[NSRCA-discussion] Participation

[spbyrum]

SPA participation is limited - Last fall and again as our Spring contest
approaches, I've made an attempt to open SPA up.  I've offered to allow
any plane up to 70" square in special experimental classes.  This would
allow guys who have become inactive for a variety of reasons but still
have older equipment they enjoy to compete is a simple format.  It would
also allow any ARF up to that size.  Power is not restricted.
 
Last Fall, we made two new friends.  This Spring, there is 0 response.
Consequently, I've cancelled the Open classes for our Spring SPA
contest.  I can only conclude that those who say they'd compete "if  . .
. . " are all talk and no action.  This is a difficult thing we attempt,
and most people want an "Easy" button.
 
That being said, I've heard the suggestion that we fly the Sportsman
pattern in front of sport pilots to show them what is expected of THEM.
The fear expressed to me was that they see what we do and think it is
required of them.  We need to take pains to show them their requirements
are not as stringent as ours.
 
We, as a group, are not snobs, but we do need to remember that it takes
a bit more than average ego to stand in front of our peers and
effectively say, "I'm better than you.  Watch this!"  Tempering the ego
might be a good thing in front of fellow club members.
 
Steve Byrum 
-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of White,
Chris
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 8:59 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Participation
 
Good question Eric.. Come to think of it the only promotion I've seen of
pattern is the NSRCA add in Model Aviation mag.  (The one with the
Eclipse in flight)
How best to promote pattern..can't wait to read the responses.  I've
considered ideas about a lower cost event, but SPA exists and that
participation is limited.  It seems that IMAC attracts a lot of people,
but in reality we have more pattern contests within 6 hours of Tulsa
than we do IMAC.  I counted it up in 2004 and there were about 8
contests available at that range.   Cost to fly pattern is probably a
restriction to some, but I would guess that it just looks boring and
expensive to a lot of people. Pattern to me is the purest form of RC
next to RC Soaring, you would think it would attract all on its own.  I
think that maybe part of the bad rap among club members is that some of
us are pretty wrapped up in getting practice time in on a time limited
schedule.  (A big factor for me that probably leads people to believe
that I'm snobbish or something.actually I'm just focused and not very
adept at multi-tasking:-) )
 
I guess if half the RC public was interested in aerobatics, and got a
chance to fly a good 2m airplane we could probably recruit the half of
them.
 
Chris
 
 
  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Grow
Pattern
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 7:58 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Participation
 
I wanted to open up the subject of participation. There has been a lot
written about NSRCA membership numbers but I wonder if that has anything
to do with the participation at contest numbers?
 
My rough estimates are that we have around 30 active contestants per
districts. (The District VP's would probably know best how many
different individuals actually compete in their Districts). If you
multiply that by 8 NSRCA districts you get 240 pattern pilots who
compete nationwide.
 
When we have an NSRCA national election we get about 250 voters and when
we do a rules/schedule-survey we get between 100 and 200 replies. This
would suggest that we have about 200 people who are "active" in our
sport and its administration.
 
While I sincerely applaud any activity, such as the Grand event in SC,
to keep our participants interested and help them improve their skills
and enjoy their competitive flying even more, I am still looking for
that certain something that would help the participation grow.
 
I have seen some sterling efforts to run primers year after year by
heroes in our organization, but beyond that I don't have much of a
database of ideas or plans to grow what we do. I see nothing in or local
hobby shops that encourage pattern. I know that pattern competition and
even the pattern pilots themselves are not that welcome at the local
club fields.
 
We have a major image problem. No get-well strategy that I can see. A
shortage of tactics and tools that any of us can use.
 
Of course you may think that there is no problem and that if it isn't
broken don't fix it. I could be all wrong. In fact the general reaction
of the NSRCA board the last time I addressed this issue with them, was
that we didn't need a promotions and marketing person to focus on and
coordinate this activity
 
We often fall into the trap of trying to act like a ruling body. We have
the AMA for that and the AMA contest board for that, so I still ask the
question, if our mission is to promote and grow our sport, what is the
plan?.
 
Regards,
 
Eric.
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