What constitutes an FAI flyer.

[Lance Van Nostrand]

I know I'm contributing late on this thread, but I have a fairly simplistic view on this.  I don't believe the P pattern and the Masters patterns are appreciably different in complexity.  There are three compelling reasons for flying FAI
1. you have the time to learn 2 sequences well and to fly the aresti book in preparation for a finals (if not, definitely stay in masters)
2. you want to be associated with people that have time to learn 2 sequences and the aresti book
3. the FAI competitor group is perceived as a better challenge match to your skills
Some people just enjoy the change of pace and switch back and forth, but they are rare in our area.

--Lance
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Grow Pattern 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 5:51 PM
  Subject: Re: What constitutes an FAI flyer.


  [To be clear I'm not pushing at all to make Masters fly FAI schedules.]

  Having said that I was intrigued by what Davel said about pushing FAI pilots back into Masters, or the other way, Masters not wanting to move up into FAI.

  In D-1 we have about 4 or 5 active FAI pilots and about 8 or 10 Masters pilots. To test the theory I thought about who would move back and could not see anyone who would. Then I looked other way and though about how many would not move up to FAI. I know these people pretty well and concluded that if they wanted to be in FAI that they already would be there. Maybe there is one who could have been thinking about it. (Just a casual analysis and certainly not intended to put a peer-squeeze on anyone)

  Then I thought about judging. We have a 2:1 ratio of masters pilots to FAI actually at the contests. Said another way, no shortage of judges to judge FAI. many of who have flown and judged at the Nat's. How is it in other NSRCA districts???

  In D-1 FAI is not top heavy and actually creates a shortage of judges for Masters.

  Back to the FAI topic. I must hastily insert that I have spent a lot of my time taking interest and care of the 401-404 classes. I am just taking some time to look into an FAI issue that seems neglected. When I took a poll of the FAI pilots about what they would like to see at the 2006 Nat's, they voted for a semi-finals format. This would mean that they would fly F-07 on the third day. They all understood that not all of them would make the cut to be in the next year's semi-final of 20.  I asked if this would be a deterrent to attending and they considered it to be attractive challenge.I quote "Both schedules are what being an FAI pilot is all about"

  Last year I could not even begin to think about flying F-05. The three roll circle was a show stopper for me. I could do the single roll loop but not very round. I find the 
  F-07 schedule a lot more friendly. The two roll circle has better points of reference. There are basically five half loops with a full roll in them. Get one sorted out and you are close to doing them all. They go up, down and horizontal. They are basically in-or-out full-roll inside or outside 1/2 loops. The vertical S is two of them in a row reversed, and gravity helps. The more you try and fly these maneuvers the more familiar they become and even doable!!!

  I may never get to fly the finals schedule in front of judges. I may be adventurous but I am not that good a pilot, never was :-)  I may also tick off enough of the Masters judges to be sure of never making it :-(

  I do know that I will fly it and one day after a ton of practice it might look like the descriptions. 

  Regards,

  Eric.

  P.S. Thank you all for responding. It is so much better getting feedback than trying to reason out a problem in a vacuum.- Eric. 
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