[NSRCA-discussion] The Pilot

[George Kennie]

The sponsor is probably not always going to realize the hoped for
gain, irrespective of the celebrity status of the recipient.
In point of fact, I wonder how many individuals ran out to buy
Airtronics radios now that Chip is a representative. I would
seriously doubt that there would be many (maybe without the "m"!).
Product notoriety, established by John Q. Sportflyer, is probably
more effective than some celebrity endorsements.
G.

Ted Sander wrote:

>
> 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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