[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

Mon Apr 3 11:02:36 AKDT 2006

Bob,

Thanks for sharing your story.  The other angle on it this and I'll use
myself as an example:  Any discount I've received bar none, has been GREATLY
spent back into the sport by attending high number of contests, all the
travel gas money associated with it, and a nearly uncountable # of "extra"
miles I've driven to remote flying sites just to get some practice in  -
many times having to just turn around and go home because of bad weather or
whatever. The equipment is a one time purchase (discounted or full price),
where as the total cumulative effort to practice and attend contests is
repetitive and in my case far out weighs anything else.

However, given that I'm sort of studying the differences between IMAC and
Pattern this year from a perspective of practicing, contests, & equipment,
the main point of my email response is that your note below ABSOLUTELY
applies in IMAC.  Competitive IMAC flying could cost you 3 to 4 times more
than any pattern investment (including electric power).  This weekend turned
out to be very expensive for me:  1.  The 3W that was running on one
cylinder so much has literally destroyed the canisters.  I'm thinking to go
with the standard mufflers at $150/pair, instead of moving to the steel MTW
canister/headers at roughly $450/pair.  2.  Had to purchase a well used
backup 3W 150 TOC with old ignition style and old carburetor ($1000).  3.
Once I had a good running engine making some balls-out power, determined
that I need to add one more aileron servo per wing.  4.  Decided to "ensure"
all the servos were getting their proper voltage and upgraded the power
system to the Smart-Fly Power Expander and Turbo Regulator.  My little
lion-chargers were not up to snuff and needed to get a Fromcoe 3 port
charger so the entire plane can charge at 2 amps at one time.  As for number
of flights, I am right about 50 total flights - low flying time and huge
extra costs driven by the poor running 3W with new style ignition and
destructive vibration.  

If you ever want to appreciate what pattern has, and what in my opinion the
current rules have ultimately had on cost, go and out fit an unlimited style
setup for IMAC.  Then, go to the contests and break something.  Sure, some
people have walked into it without problems, while other have trailers with:
Extra motors, extra motor parts, extra exhaust systems, extra ignitions,
extra Power Boxes, Spare Plane or two, spare servos/receivers.  Thus,
getting back your statements below, I see them as incredibly accurate
(honestly), of what can happen in scale aerobatics, and not so applicable on
the pattern seen (given the difference in scale of economy -no pun
intended). I would almost go so far as to draw the line and say you cannot
be competitive without sponsorships in IMAC, where as with pattern, you can
get into it with an OS 140, Dave L 3 blade, ARF, and it will typically
out-fly your abilities.  

Thanks,

Jim W.

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Bob Richards
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 2:26 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

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 <mailto:natpenton at centurytel.net>  Penton 

To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

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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