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

[Ron Van Putte]

On Dec 27, 2006, at 11:55 PM, Lance Van Nostrand wrote:

> Matt,
>
> Your comments alarm me.  I have astigmatism in my left eye and my  
> favorite flying glasses are Serengeti's with the Sedona (rose)  
> lens.  What should I do?

Oh, oh!  I use Zurich rose sunglasses.

Ron Van Putte

>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rcmaster199 at aol.com
> To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arm Chair pilot....
>
> Since moving to the NE, I managed to attend 1 full blown contest  
> primarily due to business commitments. There were several on the  
> docket but that's all I could attend.
>
> However, earlier in the season, I attended and assisted in 3  
> primers. I'd like to think that the fellows attending got something  
> out of the primers, even if they never attend a full blown contest  
> again. If they never attend, was the effort in vain?? I think not.  
> I see long time pattern guys making continuous efforts along  
> similar lines, mentoring new guys. The K-Factor is often a key  
> ingredient.
>
> Is there a decline? Perhaps there is, at least somewhat, here in NE  
> anyway. But considering the problems we have had finding, obtaining  
> the rights to and maintaining a decent flying site, I understand  
> perfectly why the problems may exist, here in NE. My club field for  
> example is year to year and it's doubtful we could ever host an  
> event due to the uncertainty.
>
> We have a bunch of high level, dedicated pattern people in the NE.  
> Although the present state of pattern here may not show it, I  
> believe that seeds are being sown for the future.
>
> When I was D3 VP a couple years back,  I saw first hand a  
> resurgence of sorts, adding a couple new meets and we even had  
> Tangerine making an initial bid for a comeback, and it worked. I  
> was pleased to hear from the guys that this year's Tangerine was  
> successful. That's all great stuff.
>
> I think we should be looking at the national scene rather than our  
> own back yard in this case. It would be naive to view it through  
> rose colored glasses but we shouldn't let astigmatism rule either
>
> Happy New Year everybody
>
> MattK
>
> In a message dated 12/27/2006 7:22:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
> drykert2 at rochester.rr.com writes:
> 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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