Growing pattern

Fri Nov 18 06:03:06 AKST 2005

I'll kick this dead horse a bit more....

First please understand I like pattern...I really do...but for reasons that
are probably different than most people on this list.  I don't compete
either so none of you know me (for those that may be saying "Who the heck is
this guy").  No one at my field flies pattern either although many have
basic pattern capable planes but don't appreciate them as such.

Pattern is to Radio Controlled as Fly Fishing is Fishing or Bowhunting is to
hunting.  There are a lot more involved in the latter than the prior in each
case.  The more specialized an activity the less people are involved....I
just think that is natural.  Specialization in anything takes an incremental
amount of committment that most people are not willing to invest.  I don't
know what percentage of Radio Controlled Airplane enthusiasts are reasonably
involved in pattern.  But it may just be a normal amount (can't define that
obviously) and if so all the head scratching in the world won't increase
numbers.

Having said that though there are always some things that can be done to
maintain one's sport and if it grows a little in the process then thats a
bonus.  As Mr. Hester's post suggests to me anyway this is as simple as
sharing your passion with others.  Give freely of your time and energy to
others when you sense they have a baseline interest in the activity you want
to promote and let the chips fall as they may...

It also helps to look at barriers to pattern as well.  People on this list
have debated the need to have the fancy 2M planes (hard to guess I don't
have one of those)...money....time etc.  But here is something I picked up
years ago at my field as some guys were chewing the fat and it is absolutely
a barrier to pattern:

"Pattern is boring."  I hear it all the time...I don't feel that way but I
always hear it.
"They stand around all day long to fly two of three times...plus they fly so
far away you can't even see or hear the plane!  Plus everyone is quiet like
they are on the first tee of a golf event."

Its hard for folks to make a connection with pattern.  Evidence the
statements above.  What would be the first impression of someone thinking
about taking up radio controlled flying if you took him to a pattern event?
They aren't feeling the competition.  They don't understand scoring.  They
don't understand they are watching prescribed sequences.  And they most
certainly don't appreciate all the great stuff that goes into plane
construction, set-up, technology etc. etc.  So what do they connect with?

Contrast the above with the first impression of  fun-fly, freestlye flying
or IMAC events (which ostensibly don't have the same barrier as I have
defined it).  Here they are more likely to connect with something.  The
young kids think the planes sound cool.  The fancy manuevers...smoke
systems...flying to music...hovering...low passes...combat etc.  It feels
more spectacular.  Sure...just like pattern there is scoring, prescribed
sequences, set-up, plane construction etc.  But that isn't the connection
that is being made.  This doesn't make these events better....just easier
for most people to connect with initially.

Some people end up migrating to pattern but its only after they connect with
RC in another forum or context.  I don't think any of you guys started RC in
pattern...could I be corrected on that?

So this is about pulling people that are already flying into pattern by
getting them to connect.  Thats pretty simple.  Which brings us back to Mr.
Hester....just share your passion.  Help them trim their plane (because
pattern guys are expert at that), let them fly your plane (because they
wouldn't believe how beautiful pattern guys set them up), challenge them to
fly straight and level in a roll (because thats the kind of stuff pattern
lives by) etc.  The rest will take care of itself!

Just my perspective and some food for thought.

Later.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Hochhalter" <chochhalter at direcway.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 5:26 AM
Subject: RE: Growing pattern

> Ed, you are right on.  I think there are tons of small seemingly
> insignificant times when we could expose people to pattern and the joy
> in learning the skills needed to fly it.  Notice I did not say compete.
> There are those out there and I fully understand this who don't want
> their hobby to be a means of competition so I try to get them to just
> learn to fly the maneuvers to gain the feel for precision in their
> flying.
>
> I too monitor RCU and in basic help questions I try to respond but I am
> fairly new to pattern, 3rd year but still learning equipment and yes, I
> am developing some strong opinions about setups.  Who would have thought
> that?
>
> As for what I can do, I wouldn't mind being the accumulator of info.
> Someone sent me an email and the question was asked... is this for
> technical help or to recruit.  I would like to see the video as a
> recruiting tool.
>
> How many hobby shops do you see with vcrs and dvd players now?
>
> I think we should give this a try.  If you have any inflight video that
> would be great. We could even post on the NSRCA website downloadable
> planes for G2 sim and the Aerofly Pro sim??  Just a thought.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Chuck Hochhalter
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
> On Behalf Of Ed Alt
> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 4:19 AM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: RE: Growing pattern
>
> So Chuck, what do you plan on doing after this email post of yours?  I'm
>
> away on business travel this week and only have a few minutes a day to
> monitor the list and have been patiently watching for something more to
> pop
> up regarding this topic, so thanks for that.  I feel strongly about the
> need
> to do several positive things to grow Pattern.  I have some definite
> ideas
> and suggestions for our D1 VP to consider, as well as the rest of the
> NSRCA
> leadership.  For example, designate a small team per region to monitor
> forums such as RCU to see who is asking aerobatics related questions
> that
> may deserve answers from the Pattern community.
>
> I try to do this in both the Pattern and IMAC forums.  Every week or two
> on
> average there is someone asking a question or posting a response in the
> IMAC
> forum who just might be a real Pattern candidate, if only they were a
> little
> better informed.  So I try to inform them with what I have learned so
> far.
> It's usually very basic stuff too.  Guys are always asking things like
> "Gee,
> I  still have this (fill in the blanks) 70 inch wingspan thing" that
> fits
> into what could be flown in Pattern Sportsman or IMAC Basic.  The post
> always contains basic bio info such as where they are from, so I go to
> Mapquest and then to the D1 website and give them an answer which
> includes
> things like what contests there are in D1 that they can reach out and
> touch
> easily.  I also tell them something about the IMAC contests that still
> exist
> (yes, they are on the DECLINE in the NE as Pattern is simultaneously
> GROWING
> in D1).  Everything I give them is 100% factual based on what I know
> about
> IMAC history in my region (I used to be the IMAC NE Regional Director)
> and
> is based on the last contest season for both IMAC and Pattern as a
> reasonable point of reference.
>
> Chuck, we aren't likely to get more than a handful of responses on the
> list
> that aren't meant to tickle the funny bone and make fun of the topic.
> I'm a
> little disappointed too.  So I suggest that you and the other few who
> might
> have a similar interest just grab your district VP by the collarbone and
>
> yank.  Get your ideas directly into their ear and insist on active
> participation and results.  I think that our district VP is of a similar
>
> mindset and there probably isn't going to be much to block progress with
> him
> by brainstorming and taking initiative, other than the normal pressures
> we
> all have in our daily lives.  Put some pressure on your leadership to
> actually do something if they aren't already.  That's where delegation
> of
> responsibility comes in if they are too busy to do it all themselves,
> which
> is totally understandable.  Inaction, however, isn't forgiveable..  If
> you
> really care about this and think it's a real problem, then please do
> more
> than simply complain to this email list, because it will take more than
> that
> for real results.
>
> Regards,
> Ed
>
>
>
>
> >From: Chuck Hochhalter <chochhalter at direcway.com>
> >Reply-To: discussion at nsrca.org
> >To: discussion at nsrca.org
> >Subject: Growing pattern
> >Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:34:47 -0600
> >
> >Well, it appears after a flurry of messages, lots of discussion,
> >realizing a problem..
> >
> >
> >Again.. there has not been ANYTHING done to try and come up with a
> >slight game plan to help pattern.
> >
> >IT WILL DIE!
> >
> >This really pisses me off that so many people can get on the list, say
> >what all the problems with pattern, the NSRCA, the AMA and other
> members
> >and don't do crap about trying to be part of the solution or contribute
> >more than just their opinions.
> >
> >The same thing happened with the "vote" on the list response method
> (btw
> >thanks for fixing it imo).  There was a flurry of opinions then
> nothing.
> >(not taking a shot at the moderator, I appreciate your hard work) but
> >then there was silence till one lone person mentioned it, then another
> >flurry.
> >
> >Didn't I hear something about the NATS possibly traveling again?  Wow ,
> >what  a worthwhile topic for people to be involved in as this would be
> a
> >great way to spread pattern and expose it to others rather than just
> >bringing the pattern community to one "overexposed" so to speak spot.
> >
> >How about the idea to do a combined event with IMAC, this would
> possibly
> >convert or "cross-train" some IMAC pilots?
> >
> >I just don't see why it seems the only good that comes from this list
> is
> >when people have equipment needs.. what about our sanctioning body and
> >our sport.
> >
> >Sorry to ramble but it just doesn't make any sense. Do we not have the
> >organization to address these issues?  What is the purpose of the NSRCA
> >then?
> >
> >
> >Section 2 - Purpose of the Society
> >a. Act as a focal point for rules development and progression. Gather
> >intelligence from the AMA precision aerobatics community to provide the
> >basis for AMA rules change proposals
> >b. Promote precision aerobatics in the general R/C community by
> >providing leadership in all of the objectives of the society.  .
> >c. Enhance model precision aerobatics as a recognized sport.
> >d. Develop and provide high standards in judging for competitions and
> >provide qualifications and achievement recognition for judges.
> >
> >Anyone notice E.  what is being done to accomplish this and the other
> >purposes of our "society"?
> >
> >
> >Chuck Hochhalter
> >
> >I skipped the flame suit and went straight for a bunker.
> >
>
>
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