[NSRCA-discussion] More flexibility in class selection?

Wed Aug 15 14:48:19 AKDT 2007

I am flying masters and this is my forth year. I am just beginning to not
finish last. Can you see how discouraging it would be if I thought I had to
win? I enjoy flying the pattern, going to contests and seeing friends I have
met over the years, and that is why I continue. I have known many people
that have quit pattern because they stop winning. I still think I will
improve enough to be competitive in masters and then I will move to FAI.  

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of John Gayer
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:38 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] More flexibility in class selection?

Why does this apply to every class except Masters?? 
Aren't there better flyers available to learn from in FAI?  :)
John

Ken Thompson wrote: 

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!!!

You will only get better if you do one of two things,

1.  Fly against people that are better than you, obviously paying attention 
to their flights.

2.  Have a pilot that is better than you willing to coach you.

I've been blessed with having both...any contest I go to in D6 will have 
pilots that are better
than I am, and I have Archie as a coach to help me through the little 
things.

BTW:  I fully expect to be flying Masters in 6 or 7 years.  That will put me

at 54 or 55 years old when I make the move.

Personally I have no desire to go to contests and come in 1st or 2nd on a 
regular basis, AND stay in that
class...it simply won't make me a better pilot.  My goal is to get better 
every year, with hard work and patience,
it will happen.

Ken

----- Original Message ----- 
From:  <mailto:rcpattern at stx.rr.com> <rcpattern at stx.rr.com>
To: "NSRCA Mailing List"  <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
<nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] More flexibility in class selection?

I take exception to this.  FAI and Masters are not related.  I have
been flying masters several years, finishing as high as second this
year at the NATS.  Yes, I'm coming back next year in Masters.  I have
a goal of winning the nats before I move up.  I can be realistic...at
some point with enough practice I might be able to crack the finals in
FAI at the NATS, but I'm smart enough to know that realistically
winning FAI isnt going to happen.  I would also argue that the guys
that have been flying masters for years, just raise the bar.  I know
in different areas I've flown around the country, these are the guys
that make guys fly better.  Show up in District 6 sometime, and fly
Masters...you'll definitely get better.  6 of the top 10 at the NATS
were D6.  The means, guy that finished in the top 10 at the NATS in
what is probably top to bottom the most competitive class have trouble
getting wood at a local contest.  I can promise you though, the guys
that fly here have greatly
improved their flying than they would have in other parts of the
country.  Glen has set the bar here for a while, and I know the other
guys are pushing to catch him, and if you look now at local contest
scores, it is getting closer.  At any given time down here in D6, I'd
say 6 or 7 guys can take a round in masters.  Now that makes it fun. I
know when I was flying in D4 last year.  Every contest I went to, was
Verne K, and Steve Miller....I knew I'd better put up great flights
every flight and this makes you a better pilot.  I think you should
try moving up...take a year of the low 900's, and then see where you
are the following year.  I bet you start moving up and before you know
it you would be right there in the mix.  This is a competitive
activity and the only way you improve is flying against people who are
better than you.

Arch

----- Original Message -----
From: John Gayer  <mailto:jgghome at comcast.net> <jgghome at comcast.net>
Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 3:41 pm
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] More flexibility in class selection?
To: NSRCA Mailing List  <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
<nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>

Ron,
I take exception to those rules. There should be only one
destination
class. Why shouldn't there be a mandatory move from Masters to
F3A? They
are just two patterns with a natural progression as there is
between
Advanced and Masters.
Parking and sandbagging is a mental state, not a rules violation.
john

Ron Van Putte wrote:

The Master class is the top AMA class and there is no mandatory

move

from the Master class to F3A, so how can there be "parkers" or
"sandbaggers"?

Ron Van Putte

On Aug 15, 2007, at 2:10 PM, John Gayer wrote:

how about changing the AMA advancemant rule and keep it very

simple?>> Your first contest of the year will determine your class
for the

year. You may go up one class at any time during the year but

may not

go back down during the year. At the start of the next year you

may

drop back one class at your option, stay where you are or go up

a class.

This is simple enough that your fellow competitiors will know

if you

are following the rules. It will also be up to your fellow
competitiors to insure that you are not sandbagging.
I also feel strongly that sandbagging in Masters should not be
allowed. If you disregard Sportsman, then half of the classes

allow

parking. Obviously, F3A has to be a parking lot but I see no

reason

to allow this behavior in Masters. As a competant advanced

pilot of

somewhat advanced years, I have very little interest in moving

to

Masters in order to spend the rest of my pattern years trying

to

break 900 against the parkers.
I fail to see the logic in having two destination classes.

Shouldn't

we all aspire to progress to FAI? The current Masters schedule

is

designed as a stepping stone to Masters. Let's use it that way.

John Gayer
NSRCA 632

BUDDYonRC at aol.com wrote:

There was a proposal on the last rules cycle that would allow

a

person to move up and test his ability then move back if he

had not

attained the skills required for the higher class.  I

personally

think it is a good idea and I also see no need for the point

system

like someone said if someone abuses the privilege we can

solicit

Earl and four other guys his size to take him behind the barn

and

splain to him why he will be moving up. I believe peer

pressure is

all the control we need.
I think this is worth a try.
For those who have the ability and desire to achieve a spot at

the

top I don't see that we have a problem.
Buddy

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