[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

Mon Apr 3 10:25:53 AKDT 2006

Sponsorship is not something that I like to talk about. Since the subject has been brought up, I would like to share my story/viewpoint.

  Back when I was very active in pattern, I was trying to become sponsored, as I felt it was the only way I would be able to afford to fly pattern competitively. I cut my teeth flying a Cap 21 (four servos and an OS Surpass 1.20) in Advanced and Masters, and managed to win the district points championship in the Masters class in '92. I could not get any sponsors. I put together a low budget pattern plane for '93. Same engine, stubby muffler, 20 year old retracts, old Futaba 7ch radio. I managed to win the Nats in '93 with that plane. I was able to pick up a local startup fuel sponsor, but no equipment sponsors. After several letters to Futaba, they did make me a field rep. No free equipment, I had to buy my equipment but it was discounted and for that I was VERY grateful.  

  I was looking ahead to flying at the Nats in '95 but still did not have any equipment sponsors. However, I was talking with a fellow club member about my situation one day, and he (his company) sponsored my trip to the '95 Nats. Although I finished mid-pack in the FAI class, I did finish 3rd in one round.  Still no equipment sponsors.

  I don't think it was my personality. I try to be a likeable guy, willing to help others. After my two visits to the Nats, I was pretty convinced that personality must not have much to do with it anyway. There was one well known sponsored pilot that I met at each Nats that was the most arrogant, egotistical person that I think I have ever met, and most people that I talk to feels the same way about this person. (I did score higher than him in two rounds at the '95 Nats, though!!)

  During all of this, I had spent a lot of time flying. In '96 I changed jobs, moved to a new house, and had a 2 year old son.  All the flying was taking away time from my family, so dropped out of flying. Not just pattern, flying altogether. It was not until last year when my son became interested that I got back into flying.

  This year I dusted off my old Finesse and started flying it again. I was looking forward to competing with it. However, I crashed it a few weeks ago. I had to make a decision about whether I wanted to invest in a new plane. Keep in mind that a lot of things have changed, like engines and digital servos, etc. I was probably looking at dropping $2000 into new equipment. I decided against it.

  My son is just starting to get into the hobby, and I want this to be HIS hobby. I don't want him to feel like I'm dragging him around, I want him to feel like he is there because he wants to be there. He is showing more interest in foamies, 3d and IMAC planes, so that is where I am going to put my money for now. I've always had an interest in scale aerobatics, and I already have most of the equipment I need to get started at least in the IMAC Sportsman class.

  I don't want it to sound like I don't have money to spend on pattern, I could spend the money if I wanted to. However, I went through a layoff 3 years ago, and I am a little gun-shy about spending money on things like toy airplanes that can go splat. Maybe I just don't have the fire inside that I used to have.

  I don't really have anything against sponsored pilots. Good for them if they can become sponsored. However, being sponsored does give them an advantage that makes it hard for the unsponsored, with equal skill, to overcome, IMHO.

  Maybe this all sounds a little "sour grapes". I don't know. It is what it is.

  Bob R.

"Del K. Rykert" <drykert2 at rochester.rr.com> wrote:
          Sponsorship does have negative aspects also Nat.  Well true, that the majority of sponsored pilots have garnered their sponsorship through their genuine ability this has not always been the case. Sponsorship, can give some pilots, if all other things are equal regarding skill an advantage. Is very similar to the argument that it is not the equipment... BUT the skill of the pilot that is truly the difference. The truth is better equipment, whether obtained through ones own pockets that may be deeper than others or through sponsorship does make the workload less for the competitive pilot so they can focus more of their energy on improving their skills.  The disadvantaged always have a harder time overcoming obstacles that money or sponsorship does allow. IMHO. 
      The raw numbers of competitors is low enough without making a new group of sponsored pilots. But it might help if sponsored pilots were only allowed in the Masters & FAI classes if there ever was a need to address the issue. 

                   Del 
          nsrca - 473

    ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Nat Penton 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 5:29 PM
  Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

  The sponsored pilot received his sponsorship because of his skill and dedication. He did not gain competitive advantage due to the sponsorship. It is a priviledge and opportunity to be able to fly alongside this talent and partake of their skills and knowledge. It is one aspect of the hobby for which I am most appreciative.

  There have been infrequent critizisms thru the years wanting to put the sponsored pilot in a separate group. Maybe "sour grapes" should just work a little harder.
                                                  Nat Penton

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