[NSRCA-discussion] Small Models...goodfor thefutureofthePatternEvent?

[Adrien L Terrenoire]

 Mike: 
I don't know how many years ago you are talking about, when you and the
others you name got started, but times have changed. OK, you were able
and willing to tackle the job of building a 2M ship, and the others you
named either had the $$ or the ability. 

I built my first 60 size ship in 1984, a Kaos, scratch built, because I
could not afford a kit. I had been flying for 14 years, and raising 3
kids on a retail salary. I had developed the ability to build, and I
persued the pattern challenges on a VERY limited budget, with equally
limited talent. In 1984 the rules stated that you HAD to move up from
Novice imediately after placing in the top 3 of a contest. I only got to
fly in 2 contests as a "novice", and had to move up and fly the next
class with my Kaos. I did go to 2 more meets that year, but realized VERY
quickly that the Tipos, Conquests, Atlantas, et all, were no match with
my Kaos. I could not afford to upgrade but I did fly the Kaos another
year at  a few contests. Then I found a kit I could afford, the Bridi
XLT. That plane would be competitive today in the lower classes, as long
as it did not have to compete with the new $3000 2M ships, and I am sure
I could put one in the air for less than $1000.

If we simply put an engine size limit on the lower classes, I believe it
COULD generate some new interest. No, it is not going to be a magic
bullet. It is not going to multiply our ranks over night, but I believe
it would bring in some new blood. As a side benefit, some guys would be
able to move some of their smaller ships, and give them new life.
We might all benefit.

We can ALWAYS find a dozen reasons NOT to do something, it takes
leadership and courage to step out and actually make the changes happen.
The courage comes into play because you have to willing to take the
criticism if the new way does not produce greater than expected results,
and very few new ideas deliver to that extent, so it is a lot easier to
just sit by and say "that won't work", then sit on the sidelines andbe
ready to say "I told you so" when it does not provide the panacea.

On Sun, 7 Jan 2007 11:06:31 -0500 "Mike Hester" <kerlock at comcast.net>
writes:
> That is because people are looking fo a magic fix that I am utterly, 
> 
> totally, absolutely convinced does not exist.
> 
> I am also absolutely utterly convinced that messing with the rules 
> too much 
> over airframes in ANY class right now will ultimately have the 
> opposite 
> effect of what people are trying to accomplish.
> 
> You guys know as well as I do that a major part of the draw in 
> pattern is 
> the planes themselves to a lot of people. Not all, but a substantial 
> number. 
> In the sportsman class, if a guy has the ambition to secure a 2 
> meter plane, 
> history shows (around here anyway) that you're MUCH more likely to 
> see him 
> next year in intermediate. The guy with the Kaos.....more likely, 
> not. It's 
> not because of cost, that is an excuse. Remove that excuse, they'll 
> just 
> find another. And now you've screwed the guy who WOULD have been 
> around next 
> year....
> 
> So let me get this straight....if you want to fly a 2 meter plane 
> with a OS 
> or YS160, you would have to fly advanced? Jeez, that's not a good 
> idea.
> 
> When I started, my first contest, I knew I was going to do it. I 
> scratch 
> built a 2 meter plane and went for it. I wasn't the only one, most 
> others in 
> sportsman also had 2 meter planes. One actually had bought a world 
> team 
> member's plane and was flying it....pretty well I might add...and I 
> have to 
> say that even through masters and many years, that season was some 
> of the 
> best competition I have ever had. And we're still here. It produced 
> myself, 
> AC Glenn, Bryan Kennedy, Steve Homenda to name a few. Steve was the 
> only one 
> who wasn't flying a 2 meter plane, he was flying a 40 sized Arresti 
> and 
> whipping everyone's tail with it. Oddly enough, he didn't get 
> deterred by 
> the big bad evil 2 meters.
> 
> There is no magic change to the rules that's going to bring 
> newcomers in 
> droves. You get creative, do what you can, and you make the best of 
> what you 
> get. We're not driving people away in droves like some people seem 
> to think. 
> If we are, it certainly isn't the rules regarding the size of the 
> planes and 
> cost. Maybe, just maybe it has more to do with a lot of the 
> negativity?
> 
> That's just my opinion, I could be wrong....but I'm pretty sure I'm 
> not =)
> 
> -M
> 
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