[NSRCA-discussion] OK it's time to stir things up. Where's the beef?

[Mike Hester]

I like the idea of "qualifying" by flying at least 3 contests prior to the team trials. Didn't we used to do this? However, as has been stated, there are other factors.

Somebody mentioned Jason, he is an exception. But has been for years. he not only competes locally, but is also active on the lists and forums, very helpful, usually not arguementative, and you don't get the feeling that his comments are tainted by sponsorship. Also, he's an absolute riot to be around at contests. 

Now here's one huge problem, let's take right now for instance. Take any local pattern contest, what's the prize for 1st place? Usually a piece of wood and a "you da man!" What's the top prize for the Don Lowe masters? A pretty good paycheck. So, other things may take priority.

Keep in mind these guys are playing a different game than most of us. There's money involved, and they're playing for keeps. Anywhere there's competition, there's going to be money involved. It's just a question of degree.

On the sponsorship stickers....c'mon man, I had stickers on my plane when I wasn't sponsored. I liked the idea of advertising and supporting a company/product I really liked, or had treated me exceptionally well. The only issue I've ever had with sponsorships is that in certain cases, you have to make sure the sponsored person is telling you the WHOLE truth, and giving the right advise to the right person. An FAI pilot telling a sportsman guy how to equip and set up his plane is cool at first glance, but if the sportsman guy flies the exact same set up at the FAI guy, he may be in way over his head. The sequences require different things. In FAI performance is the #1 consideration, in sportsman reliability is much more important.

Just adding some stirring, this one ain't boiling yet =)

-Mike

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mike mueller 
  To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:03 AM
  Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] OK it's time to stir things up. Where's the beef?


   I have an observation that I've made that disturbes me. I don't think that we are getting enough of the top notch or team worthy flyers participating on a local level. 
   I think that in the future the team trials need to be revamped so that a flyer wanting to make the team would be required to fly in at least 3 to 5 local contests per year.
   Here's why I think this is important. We need the top names in our sport to be part of the sport from a leadership standpoint. Imagine a QQ showing up to fly against Andrew at a local contest. It would be much more exciting to watch and it would therefore promote more interest. If we continue on the path we are going interest in pattern will continue to slide.
   In the 70's when the team selection was known as the Masters you had to fly your way into the contest by accumulating points on the local level. It was exciting. Were totally missing the boat with our present system.
   So here's the deal. Support the real pattern flyers who make the effort to support us and we will all be better off. Oh and for what it's worth I think we would be better off all around if we didn't allow any stickers or blatant advertising of any products in our sport. Let's get back to the flyers who do it on there own without all the sponsorships.
   All this is just what I've seen in the last 6 years of flying after a 15 year absence for the hobby.  TIA for letting me vent and as my budddy Bobby Satalino would say "Have a nice day"!        Mike Mueller


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