
pattern not to keep it the same as it is.  Think  outside the box- no potential 
change should be immediately dismissed.   Utilize tools like RCU to poll your 
target audience and listen to what they  say as the powers that be shape 
pattern going forward.
 
Sorry so long winded.
 
Just some thoughts.
 
Dave Michael



 
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