[NSRCA-discussion] Arm Chair pilot....

[Del K. Rykert]

Rex..
    What I meant by an armchair pilot is I have not flown my planes in 3 years..  Thus have not competed at all in that time. The last 3 years I subscribed to support this SIG and try to stay in the loop in case I returned to competition. In my area which had 7 and 8 contests per year I could easily travel to and compete in has dwindled to 2 or 3 at best. Some sites that used to allow on site camping now don't.  
    I am disturbed some of the powers that have been elected are in denial there is or has been a continuous and steady decline.  Some have even been putting in print that pattern is well and growing.  Well excuse me..  But quit micro managing and look at the big picture folks.  If the numbers are to be accepted and believed the undeniable fact is pattern is still and continues in a decline. Many factors contribute to this decline. 
    I am not against the raising of the dues $10.00.  It does bother me the way it was announced and at the last minute. That information should have been in print in the K-Factor in Septembers issue and printed on the renewal forms. These factors all contribute to make the straw I mentioned in my 1st post on this thread. 
 
                 Del 
          nsrca - 473
         AMA - 8928
        kb2joi - General  
     

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rex LESHER 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 4:19 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] What the NSRCA does (and could do) for me


  None of this is a big deal to me....  I spent the equivalment of the 25% dues raise on breakfast this morning,including the tip...
  I'm a little at a loss on the meaning of "armchair pilot"....  Does that mean that you don't fly contests?  If so, that would mean that
  you pay your dues just to get the Kfactor, and sort of stay in the loop.  That would also indicate that none of rules, changes in sequences,
  or anything the least bit important to an active pattern flyer would have any affect on you....
  Here in D8, pattern is alive and well.  Considering our weather, and geographical locations for contests, we do pretty well, and I haven't heard any real complaints....  We draw a lot of flyers from Canada and California to help fill in the ranks at contests.  Growth is small, but we are seeing a steady, slight increase in numbers.  That's just the way it is!!!  
  Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being an "armchair pilot", I'm just having a problem with understanding your complaint...  I spend thousands of dollars on planes, and around $500 per contest on travel expenses.  If I go to the Nats, that's about 6000 miles, and two weeks of
  time and money...  $10 extra for helping the hobby I hold so dear is sort of like the time I lose out of my life during a sneeze!!!!
  Look at it this way, pay the ten extra bucks, it allows you to complain on the list...  It also gives people like me the opportunity to jump on it like a rabid dog!!!
  I, for one, am very supportive of all the people that have always donated their time and efforts towards running the NSRCA....  They are taking time out of their lives to make "our" lives a little better.  They actually do have our best interests at heart, and if all they are asking for is $10 dollars extra a year, I'm not going to question it.  If I do, I better be prepared to jump in and help....    For what it's worth.

  Rex Lesher
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Del K. Rykert 
    To: NSRCA Mailing List 
    Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 10:39 AM
    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] What the NSRCA does (and could do) for me


        Even with all the ingenious ideas, membership, pattern attendance and 
    contests have shrunk the last few years. It would also seem time to trim the 
    budget and some line items in the organization.  I would think the majority 
    of members would prefer at least a 2 or 3 month notice that a dues increase 
    was coming. Was it only decided by the board in December to raise the dues? 
    This last minute notification gives some the impression no one is minding 
    the store.
        A 25% dues increase is a big jump. This armchair pilot says it is the 
    final straw.

                         Del
              nsrca - 473

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