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

Thu Sep 28 10:08:27 AKDT 2006

<<<<Has anyone got any stats on the effectivity of the pattern primers?   I know of some new guys who've come into it this way.>>>> 

Just by way of encouragement to those who may feel some degree of frustration at their lack of results in trying to entice the local genre to give pattern a try. In my local area, there are several clubs that I hold memberships in and these people have watched me fly sequence upon sequence for about the last eight years.Some of these individuals display some degree of interest/desire while others view my efforts with outright disdain.
My feeling is that there is not a heck of a lot you can do on and individual basis to induce someone to apply themselves to the pursuit of our passion.There has to already be some competitive/challenge aspect to their basic personality that makes them want to conquer the unknown difficulty eating away at the root of their psyche and if it just happens to be pattern that fires up their competitive drive at that particular time we may have discovered a possible conscription.
For all the years that I have been exposing the locals to our particular art-form the peanut gallery has not contained the enlightened/gifted someone 'til the last year or so. About a year ago one of the local sport flyers who I had not previously known stepped forth and informed me that his hero was none other than CPLR, and one day his intent was to replace Christophe on the World Podium. Well I did everything I could to encourage him to realize his dream and this year I prodded him into attending a local primer (which he felt was a long way to travel) in which he finished 1st in Sportsman.
Now let me tell you that this individual is by no means an accomplished pattern flyer, but the result of this simple achievement produced a knee-jerk reaction in his local club, as there were other individuals who, feeling that they were certainly every bit the flyer as he, decided that they could duplicate his performance. 
By the next contest, we had two new participants and lately there has been another individual expressing a serious interest in joining the ranks. And we have noticed a couple of more guys paying close attention to the goings on.
The important thing to remember here is that these results don't stem from anything that I did, but what a beginner has been able to accomplish with minimal determination. An example set by an individual who is regarded as an equal is far more effective than some fantastic demo put on by someone who is viewed by the audience as occupying an unattainable status. 
Just wanted us to know that I feel quite thrilled about these gratifying results. Thanks for listening.
G.  

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: White, Chris 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:00 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] OK it's time to stir things up. Where'sthebeef?

  Good discussion and no doubt that If I were going to fly a contest with Jason or someone of that caliber.I'd be there and would promote it heavily.  I can sure sympathize with their contest demands though.. 

  Not meaning to change the subject, assuming it is still growing pattern..  Has anyone got any stats on the effectivity of the pattern primers?   I know of some new guys who've come into it this way.  

  Chris

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  From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hester
  Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:47 AM
  To: NSRCA Mailing List
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] OK it's time to stir things up. Where's thebeef?

  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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