[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

[Ted Sander]

Just had to add to the chatter - yes, the best get sponsorship.  But don't
forget, the main obligation of that sponsorship is to represent the product
- "sell" it, as it were.  Maybe not directly pitching it, but making sure
the name is always out there, and at least passively influencing everyone
else to buy it.  The criteria for choosing who gets the highest levels of
stuff may be arcane and hard to judge based on performance or personality,
but I guarantee that the perceived ability of the pilot to appropriately
market the items is a big factor in the decision makers eyes.  And that
includes making it to as many "big" event possible, continuing to win,
perhaps appearances at trade shows, ads, and any other vehicle that the
pilot and the company can come together on to put the product out in the
public eye.  No harm in any of that, if the pilot does like the product, but
whatever they receive at a discount or for free gets paid for many times
over through their time and efforts to do right by their sponsor.  They have
to work pretty hard to earn the benefit, and work even harder to keep it.

 

Ted Sander

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ken Thompson
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 5:31 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

 

I've read most of the replies in this discussion thread.  I'm sure my take
on this subject has been stated before, but I'm going to give it any way.

 

These pilots are not winning because they are sponsored, they are sponsored
because they are winning.  I don't see that fact as a detriment to the pilot
that pays his own way, nor do I see this as a reason to add expense to local
contests by giving out additional plaques.

 

I, for one, will never be good enough to get a sponsorship, I know that
fact, and am ok with it.  I will go out and do my best, practice when I can,
and have a ball!  

 

If I can't afford the best of the best, it's ok, I'll fly what I can afford.
I happen to have a very good plane this year, however, it's only because
Mark gave me a great deal on his El Nino that I have a great plane.  If it
was necessary, I would still be flying my LA-2, and I would be ok with that,
because I would still be having fun.

 

The only way that I see a sponsorship as a HUGE advantage is if it entailed
fuel.  That would be nice, but again, if I couldn't afford YS 20/20 or DZ, I
would be running a ST-2300, cheap fuel and a lot of power for the money.

 

Some things I will be doing this year are as follows, 

 

1.  Practicing as much as I can.

2.  Learning every chance I get.

3.  Having fun.

 

Something I will not be doing this year,

 

1.  Worrying about the fact that I'm not sponsered.

 

Ken Thompson

D4


  

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of
DaveL322 at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 11:47 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

Recently, in the US, the idea that "we are all winners" and everyone should
be awarded for participating and trying hard in competive environments has
been propagated in many areas.

 

There is no doubt that we could easily create enough categories (Jr, Sr,
Open, unsponsored, over 60, most improved, etc) such that everyone could be
a winner at every pattern contest.

 

The take away I saw from the emails from Ed and Matt was pretty simple -
pattern competition is just that - competition.  And all competitions
traditionally recognize the top finisher, or the top 3, or top 10%, with
awards/trophies/etc.  I'm with Ed and Matt - I like the award system in
pattern the way it is, just my opinion.  Promoting pattern and encouraging
growth/participation are a separate issue with many avenues available
outside of awards/trophies/etc, again, just my opinion.

 

Regards,


Dave Lockhart

DaveL322 at comcast.net

 

 

 

 


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