[NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for elitist snobs?

[J N Hiller]

Welcome Ron. Before I could reply John's came in. His advise is better than
what I could have given. I guess it's been too long ago for me to remember
my early contests. I began flying Pattern about 1980 and some times my
thumbs still shake so bad I can't make a smooth takeoff. I started as a
'Thumb Flier' and never changed. I think most would agree that we have
better control using the 'Thumb and Forefinger' method with a neck strap or
a transmitter tray. The problem most of us thumb flyers have is leaning on
the aileron a little when pulling or pushing elevator. Even with extra stiff
springs from Radio South I still experience some mixing of control
functions. I should probably change but it is hard for old dogs to learn new
tricks. As John recommended wings level is of primary importance and we don'
t want to disturb that inadvertently with unwanted aileron input when
applying elevator.
It is good that you survived (rule number one). Try to stay within your
comfort zone and If necessary abort the maneuver to save the airplane or
keep it beyond the fowl line. Go to more contests. You will see some of the
same people and they are all willing to help.
Jim Hiller
Spokane WA.



-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of
ron at inweldcorp.com
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 9:57 AM
To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for elitist snobs?

I am new to pattern this year.  I got into it because I liked the smooth
precision flying I saw at the District 4-5 Shootout.  I had never seen
pattern before.  I went to my first contest in Quincy, Ohio a couple of
weeks ago and I have to say I really didn't enjoy it.  It was the pressure.
I tried to tell myself I was just going out to practice at my home field but
my mind knew better and made me nervous anyway.  I think as I become
comfortable with the Sportsman routine I will enjoy trying to make it
precise instead of just surviving it.  Maybe then, I will try another
contest.

I used several different callers at the contest.  I learned the most when I
had a caller from a higher class.  My problem was when the caller said start
working your way back in, I wanted to say, How do you do that.  But there is
no time to learn while you are flying at a contest.  I know everyone is very
busy at a contest either judging or flying.  However, If I could have had
one caller from a higher class that would act as my mentor and review each
flight with me, I could have learned a lot more.

To keep me in pattern, I need a mentor at my home field and that just isn't
available.  Trying to figure out what you are doing wrong on your own is a
very slow way to learn.  I am sure I practice many mistakes over and over.
I have driven 1:45 away twice to get advice from Steve Maxwell.  He has been
very helpful!  I just wish he was a little closer.

Maybe if I get more comfortable with the Sportsman pattern, I will try
another contest next year.

Ron

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ed Alt
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 9:53 AM
To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for elitist snobs?

Del, various efforts have been a huge success in D1, in terms of new
membership each year, new and total number of contests each year and with
one exception that you might like to pick on again, very good contest
attendance.  We've even got all-IMAC guys running a new pattern contest in
PA.  Go figure. You're entitled to your own opinion, but you are not
entitled to your own facts.

Do you still have an airplane?  If not, someone will probably lend you one.
Heck, I will. I'll call maneuvers for you too. There's a pattern primer in
Staten Island tomorrow.  There's another contest in New Hampshire 9/2.
There's another contest in Jackson, NJ two weeks after that. Come on out or
give it a rest please.  I don't even know what you look like and I've been
to almost every pattern contest in the district since I started flying
pattern in 2004. If you're that unhappy with things, pick another hobby!

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Del K. Rykert
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 9:36 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for elitist snobs?

I sure can't disagree with any of your post John. All of these things have
been being done for years by some in our part of the country with varying
degrees of success. I used to be able to attend 5 to 7 contest a year in my
area. That has now been reduced for varying reasons to 2 possibly 3. Why?
The answers are varied in each case but the changes aren't to the good of
promotion of the sport.

Also Unfortunately it doesn't address the casual flyer issue. Maybe the
majority don't care that their mind set and past decisions have driven many
from the sport. I appears that is the case, as repeated action has proven
and no need to further address the causal flyers plight.

    Del
----- Original Message -----
From: John Pavlick <mailto:jpavlick at idseng.com>
To: NSRCA Discussion <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:29 AM
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Pattern is for elitist snobs?

Since we're trying to figure out what we need to change so that more people
will fly Pattern, I'd like to share some ideas with everyone.

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. Here are some things that I've done that
ACTUALLY WORK:

1. Go to the club field with a sport plane or a warbird (leave your Pattern
planes home!) and have fun flying with the clubbies. Chances are you'll make
some new friends. You can try to get them hooked on pattern later...

2. When you see someone struggling with a motor or having an obvious trim
issue, offer to help. But not in the usual "Let me show you how it's done"
manner. That creates resentment. Instead, say something like: "Wow, that's
the same thing that happened to me! Wanna see how I fixed it?" Suddenly
you're both on the same level. That's a better position to be in.

3. Go to non-Pattern type club events. A Fun Fly or even a Scale Fly-In is
actually a good way to relax and have fun. That's what we're supposed to be
doing with toy airplanes anyway. Usually you'll meet people who ask how you
learned to fly so well. Of course you know how to answer that...

4. Become a club flight instructor. This is very rewarding and you can see
who has the potential to fly Pattern before they get distracted by other
interests.

5. Help out with a club event. Don't even fly. If you have to cook burgers,
then do it. In return, ask them to help YOU hold a Pattern Primer.

OK, there are 5 things that almost anyone can do. I know, because I've done
them all. Yeah it's kinda like "work" but it's not that bad. So far in the 3
years that I've been flying Pattern, I've gotten 3 more people to join us
(all NSRCA members now). If I can do it, anyone can. The longest journey
begins with the first step...


John Pavlick
http://www.idseng.com
  _____

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