[NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]

Wed Aug 22 20:46:28 AKDT 2007

Rex, Thanks for your thoughtful  reply. I agree we would have to 
consider any side effects before making any changes

I would like to make a few comments.
I'm very glad to hear you have a mentoring system in place in district 
8. It doesn't seem to be currently in place here in western district 6 
although it used to be. It would be good to have all districts 
participating in the same way. Perhaps you could explain exactly how it 
works up there?

I'm getting the impression that most of the membership agrees with you 
on having two destination classes. From the bottom looking up, it 
appears that there are only two advancement classes(intermediate and 
advanced) before you have to go out and compete against sponsored flyers 
who are among the best flyers in the world. This would be either Masters 
or F3A. Adding another class doesn't seem to be the answer considering 
current participation levels.I believe the crisis point in the system  
is the move up from advanced but we would have to have a good database 
history to prove such a point. In any case, from the feedback I have 
received, it appears very unlikely that this proposal will ever be 
accepted. However, one point in my proposal is an option year. With this 
provision, any pilot that finds himself over his head in the next class, 
can go back a class at the end of the year. This should help anyone who 
jumped too early and also force everyone to at least try the next class 
before abandonning the effort, considering the investment  in time and 
money to be excessive in the next class. I would like to see this 
implemented even if the advancement from masters to F3A is rejected.

John

Rex LESHER wrote:

> John
>  
> I'll jump right in and comment on what you propose....
>  
> *Revive the practice of assigning mentors to Sportsman and 
> Intermediate flyers*
>  
> We have been doing this all along, here in District 8.  I would
> hope that this is happening in all districts.  It's the best thing
> we can do as a group, to help the newer/inexperienced pilots...
>  
> *Create a National Database for Pattern*
>  
> This is an interesting idea...  Not sure that I would really keep track
> of where I stand, but I'm sure quite a few pilots would be interested
> in this.   The only concern would be getting someone to take care of
> this...   I do like the idea of having to be part of the NSRCA  to  
> see it.
> That would create leverage towards joining...   You are correct in the
> fact that a lot of different data could be generated from this....
>  
>  
>  
> *Redirect the focus to our international team competition through 
> modification of the advancement system*
>  
> I don't care for the idea that Masters gets thrown into the 
> advancement program.
> There are too many variables that pertain to the ability for all to 
> fly FAI.
> I like the idea of Masters being a destination class and the ability 
> to move back
> and forth between any AMA class and FAI at will...
> Here in the NW, I could see where it would be necessary to switch a 
> few pilots back and forth
> between Masters and FAI just to facilitate the ability to run a 
> contest with enough judges...
> Also, if forcing an advancement of Masters pilots to FAI is a way of 
> taking care of the "Bulge" of
> pilots flying in that class, all it would really do is create a 
> "Bulge" in FAI.  Or, pilots that have
> pointed out in Masters would quit....
> The idea that there are two "destination" classes is appealing as it 
> allows room at the top for expansion without
> forcing anyone UP or OUT....  there's no other way to go!
>  
>  
> Most of all, I'd like to take a moment and thank you for taking the 
> time to share your ideas, and
> make them available for comment.  I hope that you don't feel that I am 
> attacking you or your
> ideas in any way...   I really like the fact that you thought about 
> what you wanted to say and
> presented them in a fashion as to show your intentions....
> None of this is easy, as changing one thing can have adverse effects 
> on other aspects if not
> carefully thought through.    
>  
> Rex Lesher
>  
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* John Gayer <mailto:jgghome at comcast.net>
>     *To:* NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>     *Sent:* Wednesday, August 22, 2007 5:12 PM
>     *Subject:* [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]
>
>
>     I'd like to present three proposals that might appeal to a few if
>     not the many....
>     Modified from the original proposal . Apparently not many saw it.
>     The first one has been added
>     Comments?
>     John
>     NSRCA 632
>
>     *Revive the practice of assigning mentors to Sportsman and
>     Intermediate flyers
>
>     *At contests, assign an experienced competitor to mentor, call and
>     advise the Sportsman/ Intermediate flyers. This is nothing new,
>     but should be a part of every contest. We should try to provide a
>     connection that will last past the contest.
>     As I see it, there are four issues that drasticaly affect the
>     ability of these flyers to compete effectively: aircraft trimming,
>     execessive throws, wings level and centering(also known as flying
>     the airplane, not letting the airplane fly you).
>     These flyers have shown the initiative to come out and compete. We
>     owe them (and ourselves) all the help we can throw at them.
>
>
>     *Create a National Database for Pattern
>     *
>     The database must contain the raw scores of all flights for _all_
>     competitors by class. The only thing normalized scores are good
>     for is finding the right  finish order for each class at a
>     contest. Raw scores are much better for comparing results even at
>     a contest. For example I finish round one with a 930 and round two
>     with a 985, both to competitor A. Now did I fly a lot better in
>     round two(I thought I did)  or did competitor A flop a stall turn
>     in the figure M in round 2.
>     Anyway once you have the raw scores by competitor and class, you
>     can do the following:
>
>        1. Create a National Ranking for each class based on average
>           points per maneuver. Once this is in place and on line, we
>           will have a reason for pattern competitors to join NSRCA.
>           you can't tell me that there wouldn't be a lot of interest
>           in seeing who is hot around the country and how you stack up
>           against the competition. I know, the judging isn't always
>           equal but that's always been true and we have to live with it.
>        2. The data available on each competitor would include contests
>           entered, placing, advance points earned. The districts could
>           extract whatever data is required to ascertain the district
>           champions. We could archive previous years as well.
>        3. Other ways to specify advancement in class become available,
>           percentage of average FAI score, even eventually moving the
>           10 top-rated pilots up a class. Possibilities are endless
>           when you have the data.
>
>     Since the database would only be open to NSRCA members, if you
>     want to track your National standing, joining NSRCA would be a
>     must. If you want to see what the guy nobody heard of that just
>     rolled in from out of district has accomplished, look him up.
>     We've been looking for reasons  to join NSRCA, I feel this is one
>     that could be big and would be worth some investment in time and
>     money. I would be willing to help with such a project although I
>     don't feel like I could take it on by myself.
>
>     *Redirect the focus to our international team competition through
>     modification of the advancement system
>
>     *
>
>        1. Modify the advancement process to be consistent through all
>           classes from Sportsman through to F3A. See section two for
>           possible advancement criteria
>        2. Advancement can be forced by the advancement criteria(see
>           section 2) or voluntary.
>        3. The first year in a new and higher class is an option year.
>           At the end of the option year you can downselect one class
>           for any reason.
>
>     This has the advantage of being able to try out the higher class
>     for a year without committing your entire pattern career. If you
>     discover that the next class is beyond your means( time, money or
>     talent) then you option down the following year. If you absolutely
>     refuse to fly your new class, then perhaps you could use the time
>     and money to reintroduce your self to your wife, girlfriend, etc.
>     If you need a goal for the year, focus on making your rudder
>     commands instinctive, learn to fly a helicopter, learn to fly
>     rolling circles. You would probably come back a better pattern
>     flyer than when you left.
>
>
>
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