[NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]
Rex LESHER
trexlesh at msn.com
Wed Aug 22 22:15:50 AKDT 2007
John
We don't really have a mentoring "system" in place here in D8... It just happens. The CD sees there is a first timer and goes
to one of the Masters guys and gets them to help... It usually doesn't take that long though. Whenever someone new shows up, they
are swarmed with help. We know everyone up here that flys pattern, so the new guys stick out!!!!
I do think that some sort of program or awareness needs to be discussed on this topic... It's tough being the new guy, and
it's very helpful to have an "old hand" there to help.
Having an "Option" period is a good idea for those who aren't sure if they are up to the task.... I don't think that it would take a year, possibly
one or two contests would be enough. I could see where someone moves up, can't handle it and wants to move back down. Why make them
suffer for an entire season? Where this would be most apparent, is the jump from Advanced to Masters... It's not the sequence that is deceivingly
too hard, it's the level of competition. I remember my jump to Masters... I knew the sequence very well, as I'd been judging it for two years.
I jumped at the last contest of that season. Wow! I quickly realized that being able to win or place high in Advanced had absolutely nothing
to do with competing against 10 year Masters pilots!
I've never been a real supporter of the mandatory move up for any of the classes. My point of view is that while competing in the lower classes
and learning as you go, you are more concerned with gaining abilities than having to compete against the occasional sandbagger....
It's been my experience that a sandbagger will get heckled to the point that they won't be able to take it very long! Also, most pilots that are capable of moving up are generally urged to do so by flyers from the higher classes that are judging them.
There is a whole different level of commitment between flying comfortably in Masters and trying to compete at the international level
in FAI... there are alot of reasons, but this is one of the things that makes both Masters and FAI "destination" classes, and why most want to
keep it that way. Look at it this way: As a pilot advances up through the ranks, the competition rises exponentially... The better a pilot becomes,
the slower their rate of advancement in abilities. This is exactly why competition at the top in both Masters and FAI is so fierce. Hence, the
"bulge" in numbers at the Masters level.
Keep the food for though coming!
Rex
----- 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 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]
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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