[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

[John Pavlick]

Bob,
 How much does it cost to get started in IMAC? I've seen some of those big
gas planes and they look really cool. I don't have one yet, but if the price
were right I might give one a try. I got started in pattern for around
$1100.00 - I already had a transmitter and flight box etc. and I bought used
equipment. If I could spend the same and get a nice big Edge or Extra I
might start looking at that stuff. Just wondering.

John Pavlick
http://www.idseng.com


  -----Original Message-----
  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.
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