[NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for pilots that want to

[Earl Haury]

Jason makes a huge point. I think we'd all be surprised by how intimidated sport flyers are by folks with pattern skills. I'm no where near Jason's level, yet I was told by an individual that I intimidated him to the point that he didn't practice pattern when I was around. (The good news is that we're now friends and he's won the Nats a couple of times.)  

Both John & Jason are right on - we must take the initiative in establishing relations with other flyers. Showing interest in their "latest", helping them with stuff that's "simple" to us, being cordial, and just participating in club activities goes a long way to dispel the "elitist" title sometimes associated with pattern. Only a small percentage of sport flyers will ever try pattern - but having them appreciate what we are and do isn't bad.

Earl
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JShulman 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:32 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for pilots that want to


  Thank you John. Ryan and I were talking about this over building of a pattern plane. Its not for everyone. I liked all your points too, and have done all but #4 myself (as an official instructor, but have helped anyone that has asked, or too scared to ask). 

  Just the other day Dave and I were out practicing and a guy we hadn't seen before came out to the field. He watched part of my flight and when we landed he was about halfway back to his car. We exchanged hello's, and he told us that he was going to leave after watching me fly. We asked why, and he said he was intimidated... So I did everything I could to make him feel comfortable, and he stayed and we chatted about everything aviation (AA pilot). Happy to say it was the 2nd flight that he broke the prop (he thought he wouldn't make it 1 flight). But he loved the fact that I did the same thing on take-off that he was doing, ground looping. So I showed and explained to him the fix (toe-in) and then it looped once more, then it took-off. He left with a huge smile on his face and was looking forward to the next time. That was better than practice that day.

  Regards,
  Jason
  www.jasonshulman.com
  www.shulmanaviation.com
  www.composite-arf.com 

    On Behalf Of John Pavlick

    As far as I'm concerned, there is really nothing "wrong" with what we're doing. I don't think rule changes or easier schedules or anything like that will lure more people into flying Pattern. If you just admit that not everyone needs (or wants) to become a Pattern pilot, you'll be fine. The object is to find the people with good flying skills and a competitive spirit and expose them to Pattern. 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  NSRCA-discussion mailing list
  NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
  http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20070825/921d2934/attachment.html